John 19:10
New International Version
“Do you refuse to speak to me?” Pilate said. “Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?”

New Living Translation
“Why don’t you talk to me?” Pilate demanded. “Don’t you realize that I have the power to release you or crucify you?”

English Standard Version
So Pilate said to him, “You will not speak to me? Do you not know that I have authority to release you and authority to crucify you?”

Berean Standard Bible
So Pilate said to Him, “Do You refuse to speak to me? Do You not know that I have authority to release You and authority to crucify You?”

Berean Literal Bible
Therefore Pilate says to Him, "Do You not speak to me? Do You not know that I have authority to release You, and I have authority to crucify You?"

King James Bible
Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee?

New King James Version
Then Pilate said to Him, “Are You not speaking to me? Do You not know that I have power to crucify You, and power to release You?”

New American Standard Bible
So Pilate said to Him, “Are you not speaking to me? Do You not know that I have authority to release You, and I have authority to crucify You?”

NASB 1995
So Pilate said to Him, “You do not speak to me? Do You not know that I have authority to release You, and I have authority to crucify You?”

NASB 1977
Pilate therefore said to Him, “You do not speak to me? Do You not know that I have authority to release You, and I have authority to crucify You?”

Legacy Standard Bible
So Pilate said to Him, “You do not speak to me? Do You not know that I have authority to release You, and I have authority to crucify You?”

Amplified Bible
So Pilate said to Him, “You do not speak to me? Do You not know that I have authority to release You, and I have authority to crucify You?”

Christian Standard Bible
So Pilate said to him, “Do you refuse to speak to me? Don’t you know that I have the authority to release you and the authority to crucify you? ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
So Pilate said to Him, “You’re not talking to me? Don’t You know that I have the authority to release You and the authority to crucify You?”

American Standard Version
Pilate therefore saith unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to release thee, and have power to crucify thee?

Contemporary English Version
"Why won't you answer my question?" Pilate asked. "Don't you know I have the power to let you go free or to nail you to a cross?"

English Revised Version
Pilate therefore saith unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to release thee, and have power to crucify thee?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
So Pilate said to Jesus, "Aren't you going to answer me? Don't you know that I have the authority to free you or to crucify you?"

Good News Translation
Pilate said to him, "You will not speak to me? Remember, I have the authority to set you free and also to have you crucified."

International Standard Version
So Pilate asked him, "Aren't you going to speak to me? You realize, don't you, that I have the authority to release you and the authority to crucify you?"

Majority Standard Bible
So Pilate said to Him, “Do You refuse to speak to me? Do You not know that I have authority to crucify You and authority to release You?”

NET Bible
So Pilate said, "Do you refuse to speak to me? Don't you know I have the authority to release you, and to crucify you?"

New Heart English Bible
Pilate therefore said to him, "Are you not speaking to me? Do you not know that I have power to release you, and have power to crucify you?"

Webster's Bible Translation
Then saith Pilate to him, Speakest thou not to me? knowest thou not, that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee?

Weymouth New Testament
"Do you refuse to speak even to me?" asked Pilate; "do you not know that I have it in my power either to release you or to crucify you?"

World English Bible
Pilate therefore said to him, “Aren’t you speaking to me? Don’t you know that I have power to release you and have power to crucify you?”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Pilate, therefore, says to Him, “Do You not speak to me? Have You not known that I have authority to crucify You, and I have authority to release You?”

Berean Literal Bible
Therefore Pilate says to Him, "Do You not speak to me? Do You not know that I have authority to release You, and I have authority to crucify You?"

Young's Literal Translation
Pilate, therefore, saith to him, 'To me dost thou not speak? hast thou not known that I have authority to crucify thee, and I have authority to release thee?'

Smith's Literal Translation
Then says Pilate to him, Speakest thou not to me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to loose thee.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Pilate therefore saith to him: Speakest thou not to me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and I have power to release thee?

Catholic Public Domain Version
Therefore, Pilate said to him: “Will you not speak to me? Do you not know that I have authority to crucify you, and I have authority to release you?”

New American Bible
So Pilate said to him, “Do you not speak to me? Do you not know that I have power to release you and I have power to crucify you?”

New Revised Standard Version
Pilate therefore said to him, “Do you refuse to speak to me? Do you not know that I have power to release you, and power to crucify you?”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Pilate said to him, Will you not speak even to me? Do you not know that I have the authority to release you, and I have the authority to crucify you?

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Pilate said to him, “Are you not speaking with me? Do you not know that I have power to release you and I have power to crucify you?”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Then Pilate said to him: Do you not speak to me? Do you not know that I have authority to crucify you, and authority to release you?

Godbey New Testament
Pilate says to Him, Do you not speak to me? Do you not know that I have power to release you, and I have power to crucify you?

Haweis New Testament
Then saith Pilate to him, Dost thou not speak to me? dost thou not know that I have power to crucify thee, and that I have power to release thee?

Mace New Testament
then said Pilate to him, won't you give me an answer? don't you know that it is in my power to crucify you, or to release you?

Weymouth New Testament
"Do you refuse to speak even to me?" asked Pilate; "do you not know that I have it in my power either to release you or to crucify you?"

Worrell New Testament
Pilate, therefore, says to Him, "Dost Thou not speak to me? Knowest Thou not that I have authority to release Thee, and have authority to crucify Thee?"

Worsley New Testament
Pilate therefore saith unto Him, Dost thou not speak to me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Soldiers Mock Jesus
9and he went back into the Praetorium. “Where are You from?” he asked. But Jesus gave no answer. 10So Pilate said to Him, “Do You refuse to speak to me? Do You not know that I have authority to release You and authority to crucify You?” 11Jesus answered, “You would have no authority over Me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed Me over to you is guilty of greater sin.”…

Cross References
John 18:33-37
Pilate went back into the Praetorium, summoned Jesus, and asked Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” / “Are you saying this on your own,” Jesus asked, “or did others tell you about Me?” / “Am I a Jew?” Pilate replied. “Your own people and chief priests handed You over to me. What have You done?” ...

Matthew 27:11-14
Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, who questioned Him: “Are You the King of the Jews?” “You have said so,” Jesus replied. / And when He was accused by the chief priests and elders, He gave no answer. / Then Pilate asked Him, “Do You not hear how many charges they are bringing against You?” ...

Mark 15:2-5
So Pilate questioned Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” “You have said so,” Jesus replied. / And the chief priests began to accuse Him of many things. / Then Pilate questioned Him again, “Have You no answer? Look how many charges they are bringing against You!” ...

Luke 23:3-4
So Pilate asked Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” “You have said so,” Jesus replied. / Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no basis for a charge against this man.”

Romans 13:1-2
Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God. / Consequently, whoever resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.

Acts 4:27-28
In fact, this is the very city where Herod and Pontius Pilate conspired with the Gentiles and the people of Israel against Your holy servant Jesus, whom You anointed. / They carried out what Your hand and will had decided beforehand would happen.

Acts 5:29
But Peter and the other apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than men.

1 Peter 2:13-14
Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to the king as the supreme authority, / or to governors as those sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right.

Daniel 4:17
This decision is the decree of the watchers, the verdict declared by the holy ones, so that the living will know that the Most High rules over the kingdom of mankind and gives it to whom He wishes, setting over it the lowliest of men.’

Daniel 2:21
He changes the times and seasons; He removes kings and establishes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.

Proverbs 21:1
The king’s heart is a waterway in the hand of the LORD; He directs it where He pleases.

Isaiah 10:5-15
Woe to Assyria, the rod of My anger; the staff in their hands is My wrath. / I will send him against a godless nation; I will dispatch him against a people destined for My rage, to take spoils and seize plunder, and to trample them down like clay in the streets. / But this is not his intention; this is not his plan. For it is in his heart to destroy and cut off many nations. ...

Isaiah 37:26-29
Have you not heard? Long ago I ordained it; in days of old I planned it. Now I have brought it to pass, that you should crush fortified cities into piles of rubble. / Therefore their inhabitants, devoid of power, are dismayed and ashamed. They are like plants in the field, tender green shoots, grass on the rooftops, scorched before it is grown. / But I know your sitting down, your going out and coming in, and your raging against Me. ...

Jeremiah 27:5-7
By My great power and outstretched arm, I made the earth and the men and beasts on the face of it, and I give it to whom I please. / So now I have placed all these lands under the authority of My servant Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. I have even made the beasts of the field subject to him. / All nations will serve him and his son and grandson, until the time of his own land comes; then many nations and great kings will enslave him.

Exodus 9:16
But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display My power to you, and that My name might be proclaimed in all the earth.


Treasury of Scripture

Then said Pilate to him, Speak you not to me? know you not that I have power to crucify you, and have power to release you?

knowest.

John 18:39
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?

Daniel 3:14,15
Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up? …

Daniel 5:19
And for the majesty that he gave him, all people, nations, and languages, trembled and feared before him: whom he would he slew; and whom he would he kept alive; and whom he would he set up; and whom he would he put down.

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John 19
1. Jesus is scourged, crowned with thorns, and beaten.
4. Pilate is desirous to release him,
15. but being overcome with the outrage of the crowd, he delivers him to be crucified.
23. They cast lots for his garments.
25. He commends his mother to John.
28. He dies.
31. His side is pierced.
38. He is buried by Joseph and Nicodemus.














So Pilate said to Him
This phrase introduces us to the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate, who plays a pivotal role in the trial and crucifixion of Jesus. Pilate's position as a Roman authority is significant, as it fulfills the prophecy of Jesus being handed over to the Gentiles (Matthew 20:19). Historically, Pilate was known for his harsh rule and was often in conflict with the Jewish leaders. His interaction with Jesus is a profound moment where earthly power confronts divine authority. The Greek word for "said" (εἶπεν, eipen) indicates a direct and authoritative speech, reflecting Pilate's frustration and bewilderment at Jesus' silence.

Do You refuse to speak to me?
This question highlights Pilate's incredulity and impatience. In the Greek, the phrase "refuse to speak" (οὐκ λαλεῖς, ouk laleis) suggests a deliberate choice of silence by Jesus. This silence fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah 53:7, where the suffering servant is described as being oppressed and afflicted, yet not opening His mouth. Pilate's question underscores the tension between human authority and divine purpose. Jesus' silence is not a sign of weakness but a powerful testament to His submission to the Father's will and His role as the sacrificial Lamb. In a broader scriptural context, this moment invites believers to reflect on the power of silence and the strength found in trusting God's plan, even when faced with worldly power and intimidation.

(10) Speakest thou not unto me?--The position of the pronoun in the original is strongly emphatic--"To me dost Thou not speak?" Pilate is true to the vacillating character which now as man trembles before One who may be a Being from the other world, and now as Roman governor expects that Being to tremble before him.

Knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee?--The text of the better MSS. inverts the order, reading,. . . . have power to release Thee, and have power to crucify Thee. This is the more natural order of thought--"Thy life is in my power; yea, and Thy death also."

Verse 10. - Therefore saith Pilate to him; nettled by this silence, and with the arrogance of a Roman procurator, Speakest thou net to me? "I do not wonder at your silence before that malignant crowd, but to me your refusal to speak is inexplicable." He did not appear to desire genuine information, nor was his conscience touched by reflecting upon the hateful mistake he had made. "The ἐμοί bears the emphasis of mortified power, which attempts even then to terrify and entice" (Meyer). Archdeacon Watkins says well, "Pilate is true to the vacillating character which now, as man, trembles before One who may be a being from the other world, and now as Roman governor expects that Being to tremble before him." Knowest thou not that I have authority (ἐξουσίαν) to release thee; and that I have authority to crucify thee? Pilate scoffingly assumes supreme authority of life and death, He virtually says, "I am the judge; you are the accused criminal. I am your master, and the master of the Jews; you are absolutely in my power." This, then, was another moment of critical and intense interest, and of tremendous temptation from the prince of this world. The destiny of the Church, of Christianity, and of the world might seem to be trembling in the balance. A single glance, a single word of admission or pleading, a gesture of deference, or merely human confidence, or gentle flattery, to say nothing of the exercise of the very power by which the Lord had erewhile spell-bound his captors, or paralyzed the arms which meant to stone him, and the whole history of the world (judged from human and historical standpoints) would have been utterly different. But the same Christ who would not accept the help of daemons, nor ascend from the mountain of Transfiguration to his native and primeval home, nor at any time work a miracle for the supply of his merely personal need, uttered the memorable words -

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
So
οὖν (oun)
Conjunction
Strong's 3767: Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly.

Pilate
Πιλᾶτος (Pilatos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4091: Pilate. Of Latin origin; close-pressed, i.e. Firm; Pilatus, a Roman.

said
Λέγει (Legei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.

to Him,
αὐτῷ (autō)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

“Do You refuse to speak
λαλεῖς (laleis)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 2980: A prolonged form of an otherwise obsolete verb; to talk, i.e. Utter words.

to me?
Ἐμοὶ (Emoi)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

Do You not know
οἶδας (oidas)
Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 1492: To know, remember, appreciate.

that
ὅτι (hoti)
Conjunction
Strong's 3754: Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.

I have
ἔχω (echō)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 2192: To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.

authority
ἐξουσίαν (exousian)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1849: From exesti; privilege, i.e. force, capacity, competency, freedom, or mastery, delegated influence.

to release
ἀπολῦσαί (apolysai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 630: From apo and luo; to free fully, i.e. relieve, release, dismiss, or let die, pardon or divorce.

You
σε (se)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

authority
ἐξουσίαν (exousian)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1849: From exesti; privilege, i.e. force, capacity, competency, freedom, or mastery, delegated influence.

to crucify
σταυρῶσαί (staurōsai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 4717: From stauros; to impale on the cross; figuratively, to extinguish passion or selfishness.

You?”
σε (se)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.


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