John 18:39 Meaning and Explanation
“But ye have a custom, that I should release unto you one at the passover: will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews?”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Citing the passover custom of releasing one prisoner, Pilate offers to free Jesus, calling him the King of the Jews.
What Does John 18:39 Mean?
Having found no fault, Pilate owes Jesus immediate release; instead he reaches for an escape — the festival amnesty, by which one prisoner went free at passover. Will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews? He hopes the crowd will choose what he lacks the courage to order.
Justice that bargains has already begun to surrender: Pilate wants the right outcome at no cost to himself. Yet beneath the maneuvering, the design of God presses on — at the feast of freed captives and slain lambs, a release is set before the people, and a great exchange is about to be enacted (v. 40). Half-courage saves no one; in the end it could not even save the judge.
Frequently Asked Questions About John 18:39
What does John 18:39 mean?
Citing the passover custom of releasing one prisoner, Pilate offers to free Jesus, calling him the King of the Jews.