Charles Spurgeon Commentary John 19:11

"Jesus answered him, Thou wouldest have no power against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath greater sin." — John 19:11 (ASV)

Jesus answered, You could have no power at all against me, unless it were given to you from above: therefore he that delivered me to you has the greater sin.

"You have the power to execute the sentence, lent to you from heaven: but he that brought me here, and laid the charge against me, even Caiaphas, as the representative of the Jews, has the greater sin." Then the Blessed One closed his lips, never to open them again until on the cross. From this time, like a sheep before her shearers, he was silent.

Notice that even though that statement is the word of the Judge who judges Pilate, who judges the Jews, yet there is a strain of the gentleness of his character about it. For though he does virtually declare Pilate guilty of great sin, yet he says there is a greater. And while there is no apology for Pilate, yet he puts it softly.

Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.

Christ referred to Judas, and through him to the Jews who had conspired to put him to death; but what tenderness it was, on the part of Jesus, to make an excuse as it were even for Pilate! He was notable for making excuses for the guilty.

That was a remarkable excuse that he pleaded for his murderers, Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. There was never another such a tender heart as his; he was so gentle and so kind that all their cruelty only moved him to pity them, and pray for them.