Table 3

Dialogue Between Pilate and the Jews from The Gospel of John (NRSV)

The sequence of statements in Column 4 appears in the same order as it does in the Gospel of John. Column 1 assigns a sequential statement number to each section of dialogue. For later convenience, Statement #5 is divided into two parts, 5a and 5b. 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.

 3

18:31

Pilate

Take him yourselves and judge him according to your law.

 4

18:31

Jews

We are not permitted to put anyone to death.

Break in dialogue: Pilate goes inside to question Jesus

 5a

18:38

Pilate

I find no case against him.

 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!

Mockery and abuse of Jesus

 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!

 9

19:6

Pilate

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

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.

Break in dialogue. Pilate returns to question Jesus further

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.

13

19:14

Pilate

Here is your King!

14

19:15

Jews

Away with him! Away with him! Crucify him!

15

19:15

Pilate

Shall I crucify your King?

16

19:15

Jews

We have no king but the emperor.