John 19:7

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does John 19:7 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by that law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by that law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.
John 19:7 — American Standard Version

Context — John 19

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
7The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by that law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“The Jews answered him, etc.] Finding they could make nothing of the charge of sedition against him, and that Pilate could not be prevailed upon to condemn him to death upon that score, they try another method, and charge him with blasphemy; which, if the other had succeeded, they would have concealed; because this, if proved, according to their law, would not have brought on him the kind of death they were desirous of: we have a law; meaning the law of Moses, which they had received by his hands from God: and by our law he ought to die; referring either to the law concerning blasphemy in general, or concerning the false prophet, or to the having and asserting of other gods, and enticing to…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by oar law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God--Their criminal charges having come to nothing, they give up that point, and as Pilate was throwing the whole responsibility upon them, they retreat into their own Jewish law, by which, as claiming equality with God (see Joh 5:18 and Joh 8:59), He ought to die; insinuating that it was Pilate's duty, even as civil governor, to protect their law from such insult.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“We have a law - The law respecting blasphemy, Leviticus 24:16; Deuteronomy 13:1-5. They had arraigned Jesus on that charge before the Sanhedrin, and condemned him for it, Matthew 26:63-65. But this was not the charge on which they had arraigned him before Pilate. They had accused him of sedition, Luke 23:2. On this charge they were now convinced that they could not get Pilate to condemn him. He declared him innocent. Still bent on his ruin, and resolved to gain their purpose, they now, contrary to their first intention, adduced the original accusation on which they had already pronounced him guilty. If they could not obtain his condemnation as a rebel, they now sought it as a blasphemer, and…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“By our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God - Which they understood in the highest sense, and therefore accounted blasphemy. John 19:8”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“19:7 During the trial before Caiaphas, the charge of blasphemy—calling himself the Son of God—was determined to be Jesus’ true crime (see Mark 14:61-65). • The leaders had already tried pitting Jesus against Roman imperial interests (John 18:33), and would do so again (19:12). Now they challenged the governor on another level: Pilate must keep the peace by upholding local law, even when it was irrelevant to Rome. Claiming to be God’s son was not illegal, because Israel’s kings did this (Pss 2:7; 89:22-27). However, Jesus claimed to have the divine authority of God himself (see John 5:18), which they saw as blasphemy.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“We have: Lev 24:16; Deu 18:20 because: Joh 5:18, Joh 8:58, Joh 8:59, Joh 10:30-33, Joh 10:36-38; Mat 26:63-66, Mat 27:42, Mat 27:43; Mar 14:61-64; Mar 15:39; Rom 1:4 John 19:8”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification