John 19:11, commentary and pictures

Jesus told Pilate that his power to judge him was not his own but only what had been granted from above. The greater wrong belonged to the high priest and the Jewish rulers who condemned him and handed him over for execution, because they acted against full light from prophecy, teaching, and miracles, while Pilate and the Roman soldiers were comparatively ignorant, and guilt is measured by the light received. Even while suffering he eased Pilate's fault as far as possible and laid the heavier burden on those judges. That did not excuse Pilate, who declared him innocent yet sacrificed him to the mob to protect his position and honor, and brought ruin on himself by compromising with evil.

Words and Trial Setting

Pilate's power over Jesus was not independent, absolute, or self-originating, but existed only as given, granted, and permitted from above. His authority to condemn or release stood only by divine permission and not by his own right.

The words were spoken when Jesus stood bound as a prisoner in Pilate's judgment-hall, surrounded by a guard of soldiers with spectators filling the hall. The judges of the Sanhedrin, priests, rulers, elders and the mob stayed just outside the entrance, having already condemned Him and come for Pilate to confirm and execute the sentence. They would not enter the Roman hall lest ceremonial defilement keep them from the feast of the Passover, blind that murderous hatred had defiled their hearts and that Christ was the real Passover lamb, so that in rejecting Him the great feast had lost its significance for them. Pilate had been called hastily from his bedchamber to do his work quickly with magisterial severity, looking on Jesus with no friendly eyes and demanding the charges the authorities were anxious to have tried and punished in haste. He had dealt with all kinds of criminals but never a man bearing such goodness and nobility, with no sign of guilt or fear and no boldness or defiance, but calm and dignified bearing whose face bore the signature of heaven. Christ's appearance made a favorable impression that roused Pilate's better nature, reviving what his wife had told him and rumors he had heard from several sources of the Galilean prophet who cured the sick and raised the dead.

The verse belongs to the trial and condemnation when Jesus was humiliated and the crowd that had once hailed Him as king called for His crucifixion. The disciples had been prepared for this rejection so they would not be overwhelmed when it came. Pilate publicly declared to the maddened throng that he found no fault in Christ, yet delivered Him into their hands to be crucified while they demanded His death and called for the release of Barabbas, a robber and murderer. Satan stood at the head of those who reviled and crucified Him and led the cruel mob in abuse of the Saviour to provoke Him to retaliation or to drive Him to perform a miracle to release Himself and thus break up the plan of salvation.

Christ's forbearance was shown toward Judas and His accusers, for although the people recognized that He was more than mortal and wondered why He did not free Himself, He remained bound and did not use His power to escape. Though by a command He could have brought the heavenly hosts to His aid and by flashing forth His divine majesty could have driven that mob in terror from His sight, He submitted with perfect calmness to the coarsest insults and outrage. From the manger to the cross He kept a sinless life with no stain and no failure to endure the test.

Guilt Measured by Light

The one who delivered Jesus to Pilate and bears the greater sin is Caiaphas, the high priest representing the Jewish nation, that is, the Jewish judges and rulers who condemned Jesus and brought Him to Pilate to confirm and execute the sentence. Their guilt is greater because they condemned Him despite unmistakable and abundant light and clear evidence of His divinity in the prophecies and the written Word, in His teachings, and in His miracles. Guilt is measured according to light received, and by that measure Pilate and the Roman soldiers were comparatively ignorant.

Even while suffering, Jesus extended compassion by excusing Pilate's act as far as possible and placing the heavier burden on the judges, since Pilate could have released Him. That lesser guilt did not excuse Pilate's choice, for though he declared Jesus innocent and recognized what was right, he abused his office by yielding to the mob. He sacrificed an innocent life to protect his position, honor, and office, becoming guilty by compromise with evil and bringing ruin upon himself.

Jesus' words made Pilate fear that his authority to condemn or release stood in relation to a higher authority and moved him to seek release. But fear for his position and pressure over loyalty to Caesar led him to hand Jesus over.