Conservative Friends Bible Study of The Gospel of John #31

John 19:1-27

We read John 19 closely and keep running into the same question: who really holds power when empire, religion, and fear all collide. We track how John’s Greek wording and narrative details reshape what we think we already know about Pilate, the charges against Jesus, and the meaning of spiritual authority.
• Jesus’ “kingdom not of this world” as a rejection of political definitions of God’s reign
• Purple robe and crown of thorns as mocking symbols of royalty and insurgency
• Why “a son of God” may fit the Greek better than “the Son of God”
• How John’s use of “Jews” often points to opposing leaders rather than an entire people
• Exousia as power and authority with real-world implications for conscience
• Pilate’s fear and political vulnerability under pressure from accusations of disloyalty to the emperor
• Letter versus Spirit as a way religious power can reverse good and evil
• Ambiguities in “handed him over” and “Hebrew” meaning Hebrew or Aramaic
• The inscription in multiple languages and why INRI appears in Christian art
• “Woman” as a polite address like ma’am and the tenderness of care at the cross
The quote in our introduction is from what is commonly referred to as the Quaker Peace Testimony.  A more accurate name would be A DECLARATION FROM THE HARMLESS AND INNOCENT PEOPLE OF GOD.  It was presented to King Charles II of England in 1660.