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John 19:7
Verse
Context
The Soldiers Mock Jesus
6As soon as the chief priests and officers saw Him, they shouted, “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!” “You take Him and crucify Him,” Pilate replied, “for I find no basis for a charge against Him.”7“We have a law,” answered the Jews, “and according to that law He must die, because He declared Himself to be the Son of God.”
Sermons


Summary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
We have a law - In Lev 24:14-16, we find that blasphemers of God were to be put to death; and the chief priests having charged Jesus with blasphemy, they therefore voted that he deserved to die. See Mat 26:65, Mat 26:66. They might refer also to the law against false prophets, Deu 18:20. The Son of God - It is certain that the Jews understood this in a very peculiar sense. When Christ called himself the Son of God, they understood it to imply positive equality to the Supreme Being: and, if they were wrong, our Lord never attempted to correct them.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by oar law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God--Their criminal charges having come to nothing, they give up that point, and as Pilate was throwing the whole responsibility upon them, they retreat into their own Jewish law, by which, as claiming equality with God (see Joh 5:18 and Joh 8:59), He ought to die; insinuating that it was Pilate's duty, even as civil governor, to protect their law from such insult.
John Gill Bible Commentary
The Jews answered him,.... Finding they could make nothing of the charge of sedition against him, and that Pilate could not be prevailed upon to condemn him to death upon that score, they try another method, and charge him with blasphemy; which, if the other had succeeded, they would have concealed; because this, if proved, according to their law, would not have brought on him the kind of death they were desirous of: we have a law; meaning the law of Moses, which they had received by his hands from God: and by our law he ought to die; referring either to the law concerning blasphemy in general, or concerning the false prophet, or to the having and asserting of other gods, and enticing to the worship of them; in either of which cases death by stoning was enjoined: because he made himself the Son of God; the natural and essential Son of God; not by adoption, or on account of his incarnation and mediatorial office; but as being one with the Father, of the same nature with him, and equal to him in all his perfections and glory. This he had often asserted in his ministry, or what was equivalent to it, and which they so understood; and indeed had said that very morning, before the high priest in his palace, what amounted thereunto, and which he so interpreted; upon which he rent his garments, and charged him with blasphemy: for that God has a son, is denied by the Jews, since Jesus asserted himself to be so, though formerly believed by them; nor was it now denied that there was a Son of God, or that he was expected; but the blasphemy with them was, that Jesus set up himself to be he: but now it is vehemently opposed by them, that God has a son; so from Ecc 4:8 they endeavour to prove (q), that God has neither a brother, , "nor a son"; but, "hear, O Israel, they observe, the Lord our God is one Lord". And elsewhere (r), ""there is one"; this is the holy blessed God; "and not a second"; for he has no partner or equal in his world; "yea, he hath neither child nor brother"; he hath no brother, nor hath he a son; but the holy blessed God loves Israel, and calls them his children, and his brethren.'' All which is opposed to the Christian doctrine, relating to the sonship of Christ. The conduct of these men, at this time, deserves notice, as their craft in imposing on Pilate's ignorance of their laws; and the little regard that they themselves had to them, in calling for crucifixion instead of stoning; and their inconsistency with themselves, pretending before it was not lawful for them to put any man to death; and now they have a law, and by that law, in their judgment, he ought to die. (q) Debarim Rabba, sect. 2. fol. 237. 3. (r) Midrash Kohelet, fol. 70. 1.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
19:7 During the trial before Caiaphas, the charge of blasphemy—calling himself the Son of God—was determined to be Jesus’ true crime (see Mark 14:61-65). • The leaders had already tried pitting Jesus against Roman imperial interests (John 18:33), and would do so again (19:12). Now they challenged the governor on another level: Pilate must keep the peace by upholding local law, even when it was irrelevant to Rome. Claiming to be God’s son was not illegal, because Israel’s kings did this (Pss 2:7; 89:22-27). However, Jesus claimed to have the divine authority of God himself (see John 5:18), which they saw as blasphemy.
John 19:7
The Soldiers Mock Jesus
6As soon as the chief priests and officers saw Him, they shouted, “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!” “You take Him and crucify Him,” Pilate replied, “for I find no basis for a charge against Him.”7“We have a law,” answered the Jews, “and according to that law He must die, because He declared Himself to be the Son of God.”
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
The Appearing of Resurrection and the Giving of Power
By Newman Sze8201:22:11MAT 28:1MAT 28:19MRK 16:15LUK 24:44JHN 20:19JHN 21:25In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of the 40 days that Jesus spent on earth after His resurrection. He explains that during this time, Jesus trained His disciples to shift their focus from external things to internal revelation, from the flesh to the Holy Spirit, and from the law to life. The speaker shares a personal anecdote about a turbulent airplane ride to illustrate the need for Christians to rise above fear and rely on the Holy Spirit. He concludes by urging the audience to prioritize their personal encounter with the Lord and the experience of being filled with the Holy Spirit.
Matthew 22:41
By Chuck Smith0Identity of ChristProphecy Fulfillment2SA 7:14PSA 22:16ISA 7:14ISA 53:7MIC 5:2ZEC 9:9MAL 3:1MAT 22:41JHN 10:31JHN 19:7Chuck Smith explores the profound question posed by Jesus, 'What think ye of Christ?' He emphasizes the significance of recognizing Jesus as the Son of God, challenging the misconceptions held by the Pharisees and Sadducees who viewed Him merely as a descendant of David. Smith argues that one must confront the implications of Jesus' identity, as rejecting Him as the Son of God leads to dire consequences for one's eternal destiny. He supports his claims with prophetic evidence from the Old Testament, illustrating the fulfillment of prophecies concerning the Messiah. Ultimately, the sermon calls for a personal reflection on who Jesus is to each individual.
The Claim of Christ
By W.H. Griffith Thomas0MAT 3:15MAT 16:17JHN 4:26JHN 5:18JHN 10:30JHN 10:33JHN 14:9JHN 14:11JHN 14:26JHN 19:7W.H. Griffith Thomas delves into the multifaceted claims of Jesus Christ, highlighting His self-proclaimed roles as the Messiah of the Jews, the Redeemer of Mankind, the Master of Mankind, the Judge of Mankind, and even claiming the prerogatives of God Himself. These claims, supported by His distinctive titles like 'Son of Man' and 'Son of God,' challenge believers to ponder the unique consciousness of Christ and the weight of His divine identity. Despite His humility, Jesus asserted unparalleled authority and relationship with God, leaving humanity with the profound dilemma of acknowledging Him as either God or not a good man.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
We have a law - In Lev 24:14-16, we find that blasphemers of God were to be put to death; and the chief priests having charged Jesus with blasphemy, they therefore voted that he deserved to die. See Mat 26:65, Mat 26:66. They might refer also to the law against false prophets, Deu 18:20. The Son of God - It is certain that the Jews understood this in a very peculiar sense. When Christ called himself the Son of God, they understood it to imply positive equality to the Supreme Being: and, if they were wrong, our Lord never attempted to correct them.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by oar law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God--Their criminal charges having come to nothing, they give up that point, and as Pilate was throwing the whole responsibility upon them, they retreat into their own Jewish law, by which, as claiming equality with God (see Joh 5:18 and Joh 8:59), He ought to die; insinuating that it was Pilate's duty, even as civil governor, to protect their law from such insult.
John Gill Bible Commentary
The Jews answered him,.... Finding they could make nothing of the charge of sedition against him, and that Pilate could not be prevailed upon to condemn him to death upon that score, they try another method, and charge him with blasphemy; which, if the other had succeeded, they would have concealed; because this, if proved, according to their law, would not have brought on him the kind of death they were desirous of: we have a law; meaning the law of Moses, which they had received by his hands from God: and by our law he ought to die; referring either to the law concerning blasphemy in general, or concerning the false prophet, or to the having and asserting of other gods, and enticing to the worship of them; in either of which cases death by stoning was enjoined: because he made himself the Son of God; the natural and essential Son of God; not by adoption, or on account of his incarnation and mediatorial office; but as being one with the Father, of the same nature with him, and equal to him in all his perfections and glory. This he had often asserted in his ministry, or what was equivalent to it, and which they so understood; and indeed had said that very morning, before the high priest in his palace, what amounted thereunto, and which he so interpreted; upon which he rent his garments, and charged him with blasphemy: for that God has a son, is denied by the Jews, since Jesus asserted himself to be so, though formerly believed by them; nor was it now denied that there was a Son of God, or that he was expected; but the blasphemy with them was, that Jesus set up himself to be he: but now it is vehemently opposed by them, that God has a son; so from Ecc 4:8 they endeavour to prove (q), that God has neither a brother, , "nor a son"; but, "hear, O Israel, they observe, the Lord our God is one Lord". And elsewhere (r), ""there is one"; this is the holy blessed God; "and not a second"; for he has no partner or equal in his world; "yea, he hath neither child nor brother"; he hath no brother, nor hath he a son; but the holy blessed God loves Israel, and calls them his children, and his brethren.'' All which is opposed to the Christian doctrine, relating to the sonship of Christ. The conduct of these men, at this time, deserves notice, as their craft in imposing on Pilate's ignorance of their laws; and the little regard that they themselves had to them, in calling for crucifixion instead of stoning; and their inconsistency with themselves, pretending before it was not lawful for them to put any man to death; and now they have a law, and by that law, in their judgment, he ought to die. (q) Debarim Rabba, sect. 2. fol. 237. 3. (r) Midrash Kohelet, fol. 70. 1.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
19:7 During the trial before Caiaphas, the charge of blasphemy—calling himself the Son of God—was determined to be Jesus’ true crime (see Mark 14:61-65). • The leaders had already tried pitting Jesus against Roman imperial interests (John 18:33), and would do so again (19:12). Now they challenged the governor on another level: Pilate must keep the peace by upholding local law, even when it was irrelevant to Rome. Claiming to be God’s son was not illegal, because Israel’s kings did this (Pss 2:7; 89:22-27). However, Jesus claimed to have the divine authority of God himself (see John 5:18), which they saw as blasphemy.