John 19:22
New International Version
Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have written.”

New Living Translation
Pilate replied, “No, what I have written, I have written.”

English Standard Version
Pilate answered, “What I have written I have written.”

Berean Standard Bible
Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have written.”

Berean Literal Bible
Pilate answered, "What I have written, I have written."

King James Bible
Pilate answered, What I have written I have written.

New King James Version
Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have written.”

New American Standard Bible
Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have written.”

NASB 1995
Pilate answered, “What I have written I have written.”

NASB 1977
Pilate answered, “What I have written I have written.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Pilate answered, “What I have written I have written.”

Amplified Bible
Pilate replied, “What I have written I have written [and it remains written].”

Christian Standard Bible
Pilate replied, “What I have written, I have written.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Pilate replied, “What I have written, I have written.”

American Standard Version
Pilate answered, What I have written I have written.

Contemporary English Version
But Pilate told them, "What is written will not be changed!"

English Revised Version
Pilate answered, What I have written I have written.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Pilate replied, "I have written what I've written."

Good News Translation
Pilate answered, "What I have written stays written."

International Standard Version
Pilate replied, "What I have written I have written."

Majority Standard Bible
Pilate answered, ?What I have written, I have written.?

NET Bible
Pilate answered, "What I have written, I have written."

New Heart English Bible
Pilate answered, "What I have written, I have written."

Webster's Bible Translation
Pilate answered, What I have written, I have written.

Weymouth New Testament
"What I have written I have written," was Pilate's answer.

World English Bible
Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have written.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have written.”

Berean Literal Bible
Pilate answered, "What I have written, I have written."

Young's Literal Translation
Pilate answered, 'What I have written, I have written.'

Smith's Literal Translation
Pilate answered, What I have written, I have written.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Pilate answered: What I have written, I have written.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Pilate responded, “What I have written, I have written.”

New American Bible
Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have written.”

New Revised Standard Version
Pilate answered, “What I have written I have written.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Pilate said, What I have written, I have written.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Pilate said, “What I have written, I have written.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Pilate answered: What I have written, I have written.

Godbey New Testament
Pilate answered, What I have written I have written.

Haweis New Testament
Pilate answered, What I have written, I have written.

Mace New Testament
Pilate answered, what I have writ, I have writ.

Weymouth New Testament
"What I have written I have written," was Pilate's answer.

Worrell New Testament
Pilate answered, "What I have written, I have written."

Worsley New Testament
Pilate answered, What I have written, I have written.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Crucifixion
21So the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but only that He said, ‘I am the King of the Jews.’ ” 22 Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have written.” 23When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they divided His garments into four parts, one for each soldier, with the tunic remaining. It was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom.…

Cross References
Matthew 27:37
Above His head they posted the written charge against Him: THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS.

Mark 15:26
And the charge inscribed against Him read: THE KING OF THE JEWS.

Luke 23:38
Above Him was posted an inscription: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

John 18:31-32
“You take Him and judge Him by your own law,” Pilate told them. “We are not permitted to execute anyone,” the Jews replied. / This was to fulfill the word that Jesus had spoken to indicate the kind of death He was going to die.

John 18:37
“Then You are a king!” Pilate said. “You say that I am a king,” Jesus answered. “For this reason I was born and have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to My voice.”

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 2:23
He was delivered up by God’s set plan and foreknowledge, and you, by the hands of the lawless, put Him to death by nailing Him to the cross.

Romans 9:19-21
One of you will say to me, “Then why does God still find fault? For who can resist His will?” / But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? Shall what is formed say to Him who formed it, “Why did You make me like this?” / Does not the potter have the right to make from the same lump of clay one vessel for special occasions and another for common use?

1 Corinthians 1:23-24
but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, / but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

Philippians 2:8-11
And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross. / Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name above all names, / that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, ...

Hebrews 12:2
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Isaiah 53:3-5
He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. Like one from whom men hide their faces, He was despised, and we esteemed Him not. / Surely He took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows; yet we considered Him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted. / But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.

Psalm 22:16-18
For dogs surround me; a band of evil men encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet. / I can count all my bones; they stare and gloat over me. / They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing.

Psalm 2:1-6
Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? / The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together, against the LORD and against His Anointed One: / “Let us break Their chains and cast away Their cords.” ...

Psalm 69:4
Those who hate me without cause outnumber the hairs of my head; many are those who would destroy me—my enemies for no reason. Though I did not steal, I must repay.


Treasury of Scripture

Pilate answered, What I have written I have written.

What.

John 19:12
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.

Psalm 65:7
Which stilleth the noise of the seas, the noise of their waves, and the tumult of the people.

Psalm 76:10
Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain.

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Changed Pilate Pilate's Writing Written
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.














Pilate answered
The phrase "Pilate answered" indicates a response to a challenge or question. In the context of John 19, the Jewish leaders were objecting to the inscription Pilate had placed on the cross, which read "Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews." Pilate's response is firm and final, reflecting his authority as the Roman governor. The Greek word for "answered" (ἀπεκρίθη, apekrithe) suggests a definitive reply, emphasizing Pilate's role in the unfolding events. Historically, Pilate was known for his often harsh and unyielding governance, and this response is consistent with his character as depicted in historical records.

What I have written
This phrase underscores the permanence and authority of Pilate's decision. The act of writing in the ancient world was significant, as written words were considered binding and authoritative. The Greek verb "written" (γέγραφα, gegrapha) is in the perfect tense, indicating a completed action with ongoing effects. This reflects the unchangeable nature of the inscription, symbolizing the fulfillment of God's sovereign plan through human actions. In a broader scriptural context, the written word often signifies divine authority and truth, as seen in the Scriptures themselves.

I have written
The repetition of "I have written" serves to emphasize Pilate's resolve and the finality of his decision. It suggests a sense of inevitability and destiny, as if Pilate, perhaps unknowingly, is participating in a divine narrative. Theologically, this can be seen as a moment where human free will and divine sovereignty intersect. Pilate's insistence on the inscription highlights the truth of Jesus' identity as King, a truth that transcends Pilate's understanding and intentions.

Verse 22. - Pilate answered, What I have written I have written. And he curtly dismissed them. Pilate no longer dreaded their making his apparent favor to Jesus into a complaint to the emperor, and he gave way to the indomitable temper of which Philo accuses him. He found grim satisfaction in insulting and browbeating them for a moment, {Ο γέγραφα γέγραφα. "I said it, and I meant it; I have crucified your King; yes, true King in his own sense, but not in yours. You have falsely charged him with rebelling against Caesar, and you know that you have lied to my face. Let be; he is your King, and so perish all your futile attempts to shatter the arm that holds you now in its grasp." That and more was condensed in this haughty and obstinate reply. While this was going on in the Praetorium, the tragedy was proceeding at Golgotha; and St. John now returns thither, and describes an event of intense interest which occurred, as all synoptists say, at the very time of the elevation of the cross. John, however, has further facts and symbolic detail to append which were omitted by them.

Parallel Commentaries ...


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

answered,
Ἀπεκρίθη (Apekrithē)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 611: From apo and krino; to conclude for oneself, i.e. to respond; by Hebraism to begin to speak.

“What
(Ho)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that.

I have written,
γέγραφα (gegrapha)
Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1125: A primary verb; to 'grave', especially to write; figuratively, to describe.

I have written.”
γέγραφα (gegrapha)
Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1125: A primary verb; to 'grave', especially to write; figuratively, to describe.


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