Bible Strands
John 19:21
So the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but only that He said, ‘I am the King of the Jews.’”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The chief priests of the Jews address Pilate during the crucifixion scene, immediately after he posts the titulus on Jesus’ cross.
The words — ἔλεγον (elegon) translates to "were saying," and οὖν (oun) means "therefore," marking the priests' urgent intervention to modify the official inscription.
The thread — This request follows Pilate's initial proclamation in John 19:14 and his posted notice in John 19:19, leading directly to his refusal in John 19:22.
Why it lands — The text records a demand to strip a royal title of its authority and reduce it to a reported claim, requiring the reader to observe how religious leaders attempt to control the written record of Jesus' identity while Pilate refuses to alter it.
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 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.
Cross-references
- John 19:14 It was the day of Preparation for the Passover, about the sixth hour. And Pilate said to the Jews, “Here is your King!”
- John 19:19 Pilate also had a notice posted on the cross. It read: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS.