John 21

John 21:7

For notes on the trial before Pilate, see Matthew 27:1-25. Compare Mr 15:1-15 Lu 23:1-25. The first examination was at the house of Annas (John 18:13), where an officer had smitten Jesus (John 18:22). Then Annas sent him to Caiaphas (John 18:24). Still later he was tried before the Sanhedrin (Matthew 27:1,2) and condemned. Then he was led from Caiaphas to Pilate’s judgment hall (John 18:28). The judgment hall. The praetorium, or official hall of the Roman governor. Lest they should be defiled. These Jewish leaders, filled with the hate of Christ, and ready to secure his judicial murder by the foulest means, were yet so scrupulous that they would not enter the house of a Gentile lest “they should be defiled” (see Deuteronomy 16:4), so that they would not be able to eat the passover. The Pharisees held that contact with a Gentile, or to enter his house was a source of defilement. Hence, this deputation of the Sanhedrin waited without, and Pilate “went out unto them” to ascertain their business. Men can be very religious and yet great sinners.

John 21:11

That the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled. Had the Jews been allowed to put Christ to death, he would have been stoned, as Stephen was, by a mob in Jerusalem, stoning being the usual Jewish method of execution, but he had “signified what death he should die” (John 12:32 Matthew 20:18-19) and had declared that he should be crucified.

John 21:15

My kingdom is not of this world. It would be hard for Pilate to form any conception of a kingdom not of this world, a kingdom of which the subjects did not fight with carnal weapons to defend its king, or to extend its borders. He was a soldier and the representative of a monarch whose power rested on the sword. But such a kingdom was Christ’s. It was not of this world, did not spring from it, was heavenly in its origin, and hence his servants would not fight that he should not be delivered to the Jews. (1) Christ’s kingdom is supernatural, not of human origin. It is in the world, but not worldly. (2) It is maintained, not by carnal weapons, but by spiritual and moral means.

John 21:16

Art thou a king then? If Christ has a kingdom he must be a King.

John 21:17

What is truth? Pilate’s inquiry was not answered in words, but Truth sat embodied and bound before him. Some have held that this question of Pilate’s was asked in scorn. His conduct through the trial shows that he was deeply impressed, and it is probable that the question was asked from a deep curiosity to hear more from so marvellous a teacher.

John 21:18

Ye have a custom. See PNT Matthew 27:15. He was eager to comply with the custom in order to release an innocent prisoner, but he had not measured the depths of the Jewish hate which could demand, instead, a robber and a murderer.

John 21:21

The Crucifixion SUMMARY OF JOH 19: Jesus Scourged. The Crown of Thorns. Pilate’s Acquittal. The New Charge of the Jews. No King but Caesar. Crucified at Golgotha. The Garments Parted by Lot. The Women at the Cross. The Mother of Jesus Committed to John. It Is Finished. For notes on these verses, see Matthew 27:19-22. Compare Mr 15:15-22 Lu 23:20-31. John gives a few additional features.

John 21:25

Behold the man! Jesus had been scourged, and then, bleeding and torn, was crowned with thorns and a purple robe thrown around him, and led out before the people. Pilate, it is probable, hoped to arouse pity.