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Commentaries
English
John
  
8When Pilate heard these words, he was the more afraid;9he entered the Praetorium again and said to Jesus, "Where are you from?", but Jesus gave no answer.10Pilate therefore said to him, "You will not speak to me? Do you not know that I have power to release you, and power to crucify you?"11Jesus answered him, "You would have no power over me unless it had been given you from above; therefore he who has delivered me to you has the greater sin."


Pilate was uncertain as to Jesus’ personality. His uprightness, purity and love were not lost on the governor. So when he learned that Jesus was regarded not just as king but also as God’s Son he was alarmed. Romans and Greeks imagined the heavens to teem with spirits and godlings, who could sometimes become incarnate and move amongst men. He became apprehensive, thinking, "Is he likely to be a god in man’s form?" So he asked, "Where are you from?"
Jesus did not seize this opportunity to escape punishment, but stayed silent. This silence is suggestive. God does not answer questions that have to do with logic, or mere curiosity, but reveals Himself to the believer who confides in Him. He differs totally from Graeco-Roman conceptions of Him, no one is like Him. At this silence, Pilate was angry and asked, "Do you not want to talk to me? I have the power to kill or release you, you are in my power. Your enemies demand your crucifixion. I alone can save you or hang you."
Jesus would have responded, "True, you have the power. My Father gave you that power. You are not important in yourself. Your futility will appear soon in an unjust sentence. My Father in heaven is omnipotent, and I too. There is no authority on earth, except by His permission." This permissive will often result in destruction as with Pilate, who had been gifted with power by divine permission. God controls history, but allows people a share in responsibility for their deeds. You are accountable for your dealings with others.
Jesus said to Pilate, "You have sinned gravely, but you are not alone in guilt. All are caught in the meshes of sins. You do not want to crucify me, but your cowardice and fear of Caiaphas makes you condemn me." The high priest was guilty of a greater sin, for he wanted to crucify Jesus because of jealousy and hatred. As he held high office, he needed to show pity for felons to reconcile them with God. But he was subject to evil spirits, he loathed Jesus to the point of murder.