King James Version

What Does John 19:6 Mean?

John 19:6 in the King James Version says “When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. Pilate saith un... — study this verse from John chapter 19 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Take ye him, and crucify him: for I find no fault in him.

John 19:6 · KJV


Context

4

Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him.

5

Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man!

6

When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Take ye him, and crucify him: for I find no fault in him.

7

The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.

8

When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he was the more afraid;


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Crucify him, crucify him (σταύρωσον σταύρωσον/staurōson staurōson)—the frenzied repetition reveals mob hysteria fueled by religious hatred. The chief priests and officers (archiereis kai hypēretai) who should have been shepherds became wolves, demanding the execution of the sinless One they claimed to serve.

Pilate's third declaration, I find no fault in him (οὐχ εὑρίσκω ἐν αὐτῷ αἰτίαν/ouch heuriskō en autō aitian), is judicial acquittal. The Roman governor, paganism's representative, recognized Christ's innocence while Israel's religious leaders demanded His death. Take ye him, and crucify him drips with bitter irony—Pilate knows Jews cannot legally execute by crucifixion (18:31), yet he mockingly throws the responsibility back at them. The Innocent One stands condemned by those who claim righteousness.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Roman crucifixion was reserved for slaves, revolutionaries, and the lowest criminals—never for Roman citizens. It was designed for maximum humiliation and prolonged agony. The chief priests' public cry for crucifixion violated their own law against executing on Passover preparation day, revealing how far hatred had driven them beyond legal constraints.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does religious zeal divorced from truth produce the very evil it claims to oppose?
  2. What does Pilate's triple declaration of innocence reveal about humanity's guilt in Christ's death?
  3. When have you witnessed 'mob mentality' override individual conscience in Christian contexts?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 29 words
ὅτε1 of 29

When

G3753

at which (thing) too, i.e., when

οὖν2 of 29

therefore

G3767

(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly

εἶδον3 of 29

saw

G1492

used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl

αὐτῷ4 of 29

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

οἱ5 of 29
G3588

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

ἀρχιερεῖς6 of 29

the chief priests

G749

the high-priest (literally, of the jews; typically, christ); by extension a chief priest

καὶ7 of 29

and

G2532

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

οἱ8 of 29
G3588

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

ὑπηρέται9 of 29

officers

G5257

an under-oarsman, i.e., (generally) subordinate (assistant, sexton, constable)

ἐκραύγασαν10 of 29

they cried out

G2905

to clamor

λέγει11 of 29

saith

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

σταυρώσατε·12 of 29

Crucify

G4717

to impale on the cross; figuratively, to extinguish (subdue) passion or selfishness

σταυρώσατε·13 of 29

Crucify

G4717

to impale on the cross; figuratively, to extinguish (subdue) passion or selfishness

λέγει14 of 29

saith

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

αὐτῷ15 of 29

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

16 of 29
G3588

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

Πιλᾶτος17 of 29

him Pilate

G4091

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

Λάβετε18 of 29

Take

G2983

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

αὐτῷ19 of 29

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

ὑμεῖς20 of 29

ye

G5210

you (as subjective of verb)

καὶ21 of 29

and

G2532

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

σταυρώσατε·22 of 29

Crucify

G4717

to impale on the cross; figuratively, to extinguish (subdue) passion or selfishness

ἐγὼ23 of 29

I

G1473

i, me

γὰρ24 of 29

him for

G1063

properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)

οὐχ25 of 29

no

G3756

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

εὑρίσκω26 of 29

find

G2147

to find (literally or figuratively)

ἐν27 of 29

in

G1722

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

αὐτῷ28 of 29

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

αἰτίαν29 of 29

fault

G156

a cause (as if asked for), i.e., (logical) reason (motive, matter), (legal) crime (alleged or proved)


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 19:6 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 19:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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