Homilies on the Gospel of St. John and the Epistle to the Hebrews

NPNF (V1-14)St. Chrysostom309Ver. 31, 32 . “Take ye him and judge him according to your law. They therefore said, It is notlawful for us to put any man to death.” But this they said, “that the saying of the Lord might befulfilled, which He spake, signifying by what death He should die.”“And how did the expression, ‘It is not lawful for us to put any man to death,’ declare this?”Either the Evangelist means that He was about to be slain not by the Jews only, but by 2423 theGentiles also, or that it was not lawful for them to crucify. But if they say, “It is not lawful for usto put any man to death,” they say it with reference to that season. For that they did slay men, andthat they slew them in a different way, Stephen shows, being stoned. But they desired to crucifyHim, that they might make a display of the manner of His death. Pilate, wishing to be freed fromtrouble, doth not dismiss Him for a long trial, but,Ver. 33, 34 . “Having entered in, he asked Jesus, and said, 2424 Art thou the King of the Jews?Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of Me?”Wherefore did Christ ask this? Because He desired to expose the evil intentions of the Jews.Pilate had heard this saying from many, and, since the accusers had nothing to say, in order thatthe enquiry might not be a long one, he desires to bring forward that which was continually reported.But when he said to them, “Judge him according to your law,” wishing to show that His offensewas not a Jewish one, they replied, “It is not lawful for us.” “He hath not sinned against our law,but the indictment is general.” 2425 Pilate then, having perceived this, saith, as being (himself) likelyto be endangered, “Art thou the King of the Jews?” Then Jesus, not from ignorance, but from adesire that the Jews should be accused even by him, asked him, saying, “Did others tell it thee?”2426On this point then declaring himself, Pilate replied,Ver. 35 . “Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me;what hast thou done?”Here desiring to clear himself of the matter. Then because he had said, “Art thou the King?”Jesus reproving him answereth, “This thou hast heard from the Jews. Why dost thou not makeaccurate enquiry? They have said that I am a malefactor; ask them what evil I have done. But thisthou doest not, but art simply framing charges against Me.” “Jesus answered him, Sayest thou thisthing of thyself,” or from others? Pilate then cannot at once say that he had heard it, but simplygoes along with 2427 the people, saying, “They have delivered thee unto me.” “I must needs thereforeask thee what thou hast done.” What then saith Christ?Ver. 36 . “My Kingdom is not of this world.”He leadeth upwards Pilate who was not a very wicked man, nor after their fashion, and desirethto show that He is not a mere man, but God and the Son of God. And what saith He?“If My Kingdom were of this world, then would My servants fight, that I should not be deliveredto the Jews.” 2428He undoeth that which Pilate for a while had feared, namely, the suspicion of seizing kinglypower, “Is then His kingdom not of this world also?” 2429 Certainly it is. “How then saith He it ‘is2423Ben. “ not for, ” &c., “ but for. ”2424“ Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto Him. ” N.T.2425i.e. against heathen law also.2426Ver. 30 . “ Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself or did others tell it thee of Me? ” N.T.2427ἕ πεται2428“ to the Jews; but now in My kingdom not from hence, ” N.T.2429Ben. omits “ also. ”465