Verses 24–27. And His ambassador Anna was bound to Caiaphas as a bishop. And Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. And he said unto him, Thou art food and His disciple; He denied it, and said, "Bear it." The word is one of the servants of the bishops, this southerner, whom Peter cut off his ear: "Have I not seen thee in the vineyard with Him? For Peter has denied... [1020] A very thorough explanation of these words is made in the interpretation of the words of the twenty-sixth chapter of the Gospel of Matthew: "And when he went in, sat down with the servants, he saw the end" (v. 58).

Verse 27... And cry out the loops. [1021] Read the explanation of the same words in the Gospel of Matthew (26, 74).

Verse 28. And Jesus was led from Caiaphas to the praetor. And it was morning, and they did not enter into the praetor, that they should not be defiled, but that they should eat the Passover. [1022] And this is explained in the interpretation of the twenty-seventh chapter (v. 1) of the Gospel of Matthew: "And in the morning, all the bishops and the elders of the people took counsel against Jesus, that they had killed Him. [1023]

Verses 29–31. And Pilate went out to them, and said, "Bring this speech against this man; And he answered and said to him, "If this wicked man had not been, they would not have delivered him up to thee." And Pilate said unto them, Take Him, and judge Him according to your law. [1024] The explanation of all this can be found in the interpretation of the words: "And Jesus stood before the hegemon" (Matt. 27:11). [1025] But why did Jesus Christ remain silent when the Jews said that He was a villain? Since He was not asked about this, He only listens patiently.

Verse 31... And when Judah said to him, "We are not fit to kill anyone..."[1026] of course, to be crucified on the cross. The Jews said this not so much because they were dependent on Roman rule and were deprived of their own power, but because they wanted to crucify Jesus Christ on the cross, to give Him over to the most difficult and shameful death, which was not permitted to them by law. And that the Jews killed in other ways is evidenced by the stoning of Stephen.

Verse 32. That the word of Jesus may be fulfilled, when he speaks, signifying by what death he desires to die. [1027] Thus the Jews said, that the word of Jesus Christ might be fulfilled. His words must be fulfilled: "And if I be lifted up from the earth, I will draw all things unto Myself" (John 12:32), after which the same remark of the Evangelist is made: "And these are the words, signifying by what death I desire to die" (John 12:33), i.e. pointing to his death on the cross.

Verses 33–35. And Pilate went into the praetor, and invited Jesus, and said unto him, Thou art the King of the Jews; Jesus answered him, "Do you say this about yourself, or do you speak to you about Me? Pilate answered: "I am the food of the Jews; Thy generation and the bishop have delivered Thee over to me... [1028] See the explanation of the words: And ask His hegemon, saying, Are you the King of the Jews? (Matt. 27:11).

Verses 35–37... What hast thou done; Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world: if My kingdom were of this world, My servants would have striven, that they might not have been delivered up by Judah: but now My kingdom is not from here." And Pilate said unto him, Thou art a king; Jesus answered, "Thou sayest that I am the King." [1029] These verses are also explained there.

Verse 37... For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, that I may bear witness to the truth... [1030] First Pilate asked, "Are you the King of the Jews?" And Jesus Christ answered: My kingdom is not of this world, that is, He declared Himself to be King, although not earthly. Then Pilate asked again, "Are you a King?" And the Lord again replied that He was the King. Further affirming that He bears witness to the truth, Jesus Christ seems to be saying: "For this I was born, for this I was incarnate, and I came into the world to teach the truth" (Therefore, as in all other cases I speak the truth, so also now. it means: being King, I was incarnate in order to reign, and I came into the world in order to teach the truth that, being eternal King, I was incarnate to reign forever over those who believe in Me).

Verse 37... (And) everyone who is of the truth will listen to my voice. [1031] Everyone who is of the truth, who loves the truth, hears My voice, believes My teaching.

Verse 38. Pilate said to Him, What is truth?... Wanting to know, Pilate asks Jesus Christ: "What is the truth of which you testify, which you teach?" But knowing that the question he proposed requires time, he leaves Jesus Christ and, immediately going out, tries to protect Him from the attack of the Jews. Vide:

Verse 38... And these rivers went out to Judah, and said unto them, I find not a single fault in him. [1032] Read again the explanation of the words: And ask His hegemon, saying: Are you the King of the Jews? (Matt. 27:11). There you will find an explanation of the stories of Luke and John.

Verse 39. And there is a custom unto you, that I may release unto you one thing at the Passover: Wilt ye that I give you the King of the Jews? [1033] See the interpretation of the words: on (every) feast it is the custom for the hegemon to let go of one people's bond, whom he desires (Matt. 27:15). This verse is also explained there.

Verse 40. And they all cried out, saying, Not of this, but of Barabbas. And Barabbas was a robber. [1034] In the above-mentioned twenty-seventh chapter, the Evangelist Matthew writes: "And the bishops and the elders have brought forth the nations, let them ask Barabbas, but they shall destroy Jesus" (Matt. 27:20). Read the explanation of these words.