Judgment-seat (Sjuaros). See on Acts vii. 5. The best texts omit the article, which may indicate that the tribunal was an improvised one.
The Pavement (A:3dctpwrov). From dédos, stone, and otpetds, strewn or spread.
Gabbatha. From the Hebrew gab, “back,” and meaning, therefore, a racsed place. Thus the Aramaic term is not a trans- lation of the Greek term, which indicates that the place, wher- ever it was, was distinguished by a mosaic or tesselated pave- ment. Suetonius relates that Julius Czesar used to carry about with him on his expeditions a portable tesselated pavement for his tribunal. It is not likely, however, that there is any allus- ion to such a practice here. Westcott explains Gabbatha as the ridge of the house.
14. Sixth hour. See oni. 39.
15. They (oi). The best texts read éxetvos, those (people). The pronoun of remote reference isolates and sharply distin- guishes them from Jesus. See on xiii. 27.
Away with him (dpov). Lit., take away.
We have no king but Czesar. These words, uttered by the chief priésts, are very significant. These chief representa- tives of the theocratic government of Israel thus formally and expressly renounce it, and declare their allegiance to a temporal and pagan power. This utterance is “the formal abdication of the Messianic hope.”
16-17. Compare Matt. xxvii. 31-34; Mark xv. 20-23; Luke xxiii. 26-33.
16. Delivered. Luke says, delivered to their will (xxiii. 25). Pilate pronounced no sentence, but disclaimed all responsibility for the act, and delivered Christ up ¢o them (adrois), they hav- ing invoked the responsibility upon themselves. See Matt. XXvli. 24, 25.
GOSPEL OF JOHN. 283 And led Him away. The best texts omit. 17. Bearing (Sacrafwv). See on xii. 6; x. 31.
His cross (Tov otavpov avtov). The best texts read air@ or éavto, “ bearing the cross for Himself.” John does not men- tion the impressment of Simon of Cyrene for this service. Compare Matt. xxvii. 32; Mark xv. 21; Luke xxiii. 26.
Skull. See on Matt. xxvii. 33.
18-24. Compare Matt. xxvii. 35-388; Mark xv. 24-28; Luke xxiii. 33, 34, 38.
18. In the midst. All the Synoptists describe the character of the two who were crucified with Jesus. Matthew and Mark, robbers ; Luke, malefactors (xaxovpyovs). All three use the phrase, one on the right, the other on the left, and so, substan- tially, John: on either side one. John says nothing about the character of these two, but simply describes them as ¢wo others.
19. Title (rérdov). Only here and ver. 20, in the New Testament. John uses the technical Roman term fetulus, a placard or notice. Used for a bill or notice of sale affixed to a house. Thus Ovid, of a heartless creditor: “She sent our household goods under the placard (sub-titulum) ;” i.e., put the house and furniture up for sale (“ Remedia Amoris,” 302). Meaning also the title of a book; an epitaph. Matthew has aitiav, accusation; Mark, érvypady tis aitias superscription of the accusation; Luke, érvypapy superscription. John alone mentions the fact that Pilate wrote the inscription.
Jesus of Nazareth the King of the Jews. The wording of the title is differently given by each Evangelist.
Matthew: This is Jesus the King of the Jews. Mark: The King of the Jews.
Luke: This is the King of the Jews.
John: Jesus the Nazarene the King of the Jews.