John 18:29

29 So Pilate went out to them and said, "What accusation do you bring against this man?"

John 18:29 Meaning and Commentary

John 18:29

Pilate then went out unto them
Either into the street, or rather into the place called the pavement, and in Hebrew Gabbatha; see ( John 19:13 ) the place where the Jewish sanhedrim used to sit; wherefore in complaisance to them, since they would not come into his court of judicature, he condescends to go into one of theirs, which showed great civility and humanity in him:

and said, what accusation bring ye against this man?
meaning, what offence had he committed? what crime had they to charge him with? what did they accuse him of? and what proof had they to support their charge? His view was, to have the matter stated, the cause opened, and evidence given; that the accused being face to face with the accusers, might answer for himself; and he, as a judge, be capable of judging between them: all which were very commendable in him, and agreeably to the Roman laws; and have an appearance of equity, justice, and impartiality.

John 18:29 In-Context

27 Peter again denied it; and at once the cock crowed.

28 Then they led Jesus from the house of Ca'iaphas to the praetorium. It was early. They themselves did not enter the praetorium, so that they might not be defiled, but might eat the passover.

29 So Pilate went out to them and said, "What accusation do you bring against this man?"

30 They answered him, "If this man were not an evildoer, we would not have handed him over."

31 Pilate said to them, "Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law." The Jews said to him, "It is not lawful for us to put any man to death."