Joh 18:28 | RWP | e4.org | They lead ( αγουσιν ). Dramatic historical present of αγω , plural "they" for the Sanhedrists ( ). John gives no details of the trial before the Sanhedrin (only the fact, , ) when Caiaphas presided, either the informal meeting at night ( , ; , ; , ) or the formal ratification meeting after dawn ( ; ; ), but he gives much new material of the trial before Pilate ( ). Into the palace ( εις το πραιτωριον ). For the history and meaning of this interesting Latin word, praetorium , see on ; ; . Here it is probably the magnificent palace in Jerusalem built by Herod the Great for himself and occupied by the Roman Procurator (governor) when in the city. There was also one in Caesarea ( ). Herod's palace in Jerusalem was on the Hill of Zion in the western part of the upper city. There is something to be said for the Castle of Antonia, north of the temple area, as the location of Pilate's residence in Jerusalem. Early ( πρω ). Technically the fourth watch (3 A.M. to 6 A.M.). There were two violations of Jewish legal procedure (holding the trial for a capital case at night, passing condemnation on the same day of the trial). Besides, the Sanhedrin no longer had the power of death. A Roman court could meet any time after sunrise. John ( ) says it was "about the sixth hour" when Pilate condemned Jesus. That they might not be defiled ( ινα μη μιανθωσιν ). Purpose clause with ινα μη and first aorist passive subjunctive of μιαινω , to stain, to defile. For Jewish scruples about entering the house of a Gentile see ; . But might eat the passover ( αλλα φαγωσιν το πασχα ). Second aorist active subjunctive of the defective verb εσθιω , to eat. This phrase may mean to eat the passover meal as in ( , ; , ), but it does not have to mean that. In we read: "And they did eat the festival seven days" when the paschal festival is meant, not the paschal lamb or the paschal supper. There are eight other examples of πασχα in John's Gospel and in all of them the feast is meant, not the supper. If we follow John's use of the word, it is the feast here, not the meal of which was the regular passover meal. This interpretation keeps John in harmony with the Synoptics.

‏ John 18:28

They lead ( αγουσιν ). Dramatic historical present of αγω, plural "they" for the Sanhedrists (Lu 23:1). John gives no details of the trial before the Sanhedrin (only the fact, Joh 18:24, 28) when Caiaphas presided, either the informal meeting at night (Mr 14:53, 55-65; Mt 26:57, 59-68; Lu 22:54, 63-65) or the formal ratification meeting after dawn (Mr 15:1; Mt 27:1; Lu 22:66-71), but he gives much new material of the trial before Pilate (18:28-38).

Into the palace ( εις το πραιτωριον ). For the history and meaning of this interesting Latin word, praetorium, see on Mt 27:27; Ac 23:35; Php 1:13. Here it is probably the magnificent palace in Jerusalem built by Herod the Great for himself and occupied by the Roman Procurator (governor) when in the city. There was also one in Caesarea (Ac 23:35). Herod's palace in Jerusalem was on the Hill of Zion in the western part of the upper city. There is something to be said for the Castle of Antonia, north of the temple area, as the location of Pilate's residence in Jerusalem.

Early ( πρω ). Technically the fourth watch (3 A.M. to 6 A.M.). There were two violations of Jewish legal procedure (holding the trial for a capital case at night, passing condemnation on the same day of the trial). Besides, the Sanhedrin no longer had the power of death. A Roman court could meet any time after sunrise. John (19:14) says it was "about the sixth hour" when Pilate condemned Jesus.

That they might not be defiled ( ινα μη μιανθωσιν ). Purpose clause with ινα μη and first aorist passive subjunctive of μιαινω, to stain, to defile. For Jewish scruples about entering the house of a Gentile see Ac 10:28; 11:3.

But might eat the passover ( αλλα φαγωσιν το πασχα ). Second aorist active subjunctive of the defective verb εσθιω, to eat. This phrase may mean to eat the passover meal as in Mt 27:17 (Mr 14:12, 14; Lu 22:11, 15), but it does not have to mean that. In 2Ch 30:22 we read: "And they did eat the festival seven days" when the paschal festival is meant, not the paschal lamb or the paschal supper. There are eight other examples of πασχα in John's Gospel and in all of them the feast is meant, not the supper. If we follow John's use of the word, it is the feast here, not the meal of Joh 13:2 which was the regular passover meal. This interpretation keeps John in harmony with the Synoptics.