Joh 19:7 | NETfull | STEP | The Jewish leaders replied, “We have a law, and according to our law he ought to die, because he claimed to be the Son of God!”

John 19:7

7 The Jewish leaders ^{▼▼ Or “the Jewish authorities”; Grk “the Jews.” In NT usage the term ᾿Ιουδαῖοι (Ioudaioi) may refer to the entire Jewish people, the residents of Jerusalem and surrounding territory, the authorities in Jerusalem, or merely those who were hostile to Jesus. (For further information see R. G. Bratcher, “‘The Jews’ in the Gospel of John,” BT 26 [1975]: 401-9.) Here the phrase refers to the Jewish leaders, especially members of the Sanhedrin, and their servants (mentioned specifically as “the chief priests and their servants” in John 19:6).} replied, ^{▼▼ Grk “answered him.”} “We have a law, ^{▼▼ This law is not the entire Pentateuch, but Lev 24:16.} and according to our law he ought to die, because he claimed to be the Son of God!” ^{▼▼ Grk “because he made himself out to be the Son of God.”}