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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comRobertson Word Pictures - John 18:28 - 18:28
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
They lead (agousin). Dramatic historical present of agō, plural “they” for the Sanhedrists (Luk 23:1). John gives no details of the trial before the Sanhedrin (only the fact, Joh 18:24, Joh 18:28) when Caiaphas presided, either the informal meeting at night (Mar 14:53, Mar 14:55-65; Mat 26:57, Mat 26:59-68; Luk 22:54, Luk 22:63-65) or the formal ratification meeting after dawn (Mar 15:1; Mat 27:1; Luk 22:66-71), but he gives much new material of the trial before Pilate (Joh 18:28-38).
Into the palace (eis to praitōrion). For the history and meaning of this interesting Latin word, praetorium, see note on Mat 27:27; note on Act 23:35; and note on Phi 1:13. Here it is probably the magnificent palace in Jerusalem built by Herod the Great for himself and occupied by the Roman Procurator (governor) when in the city. There was also one in Caesarea (Act 23:35). Herod’s palace in Jerusalem was on the Hill of Zion in the western part of the upper city. There is something to be said for the Castle of Antonia, north of the temple area, as the location of Pilate’s residence in Jerusalem.
Early (prōi). Technically the fourth watch (3 a.m. to 6 a.m.). There were two violations of Jewish legal procedure (holding the trial for a capital case at night, passing condemnation on the same day of the trial). Besides, the Sanhedrin no longer had the power of death. A Roman court could meet any time after sunrise. John (Joh 19:14) says it was “about the sixth hour” when Pilate condemned Jesus.
That they might not be defiled (hina mē mianthōsin). Purpose clause with hina mē and first aorist passive subjunctive of miainō, to stain, to defile. For Jewish scruples about entering the house of a Gentile see Act 10:28; Act 11:3.
But might eat the passover (alla phagōsin to pascha). Second aorist active subjunctive of the defective verb esthiō, to eat. This phrase may mean to eat the passover meal as in Mat 27:17 (Mar 14:12, Mar 14:14; Luk 22:11, Luk 22:15), but it does not have to mean that. In 2Ch 30:22 we read: “And they did eat the festival seven days” when the paschal festival is meant, not the paschal lamb or the paschal supper. There are eight other examples of pascha in John’s Gospel and in all of them the feast is meant, not the supper. If we follow John’s use of the word, it is the feast here, not the meal of Joh 13:2 which was the regular passover meal. This interpretation keeps John in harmony with the Synoptics.