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1
Pilate's Sarcastic Ploy
Commentators explain that Pilate's offer was a political maneuver, not a simple act of justice. He used a Roman custom of releasing a prisoner to try and appease the crowd and avoid condemning an innocent man. His use of the title "King of the Jews" was filled with sarcasm and contempt, intended to mock the Jewish people and their leaders.
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John
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Commentaries
7
AT Robertson
On John 18:39
A custom (συνηθεια). Old word for intimacy, intercourse, from συνηθης (συν, ηθος), in N.T. only here, [Reference 1 Corinthians 8:7…
Charles Ellicott
On John 18:39
19th Century
Bishop
At the Passover.—Compare Excursus F: The Day of the Crucifixion of our Lord.
The King of the Jews.…
Charles Spurgeon
On John 18:39
19th Century
Preacher
Now, Pilate may have thought, if Christ was their King, they would certainly prefer him to a thief and a robber; so he was putting before himself a…
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Expositor's Bible Commentary
On John 18:39
Aware, however, that there were political overtones in the situation that called for some sort of action, Pilate groped for a solution that would b…
John Calvin
On John 18:39
16th Century
Theologian
But you have a custom. Pilate was continually pondering how he might save Christ’s life. But with the people so fiercely enraged, he attem…
John Gill
On John 18:39
17th Century
Pastor
But you have a custom
Not a law, either of God or man's, but a custom; and which was not originally observed at the…
Matthew Henry
On John 18:33–40
17th Century
Minister
Are you the King of the Jews? That King of the Jews who has been so long expected? Messiah the Prince; are you he? Do you call yourself so, and wou…