Bible Strands
John 19:10
So Pilate said to Him, “Do You refuse to speak to me? Do You not know that I have authority to release You and authority to crucify You?”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Pilate addresses Jesus inside the Praetorium immediately after Jesus remains silent during a private inquiry about His origin.
The words — λαλεῖς (laleis) translates literally as "do you speak?" and marks the moment Jesus withholds his answer to Pilate's preceding question.
The thread — The text records Pilate claiming unilateral power to release or crucify, which parallels Nebuchadnezzar's demand for submission (Daniel 3:14), the fear of nations before a ruler's greatness (Daniel 5:19), and Pilate's earlier offer of a Passover prisoner (John 18:39).
Why it lands — Pilate's declaration of political authority over life and death requires the reader to confront the boundary between human jurisdiction and the source of true power.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee?
Cross-references
- Daniel 3:14 and Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, is it true that you do not serve my gods or worship the golden statue I have set up?
- Daniel 5:19 Because of the greatness that He bestowed on him, the people of every nation and language trembled in fear before him. He killed whom he wished and kept alive whom he wished; he exalted whom he wished and humbled whom he wished.
- John 18:39 But it is your custom that I release to you one prisoner at the Passover. So then, do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?”