Book of John - Chapter 18 - Verse 30

In this verse from the Bible, the people are responding to Jesus being delivered to them. Their statement suggests that they believe Jesus to be a criminal or wrongdoer, as they refer to him as a "malefactor." They are essentially saying that if Jesus were not guilty of some offense, they would not have brought him to the authorities. This response reflects the attitude of those who were opposed to Jesus during his time on earth. It reveals their assumption of his guilt without giving him a fair trial or hearing his side of the story. As readers, we can see the irony in their words, as Jesus was without sin and was ultimately delivered up to be crucified despite being innocent. This verse serves as a reminder to us of the unjust treatment that Jesus faced and the flawed human nature that can lead to wrongful accusations and judgment.

Looking at the theological interpretation of this verse, we see the Jewish leaders implying that Jesus must be a malefactor since they have delivered him up to be interrogated by Pontius Pilate. This statement reveals the deep-seated hostility and prejudice towards Jesus by the religious authorities of the time. The word "malefactor" used here denotes someone who is guilty of an offense or crime. By labeling Jesus as such, the Jewish leaders were attempting to paint him in a negative light and justify their actions against him.

When we delve into the word studies of this verse, we see that the term "malefactor" comes from the Greek word "kakopoios" which means evil-doer or criminal. This sheds light on the mindset of the Jewish leaders who saw Jesus as a threat to their authority and sought to discredit him through false accusations. By understanding the connotations of this word, we can better grasp the context in which this statement was made and the motivations behind the actions of those who delivered Jesus to Pilate.