John 19:12,John 19:15

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - John 19:1-15

Here is a further account of the unfair trial which they gave to our Lord Jesus. The prosecutors carrying it on with great confusion among the people, and the judge with great confusion in his own breast, between both the narrative is such as is not easily reduced to method; we must therefore take the parts of it as they lie. I. The judge abuses the prisoner, though he declares him innocent, and hopes therewith to pacify the prosecutors; wherein his intention, if indeed it was good, will by no... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 19:12

And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him ,.... From the time that Christ spoke the above words; or, as the Syriac version renders it, מטול הדא , "because of this", or on account of the words he had spoken; to which agree the Arabic and Ethiopic versions: he sought by all means, and studied every way to bring the Jews to agree to his release: his reasons were, because of the consciousness of guilt, and the danger of contracting more; the sense he might have of a Divine Being, to... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 19:12

Pilate sought to release him - Pilate made five several attempts to release our Lord; as we may learn from Luke 23:4 , Luke 23:15 , Luke 23:20 , Luke 23:22 ; John 19:4 , John 19:12 , John 19:13 . Thou art not Caesar's friend - Thou dost not act like a person who has the interest of the emperor at heart. Ambassadors, prefects, counsellors, etc., were generally termed the friends of the emperor. This insinuation determined Pilate to make no longer resistance: he was afraid of... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 19:12

Verse 12 12.From that time Pilate sought to release him. Though Pilate does not conduct himself conscientiously, and is actuated more by ambition than by a regard to justice, and, on that account, is wretchedly irresolute, yet his modesty is commendable on this ground, that, when he is severely reproved by Christ, he does not fly into a passion, but, on the contrary, is still more disposed to release him. He is a judge, and yet he meekly permits the accused person to be his reprover; and,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 19:12

Upon this [Revised version ( ἐκ τούτου ); not from this moment, or "henceforth," as in the English version, but in consequence of this statement and apportionment of blame, and not from any appreciation on Pilate's part of the Divine Sonship which Jesus had admitted without further definition]—upon this Pilate sought (imperfect tense, suggesting repetition and incompleteness in the act) to release him . We are not told by what means, and we have no right to introduce the additional... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 19:12-16

(g) Pilate vanquished by his selfish fears, and judgment given. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - John 19:12

Sought to release him - He was more and more convinced of his innocence, and more unwilling to yield him to mere malice and envy in the face of justice.But the Jews cried out ... - This moved Pilate to deliver Jesus into their hands. He feared that he would be accused of unfaithfulness to the interests of the Roman emperor if he did not condemn a man whom his own nation had accused of sedition. The Roman emperor then on the throne was exceedingly jealous and tyrannical, and the fear of losing... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - John 19:8-12

John 19:8-12 . When Pilate heard that saying, he was the more afraid He before feared to shed innocent blood, and now he became more afraid than ever to take his life; suspecting, probably, that the account which he heard of him might be true, and that he might be a divine person. For doubtless he had heard of some of the many miracles which Jesus had performed, and now, it seems, began to think that perhaps what had been currently reported was true, and that he really had performed the... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - John 19:1-16

156. Jesus before the people (Matthew 27:15-31; Mark 15:6-20; Luke 23:13-25; John 18:39-19:16)Although assured that Jesus was innocent, Pilate felt it wise to give the Jews some satisfaction; for by this time a crowd had gathered and he did not want a riot to break out. He therefore offered to punish Jesus by flogging, and consider the matter finished (Luke 23:13-16).But the people yelled for Jesus to be crucified. Pilate did not want the situation to get out of control, so made another offer.... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - John 19:12

from thenceforth = on (Greek. ek. App-104 .) this. sought = was seeking. If. App-118 . Caesar . Greek. Kaisar. This title was adopted by the Roman emperors after Julius Caesar. Frequently found in inscriptions. Deissmann, Light, &c., p. 383. Octavius added the title Augustus (Luke 2:1 ) = Greek. Sebastos (Acts 25:21 , Acts 25:25 ). read more