John 19:16

¶ Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led [him] away.

Then {G5119} delivered he {G3860} him {G846} therefore {G3767} unto them {G846} to {G2443} be crucified {G4717}. And {G1161} they took {G3880} Jesus {G2424}, and {G2532} led him away {G520}.

Then Pilate handed Yeshua over to them to have him put to death on the stake.

So they took charge of Yeshua.

Then Pilate handed Jesus over to be crucified, and the soldiers took Him away.

Then therefore he delivered him unto them to be crucified.

Commentary

John 19:16 marks a pivotal moment in the Passion narrative, detailing Pontius Pilate's decision to hand Jesus over for crucifixion and the subsequent immediate action taken by the Roman soldiers. This verse signifies the culmination of the trials and the beginning of Jesus' final journey to Golgotha.

Historical and Cultural Context

This verse takes place in Jerusalem, likely at the Praetorium, the Roman governor's palace. Pontius Pilate, the Roman prefect of Judea, had repeatedly declared Jesus innocent of any capital crime (John 19:4, John 19:6). However, under immense pressure from the Jewish chief priests and their followers, who threatened to report Pilate to Caesar for releasing a man claiming to be king (John 19:12), he capitulated. Crucifixion was a brutal form of capital punishment reserved by the Romans for rebels, slaves, and the worst criminals, designed to be a public deterrent. The Jewish leaders, though desiring Jesus' death, could not carry out a capital sentence under Roman rule, hence their insistence that Pilate execute Him.

Key Themes

  • Pilate's Capitulation: Despite his personal conviction of Jesus' innocence, Pilate succumbs to political pressure and the crowd's demands (John 19:15). This highlights the dangers of moral cowardice and compromise in the face of injustice.
  • Divine Sovereignty and Human Responsibility: While human agents (Pilate, Jewish leaders, Roman soldiers) are responsible for their actions, this act also perfectly aligns with God's preordained plan for salvation. It was by God's determined purpose and foreknowledge that Jesus was delivered up.
  • The Path to Atonement: This verse marks the immediate transition from trial to execution, initiating the physical suffering that would culminate in Jesus' death on the cross, the ultimate sacrifice for sin.
  • Jesus' Submission: The phrase "And they took Jesus, and led him away" emphasizes Jesus' willingness to submit to His fate, fulfilling the role of the suffering servant who "was led as a lamb to the slaughter" (Isaiah 53:7).

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "delivered" is paredōken (παρέδωκεν), which means "to hand over" or "to give up." This same term is used in other contexts for betrayal (as Judas "delivered" Jesus), but here it denotes Pilate's formal, judicial act of surrendering Jesus to the will of His accusers for execution. The phrase "to be crucified" (ἵνα σταυρωθῇ - hina staurōthē) explicitly states the purpose for which He was handed over, leaving no ambiguity about the intended outcome.

Practical Application

John 19:16 invites us to reflect on several profound truths. First, it reminds us of the immense cost of sin and the depth of God's love, as Jesus willingly entered into this suffering. Second, it serves as a stark warning against compromising one's convictions under pressure, as Pilate did, leading to an unjust outcome. Finally, it reinforces the truth that even in the darkest moments of human injustice, God's sovereign plan is at work, orchestrating events for the ultimate good of humanity and the fulfillment of His redemptive purposes. The journey of Jesus from the Praetorium to Golgotha, beginning here, is one of purposeful sacrifice for our salvation.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Matthew 27:26

    ¶ Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered [him] to be crucified.

  • Matthew 27:31

    And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify [him].

  • Luke 23:24

    And Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they required.

  • Luke 23:25

    And he released unto them him that for sedition and murder was cast into prison, whom they had desired; but he delivered Jesus to their will.

  • Mark 15:15

    ¶ And [so] Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged [him], to be crucified.

  • Mark 15:20

    And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple from him, and put his own clothes on him, and led him out to crucify him.
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