Table 4

Proposed Reconstruction of the Source used by the Author of John for the Dialogue Between Pilate and the Jews (NRSV)

The numbers in Column 1 are the statement numbers assigned to each statement in Table 3. The statement numbers enable you to see how the author of the Gospel of John rearranged the statements.

Statements attributed to the Jews are in bold face.

Order

Verse

Speaker

Statement

 1

18:29

Pilate

What accusation do you bring against this man?

 2

18:30

Jews

If this man were not a criminal, we would not have handed him over to you.

Break in dialogue: Pilate goes inside to question Jesus. Comes back out.

 5a

18:38

Pilate

I find no case against him.

11

19:12

Pilate

(From then on Pilate tried to release him.)

12

19:12

Jews

If you release this man, you are no friend of the emperor. Everyone who claims to be a king sets himself against the emperor.

 5b

18:39

Pilate

But you have a custom that I release someone for you at the Passover. Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?

 6

18:40

Jews

Not this man, but Barabbas!

15

19:15

Pilate

Shall I crucify your King?

14

19:15

Jews

Away with him! Away with him! Crucify him!

 3

18:31

Pilate

Take him yourselves and judge him according to your law.

10

19:7

Jews

We have a law, and according to that law he ought to die because he has claimed to be the Son of God.

 9

19:6

Pilate

Take him yourselves and crucify him; I find no case against him.

 4

18:31

Jews

We are not permitted to put anyone to death.

Mockery and abuse of Jesus.

13

19:14

Pilate

Here is your King!

16

19:15

Jews

We have no king but the emperor.

Pilate returns to question Jesus further.

 7

19:4-5

Pilate

Look, I am bringing him out to you to let you know that I find no case against him.

(So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe.) Here is the man!

 8

19:6

Jews

Crucify him! Crucify him!