John 18:29
Pilate then went out unto them, and said, What accusation bring ye against this man?
Original Language Analysis
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πρὸς
unto
G4314
πρὸς
unto
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
5 of 15
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
αὐτοὺς
them
G846
αὐτοὺς
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
6 of 15
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
7 of 15
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Τίνα
What
G5101
Τίνα
What
Strong's:
G5101
Word #:
9 of 15
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
κατηγορίαν
accusation
G2724
κατηγορίαν
accusation
Strong's:
G2724
Word #:
10 of 15
a complaint ("category"), i.e., criminal charge
φέρετε
bring ye
G5342
φέρετε
bring ye
Strong's:
G5342
Word #:
11 of 15
to "bear" or carry (in a very wide application, literally and figuratively, as follows)
κατὰ
against
G2596
κατὰ
against
Strong's:
G2596
Word #:
12 of 15
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
Historical Context
Pontius Pilate governed Judea AD 26-36 with notorious brutality (Luke 13:1). Yet Roman law required specific charges, witnesses, and opportunity for defense. Pilate's initial question suggests he expected legitimate criminal accusations, not a religious lynching. His later attempts to release Jesus (vv. 38-39) reveal political calculation, not justice.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Pilate's demand for proper charges expose the Sanhedrin's lack of legitimate grievance?
- What does the collision between Roman legal procedure and Jewish religious zeal teach about law's limitations in producing righteousness?
- When have you witnessed legal systems being manipulated to achieve predetermined outcomes rather than discover truth?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Pilate then went out unto them—The Roman prefect accommodates Jewish scruples by conducting proceedings outside. His question, What accusation bring ye against this man? (Τίνα κατηγορίαν φέρετε κατὰ τοῦ ἀνθρώπου τούτου, Tina katēgorian pherete kata tou anthrōpou toutou), demands formal charges—standard Roman legal procedure.
The term κατηγορίαν (katēgorian, 'accusation') is legal terminology requiring specific criminal allegations. Pilate uses ἀνθρώπου (anthrōpou, 'man'), not recognizing divinity—to Rome, this was another troublesome Jew. Yet providentially, both Jewish and Gentile authorities would condemn Jesus, proving all humanity guilty of deicide.