John 18:35
Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done?
Original Language Analysis
ἀπεκρίθη
answered
G611
ἀπεκρίθη
answered
Strong's:
G611
Word #:
1 of 19
to conclude for oneself, i.e., (by implication) to respond; by hebraism (compare h6030) to begin to speak (where an address is expected)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
2 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἔθνος
nation
G1484
ἔθνος
nation
Strong's:
G1484
Word #:
9 of 19
a race (as of the same habit), i.e., a tribe; specially, a foreign (non-jewish) one (usually, by implication, pagan)
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
12 of 19
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀρχιερεῖς
the chief priests
G749
ἀρχιερεῖς
the chief priests
Strong's:
G749
Word #:
14 of 19
the high-priest (literally, of the jews; typically, christ); by extension a chief priest
παρέδωκάν
have delivered
G3860
παρέδωκάν
have delivered
Strong's:
G3860
Word #:
15 of 19
to surrender, i.e yield up, entrust, transmit
Historical Context
Roman-Jewish tensions ran high in first-century Judea. Pilate had already antagonized Jews by bringing military standards with Caesar's image into Jerusalem and using Temple funds for an aqueduct. His dismissive question reflects Roman ethnic prejudice—viewing Jewish religious matters as superstitious irrelevance.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you distance yourself from Jesus when following him becomes politically or socially costly?
- What does the collision between Jewish religious leaders and Roman authority reveal about worldly power structures opposing Christ?
- How does Pilate's question "What hast thou done?" expose the world's incomprehension of grace?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Am I a Jew? (Μήτι ἐγὼ Ἰουδαῖός εἰμι;)—The Greek particle mēti expects a negative answer: "I'm not a Jew, am I?" Pilate's contempt drips from this rhetorical question. As a Roman, he considers Jewish Messianic disputes beneath his concern—until they threaten imperial order.
Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee (τὸ ἔθνος τὸ σὸν... παρέδωκάν σε)—The verb paradidōmi (delivered, betrayed) appears throughout the passion narrative, the same word used for Judas's betrayal. Pilate deflects responsibility: "Your people brought you here." Yet what hast thou done? betrays Pilate's puzzlement—this prisoner bears no marks of revolutionary violence. The question haunts the narrative: Jesus has done everything (healing, teaching, loving), yet his "crime" is being who he is—the Truth incarnate, intolerable to both Jewish and Roman establishments.