John 19:11

“Jesus answered, etc.] With great intrepidity and courage, with freedom and boldness, as being not at all dismayed with his threatenings, or affected with his proud boasts, and in order to expose the vanity of them: thou couldst have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: meaning, not from the Jewish sanhedrim, whose court of judicature was in the temple, which was higher than the other part of the city; nor from the Roman emperor, or senate of Rome, the higher powers; by whom Pilate was made governor of Judea, and a judge in all causes relating to life and death; but reference is had to the place from whence he came, and to the decree and council of God above, and…”

“Thou couldest--rather, "shouldst." have no power at all against me--neither to crucify nor to release, nor to do anything whatever against Me [BENGEL]. except it were--"unless it had been." given thee from above--that is, "Thou thinkest too much of thy power, Pilate: against Me that power is none, save what is meted out to thee by special divine appointment, for a special end." therefore he that delivered me unto thee--Caiaphas, too wit--but he only as representing the Jewish authorities as a body. hath the greater sin--as having better opportunities and more knowledge of such matters.”

“No power - No such power as you claim. You have not originated the power which you have. You have just as much as is given, and your ability extends no further. Except it were given thee - It has been conceded or granted to you. God has ordered your life, your circumstances, and the extent of your dominion. This was a reproof of a proud man in office, who was forgetful of the great Source of his authority, and who supposed that by his own talents or fortune he had risen to his present place. Alas, how many men in office forget that God gives them their rank, and vainly think that it is owing to their own talents or merits that they have risen to such an elevation. Men of office and talent,…”

“Thou couldst have no power over me - For I have done nothing to expose me to the power of any magistrate. Therefore he that delivered me to thee, namely, Caiaphas, knowing this, is more blamable than thou. John 19:13”

“Thou: Joh 3:27, Joh 7:30; Gen 45:7, Gen 45:8; Exo 9:14-16; Ch1 29:11; Psa 39:9, Psa 62:11; Jer 27:5-8; Lam 3:37; Dan 4:17, Dan 4:25, Dan 4:32, Dan 4:35, Dan 5:21; Mat 6:13; Luk 22:53; Act 2:23, Act 4:28; Rom 11:36, Rom 13:1; Jam 1:17 he: Joh 11:49, Joh 11:50, Joh 18:3; Mat 26:65, Mat 27:2; Mar 14:44 the greater: Joh 9:41, Joh 15:22-24; Luk 7:41, Luk 7:42, Luk 10:11-14, Luk 12:47, Luk 12:48; Heb 6:4-8; Jam 4:17 John 19:12”