King James Version

What Does John 18:39 Mean?

John 18:39 in the King James Version says “But ye have a custom, that I should release unto you one at the passover: will ye therefore that I release unto you the ...” — study this verse from John chapter 18 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“But ye have a custom, that I should release unto you one at the passover: will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews?”

John 18:39 · KJV

Context

37

Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.

38

Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all.

39

But ye have a custom, that I should release unto you one at the passover: will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews?

40

Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Ye have a custom (συνήθεια δέ ἐστιν ὑμῖν)—The Passover amnesty tradition is attested nowhere outside the Gospels, likely a local concession Pilate extended to maintain order during volatile festival seasons. The Greek synētheia (custom, habit) suggests established practice.

Will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews?—Pilate's cunning stratagem: force the crowd to choose. By calling Jesus "the King of the Jews," Pilate mockingly throws their accusation back—and tests whether they truly fear him as a political threat. The tragic irony: Pilate offers freedom to the one who alone possesses it (8:36), while the crowd demands release of Barabbas, whose name means "son of the father"—a false son freed while the true Son dies. This exchange epitomizes substitutionary atonement: the guilty go free, the innocent suffers.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Passover commemorated Israel's liberation from Egypt, making it politically charged—Roman authorities stationed extra troops in Jerusalem during festivals. The crowd's choice of Barabbas (described as a robber/insurrectionist in John 18:40) over Jesus reveals revolutionary fervor: they wanted a violent Messiah who would overthrow Rome, not a suffering Servant who would conquer sin.

Reflection Questions

  1. What false messiahs (political solutions, self-help ideologies, nationalistic fervor) do you choose over Christ?
  2. How does Barabbas's release picture your own salvation—the guilty freed through the innocent's death?
  3. In what ways do you prefer a conquering hero to a crucified Savior?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 19 words
ἔστιν1 of 19

“have”

G2076

he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are

δὲ2 of 19

“But”

G1161

but, and, etc

συνήθεια3 of 19

“a custom”

G4914

mutual habituation, i.e., usage

ὑμῖν4 of 19

“unto you”

G5213

to (with or by) you

ἵνα5 of 19

“that”

G2443

in order that (denoting the purpose or the result)

ἕνα6 of 19

“one”

G1520

one

ὑμῖν7 of 19

“unto you”

G5213

to (with or by) you

ἀπολύσω8 of 19

“I should release”

G630

to free fully, i.e., (literally) relieve, release, dismiss (reflexively, depart), or (figuratively) let die, pardon or (specially) divorce

ἐν9 of 19

“at”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τῷ10 of 19
G3588

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

πάσχα·11 of 19

“the passover”

G3957

the passover (the meal, the day, the festival or the special sacrifices connected with it)

βούλεσθε12 of 19

“will ye”

G1014

to "will," i.e., (reflexively) be willing

οὖν13 of 19

“therefore”

G3767

(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly

ὑμῖν14 of 19

“unto you”

G5213

to (with or by) you

ἀπολύσω15 of 19

“I should release”

G630

to free fully, i.e., (literally) relieve, release, dismiss (reflexively, depart), or (figuratively) let die, pardon or (specially) divorce

τὸν16 of 19
G3588

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

βασιλέα17 of 19

“the King”

G935

a sovereign (abstractly, relatively, or figuratively)

τῶν18 of 19
G3588

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

Ἰουδαίων19 of 19

“of the Jews”

G2453

judaean, i.e., belonging to jehudah

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 18:39 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 18:39 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Matthew 27:15-18Luke 23:16-23Mark 15:6-14Matthew 27:20-23

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