and he went back into the Praetorium. “Where are You from?” he asked. But Jesus gave no answer.
Parallel translations
- WEB He entered into the Praetorium again, and said to Jesus, “Where are you from?” But Jesus gave him no answer.
- KJV And went again into the judgment hall, and saith unto Jesus, Whence art thou? But Jesus gave him no answer.
- NKJV and went again into the Praetorium, and said to Jesus, “Where are You from?” But Jesus gave him no answer.
- NASB and he entered the Praetorium again and *said to Jesus, “Where are You from?” But Jesus gave him no answer.
- NLT He took Jesus back into the headquarters again and asked him, “Where are you from?” But Jesus gave no answer.
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 asks Jesus where he is from, but Jesus gives no answer. His silence fulfills Scripture and shows his sovereign composure.
Overview
Pilate's question probes Jesus' origin, perhaps fearing a heavenly source. Jesus' silence echoes Isaiah 53:7, where the Servant is led like a lamb and does not open his mouth. He has already testified to the truth (18:37); now his silence before an unjust judge displays both dignity and submission to the Father's plan.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 12
- John 18:33Pilate went back into the Praetorium, summoned Jesus, and asked Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?”
- Isa 53:7He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so He did not open His mouth.
- John 8:14Jesus replied, “Even if I testify about Myself, My testimony is valid, because I know where I came from and where I am going. But you do not know where I came from or where I am going.
- John 9:29–30We know that God spoke to Moses, but we do not know where this man is from.”
- Mark 15:3–5And the chief priests began to accuse Him of many things.
- Phil 1:28without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a clear sign of their destruction but of your salvation, and it is from God.
- Ps 38:13–15But like a deaf man, I do not hear; and like a mute man, I do not open my mouth.
- Matt 26:63But Jesus remained silent. Then the high priest said to Him, “I charge You under oath by the living God: Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God.”
- Judg 13:6So the woman went and told her husband, “A man of God came to me. His appearance was like the angel of God, exceedingly awesome. I did not ask him where he came from, and he did not tell me his name.
- Acts 8:32–33The eunuch was reading this passage of Scripture: “He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before the shearer is silent, so He did not open His mouth.
- Matt 27:12–14And when He was accused by the chief priests and elders, He gave no answer.
- 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.”
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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 19:9 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
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.