John 19:7

The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.

The Jews {G2453} answered {G611} him {G846}, We {G2249} have {G2192} a law {G3551}, and {G2532} by {G2596} our {G2257} law {G3551} he ought {G3784} to die {G599}, because {G3754} he made {G4160} himself {G1438} the Son {G5207} of God {G2316}.

The Judeans answered him, “We have a law; according to that law, he ought to be put to death, because he made himself out to be the Son of God.”

“We have a law,” answered the Jews, “and according to that law He must die, because He declared Himself to be the Son of God.”

The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by that law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.

Commentary

John 19:7 captures a pivotal moment in the trial of Jesus before Pontius Pilate, highlighting the fundamental religious accusation against Him by the Jewish authorities.

Context

Having brought Jesus to Pilate, the Roman governor, the Jewish leaders initially tried to get Pilate to condemn Jesus on political charges (like treason against Caesar) without specifying their true religious grievance. Pilate, finding no fault in Jesus regarding Roman law, sought to release Him. However, the Jewish leaders insisted on His death, shifting their argument to their own religious code. This verse reveals their ultimate, non-negotiable charge: blasphemy.

Key Themes

  • The Charge of Blasphemy: The core accusation against Jesus was that He, a man, claimed to be God's Son in a way that implied equality with God. Under Mosaic Law, this was considered blasphemy, punishable by death (Leviticus 24:16).
  • Jesus' Claim to Divinity: The phrase "because he made himself the Son of God" directly refers to Jesus' consistent and unambiguous claims of divine authority and identity throughout His ministry. This was not merely a claim to be a righteous man or a prophet, but to a unique, filial relationship with God the Father, implying shared nature and authority. This profound truth was the very reason for the religious leaders' rejection and condemnation.
  • Clash of Jurisdictions: This verse underscores the conflict between Roman law (concerned with political insurrection) and Jewish religious law (concerned with theological purity). The Jewish leaders were forced to articulate their religious charge to Pilate, who was initially uninterested in their internal religious disputes but now faced a capital offense according to their tradition.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "Son of God" (Greek: huios tou theou) was understood by the Jewish leadership to be a claim of unique divine identity and authority, equating Jesus with God Himself. This is evident in other passages where similar claims led to accusations of blasphemy, such as when Jesus declared, "I and my Father are one" (John 10:30), prompting the Jews to pick up stones to stone Him, saying, "for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God" (John 10:33).

Practical Application

This verse reminds us that the central issue at Jesus' trial was His identity. His claim to be the Son of God, not just a good teacher or prophet, was the ultimate reason for His crucifixion. For believers, this confirms the profound truth of Christ's divinity. For all, it challenges us to consider who Jesus truly is. The world may seek to diminish or redefine Jesus, but His own claims, and the response they provoked, stand as a testament to His unique and divine nature, central to the Christian faith and the message of 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

  • Leviticus 24:16

    And he that blasphemeth the name of the LORD, he shall surely be put to death, [and] all the congregation shall certainly stone him: as well the stranger, as he that is born in the land, when he blasphemeth the name [of the LORD], shall be put to death.

  • John 5:18

    Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.

  • Matthew 26:63

    But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God.

  • Matthew 26:66

    What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death.

  • Romans 1:4

    And declared [to be] the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:

  • Matthew 27:42

    He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him.

  • Matthew 27:43

    He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God.
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