Eat the Passover. The purpose of this work forbids our entering upon the much-vexed question of the apparent incon- sistency between John and the Synoptists as to the time of celebrating the Passover.
99. Pilate. Note the abruptness with which he is introduced as one well known. Two derivations of the name are given. Pilatus, one armed with the pilum or javelin, like Torquatus, one adorned with a collar (torques). Or, a contraction from Pileatus, wearing the pileus or cap, which was the badge of manumitted slaves. Hence some have supposed that he was a freedman. ‘Tacitus refers to him as connected with Christ’s death. “The author of that name (Christian), or sect, was Christ, who was capitally punished in the reign of Tiberius, by Pontius Pilate” (“ Annals,” xv., 44). He was the sixth Roman procurator of Judea.
What accusation. Not implying Pilate’s ignorance of the charge, but his demand for the formal accusation.
30. Malefactor (xaxozrotds). Rev., evil-doer. From kaxovp, evil, and trotéw, todo. Luke uses a different word, xaxoupyos, from xaxov, evil, and épyw, to work. See on 1 Pet. ii. 12.
31. Take ye him (AdBere avrov tyeis). The A. V. obscures the emphatic force of duets, you. Pilate’s words display great practical shrewdness in forcing the Jews to commit themselves to the admission that they desired Christ’s death. ‘Take him yourselves (so Rev.), and judge him according to your law.” “By our law,” reply the Jews, “he ought éo de.” But this penalty they could not inflict. “It is not lawful,” ete.
32. By what death (of Javatw). More correctly, by what manner of death. So Rev. Compare xii. 82; Matt. xx. 19. Crucifixion was not a Jewish punishment.
33. Art thou (avel). Thou isemphatic. Thou, the despised malefactor.