John 19:7-12
 
John 19:7 (KJB)
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 had answered Pilate by claiming He should be put to death because He made Himself out to be the Son of God which would be deity. Under the law anyone who claimed to be God was blaspheming. (Lev 24:16 KJV) 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. It is quite interesting how the Jews quoted the Scriptures when they wanted to execute Jesus but never used them to confirm who He was. The only accusation they could bring in the presence of Pilate was a spiritual one and nothing that would affect Rome or its position in the area.
 
John 19:8 (KJB)
When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he was the more afraid;
 
Pilate no doubt had heard of the Messiah of the Jews and that He would come to deliver Israel. When the Jews stated that Jesus claimed to be the Son of God, this frightened Pilate because throughout the whole ordeal which Jesus underwent, He totally kept His composure. Pilate must have known that there was something different about Jesus because the normal human prisoner would have reviled the Romans yet Jesus did not. (Mat 27:19 KJV) When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him. Pilate’s wife even told him to have nothing to do with Jesus because He was a just man. Pilate was warned though a dream and maybe that is why when he heard these words he really feared or became terrified. He was starting to understand a little that Jesus was not the ordinary man.
 
John 19:9 (KJB)
And went again into the judgment hall, and saith unto Jesus, Whence art thou? But Jesus gave him no answer.
 
Pilate then summons Jesus to question Him again and asks Him a question based upon the accusation that the Jews made of Him claiming to be the Son of God. Pilate asks Him where is He from? Jesus did not answer Pilate for the simple fact that he would not have understood if Jesus told him that He was from Heaven. Who knows, since the Gentiles received the Gospel much more joyfully than the Jews, if Jesus would have told him who He truly was, maybe Pilate would have let Him go but the downside would have been that there would be no salvation for anyone. So Jesus kept silent fulfilling Isaiah 53:7. (Isa 53:7 KJV) He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.
 
John 19:10 (KJB)
Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee?
 
Pilate was probably being tormented by his fears and wanted Jesus to say something in His defense so Pilate could let Him go and this debacle will come to an end. He now wields his Roman office stating that he has the power to release Jesus or crucify Him. Maybe Pilate thought Jesus did not understand Pilate’s position as Governor with the accompanying authority he had. Pilate was no doubt angry at this point and it seemed to him that Jesus was disrespecting him by not speaking to him. Pilate would have been used to prisoners groveling at his feet to escape punishment for their crimes or for lesser punishment. It probably baffled Pilate why Jesus was so silent knowing that the only outcome will have to be crucifixion since no defense was made to avert it.
 
John 19:11 (KJB)
Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.
 
(Prov 21:1 KJV) The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will. Here Jesus is telling Pilate that he could have no power at all except it was given to him by God. Solomon knew that a person reigns by the power of God and the direction of God. It is God who sets up kings and brings them down. The entire world is under God’s control and He directs its affairs. (Dan 2:21 KJV) And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding: Jesus wants Pilate to know that his position at present has been given to him by God for His purposes which is to pass sentence so God‘s salvation plan will be completed. Then Jesus tells him that those who delivered Him to Pilate have the greater sin because a person is not brought before a Magistrate or Governor unless some charges have been either brought in truth or created to condemn an innocent man. The Jews had invented charges against Jesus and wanted Him dead so things would go on the way they were before. Since they brought false charges against Him, the Governor could only act on the information given, therefore, those who made up the false charges would be guiltier because false charges are normally created out of hatred for someone. (Exo 20:16 KJV) Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.  (Prov 19:5 KJV) A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape.
 
John 19:12 (KJB)
And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar's friend: whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Caesar.
 
Pilate knew that Jesus had done nothing wrong and wanted to release Him but the crowd was now getting more vicious. They knew exactly what to say to Pilate to get them over to their side, even if it was reluctantly. What they were accusing Pilate of, if he released Jesus, was rebellion against Rome. Those who were not friends of Caesar would be considered enemies of Caesar and of Rome which would mean the death penalty and probably by crucifixion. Pilate knew these people were venomous and would not hesitate to dispatch someone to Rome and report the failure of Pilate to deal with someone who claims to be a king and a rival of Caesar.

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