• John 19:12
    The Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures

    • 12 ἐκ Out of τούτου this ὁ the Πειλᾶτος Pilate ἐζήτει was seeking ἀπολῦσαι to release αὐτόν· him; οἱ the δὲ but Ἰουδαῖοι Jews ἐκραύγασαν cried out λέγοντες saying ᾿Εὰν If ever τοῦτον this (one) ἀπολύσῃς, you should release, οὐκ not εἶ you are φίλος friend τοῦ of the Καίσαρος· Caesar; πᾶς everyone ὁ the βασιλέα king ἑαυτὸν himself ποιῶν making ἀντιλέγει is saying against τῷ to the Καίσαρι. Caesar.

  • John 19:12
    The Bible in Living English

    • 12 At that Pilate made a move to release him; but the Jews went to shouting “If you release this man you are no friend to Caesar; anyone who claims to be a king is opposing Caesar.”

  • John 19:12
    American Standard Version

    • 12 Upon this Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou release this man, thou art not Caesar’s friend: every one that maketh himself a king speaketh against Caesar.

  • John 19:12
    The Emphasized Bible

    • 12 For this cause Pilate began seeking to release him; but the Jews cried aloud saying—If this man thou release thou art not a friend of Caesar, for every one who maketh himself king speaketh against Caesar.

  • John 19:12
    King James Version

    • 12 And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar’s friend: whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Caesar.

  • John Study Notes—Chapter 19
    New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (Study Edition)

    • 19:12

      friend of Caesar: This title of honor was often bestowed on provincial governors in the Roman Empire. In this context, the Jewish leaders apparently used it in a general way, implying that Pilate was laying himself open to the charge of condoning high treason. The Caesar of that time was Tiberius, an emperor with a reputation for executing any whom he considered disloyal​—even high-ranking officials. For example, Lucius Aelius Sejanus was the commander of the Praetorian Guard and was officially designated “a friend of Caesar.” He could be considered second in command after Tiberius. Pilate was a favored acquaintance of the highly influential Sejanus. As long as he was in power, Sejanus protected and supported Pilate. In 31 C.E., however, Tiberius turned against Sejanus, accusing him of sedition and ordering that he and many of his supporters be executed. This event occurred shortly before Jesus appeared in front of Pilate. Therefore, Pilate’s life could have been threatened if the Sadducees complained to the emperor, especially since their charge would be that Pilate was “not a friend of Caesar.” Pilate had already irritated the Jews, so he did not want to risk any further friction, much less an accusation of disloyalty. It seems, therefore, that Pilate allowed his fear of a jealous emperor to influence him when he pronounced the death sentence on Jesus, a man he knew to be innocent.

      Caesar: See study note on Mt 22:17.