John 19:6
When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Take ye him, and crucify him: for I find no fault in him.
Original Language Analysis
οὖν
therefore
G3767
οὖν
therefore
Strong's:
G3767
Word #:
2 of 29
(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly
εἶδον
saw
G1492
εἶδον
saw
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
3 of 29
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
αὐτῷ
him
G846
αὐτῷ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
4 of 29
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
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 29
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 29
the high-priest (literally, of the jews; typically, christ); by extension a chief priest
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
7 of 29
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 #:
8 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὑπηρέται
officers
G5257
ὑπηρέται
officers
Strong's:
G5257
Word #:
9 of 29
an under-oarsman, i.e., (generally) subordinate (assistant, sexton, constable)
λέγει
saith
G3004
λέγει
saith
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
11 of 29
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
σταυρώσατε·
Crucify
G4717
σταυρώσατε·
Crucify
Strong's:
G4717
Word #:
12 of 29
to impale on the cross; figuratively, to extinguish (subdue) passion or selfishness
σταυρώσατε·
Crucify
G4717
σταυρώσατε·
Crucify
Strong's:
G4717
Word #:
13 of 29
to impale on the cross; figuratively, to extinguish (subdue) passion or selfishness
λέγει
saith
G3004
λέγει
saith
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
14 of 29
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
αὐτῷ
him
G846
αὐτῷ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
15 of 29
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
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτῷ
him
G846
αὐτῷ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
19 of 29
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 #:
21 of 29
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
σταυρώσατε·
Crucify
G4717
σταυρώσατε·
Crucify
Strong's:
G4717
Word #:
22 of 29
to impale on the cross; figuratively, to extinguish (subdue) passion or selfishness
γὰρ
him for
G1063
γὰρ
him for
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
24 of 29
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
Cross References
John 18:31Then said Pilate unto them, Take ye him, and judge him according to your law. The Jews therefore said unto him, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death:John 19:4Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him.
Historical Context
Roman crucifixion was reserved for slaves, revolutionaries, and the lowest criminals—never for Roman citizens. It was designed for maximum humiliation and prolonged agony. The chief priests' public cry for crucifixion violated their own law against executing on Passover preparation day, revealing how far hatred had driven them beyond legal constraints.
Questions for Reflection
- How does religious zeal divorced from truth produce the very evil it claims to oppose?
- What does Pilate's triple declaration of innocence reveal about humanity's guilt in Christ's death?
- When have you witnessed 'mob mentality' override individual conscience in Christian contexts?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Crucify him, crucify him (σταύρωσον σταύρωσον/staurōson staurōson)—the frenzied repetition reveals mob hysteria fueled by religious hatred. The chief priests and officers (archiereis kai hypēretai) who should have been shepherds became wolves, demanding the execution of the sinless One they claimed to serve.
Pilate's third declaration, I find no fault in him (οὐχ εὑρίσκω ἐν αὐτῷ αἰτίαν/ouch heuriskō en autō aitian), is judicial acquittal. The Roman governor, paganism's representative, recognized Christ's innocence while Israel's religious leaders demanded His death. Take ye him, and crucify him drips with bitter irony—Pilate knows Jews cannot legally execute by crucifixion (18:31), yet he mockingly throws the responsibility back at them. The Innocent One stands condemned by those who claim righteousness.