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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>John 18:30 "If He were not a criminal," they replied, "we would not have handed Him over to you."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/john/18-30.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/16/43_Jhn_18_30.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="John 18:30 - Jesus Before Pilate" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="If He were not a criminal, they replied, we would not have handed Him over to you." /><script type="application/javascript" 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href="/bsb/john/18.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/john/18.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />&#8220If he were not a criminal,&#8221 they replied, &#8220we would not have handed him over to you.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/john/18.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“We wouldn’t have handed him over to you if he weren’t a criminal!” they retorted.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/john/18.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />They answered him, “If this man were not doing evil, we would not have delivered him over to you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/john/18.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />“If He were not a criminal,” they replied, “we would not have handed Him over to you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/john/18.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />They answered and said to him, "If He were not doing evil, we would not have delivered Him to you."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/john/18.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />They answered and said unto him, If he were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered him up unto thee.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/john/18.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />They answered and said to him, “If He were not an evildoer, we would not have delivered Him up to you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/john/18.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />They answered and said to him, “If this Man were not a criminal, we would not have handed Him over to you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/john/18.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />They answered and said to him, &#8220If this Man were not an evildoer, we would not have delivered Him to you.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/john/18.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />They answered and said to him, “If this Man were not an evildoer, we would not have delivered Him up to you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/john/18.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />They answered and said to him, “If this man were not an evildoer, we would not have delivered Him to you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/john/18.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />They answered, “If He were not a criminal, we would not have handed Him over to you [for judgment].”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/john/18.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />They answered him, “If this man weren’t a criminal, we wouldn’t have handed him over to you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/john/18.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />They answered him, &#8220If this man weren&#8217t a criminal, we wouldn&#8217t have handed Him over to you.&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/john/18.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />They answered and said unto him, If this man were not an evildoer, we should not have delivered him up unto thee.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/john/18.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />They answered, "He is a criminal! That's why we brought him to you." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/john/18.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />They answered and said unto him, If this man were not an evil-doer, we should not have delivered him up unto thee.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/john/18.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />The Jews answered Pilate, "If he weren't a criminal, we wouldn't have handed him over to you."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/john/18.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Their answer was, "We would not have brought him to you if he had not committed a crime." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/john/18.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />They answered him, "If he weren't a criminal, we wouldn't have handed him over to you."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/john/18.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />?If He were not a criminal,? they replied, ?we would not have handed Him over to you.?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/john/18.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />They replied, "If this man were not a criminal, we would not have handed him over to you." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/john/18.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />They answered him, "If this man weren't an evildoer, we would not have delivered him up to you."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/john/18.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />They answered and said to him, If he were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered him up to thee.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/john/18.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />"If the man were not a criminal," they replied, "we would not have handed him over to you."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/john/18.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />They answered him, “If this man weren’t an evildoer, we wouldn’t have delivered him up to you.” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/john/18.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />They answered and said to him, “If He were not doing evil, we had not delivered Him to you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/john/18.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />They answered and said to him, "If He were not doing evil, we would not have delivered Him to you."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/john/18.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> they answered and said to him, 'If he were not an evil doer, we had not delivered him to thee.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/john/18.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />They answered and said to him, If he were not injurious, we had not delivered him to thee.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/john/18.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />They answered, and said to him: If he were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered him up to thee. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/john/18.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />They responded and said to him, “If he were not an evil-doer, we would not have handed him over you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/john/18.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />They answered and said to him, “If he were not a criminal, we would not have handed him over to you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/john/18.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />They answered, “If this man were not a criminal, we would not have handed him over to you.”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/john/18.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />They answered and said to him, If he were not an evil-doer, we would not have delivered him up also to you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/john/18.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />And they answered, and they were saying to him, “If he were not an evildoer, we would not have delivered him to you.”<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/john/18.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />They answered and said to him: If this man were not an evil-doer, we would not have delivered him to you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/john/18.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />They responded and said to him, If He were not an evil doer, we would not deliver Him to you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/john/18.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />They answered and said to him, If this fellow had not been a malefactor, we should not have delivered him up to thee.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/john/18.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />they answered him, if he were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered him to you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/john/18.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />"If the man were not a criminal," they replied, "we would not have handed him over to you."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/john/18.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />They answered and said to him, "If this Man were not an evil-doer, we would not have delivered Him up to you."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/john/18.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />They answered him, If He were not a malefactor, we should not have delivered Him to thee.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/john/18-30.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ixy2bchmXZ0?start=6490" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/john/18.htm">Jesus Before Pilate</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">29</span>So Pilate went out to them and asked, “What accusation are you bringing against this man?” <span class="reftext">30</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/1487.htm" title="1487: Ei (Conj) -- If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.">“If</a> <a href="/greek/3778.htm" title="3778: houtos (DPro-NMS) -- This; he, she, it. ">He</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: ēn (V-IIA-3S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">were</a> <a href="/greek/3361.htm" title="3361: mē (Adv) -- Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether.">not</a> <a href="/greek/4160.htm" title="4160: poiōn (V-PPA-NMS) -- (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do."></a> <a href="/greek/2556.htm" title="2556: kakon (Adj-ANS) -- Bad, evil, in the widest sense. Apparently a primary word; worthless, i.e. depraved, or injurious.">a criminal,”</a> <a href="/greek/611.htm" title="611: Apekrithēsan (V-AIP-3P) -- From apo and krino; to conclude for oneself, i.e. to respond; by Hebraism to begin to speak.">they replied,</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. "></a> <a href="/greek/2036.htm" title="2036: eipan (V-AIA-3P) -- Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say."></a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autō (PPro-DM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons."></a> <a href="/greek/302.htm" title="302: an (Prtcl) -- A primary particle, denoting a supposition, wish, possibility or uncertainty.">“</a> <a href="/greek/3756.htm" title="3756: ouk (Adv) -- No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not."></a> <a href="/greek/3860.htm" title="3860: paredōkamen (V-AIA-1P) -- From para and didomi; to surrender, i.e yield up, intrust, transmit.">we would not have handed Him over</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: auton (PPro-AM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons."></a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: soi (PPro-D2S) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">to you.”</a> </span> <span class="reftext">31</span>“You take Him and judge Him by your own law,” Pilate told them. “We are not permitted to execute anyone,” the Jews replied.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/27-23.htm">Matthew 27:23</a></span><br />“Why?” asked Pilate. “What evil has He done?” But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify Him!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/15-14.htm">Mark 15:14</a></span><br />“Why?” asked Pilate. “What evil has He done?” But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify Him!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/23-4.htm">Luke 23:4</a></span><br />Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no basis for a charge against this man.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/24-5.htm">Acts 24:5-6</a></span><br />We have found this man to be a pestilence, stirring up dissension among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes, / and he even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/19-4.htm">John 19:4</a></span><br />Once again Pilate came out and said to the Jews, “Look, I am bringing Him out to you to let you know that I find no basis for a charge against Him.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/19-6.htm">John 19:6</a></span><br />As soon as the chief priests and officers saw Him, they shouted, “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!” “You take Him and crucify Him,” Pilate replied, “for I find no basis for a charge against Him.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/26-59.htm">Matthew 26:59-60</a></span><br />Now the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were seeking false testimony against Jesus in order to put Him to death. / But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward. Finally two came forward<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/14-55.htm">Mark 14:55-56</a></span><br />Now the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were seeking testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but they did not find any. / For many bore false witness against Jesus, but their testimony was inconsistent.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/23-14.htm">Luke 23:14-15</a></span><br />and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined Him here in your presence and found Him not guilty of your charges against Him. / Neither has Herod, for he sent Him back to us. As you can see, He has done nothing deserving of death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/25-7.htm">Acts 25:7</a></span><br />When Paul arrived, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing many serious charges that they could not prove.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/53-9.htm">Isaiah 53:9</a></span><br />He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with a rich man in His death, although He had done no violence, nor was any deceit in His mouth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/69-4.htm">Psalm 69:4</a></span><br />Those who hate me without cause outnumber the hairs of my head; many are those who would destroy me—my enemies for no reason. Though I did not steal, I must repay.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/109-3.htm">Psalm 109:3-4</a></span><br />They surround me with hateful words and attack me without cause. / In return for my love they accuse me, but I am a man of prayer.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/26-11.htm">Jeremiah 26:11</a></span><br />Then the priests and prophets said to the officials and all the people, “This man is worthy of death, for he has prophesied against this city, as you have heard with your own ears!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/6-4.htm">Daniel 6:4-5</a></span><br />Thus the administrators and satraps sought a charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom, but they could find no charge or corruption, because he was trustworthy, and no negligence or corruption was found in him. / Finally these men said, “We will never find any charge against this Daniel unless we find something against him concerning the law of his God.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">They answered and said to him, If he were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered him up to you.</p><p class="hdg">If.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/john/19-12.htm">John 19:12</a></b></br> 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.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/mark/15-3.htm">Mark 15:3</a></b></br> And the chief priests accused him of many things: but he answered nothing.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/luke/20-19.htm">Luke 20:19-26</a></b></br> And the chief priests and the scribes the same hour sought to lay hands on him; and they feared the people: for they perceived that he had spoken this parable against them… </p><p class="hdg">delivered.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/mark/10-33.htm">Mark 10:33</a></b></br> <i>Saying</i>, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be delivered unto the chief priests, and unto the scribes; and they shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him to the Gentiles:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/luke/24-7.htm">Luke 24:7</a></b></br> Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/acts/3-13.htm">Acts 3:13</a></b></br> The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let <i>him</i> go.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_peter/4-15.htm">Criminal</a> <a href="/john/18-5.htm">Delivered</a> <a href="/amos/9-12.htm">Doer</a> <a href="/john/18-23.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/isaiah/9-17.htm">Evildoer</a> <a href="/luke/24-20.htm">Handed</a> <a href="/john/14-2.htm">Weren't</a> <a href="/john/16-1.htm">Wouldn't</a> <a href="/john/3-20.htm">Wrongdoer</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/2_timothy/2-9.htm">Criminal</a> <a href="/john/18-35.htm">Delivered</a> <a href="/romans/2-25.htm">Doer</a> <a href="/acts/2-23.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/1_peter/4-15.htm">Evildoer</a> <a href="/john/18-35.htm">Handed</a> <a href="/john/21-6.htm">Weren't</a> <a href="/john/18-36.htm">Wouldn't</a> <a href="/acts/25-11.htm">Wrongdoer</a><div class="vheading2">John 18</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/18-1.htm">Judas betrays Jesus.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/18-6.htm">The officers fall to the ground.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/18-10.htm">Peter cuts off Malchus' ear.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/18-12.htm">Jesus is taken, and led unto Annas and Caiaphas.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/18-15.htm">Peter's denial.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">19. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/18-19.htm">Jesus examined before Caiaphas.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">25. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/18-25.htm">Peter's second and third denial.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">28. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/18-28.htm">Jesus arraigned before Pilate.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">36. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/18-36.htm">His kingdom.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">40. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/18-40.htm">The Jews prefer Barabbas.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/john/18.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/john/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/john/18.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>If He were not a criminal,</b><br>The Jewish leaders are speaking to Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor. The term "criminal" here reflects their accusation against Jesus, implying He has committed offenses worthy of Roman intervention. In the Jewish context, the leaders viewed Jesus as a blasphemer for claiming to be the Son of God (<a href="/john/10-33.htm">John 10:33</a>). Theologically, this accusation is ironic because Jesus, who is sinless (<a href="/hebrews/4-15.htm">Hebrews 4:15</a>), is being labeled a criminal. This reflects the fulfillment of <a href="/isaiah/53-12.htm">Isaiah 53:12</a>, where the Messiah is "numbered with the transgressors."<p><b>they replied,</b><br>The Jewish leaders are responding to Pilate's question about the charges against Jesus. This interaction highlights the tension between Jewish and Roman authorities. The Jewish leaders are trying to manipulate the Roman legal system to achieve their goal of executing Jesus, as they lacked the authority to carry out capital punishment (<a href="/john/18-31.htm">John 18:31</a>).<p><b>we would not have handed Him over to you.</b><br>This phrase indicates the Jewish leaders' insistence on Jesus' guilt. Their statement is an attempt to pressure Pilate into accepting their judgment without further investigation. Historically, this reflects the complex relationship between the Jewish authorities and the Roman government, where the former had to navigate Roman legal structures to maintain their religious and social order. This handing over of Jesus is a pivotal moment in the Passion narrative, fulfilling Jesus' own predictions about His death (<a href="/mark/10-33.htm">Mark 10:33-34</a>) and illustrating the theme of divine sovereignty in the midst of human injustice.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a></b><br>The central figure of the New Testament, who is being accused and handed over to the Roman authorities by the Jewish leaders.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/jewish_leaders.htm">Jewish Leaders</a></b><br>The religious authorities who are accusing Jesus of being a criminal and are responsible for handing Him over to the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/p/pontius_pilate.htm">Pontius Pilate</a></b><br>The Roman governor of Judea, who is responsible for adjudicating the case against Jesus.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a></b><br>The city where these events are taking place, significant as the center of Jewish religious life and the location of the Temple.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/r/roman_authority.htm">Roman Authority</a></b><br>Represents the political power of the time, under which the Jewish leaders sought to have Jesus executed.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_false_accusations.htm">Understanding False Accusations</a></b><br>The Jewish leaders accused Jesus of being a criminal without just cause. As Christians, we must be wary of false accusations and ensure that our judgments are based on truth and righteousness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_envy_and_fear.htm">The Role of Envy and Fear</a></b><br>The leaders' actions were driven by envy and fear of losing their power. We should examine our own hearts for similar motivations that might lead us away from God's will.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/j/jesus'_innocence_and_sacrifice.htm">Jesus' Innocence and Sacrifice</a></b><br>Despite being innocent, Jesus willingly submitted to the authorities, fulfilling His role as the sacrificial Lamb. This teaches us about humility and obedience to God's plan.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_fulfillment_of_prophecy.htm">The Fulfillment of Prophecy</a></b><br>The events of <a href="/john/18-30.htm">John 18:30</a> are part of the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah. This reinforces the reliability and divine inspiration of Scripture.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_sovereignty_of_god.htm">The Sovereignty of God</a></b><br>Even in the midst of injustice, God's sovereign plan is at work. We can trust that God is in control, even when circumstances seem unjust or chaotic.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_john_18.htm">Top 10 Lessons from John 18</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_marriage_honorable_for_all.htm">What did Jesus mean by 'My hour has not yet come'?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_'incel'_mean.htm">What does 'Into Your Hands I Commit My Spirit' mean?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_isaiah_45_9_relate_to_free_will.htm">How does Isaiah 45:9's analogy of the clay questioning the potter align with human free will and responsibility for evil?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_happened_in_jesus'_final_hours.htm">What events occurred during Jesus' final hours?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/john/18.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(30) <span class= "bld">If he were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered him up unto thee.</span>--They take the position that the Roman is the executive, and their own the judicial power. They bring no legal charge against Jesus, but assert, in effect that they themselves, who understood and had investigated the whole matter, had condemned Him to death, and that the fact that they had done so was in itself sufficient proof that He was worthy of death. They use the vague word "malefactor," "evil-doer," though in the trial before Caiaphas they had not sought to prove any evil deed, and they expect that upon this assertion Pilate will pronounce on Him, as on other malefactors, the sentence of death.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/john/18.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 30, 31.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">They answered and said, if</span> <span class="cmt_word">he were not a malefactor,</span> <span class="cmt_word">we should not have delivered him up to thee.</span> This was somewhat audacious. It was as much as to say, "We have judged, you have only to register our decisions. We are not bound to go through our evidence before you." If it had been so, the deprivation of the <span class="accented">jus gladii</span>, the power of capital execution would have mattered little to them. Pilate, in scorn and irony, replies, "If that be so, why have ye brought him to me? If you are unwilling to comply with the terms of Roman jurisprudence, then it must be some ease which you can dispose of according to your own rules." <span class="cmt_word">Take ye him yourselves, and according to your Law judge him</span>. Pilate saw their animus, and that they were thirsting for the blood of Jesus, and wished at once to flout them and make them confess their impotence and admit his suzerainty. For them to judge (<span class="greek">κρίνειν</span>) was not equivalent to put to death (<span class="greek">ἀποκτεῖμαι</span>), and Pilate clearly suggested that much. <span class="cmt_word">The Jews</span> [<span class="cmt_word">therefore</span>] <span class="cmt_word">said to him, It is not lawful</span> (<span class="greek">οὐκ ἔξεστι</span>) <span class="cmt_word">to us to put any man to death.</span> This was perfectly true, notwithstanding the tumultuary and violent acts and threats, and incipient stonings of Jesus, to which the Gospel refers (<a href="/john/8-3.htm">John 8:3, 59</a>; <a href="/john/7-25.htm">John 7:25</a>). Other interpretations of this exclamation have been supplied, viz. "to execute criminals of state" (Krebs), "to do so on feast-days" (Semler); but the power had been formally taken from even the supreme court, forty years before the destruction of Jerusalem. The instance of the massacre of James the Just, occurring between the departure of one Roman governor and the arrival of another, is mentioned by Josephus ('Ant.,' 20:09. 1) as a distinct infringement and violation of law. The stoning of Stephen in a wild tumult, and the proceedings of Herod Agrippa, are rather confirmations than violations of the rule. Thus the malign disposition and distinct purpose of the Jews were revealed. They would not have brought Jesus at all before the Roman governor, nor admitted his claim to decide any case involving religious ideas and practices, if they had not fully decided that Jesus must die. Bat John sees a deeper reason still. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/john/18-30.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">“If</span><br /><span class="grk">Εἰ</span> <span class="translit">(Ei)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1487.htm">Strong's 1487: </a> </span><span class="str2">If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">He</span><br /><span class="grk">οὗτος</span> <span class="translit">(houtos)</span><br /><span class="parse">Demonstrative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3778.htm">Strong's 3778: </a> </span><span class="str2">This; he, she, it. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">were</span><br /><span class="grk">ἦν</span> <span class="translit">(ēn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> </span><span class="str2">I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">not</span><br /><span class="grk">μὴ</span> <span class="translit">(mē)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3361.htm">Strong's 3361: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a criminal,”</span><br /><span class="grk">κακὸν</span> <span class="translit">(kakon)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Accusative Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2556.htm">Strong's 2556: </a> </span><span class="str2">Bad, evil, in the widest sense. Apparently a primary word; worthless, i.e. depraved, or injurious.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they replied,</span><br /><span class="grk">Ἀπεκρίθησαν</span> <span class="translit">(Apekrithēsan)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_611.htm">Strong's 611: </a> </span><span class="str2">From apo and krino; to conclude for oneself, i.e. to respond; by Hebraism to begin to speak.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“we would not have handed Him over</span><br /><span class="grk">παρεδώκαμεν</span> <span class="translit">(paredōkamen)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3860.htm">Strong's 3860: </a> </span><span class="str2">From para and didomi; to surrender, i.e yield up, intrust, transmit.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to you.”</span><br /><span class="grk">σοι</span> <span class="translit">(soi)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> </span><span class="str2">You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/john/18-30.htm">John 18:30 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/john/18-30.htm">John 18:30 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/john/18-30.htm">John 18:30 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/john/18-30.htm">John 18:30 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/john/18-30.htm">John 18:30 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/john/18-30.htm">John 18:30 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/john/18-30.htm">John 18:30 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/john/18-30.htm">John 18:30 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/john/18-30.htm">John 18:30 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/john/18-30.htm">John 18:30 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/john/18-30.htm">NT Gospels: John 18:30 They answered him If this man weren't (Jhn Jo Jn) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/john/18-29.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="John 18:29"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="John 18:29" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/john/18-31.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="John 18:31"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="John 18:31" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>