Pilate went back into the Praetorium, summoned Jesus, and asked Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?”
Parallel translations
- WEB Pilate therefore entered again into the Praetorium, called Jesus, and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?”
- KJV Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews?
- NKJV Then Pilate entered the Praetorium again, called Jesus, and said to Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?”
- NASB Therefore Pilate entered the Praetorium again, and summoned Jesus and said to Him, “You are the King of the Jews?”
- NLT Then Pilate went back into his headquarters and called for Jesus to be brought to him. “Are you the king of the Jews?” he asked him.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Pilate calls Jesus inside and asks if he is the King of the Jews. The central question of Jesus' kingship is raised.
Overview
The charge before Pilate is evidently political: a rival king threatening Rome. Pilate's question opens a profound dialogue about the nature of Jesus' kingship. Throughout the trial John shows that Jesus truly is King, though not in the way Pilate or the crowds imagine, a King whose reign is established through the cross.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 20
- Luke 23:3–4So Pilate asked Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” “You have said so,” Jesus replied.
- John 19:12From then on, Pilate tried to release Him, but the Jews kept shouting, “If you release this man, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who declares himself a king is defying Caesar.”
- John 18:37“Then You are a king!” Pilate said. “You say that I am a king,” Jesus answered. “For this reason I was born and have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to My voice.”
- John 12:13They took palm branches and went out to meet Him, shouting: “Hosanna!” “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the King of Israel!”
- Luke 19:38–40“Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”
- John 19:3And they went up to Him again and again, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and slapping Him in the face.
- Acts 2:34–36For David did not ascend into heaven, but he himself says: ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand
- Zech 9:9Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your King comes to you, righteous and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
- Matt 27:11Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, who questioned Him: “Are You the King of the Jews?” “You have said so,” Jesus replied.
- Mark 15:2So Pilate questioned Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” “You have said so,” Jesus replied.
- John 1:49“Rabbi,” Nathanael answered, “You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!”
- Isa 9:6–7For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
- Zeph 3:15The LORD has taken away your punishment; He has turned back your enemy. Israel’s King, the LORD, is among you; no longer will you fear any harm.
- 1 Tim 6:13I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who made the good confession in His testimony before Pontius Pilate:
- Ps 2:6–12“I have installed My King on Zion, upon My holy mountain.”
- John 19:9and he went back into the Praetorium. “Where are You from?” he asked. But Jesus gave no answer.
- John 18:28–29Then they led Jesus away from Caiaphas into the Praetorium. By now it was early morning, and the Jews did not enter the Praetorium, to avoid being defiled and unable to eat the Passover.
- John 12:15“Do not be afraid, O Daughter of Zion. See, your King is coming, seated on the colt of a donkey.”
- John 19:19–22Pilate also had a notice posted on the cross. It read: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS.
- Jer 23:5Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and He will reign wisely as King and will administer justice and righteousness in the land.
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Christ at the center
John declares him plainly: the eternal Word made flesh, the Lamb of God, the great 'I AM' — bread, light, door, shepherd, way, truth, life, resurrection — that you may believe and have life in his name.
How John 18:33 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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