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John 19:13
ESV So when Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judgment seat at a place called The Stone Pavement, and in Aramaic Gabbatha.
NIV When Pilate heard this, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judge's seat at a place known as the Stone Pavement (which in Aramaic is Gabbatha).
NASB Therefore when Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out, and sat down on the judgment seat at a place called The Pavement—but in Hebrew, Gabbatha.
CSB When Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus outside. He sat down on the judge's seat in a place called the Stone Pavement (but in Aramaic, Gabbatha).
NLT When they said this, Pilate brought Jesus out to them again. Then Pilate sat down on the judgment seat on the platform that is called the Stone Pavement (in Hebrew, Gabbatha).
KJV When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus forth, and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called the Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha.

What does John 19:13 mean?

The Roman governor, Pontius Pilate, had more than enough information to render judgment when Jesus was first brought in for trial. He was aware of Jesus' popularity with the people (Matthew 21:10–11). He could see through the transparent jealousy of Jesus' enemies (Matthew 27:18). A short conversation made it clear Jesus was no political revolutionary (John 18:36–38). And yet, the people have demanded Jesus face a brutal death (John 19:6–7). Pilate's only reason for humoring the mob (John 19:1–5) has been his desire to avoid unrest during this busy, overcrowded religious holiday.

Once the Jewish religious leaders make it clear there will be a riot if Jesus is not executed (Matthew 27:24), Pilate makes his choice. The Roman Empire has zero concern for Jewish blasphemy laws (John 18:28–31). It does care when conquered subjects reject Roman authority. To save face, Pilate will repeatedly refer to Jesus as "your King" as a way of connecting His death to anti-Roman rebellion. This also allows Pilate a way to sneer in the face of the Jewish people.

John describes Pilate coming to a place of official judgment. He will maintain as much pomp as he can, even making a show of taking no responsibility for the sentence (Matthew 27:24). That won't change the fact that this political leader sacrificed an innocent person for a perverse kind of "peace."
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