John 18:35

Pilate answered, “I am not a Jew, am I? ¹  Your own people ²  and your chief priests handed you over ³  to me. What have you done?”

Ezr 4:12; Ne 4:2; Joh 18:28; Joh 19:6; Joh 19:11; Ac 3:13; Ac 18:14-16; Ac 21:38; Ac 22:22-24; Ac 23:29; Ac 25:19,20; Ro 3:1,2

¹ sn Many have seen in Pilate’s reply “I am not a Jew, am I?” the Roman contempt for the Jewish people. Some of that may indeed be present, but strictly speaking, all Pilate affirms is that he, as a Roman, has no firsthand knowledge of Jewish custom or belief. What he knows of Jesus must have come from the Jewish authorities. They are the ones (your own people and your chief priests) who have handed Jesus over to Pilate.

² tn Or “your own nation.”

³ tn Or “delivered you over.”