King James Version

What Does John 18:31 Mean?

John 18:31 in the King James Version says “Then said Pilate unto them, Take ye him, and judge him according to your law. The Jews therefore said unto him, It is no... — study this verse from John chapter 18 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

Then said Pilate unto them, Take ye him, and judge him according to your law. The Jews therefore said unto him, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death:

John 18:31 · KJV


Context

29

Pilate then went out unto them, and said, What accusation bring ye against this man?

30

They answered and said unto him, If he were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered him up unto thee.

31

Then said Pilate unto them, Take ye him, and judge him according to your law. The Jews therefore said unto him, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death:

32

That the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spake, signifying what death he should die.

33

Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews?


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Then said Pilate unto them, Take ye him, and judge him according to your law—Pilate attempts to deflect this political trap by returning jurisdiction to Jewish courts. The Jews therefore said unto him, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death (Οὐκ ἔξεστιν ἡμῖν ἀποκτεῖναι οὐδένα, ouk exestin hēmin apokteinai oudena)—Rome had revoked capital punishment authority from provincial courts (likely around AD 6-7).

This forced collaboration reveals God's sovereignty: Jewish execution was stoning (Acts 7:58); Roman crucifixion. Only Roman involvement could produce crucifixion—the death Jesus repeatedly predicted (3:14, 8:28, 12:32-33). The Jews' loss of capital jurisdiction wasn't historical accident but divine orchestration ensuring Jesus would be 'lifted up' on a cross, not stoned.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The Sanhedrin could execute for temple violations (hence their later stoning of Stephen), but formal Roman ratification was normally required. Their admission 'it is not lawful' reveals they sought Rome's official sanction for their religious vendetta, implicating both Jew and Gentile in Christ's death—showing universal guilt requiring universal atonement.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's sovereignty work through even unjust legal restrictions to accomplish His redemptive purposes?
  2. What does the collaboration between Jewish and Roman authorities teach about human guilt being universal, not ethnic?
  3. How does the specific manner of Jesus's death (crucifixion vs. stoning) demonstrate the precision of prophetic fulfillment?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 25 words
εἶπον1 of 25

said

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

οὖν2 of 25

Then

G3767

(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly

αὐτῷ3 of 25

him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

4 of 25
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Πιλᾶτος5 of 25

Pilate

G4091

close-pressed, i.e., firm; pilatus, a roman

Λάβετε6 of 25

Take

G2983

while g0138 is more violent, to seize or remove))

αὐτῷ7 of 25

him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ὑμεῖς8 of 25

ye

G5210

you (as subjective of verb)

καὶ9 of 25

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

κατὰ10 of 25

according

G2596

(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)

τὸν11 of 25
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

νόμον12 of 25

law

G3551

law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of moses (including the volume); also of the gospel), or figurat

ὑμῶν13 of 25

to your

G5216

of (from or concerning) you

κρίνατε14 of 25

judge

G2919

by implication, to try, condemn, punish

αὐτῷ15 of 25

him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

εἶπον16 of 25

said

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

οὖν17 of 25

Then

G3767

(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly

αὐτῷ18 of 25

him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

οἱ19 of 25
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Ἰουδαῖοι20 of 25

The Jews

G2453

judaean, i.e., belonging to jehudah

Ἡμῖν21 of 25

for us

G2254

to (or for, with, by) us

οὐκ22 of 25

not

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

ἔξεστιν23 of 25

It is

G1832

so also ???? <pronunciation strongs="ex-on'"/> neuter present participle of the same (with or without some form of g1510 expressed); impersonally, it

ἀποκτεῖναι24 of 25

to death

G615

to kill outright; figuratively, to destroy

οὐδένα·25 of 25

any man

G3762

not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e., none, nobody, nothing


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of John. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

John 18:31 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to John 18:31 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study