Charles Ellicott Commentary John 18:32

"that the word of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spake, signifying by what manner of death he should die." — John 18:32 (ASV)

That the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled.—Compare Note on John 18:9.

Signifying what death he should die.—Better, signifying by what manner of death He should die. (Compare Note on John 10:32.) For the prediction of the manner of death, compare John 3:14; John 12:32; and Note on Matthew 20:19.

If the Jews had possessed the power to put Him to death, they would have condemned Him on the technical charge of blasphemy, for which the punishment was stoning. (John 10:31; and Acts 7:51 and following.)

Crucifixion was not a Jewish punishment. It was in the fact that He was executed, not by Jewish authority and on the charge of blasphemy, but by Roman authority and on a charge of Majestas (high treason), that His own prophecy of the manner of His death was fulfilled.