John 19:21
Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews; but that he said, I am King of the Jews.
Original Language Analysis
ἔλεγον
said
G3004
ἔλεγον
said
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
1 of 22
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀρχιερεῖς
the chief priests
G749
ἀρχιερεῖς
the chief priests
Strong's:
G749
Word #:
6 of 22
the high-priest (literally, of the jews; typically, christ); by extension a chief priest
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Μὴ
not
G3361
Μὴ
not
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
9 of 22
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
γράφε·
Write
G1125
γράφε·
Write
Strong's:
G1125
Word #:
10 of 22
to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe
Ὁ
G3588
Ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀλλ'
but
G235
ἀλλ'
but
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
15 of 22
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
ὅτι
that
G3754
ὅτι
that
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
16 of 22
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
ἐκεῖνος
he
G1565
ἐκεῖνος
he
Strong's:
G1565
Word #:
17 of 22
that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed
Historical Context
The chief priests had successfully pressured Pilate to crucify Jesus by threatening to report him to Caesar (v.12). But Pilate's passive-aggressive revenge was writing 'King of the Jews' in three languages for maximum exposure. Their manipulation of him left residual resentment, which he expressed through this inscription. God's sovereignty operates through human motives—even petty ones—to accomplish His purpose.
Questions for Reflection
- Why were the chief priests so concerned about how Jesus's kingship was publicly framed?
- What does their attempt to control the narrative reveal about the human impulse to manage truth?
- How does God's sovereignty work through human conflict and even spite to proclaim His purposes?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The chief priests' objection—Write not, The King of the Jews; but that he said, I am King of the Jews (Μὴ γράφε, Ὁ βασιλεὺς τῶν Ἰουδαίων, ἀλλ' ὅτι ἐκεῖνος εἶπεν, Βασιλεύς εἰμι τῶν Ἰουδαίων/Mē graphe, Ho basileus tōn Ioudaiōn, all' hoti ekeinos eipen, Basileus eimi tōn Ioudaiōn)—reveals their desperate concern for public perception. They want it framed as Jesus's claim, not Pilate's declaration. The difference is monumental: fact versus fiction, reality versus delusion.
Their protest backfires. By demanding the change, they implicitly acknowledge the current inscription declares truth—which is exactly what they wanted to suppress. They manipulated Pilate into executing Jesus, now they can't control the narrative. Pilate's refusal (v.22) means truth remains posted above the crucified King. Their attempted cover-up fails; the proclamation stands.