John 19:14
And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King!
Original Language Analysis
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πάσχα
of the passover
G3957
πάσχα
of the passover
Strong's:
G3957
Word #:
5 of 17
the passover (the meal, the day, the festival or the special sacrifices connected with it)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
10 of 17
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
λέγει
he saith
G3004
λέγει
he saith
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
11 of 17
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
τοῖς
G3588
τοῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἴδε
G1492
Ἴδε
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
14 of 17
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Matthew 27:62Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate,John 19:5Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man!Mark 15:25And it was the third hour, and they crucified him.John 19:42There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews' preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand.
Historical Context
Passover commemorated Israel's deliverance from Egypt when the lamb's blood protected from judgment (Exodus 12). For centuries, faithful Jews had slain Passover lambs looking forward to God's ultimate deliverance. Now the true Lamb stands condemned at the very hour Passover lambs are being selected for sacrifice. The entire sacrificial system pointed to this moment.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the precise timing of Jesus's condemnation during Passover preparation reveal God's sovereignty over history?
- What does Israel's cry 'We have no king but Caesar' reveal about the final state of a heart that rejects God's rule?
- In what ways do we present Jesus mockingly before the world while He remains King regardless of our acknowledgment?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
It was the preparation of the passover (ἦν δὲ παρασκευὴ τοῦ πάσχα/ēn de paraskeuē tou pascha)—Jesus is sentenced exactly when Passover lambs were being prepared for slaughter. The timing is divinely orchestrated: Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us (1 Corinthians 5:7). About the sixth hour—John uses Roman time (6 AM), when temple priests began Passover preparations, though some see this as 12 noon.
Pilate's final, bitter taunt: Behold your King! (Ἴδε ὁ βασιλεὺς ὑμῶν/Ide ho basileus hymōn). He presents the thorn-crowned, scourged, purple-robed Jesus in savage mockery—'This is your king?' Yet Pilate's sarcasm becomes prophetic truth. This bruised, bleeding figure IS their king, though they won't acknowledge it. The rejection is now complete: 'We have no king but Caesar' (v.15)—renouncing messianic hope, covenant identity, everything distinctive about Israel.