John 19:7 - The Jews answered him, “We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.”
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "John 19:7" mean?
This verse, John 19:7, is a pivotal moment in the trial of Jesus before Pontius Pilate. It reveals the core reason why Jewish authorities sought Jesus's execution:
"The Jews answered him...": This refers to the Jewish leaders who were pressing Pilate to crucify Jesus. They had already accused him of political sedition, claiming he was trying to overthrow Roman rule by calling himself king (see John 19:12). However, Pilate was unconvinced by this charge.
"We have a law...": This refers to Jewish law, specifically the Torah (the first five books of the Old Testament).
"...and by our law he ought to die...": This is the crucial point. They are claiming that Jesus has violated Jewish law in a way that merits the death penalty.
"...because he made himself the Son of God.": This is the specific violation they are accusing Jesus of. By claiming to be the "Son of God," they interpreted this as blasphemy, which was a capital offense under Jewish law.
Understanding the Significance:
1. Blasphemy as the Core Charge: The accusation of blasphemy is central. It reveals that the Jewish authorities saw Jesus's claims of divinity as a direct affront to God.
2. Religious vs. Political Charge: The Jewish leaders initially presented Jesus as a political threat to Rome. When that failed to convince Pilate, they switched to the religious charge of blasphemy. This shift aimed to put Pilate in a difficult position. Pilate, as a Roman governor, would have been less concerned with purely religious matters. However, the accusation of blasphemy in such a way that might cause civil unrest or a riot would be a problem.
3. Differing Interpretations: The key is how the Jewish authorities understood Jesus's claim. They saw it as making himself equal to God, which was, in their understanding, an unpardonable act of blasphemy. Jesus's followers (Christians) interpret his claim of being the Son of God differently, emphasizing his unique relationship with God, not necessarily an equation of being "one and the same."
4. Legal Technicality: It's also important to note that the Jewish leaders technically didn't have the authority to carry out capital punishment under Roman rule. This is why they needed Pilate to sentence Jesus.
5. Historical Context: The verse must be understood within the historical context of the complex relationship between the Jewish people and the Roman Empire, as well as the religious tensions and interpretations of Jewish law at that time.
In summary, John 19:7 highlights the charge of blasphemy levied against Jesus by Jewish authorities, a charge they considered worthy of death under their religious law. This verse is a crucial element in understanding the motivations behind Jesus's crucifixion and the complex religious and political dynamics at play in the Passion narrative.
John 19:7 - The Jews answered him, “We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.”
What does "John 19:7" mean?
This verse, John 19:7, is a pivotal moment in the trial of Jesus before Pontius Pilate. It reveals the core reason why Jewish authorities sought Jesus's execution:
"The Jews answered him...": This refers to the Jewish leaders who were pressing Pilate to crucify Jesus. They had already accused him of political sedition, claiming he was trying to overthrow Roman rule by calling himself king (see John 19:12). However, Pilate was unconvinced by this charge.
"We have a law...": This refers to Jewish law, specifically the Torah (the first five books of the Old Testament).
"...and by our law he ought to die...": This is the crucial point. They are claiming that Jesus has violated Jewish law in a way that merits the death penalty.
"...because he made himself the Son of God.": This is the specific violation they are accusing Jesus of. By claiming to be the "Son of God," they interpreted this as blasphemy, which was a capital offense under Jewish law.
Understanding the Significance:
1. Blasphemy as the Core Charge: The accusation of blasphemy is central. It reveals that the Jewish authorities saw Jesus's claims of divinity as a direct affront to God.
2. Religious vs. Political Charge: The Jewish leaders initially presented Jesus as a political threat to Rome. When that failed to convince Pilate, they switched to the religious charge of blasphemy. This shift aimed to put Pilate in a difficult position. Pilate, as a Roman governor, would have been less concerned with purely religious matters. However, the accusation of blasphemy in such a way that might cause civil unrest or a riot would be a problem.
3. Differing Interpretations: The key is how the Jewish authorities understood Jesus's claim. They saw it as making himself equal to God, which was, in their understanding, an unpardonable act of blasphemy. Jesus's followers (Christians) interpret his claim of being the Son of God differently, emphasizing his unique relationship with God, not necessarily an equation of being "one and the same."
4. Legal Technicality: It's also important to note that the Jewish leaders technically didn't have the authority to carry out capital punishment under Roman rule. This is why they needed Pilate to sentence Jesus.
5. Historical Context: The verse must be understood within the historical context of the complex relationship between the Jewish people and the Roman Empire, as well as the religious tensions and interpretations of Jewish law at that time.
In summary, John 19:7 highlights the charge of blasphemy levied against Jesus by Jewish authorities, a charge they considered worthy of death under their religious law. This verse is a crucial element in understanding the motivations behind Jesus's crucifixion and the complex religious and political dynamics at play in the Passion narrative.