john-18:37-49,-john-19:1-6-niv1984

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 18:38

Pilate saith unto him, what is truth ?.... That is, in general, or that which Christ then particularly spoke of: many things might be observed in answer to this question, as that there is the truth and faithfulness of God in his word and promises; the truth of grace in the hearts of his people; Jesus Christ himself is truth, he is true God, and true man; the truth of all covenant transactions, of all types, promises, and prophecies; whatever he said and taught was truth, and the truth of all... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 18:39

But ye have a custom ,.... Not a law, either of God or man's, but a custom; and which was not originally observed at the feast of the passover, and perhaps was not of any long standing; but what the Roman governors, by the order of Caesar, or of their own pleasure, had introduced to ingratiate themselves into the affections of the people; and being repeated once and again, was now looked for: that I should release unto you one at the passover ; which was at this time; and more than one... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 18:40

Then cried they all again ,.... For it seems that Pilate had made this proposal once before, and that this was the second time, though not mentioned; yet some copies, and the Syriac, Arabic, Persic, and Ethiopic versions, leave out the word "again": they all, priests and people, in a very clamorous manner, cried out as one man, with one united voice, all at once; saying, not this man, but Barabbas; now Barabbas was a robber ; who was an emblem of God's elect in a state of nature,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 18:37

Thou sayest - A common form of expression for, yes, it is so. I was born into the world that I might set up and maintain a spiritual government: but this government is established in and by truth. All that love truth, hear my voice and attend to the spiritual doctrines I preach. It is by truth alone that I influence the minds and govern the manners of my subjects. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 18:38

What is truth - Among the sages of that time there were many opinions concerning truth; and some had even supposed that it was a thing utterly out of the reach of men. Pilate perhaps might have asked the question in a mocking way; and his not staying to get an answer indicated that he either despaired of getting a satisfactory one, or that he was indifferent about it. This is the case with thousands: they appear desirous of knowing the truth, but have not patience to wait in a proper way to... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 18:39

But ye have a custom - Nothing relative to the origin or reason of this custom is known. Commentators have swam in an ocean of conjecture on this point. They have lost their labor, and made nothing out: see the notes on Matthew 27:15 ; Luke 23:17 . read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 18:40

Barabbas was a robber - See Matthew 27:16 . The later Syriac has in the margin, αρχιλῃστης , a chief robber, a captain of banditti, and it is probable that this was the case. He was not only a person who lived by plunder, but shed the blood of many of those whom he and his gang robbed, and rose up against the Roman government, as we learn from Luke 23:19 . There never existed a more perfidious, cruel, and murderous people than these Jews; and no wonder they preferred a murderer to the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 18:37

Verse 37 37.Thou sayest that I am a king. Although Pilate had already learned, from the former answer, that Christ claims for himself some sort of kingdom, yet now Christ asserts the same thing more firmly; and, not satisfied with this, he makes an additional statement, which serves for a seal, as it were, to ratify what he had said. Hence we infer, that the doctrine concerning Christ’s kingdom is of no ordinary importance, since he has deemed it worthy of so solemn an affirmation. For this... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 18:38

Verse 38 38.What is truth? Some think that Pilate puts this question through curiosity, as irreligious men are sometimes accustomed to be eagerly desirous of learning something that is new to them, and yet do not know why they wish it; for they intend nothing more than to gratify their ears. For my own part, I rather think that it is an expression of disdain; for Pilate thought himself highly insulted when Christ represented him as destitute of all knowledge of the truth. Here we see in Pilate... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 18:39

Verse 39 39.But you have a custom. Pilate was all along pondering in what way he might save Christ’s life; but, the people being so fiercely enraged, he attempted to keep a middle path, in order to allay their fury; for he thought that it would be enough if Christ, being dismissed as a malefactor, were marked with perpetual ignominy, lie therefore selects Barabbas above all others, in order that, by a comparison with that man, the hatred which they bore to Christ might be softened down; for... read more

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 18:38

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 18:39

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 18:40

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 18:37

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 18:38

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 18:39

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 18:40

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 18:37

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 18:38

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 18:39

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