John 19:3

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands.

Complete Jewish Bible:

and went up to him, saying over and over, “Hail, ‘king of the Jews’!” and hitting him in the face.

Berean Standard Bible:

And they went up to Him again and again, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and slapping Him in the face.

American Standard Version:

and they came unto him, and said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they struck him with their hands.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And^{G2532} said^{G3004}, Hail^{G5463}, King^{G935} of the Jews^{G2453}! and^{G2532} they smote^{G1325} him^{G846} with their hands^{G4475}.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for John 19:3

John 19:3, "And said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands," is a verse that captures a moment during the Passion of Christ, specifically the mockery of Jesus by Roman soldiers shortly before his crucifixion. This event is set in the context of the Roman occupation of Judea, where the title "King of the Jews" carried political significance and was a source of tension between the Jewish population and their Roman rulers.

In this verse, the soldiers are ironically paying homage to Jesus, who has been handed over to them after being accused of claiming to be the King of the Jews. Their words are dripping with sarcasm and contempt, as they do not recognize Jesus' spiritual kingship but rather see him as a pitiful figure, a man who has been condemned and is about to be executed in one of the most humiliating and painful ways known at the time. The act of striking Jesus with their hands adds to the physical abuse and humiliation he endures, emphasizing the brutality and injustice he suffers at the hands of the representatives of the Roman Empire.

The themes present in this verse include the nature of true kingship, the contrast between earthly and heavenly power, the reality of human sinfulness and cruelty, and the suffering and humiliation that Jesus willingly underwent for the sake of humanity's redemption. It also highlights the fulfillment of prophetic scriptures concerning the Messiah's rejection and suffering, as foretold in the Old Testament (e.g., Psalm 22, Isaiah 53). The historical context reminds us of the political turmoil of the time, the Roman authority's contempt for insurrection, and the complex dynamics between Roman power and Jewish messianic expectations. This moment is a poignant example of the misunderstanding and rejection of Jesus' divine mission, even as it sets the stage for the ultimate act of love and sacrifice through his death and resurrection.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G2532
   There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: καί
   Transliteration: kaí
   Pronunciation: kahee
   Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
   
2. Strong's Number: G3004
   There are 1244 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: λέγω
   Transliteration: légō
   Pronunciation: leg'-o
   Description: a primary verb; properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas ἔπω and φημί generally refer to an individual expression or speech respectively; while ῥέω is properly to break silence merely, and λαλέω means an extended or random harangue)); by implication, to mean:--ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say(-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter.
   
3. Strong's Number: G5463
   There are 68 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: χαίρω
   Transliteration: chaírō
   Pronunciation: khah'-ee-ro
   Description: a primary verb; to be "cheer"ful, i.e. calmly happy or well-off; impersonally, especially as salutation (on meeting or parting), be well:--farewell, be glad, God speed, greeting, hall, joy(- fully), rejoice.
   
4. Strong's Number: G935
   There are 107 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: βασιλεύς
   Transliteration: basileús
   Pronunciation: bas-il-yooce'
   Description: probably from βάσις (through the notion of a foundation of power); a sovereign (abstractly, relatively, or figuratively):--king.
   
5. Strong's Number: G2453
   There are 187 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: Ἰουδαῖος
   Transliteration: Ioudaîos
   Pronunciation: ee-oo-dah'-yos
   Description: from Ἰουδά (in the sense of Ἰούδας as a country); Judæan, i.e. belonging to Jehudah:--Jew(-ess), of Judæa.
   
6. Strong's Number: G1325
   There are 377 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: δίδωμι
   Transliteration: dídōmi
   Pronunciation: did'-o-mee
   Description: a prolonged form of a primary verb (which is used as an alternative in most of the tenses); to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection):--adventure, bestow, bring forth, commit, deliver (up), give, grant, hinder, make, minister, number, offer, have power, put, receive, set, shew, smite (+ with the hand), strike (+ with the palm of the hand), suffer, take, utter, yield.
   
7. Strong's Number: G846
   There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: αὐτός
   Transliteration: autós
   Pronunciation: ow-tos'
   Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ.
   
8. Strong's Number: G4475
   There are 3 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ῥάπισμα
   Transliteration: rhápisma
   Pronunciation: hrap'-is-mah
   Description: from ῥαπίζω; a slap:--(+ strike with the) palm of the hand, smite with the hand.