Book of John - Chapter 18 - Verse 39

In this verse, Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea, is addressing the crowd gathered before him during the Passover festival. He mentions a custom in which he would release one prisoner to the crowd as a gesture of goodwill during the holiday. Pilate offers to release the "King of the Jews" to the people, referring to Jesus, who had been arrested and brought before him by the religious leaders. The crowd, influenced by the religious leaders, ends up calling for the release of Barabbas, a known criminal, instead of Jesus. This moment highlights the political and religious tensions present during Jesus' trial, as well as the contrast between the true righteousness of Jesus and the corruption of the religious leaders and the Roman authorities.

Within the theological interpretation of the verse, "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?", scholars and theologians often delve into the significance of this question posed by Pontius Pilate to the crowds. The mention of the Passover highlights the time of year when Jesus was crucified, connecting his sacrifice to the Old Testament tradition of the Passover lamb. Furthermore, the title "King of the Jews" is a loaded term, symbolizing both the political threat Jesus posed to the Roman authorities and his messianic role in Jewish belief. The word "release" also carries deep theological meaning, highlighting the theme of redemption and deliverance through the eventual release of Jesus from the bondage of death through his resurrection. Word studies on phrases like "one at the passover" and "King of the Jews" further illuminate the rich theological implications of this verse, providing insight into the complex interplay of political power, religious tradition, and divine purpose in the crucifixion narrative.