Charles Ellicott Commentary John 18:35

"Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done?" — John 18:35 (ASV)

Pilate answered, Am I a Jew?—His question means, “You surely do not suppose that I am a Jew?” The procurator’s Roman pride is fired at the very thought. He was the governor of the subject people. What did he know, or care to know, of their subtleties and distinctions?

Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me.—“So far from the question coming from me,” his words mean, “It is your own nation, and especially the chief priests, who have delivered you to me.” And then, weary of the technicalities with which a Roman trial had nothing to do, he asks the definite question, “What hast Thou done?”