John 18:39

39 But it is your custom that I release for you one [prisoner] at the Passover. So do you want [me] to release for you the king of the Jews?"

John 18:39 Meaning and Commentary

John 18:39

But ye have a custom
Not a law, either of God or man's, but a custom; and which was not originally observed at the feast of the passover, and perhaps was not of any long standing; but what the Roman governors, by the order of Caesar, or of their own pleasure, had introduced to ingratiate themselves into the affections of the people; and being repeated once and again, was now looked for: that I should release unto you one at the passover;
which was at this time; and more than one it seems it was not customary, to release: will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews?
who they had said called himself so, and was so accounted by others, and which Pilate says, in a sneering, sarcastic way; though he was heartily willing to release him, and was in hopes they would have agreed to it, since nothing could be proved against him; however, he proposes it to them, and leaves it to their option.

John 18:39 In-Context

37 Then Pilate said to him, "So then you are a king!" Jesus replied, "You say that I am a king. For this [reason] I was born, and for this reason I have come into the world: in order that I can testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears my voice."

38 Pilate said to him, "What is truth?" And [when he] had said this, he went out again to the Jews and said to them, "I find no basis for an accusation against him.

39 But it is your custom that I release for you one [prisoner] at the Passover. So do you want [me] to release for you the king of the Jews?"

40 Then they shouted again, saying, "Not this man, but Barabbas!" (Now Barabbas was a revolutionary.)

Footnotes

• [a] *The word "[prisoner]" is not in the Greek text, but is implied
• [b] *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation