The Meaning of John 19:13 Explained

John 19:13

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.

YLT: Pilate, therefore, having heard this word, brought Jesus without -- and he sat down upon the tribunal -- to a place called, 'Pavement,' and in Hebrew, Gabbatha;

Darby: Pilate therefore, having heard these words, led Jesus out and sat down upon the judgment-seat, at a place called Pavement, but in Hebrew Gabbatha;

ASV: When Pilate therefore heard these words, he brought Jesus out, and sat down on the judgment-seat at a place called The Pavement, but in Hebrew, Gabbatha.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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?

Verse Meaning

It was evidently the "friend of Caesar" threat that inclined Pilate to decide to execute Jesus. Again self-interest rather than commitment to justice influenced his decision (cf. John 19:1). He brought Jesus out where the Jews could see Him again and took his seat for Jesus" formal sentencing.
The judgment seat (Gr. bema, cf. 2 Corinthians 5:10) was the place where a powerful ruler pronounced his official verdicts in Roman culture.
Pilate had his chair of judgment placed on a piece of courtyard called "the pavement" (Gr. lithostrotos). Archaeologists have unearthed what many of them believe was this site in the area of the Antonia Fortress. Some of the pavement stones in this approximately3 ,000 square foot area have markings on them that indicate that soldiers played games there. [1] John gave the Aramaic (popular Hebrew) name of "the pavement" as gabbatha meaning "height" or probably "open space." He may have done so because it may have been a site in Jerusalem that was well known to his Gentile readers by its Aramaic name when he wrote.
The irony of the scene again stands out. Here was a corrupt Roman official sitting in judgment on the Person into whose hands God the Father had committed all judgment (cf5:22).

Context Summary

John 19:10-17 - The Rejection Of The King
Pilate's pride was touched by that silence. In His reply our Lord refers to the relative responsibility of those who shared in His condemnation. It was as if He said, "Great as your sin is, in forfeiting your position, it is less than the sin of those who have put Me into your power." Pilate then became aware of the coil of evil in which he was caught. He was dealing with a matter that touched the unseen and eternal, but the threat to report him to Caesar suddenly brought him back to the earthly and human aspects of the case. With ill-concealed irritation he adopted the phraseology of the priests and cried, Behold your King! The Jews touched the lowest depth of degradation when, trampling under foot their national pride, they cried, We have no king but Caesar! Pilate signed the necessary documents and retired to his palace as having been himself sentenced. [source]

Chapter Summary: John 19

1  Jesus is scourged, crowned with thorns, and beaten
4  Pilate is desirous to release him,
15  but being overcome with the outrage of the crowd, he delivers him to be crucified
23  They cast lots for his garments
25  He commends his mother to John
28  He dies
31  His side is pierced
38  He is buried by Joseph and Nicodemus

Greek Commentary for John 19:13

Sat down on the judgment seat [εκατισεν επι βηματος]
“Took his seat upon the βημα — bēma ” (the raised platform for the judge outside the palace as in Acts 7:5). The examination is over and Pilate is now ready for the final stage. The Pavement Late compound from λιτος — lithos stone, and the verbal adjective στρωτος — strōtos form στρωννυμι — strōnnumi to speak, a mosaic or tesselated pavement, spread with stones, in 2 Chronicles 7:3, Josephus, Epictetus, papyri. The Chaldean name Γαββατα — Gabbathā an elevation, was apparently given because of the shape. [source]
That saying [τοῦτον τὸν λόγον]
The best texts read τῶν λόγων τούτων , these words. He was afraid of an accusation at Rome before Tiberius, an accusation which could be justified by his misrule. [source]
Judgment-seat [βήματος]
See on Acts 7:5. The best texts omit the article, which may indicate that the tribunal was an improvised one. [source]
The Pavement [Λιθόστρωτον]
From λίθος , stone, and στρωτός , strewn or spread. [source]
Gabbatha []
From the Hebrew gab “back,” and meaning, therefore, a raised place. Thus the Aramaic term is not a translation of the Greek term, which indicates that the place, wherever it was, was distinguished by a mosaic or tessellated pavement. Suetonius relates that Julius Caesar used to carry about with him on his expeditions a portable tessellated pavement for his tribunal. It is not likely, however, that there is any allusion to such a practice here. Westcott explains Gabbatha as the ridge of the house. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for John 19:13

John 18:29 Went out [εχηλτεν εχω]
Note both εχ — ex and εχω — exō (went out outside), since the Sanhedrin would not come into Pilate‘s palace. Apparently on a gallery over the pavement in front of the palace (John 19:13). Accusation Old word for formal charge, in N.T. only here, 1 Timothy 5:19; Titus 1:6. Against this man Objective genitive after κατηγοριαν — katēgorian A proper legal inquiry. [source]
John 5:2 There is [εστιν]
Bengel argues that this proves a date before the destruction of Jerusalem, but it is probably only John‘s vivid memory. By the sheep gate Supply πυληι — pulēi (gate) which occurs with the adjective προβατικη — probatikē (pertaining to sheep, προβατα — probata) in Nehemiah 3:1, Nehemiah 3:22. A pool A diving or swimming pool (from κολυμβαω — kolumbaō to swim, Acts 27:43), old word, only here in N.T. Which is called “The surnamed” (present passive participle, only N.T. example except Acts 15:40 first aorist middle participle επιλεχαμενος — epilexamenos). In Hebrew “In Aramaic” strictly as in John 19:13, John 19:17, John 19:20; John 20:16; Revelation 9:11; Revelation 16:16. Bethesda Aleph D L 33 have ετζατα — Bethzatha or House of the Olive, while B W Vulg. Memph. have ετσαιδα — Bethsaida Having five porches Στοα — Stoa was a covered colonnade where people can gather from which Stoic comes (Acts 17:18). See John 10:23; Acts 3:11. Schick in 1888 found twin pools north of the temple near the fortress of Antonia one of which has five porches. It is not, however, certain that this pool existed before a.d. 70 when the temple was destroyed (Sanday, Sacred Sites of the Gospels, p. 55). Some have identified it with the Pool of Siloam (John 9:7), though John distinguishes them. There is also the Virgin‘s Well, called the Gusher, because it periodically bubbles over from a natural spring, a kind of natural siphon. This is south of the temple in the Valley of Kedron and quite possibly the real site. [source]
Acts 12:4 Bring him forth [ἀναγαγεῖν αὐτὸν]
Lit., lead him up; i.e., to the elevated place where the tribunal stood, to pronounce sentence of death before the people. See John 19:13. [source]
Acts 12:4 He put him in prison [ετετο εις πυλακην]
Second aorist middle indicative of τιτημι — tithēmi common verb. This is the third imprisonment of Peter (Acts 4:3; Acts 5:18). To four quaternions of soldiers (τεσσαρσιν τετραδιοις στρατιωτων — tessarsin tetradiois stratiōtōn). Four soldiers in each quaternion (τετραδιον — tetradion from τετρας — tetras four), two on the inside with the prisoner (chained to him) and two on the outside, in shifts of six hours each, sixteen soldiers in all, the usual Roman custom. Probably Agrippa had heard of Peter‘s previous escape (Acts 5:19) and so took no chances for connivance of the jailors. After the passover The passover feast of eight days. “The stricter Jews regarded it as a profanation to put a person to death during a religious festival” (Hackett). So Agrippa is more scrupulous than the Sanhedrin was about Jesus. To bring him forth (αναγαγειν αυτον — anagagein auton). Second aorist active infinitive of αναγω — anagō to lead up, old verb, used literally here. Peter was in the inner prison or lower ward and so would be led up to the judgment seat where Herod Agrippa would sit (cf. John 19:13). To the people Ethical dative, in the presence of and for the pleasure of the Jewish people. [source]
Acts 12:4 After the passover [μετα το πασχα]
The passover feast of eight days. “The stricter Jews regarded it as a profanation to put a person to death during a religious festival” (Hackett). So Agrippa is more scrupulous than the Sanhedrin was about Jesus. To bring him forth (αναγαγειν αυτον — anagagein auton). Second aorist active infinitive of αναγω — anagō to lead up, old verb, used literally here. Peter was in the inner prison or lower ward and so would be led up to the judgment seat where Herod Agrippa would sit (cf. John 19:13). To the people Ethical dative, in the presence of and for the pleasure of the Jewish people. [source]
Acts 12:4 To bring him forth [αναγαγειν αυτον]
Second aorist active infinitive of αναγω — anagō to lead up, old verb, used literally here. Peter was in the inner prison or lower ward and so would be led up to the judgment seat where Herod Agrippa would sit (cf. John 19:13). [source]
Acts 25:6 Sat on the judgment seat [κατισας επι του βηματος]
A legal formality to give weight to the decision. Ingressive aorist active participle. For this use of βημα — bēma for judgment seat, see Matthew 27:19, John 19:13, Acts 12:21, Acts 18:12, Acts 25:10. Same phrase repeated in Acts 25:17. To be brought (αχτηναι — achthēnai). First aorist passive infinitive of αγω — agō after εκελευσεν — ekeleusen (commanded). Same words repeated in Acts 25:17 by Festus. [source]
Revelation 9:11 In Hebrew [Ἑβραΐ̀στὶ]
Used only by John. Compare John 5:2; John 19:13, John 19:17, John 19:20; Revelation 16:16. [source]
Revelation 9:11 In Hebrew [Εβραιστι]
Adverb as in Revelation 16:16; John 5:2; John 19:13, John 19:17, John 19:20; John 20:16. Αβαδδων — Abaddōn A word almost confined to the Wisdom books (Job 26:6; Psalm 88:11; Proverbs 15:11). It is rendered in the lxx by Απωλεια — Apōleia destruction. [source]
Revelation 9:11 His name is [ονομα αυτωι]
“Name to him” (nominative absolute and dative, as in Revelation 6:8).In Hebrew (Εβραιστι — Ebraisti). Adverb as in Revelation 16:16; John 5:2; John 19:13, John 19:17, John 19:20; John 20:16. Αβαδδων — Abaddōn A word almost confined to the Wisdom books (Job 26:6; Psalm 88:11; Proverbs 15:11). It is rendered in the lxx by Απωλεια — Apōleia destruction.In the Greek tongue With γλωσσηι — glōssēi or διαλεκτωι — dialektōi understood. As usual, John gives both the Hebrew and the Greek.Apollyon (Απολλυων — Apolluōn). Present active masculine singular participle of απολλυω — apolluō meaning “destroying,” used here as a name and so “Destroyer,” with the nominative case retained though in apposition with the accusative ονομα — onoma The personification of Abaddon occurs in the Talmud also. It is not clear whether by Apollyon John means Death or Satan. Bousset even finds in the name Apollyon an indirect allusion to Apollo, one of whose symbols was the locust, a doubtful point assuredly. [source]

What do the individual words in John 19:13 mean?

- Therefore Pilate having heard the words these brought out - Jesus and sat down upon [the] judgment seat at a place called [the] Stone Pavement in Hebrew now Gabbatha
οὖν Πιλᾶτος ἀκούσας τῶν λόγων τούτων ἤγαγεν ἔξω τὸν Ἰησοῦν καὶ ἐκάθισεν ἐπὶ βήματος εἰς τόπον λεγόμενον Λιθόστρωτον Ἑβραϊστὶ δὲ Γαββαθα

  - 
Parse: Article, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
Πιλᾶτος  Pilate 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: Πειλᾶτος 
Sense: the sixth Roman procurator of Judah and Samaria who ordered Christ to be crucified.
ἀκούσας  having  heard 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Participle Active, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: ἀκουστός 
Sense: to be endowed with the faculty of hearing, not deaf.
λόγων  words 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Plural
Root: λόγος  
Sense: of speech.
τούτων  these 
Parse: Demonstrative Pronoun, Genitive Masculine Plural
Root: οὗτος  
Sense: this.
ἤγαγεν  brought 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: ἄγω  
Sense: to lead, take with one.
ἔξω  out 
Parse: Adverb
Root: ἔξω  
Sense: without, out of doors.
τὸν  - 
Parse: Article, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
Ἰησοῦν  Jesus 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: Ἰησοῦς  
Sense: Joshua was the famous captain of the Israelites, Moses’ successor.
ἐκάθισεν  sat  down 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: καθίζω  
Sense: to make to sit down.
ἐπὶ  upon 
Parse: Preposition
Root: ἐπί  
Sense: upon, on, at, by, before.
βήματος  [the]  judgment  seat 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Neuter Singular
Root: βῆμα  
Sense: a step, pace, the space which a foot covers, a foot-breath.
εἰς  at 
Parse: Preposition
Root: εἰς  
Sense: into, unto, to, towards, for, among.
τόπον  a  place 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: τόπος 
Sense: place, any portion or space marked off, as it were from surrounding space.
λεγόμενον  called 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Middle or Passive, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: λέγω 
Sense: to say, to speak.
Λιθόστρωτον  [the]  Stone  Pavement 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: λιθόστρωτος  
Sense: spread (paved with stones).
Ἑβραϊστὶ  in  Hebrew 
Parse: Adverb
Root: Ἑβραϊστί  
Sense: in Hebrew, i.
δὲ  now 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: δέ  
Sense: but, moreover, and, etc.
Γαββαθα  Gabbatha 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root: Γαββαθᾶ  
Sense: a raised place, elevation.