John Chapter 19 verse 8 Holy Bible
When Pilate therefore heard this saying, he was the more afraid;
read chapter 19 in ASV
When this saying came to Pilate's ears his fear became greater;
read chapter 19 in BBE
When Pilate therefore heard this word, he was the rather afraid,
read chapter 19 in DARBY
When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he was the more afraid;
read chapter 19 in KJV
read chapter 19 in WBT
When therefore Pilate heard this saying, he was more afraid.
read chapter 19 in WEB
When, therefore, Pilate heard this word, he was the more afraid,
read chapter 19 in YLT
John 19 : 8 Bible Verse Songs
Pulpit Commentary
Pulpit CommentaryVerses 8-11. - (f) [Within the Praetorium.] The fear of Pilate, and the apportionment of the measures of guilt by the majestic Sufferer. Verse 8. - When therefore Pilate heard this word he was more afraid, implying that John had seen all along that some element of "fear" had moved Pilate, and that now it was augmented. Superstition goes hand in hand with skepticism. Instead of this being (as Keim says) contrary to psychologic laws, the history of skepticism is constantly presenting the same features (cf. Herod Antipas the Sadducee, who would dogmatically have repudiated the idea of resurrection, crying out concerning Jesus, "It is John the Baptist, whom I beheaded: he is risen from the dead," etc.). We need not suppose that Pilate was suddenly affected by the truth of Jewish monotheism; but he may readily have believed that the wondrous Being before him was enshrouded in a mystery of supernatural portent and pretension that he could not fathom, and before which he trembled. The idea of Divine energy enshrined in and wielded by human beings was not altogether foreign to heathen thought - and one centurion, at least, who was probably present on this very occasion, exclaimed that Jesus was a Son of God (Matthew 27:54).
Ellicott's Commentary
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(8) When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he was the more afraid.--That is, as the verses which follow show, he was the more afraid because of his wonder who Jesus really was. He must have heard of some of the current impressions as to His life and words; he had himself heard Him claim a kingdom which is not of this world; his wife's dream (Matthew 27:19) had furnished an evil omen which the superstition of the most educated classes of the Roman empire would interpret as a message from the gods; and now the Jews speak of Him as one who claimed to be the Son of God. (Comp. Notes on the words of the Roman centurion in Matthew 27:54.)
