Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version The chief priests of the Jews protested to Pilate, “Do not write ‘The King of the Jews,’ but that this man claimed to be king of the Jews.” New Living Translation Then the leading priests objected and said to Pilate, “Change it from ‘The King of the Jews’ to ‘He said, I am King of the Jews.’” English Standard Version So the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but rather, ‘This man said, I am King of the Jews.’” Berean Standard Bible So the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but only that He said, ‘I am the King of the Jews.’ ” Berean Literal Bible Therefore the chief priests of the Jews were saying to Pilate, "Do not write, 'The King of the Jews,' but that He said, 'I am King of the Jews.'" King James Bible Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews; but that he said, I am King of the Jews. New King James Version Therefore the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but, ‘He said, “I am the King of the Jews.” ’ ” New American Standard Bible So the chief priests of the Jews were saying to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews’; rather, write that He said, ‘I am King of the Jews.’” NASB 1995 So the chief priests of the Jews were saying to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews’ but that He said, ‘I am King of the Jews.’” NASB 1977 And so the chief priests of the Jews were saying to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews’; but that He said, ‘I am King of the Jews.’” Legacy Standard Bible So the chief priests of the Jews were saying to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews;’ but that He said, ‘I am King of the Jews.’” Amplified Bible Then the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews’; but, ‘He said, “I am King of the Jews.”’” Christian Standard Bible So the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Don’t write, ‘The king of the Jews,’ but that he said, ‘I am the king of the Jews.’ ” Holman Christian Standard Bible So the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Don’t write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but that He said, ‘I am the King of the Jews.’” American Standard Version The chief priests of the Jews therefore said to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews; but that he said, I am King of the Jews. Contemporary English Version So the chief priests went to Pilate and said, "Why did you write that he is King of the Jews? You should have written, 'He claimed to be King of the Jews.'" English Revised Version The chief priests of the Jews therefore said to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews; but, that he said, I am King of the Jews. GOD'S WORD® Translation The chief priests of the Jewish people told Pilate, "Don't write, 'The king of the Jews!' Instead, write, 'He said that he is the king of the Jews.'" Good News Translation The chief priests said to Pilate, "Do not write 'The King of the Jews,' but rather, 'This man said, I am the King of the Jews.'" International Standard Version Then the Jewish high priests told Pilate, "Don't write, 'The King of the Jews,' but that this fellow said, 'I am the King of the Jews.'" Majority Standard Bible So the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but only that He said, ‘I am the King of the Jews.’” NET Bible Then the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, "Do not write, 'The king of the Jews,' but rather, 'This man said, I am king of the Jews.'" New Heart English Bible The chief priests of the Jewish people therefore said to Pilate, "Do not write, 'The King of the Jews,' but, 'he said, I am King of the Jews.'" Webster's Bible Translation Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews; but that he said, I am King of the Jews. Weymouth New Testament This led the Jewish High Priests to remonstrate with Pilate. "You should not write 'The King of the Jews,'" they said, "but that he claimed to be King of the Jews." World English Bible The chief priests of the Jews therefore said to Pilate, “Don’t write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but, ‘he said, “I am King of the Jews.”’” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionThe chief priests of the Jews therefore said to Pilate, “Do not write, The King of the Jews, but that this One said, I am King of the Jews”; Berean Literal Bible Therefore the chief priests of the Jews were saying to Pilate, "Do not write, 'The King of the Jews,' but that He said, 'I am King of the Jews.'" Young's Literal Translation The chief priests of the Jews said, therefore, to Pilate, 'Write not -- The king of the Jews, but that one said, I am king of the Jews;' Smith's Literal Translation Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate, Write not, King of the Jews; but that he said, I am King of the Jews. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleThen the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate: Write not, The King of the Jews; but that he said, I am the King of the Jews. Catholic Public Domain Version Then the high priests of the Jews said to Pilate: Do not write, ‘King of the Jews,’ but that he said, ‘I am King of the Jews.’ New American Bible So the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write ‘The King of the Jews,’ but that he said, ‘I am the King of the Jews.’ ” New Revised Standard Version Then the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but, ‘This man said, I am King of the Jews.’” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleThe high priests then said to Pilate, Do not write that he is the king of the Jews; but that he said, I am the king of the Jews. Aramaic Bible in Plain English And the Chief Priests said to Pilate, “Do not write, 'He is The King of the Judeans', but, “He said, 'I am The King of the Judeans.'” NT Translations Anderson New TestamentThen the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate: Write not, The king of the Jews; but, that he said, I am the king of the Jews. Godbey New Testament Then the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, Write not, King of the Jews; but that He said, I am the King of the Jews. Haweis New Testament The chief priests of the Jews then said to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews; but that he said, I am King of the Jews. Mace New Testament thereupon the chief priests of the Jews went to Pilate, saying, don't write, "The king of the Jews;" but that he said, I am king of the Jews. Weymouth New Testament This led the Jewish High Priests to remonstrate with Pilate. "You should not write 'The King of the Jews,'" they said, "but that he claimed to be King of the Jews." Worrell New Testament The high priests of the Jews, therefore, said to Pilate, "Write not, 'The King of the Jews,' but that He said, I am King of the Jews." Worsley New Testament And the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, Write not "The king of the Jews," but that "He said, I am king of the Jews." Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Crucifixion…20Many of the Jews read this sign, because the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and it was written in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek. 21So the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but only that He said, ‘I am the King of the Jews.’” 22Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have written.”… Cross References Matthew 27:37 Above His head they posted the written charge against Him: THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS. Mark 15:26 And the charge inscribed against Him read: THE KING OF THE JEWS. Luke 23:38 Above Him was posted an inscription: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. John 18:33-37 Pilate went back into the Praetorium, summoned Jesus, and asked Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” / “Are you saying this on your own,” Jesus asked, “or did others tell you about Me?” / “Am I a Jew?” Pilate replied. “Your own people and chief priests handed You over to me. What have You done?” ... John 1:49 “Rabbi,” Nathanael answered, “You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” John 12:13 They took palm branches and went out to meet Him, shouting: “Hosanna!” “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the King of Israel!” Acts 2:36 Therefore let all Israel know with certainty that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ!” Acts 4:10 then let this be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. Acts 13:28-29 And though they found no ground for a death sentence, they asked Pilate to have Him executed. / When they had carried out all that was written about Him, they took Him down from the tree and laid Him in a tomb. Philippians 2:8-11 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross. / Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name above all names, / that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, ... Hebrews 12:2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Psalm 2:6 “I have installed My King on Zion, upon My holy mountain.” Psalm 22:6-8 But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by men and despised by the people. / All who see me mock me; they sneer and shake their heads: / “He trusts in the LORD, let the LORD deliver him; let the LORD rescue him, since He delights in him.” Psalm 69:9 because zeal for Your house has consumed me, and the insults of those who insult You have fallen on me. Psalm 110:1 A Psalm of David. The LORD said to my Lord: “Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.” Treasury of Scripture Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews; but that he said, I am King of the Jews. Jump to Previous Chief Claimed High Jewish Jews Led Pilate Priests Protested Remonstrate WriteJump to Next Chief Claimed High Jewish Jews Led Pilate Priests Protested Remonstrate WriteJohn 19 1. Jesus is scourged, crowned with thorns, and beaten.4. Pilate is desirous to release him, 15. but being overcome with the outrage of the crowd, he delivers him to be crucified. 23. They cast lots for his garments. 25. He commends his mother to John. 28. He dies. 31. His side is pierced. 38. He is buried by Joseph and Nicodemus. So the chief priests of the Jews The phrase highlights the religious leaders' authority and their role in the events leading to Jesus' crucifixion. The "chief priests" were part of the Sanhedrin, the highest Jewish council, responsible for religious decisions. Historically, these leaders were often seen as protectors of Jewish law and tradition, yet in this context, they are depicted as opposing Jesus, whom they viewed as a threat to their authority and the status quo. Their actions fulfill the prophecies of the Messiah being rejected by His own people (Isaiah 53:3). said to Pilate Do not write ‘The King of the Jews,’ but only that He said, ‘I am the King of the Jews.’ The expression, "chief priests of the Jews," occurs only here in the New Testament, perhaps in contrast to the title, "King of the Jews," to indicate that their anxiety about the title came from them as representatives of the national honour. What I have written I have written.--The words are a formula to signify that the thing was done and could not be undone. There are frequent instances of similar expressions in the Rabbinical writings. Verse 21. - Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate. They must have hurried back to him with petulant resentment of his intentional scorn. Observe the very unusual phrase, "the chief priests of the Jews," as though the priesthood felt the connection between the priesthood and kingship of the theocratic people, and it gave additional sting to the sarcastic reproach involved in the inscription. Write not, The King of the Jews; but that he said, I am King of the Jews. They resented the association of the theocratic or Messianic symbol with the spiritual Being whom they had condemned. Had they not already declared that they had no king but Caesar? Doubtless he said, "I am the King of the Jews;" he made the claim, not in a sense which could be rationally entertained in a Roman court, but in the true Messianic and prophetic sense. The priests knew perfectly well that because Jesus had altogether refused, Heir of David though he was, to entertain the Kingship in the only sense in which they desired to proclaim it, they had rebelled against him and rejected his claims. For Pilate to have given any color to the purely spiritual prerogative of their Victim roused their remonstrance, but that it might be treated as identification of the national cause with a convicted and crucified felon exasperated them.Parallel Commentaries ... Greek Soοὖν (oun) Conjunction Strong's 3767: Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly. the οἱ (hoi) Article - Nominative Masculine Plural Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. chief priests ἀρχιερεῖς (archiereis) Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural Strong's 749: High priest, chief priest. From arche and hiereus; the high-priest; by extension a chief priest. of the τῶν (tōn) Article - Genitive Masculine Plural Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. Jews Ἰουδαίων (Ioudaiōn) Adjective - Genitive Masculine Plural Strong's 2453: Jewish. From Iouda; Judaean, i.e. Belonging to Jehudah. said ἔλεγον (elegon) Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural Strong's 2036: Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say. to Pilate, Πιλάτῳ (Pilatō) Noun - Dative Masculine Singular Strong's 4091: Pilate. Of Latin origin; close-pressed, i.e. Firm; Pilatus, a Roman. “{Do} not Μὴ (Mē) Adverb Strong's 3361: Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether. write, γράφε (graphe) Verb - Present Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular Strong's 1125: A primary verb; to 'grave', especially to write; figuratively, to describe. ‘The Ὁ (Ho) Article - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. King Βασιλεὺς (Basileus) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 935: A king, ruler, but in some passages clearly to be translated: emperor. Probably from basis; a sovereign. of the τῶν (tōn) Article - Genitive Masculine Plural Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. Jews,’ Ἰουδαίων (Ioudaiōn) Adjective - Genitive Masculine Plural Strong's 2453: Jewish. From Iouda; Judaean, i.e. Belonging to Jehudah. but only ἀλλ’ (all’) Conjunction Strong's 235: But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise. that ὅτι (hoti) Conjunction Strong's 3754: Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because. He ἐκεῖνος (ekeinos) Demonstrative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 1565: That, that one there, yonder. From ekei; that one (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed. said, εἶπεν (eipen) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 2036: Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say. ‘I am εἰμι (eimi) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. [the] King Βασιλεύς (Basileus) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 935: A king, ruler, but in some passages clearly to be translated: emperor. Probably from basis; a sovereign. of the τῶν (tōn) Article - Genitive Masculine Plural Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. Jews.’” Ἰουδαίων (Ioudaiōn) Adjective - Genitive Masculine Plural Strong's 2453: Jewish. From Iouda; Judaean, i.e. Belonging to Jehudah. Links John 19:21 NIVJohn 19:21 NLT John 19:21 ESV John 19:21 NASB John 19:21 KJV John 19:21 BibleApps.com John 19:21 Biblia Paralela John 19:21 Chinese Bible John 19:21 French Bible John 19:21 Catholic Bible NT Gospels: John 19:21 The chief priests of the Jews therefore (Jhn Jo Jn) |
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