Verse of the Day
Author Spotlight
Loading featured author...
Report Issue
See a formatting issue or error?
Let us know →
When therefore Pilate heard this saying, he was more afraid.
Verse Takeaways
1
A Pagan's Superstitious Fear
Commentators explain that Pilate's fear intensified because the title 'Son of God' had a specific meaning in his Roman world. He wasn't thinking of the Jewish Messiah, but of the possibility that Jesus was a demigod or a deity in human form, like those in pagan mythology. Already unnerved by his wife's dream and Jesus's innocence, he now feared incurring divine wrath for harming a supernatural being.
See 3 Verse Takeaways
Book Overview
John
Author
Audience
Composition
Teaching Highlights
Outline
+ 5 more
See Overview
10
18th Century
Presbyterian
When Pilate therefore heard that saying. That they had accused him of blasphemy. As this was not the charge on which they had arraigned hi…
He was the more afraid (μαλλον εφοβηθη). First aorist passive indicative of φοβεομα. He was already afraid because of his wife's m…
19th Century
Anglican
When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he was the more afraid.—That is, as the verses that follow show, he was the more…
Go ad-free and create your own bookmark library
Baptist
When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he was the more afraid; and went again into the judgment hall, and saith unto Jesus, Whence art thou? …
To the Jews, Jesus’ claim was the height of sacrilege. For Pilate, however, it had a different meaning. In pagan mythology the Olympian deities fre…
16th Century
Protestant
He was the more afraid. These words may be explained in two ways. The first is that Pilate dreaded that some blame would be attributed to …
Get curated content & updates
17th Century
Reformed Baptist
When Pilate therefore heard that saying That Jesus had asserted himself to be the Son of God, and that the Jews had …
Little did Pilate think with what holy regard these sufferings of Christ would, in later ages, be considered and spoken of by the best and greatest…
13th Century
Catholic
Now the Evangelist discusses the crucifixion of Christ:
First, the crucifixion itself.
Second, the death of Christ: aft…
