Then said Pilate unto them, Take ye him, and judge him according to your law. The Jews therefore said unto him, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death:

JOHN 18:31KJV
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John 18:31 (KJV)

What does John 18:31 mean?

John 18:31 describes a dispute over who should deal with Jesus. Pilate tells the people accusing Jesus to judge him by their own law. They answer that they cannot lawfully put anyone to death, showing why they have brought Jesus to the Roman governor.

Pilate is speaking to the Jewish authorities who brought Jesus to him. Their answer shows that the outcome they have in view is more than a judgment about whether Jesus has broken their law.

The Greek behind John 18:31

  • “judge” — κρίνω (krinō): This word can mean to judge or decide a case. Pilate uses it when he tells the accusers to deal with Jesus according to their own law.
  • “lawful” — ἔξεστιν (exestin): This word carries the sense of being permitted or allowed. The speakers frame their objection as a question of authority, not simply willingness.
  • “put … to death” — ἀποκτείνω (apokteinō): This word means to kill. The KJV expresses it as a phrase, making clear the particular penalty the speakers have in mind.

Why John 18:31 matters

  • John’s phrase “the Jews” refers here to the people speaking with Pilate, not to every Jewish person. In the surrounding scene, those who brought Jesus are identified with the chief priests and their officers (John 18:28, 35).
  • The verse sets up John’s explanation of the manner of Jesus’ death. John 18:32 connects the exchange with what Jesus had said about how he would die.
  • Pilate’s proposal draws attention to the law of Jesus’ accusers, while their reply draws attention to the limits on what they are allowed to do. The exchange makes the question of authority central to the scene.

Where else these words appear

“is” Greek G1832 · used in 30 verses

  • Matthew 12:2 But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day.
  • Mark 2:24 And the Pharisees said unto him, Behold, why do they on the sabbath day that which is not lawful?
  • Luke 20:22 Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or no?

“Pilate” Greek G4091 · used in 53 verses

  • Matthew 27:2 And when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor.
  • Mark 15:44 And Pilate marvelled if he were already dead: and calling unto him the centurion, he asked him whether he had been any while dead.
  • John 18:38 Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all.

“put” Greek G615 · used in 71 verses

  • Matthew 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
  • Luke 11:48 Truly ye bear witness that ye allow the deeds of your fathers: for they indeed killed them, and ye build their sepulchres.
  • Acts 7:52 Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers:

“judge” Greek G2919 · used in 98 verses

  • Matthew 5:40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also.
  • Acts 21:25 As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication.
  • 1 Corinthians 6:2 Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?