The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.
The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God. Their criminal charges having come to nothing, they give that up, and as Pilate was throwing the whole responsibility upon them, they retreat into their own Jewish law, by which, as claiming equality with God (see the notes at John 5:18; John 8:58-59), He ought to die; insinuating that it was Pilate's duty, even as civil governor, to protect their law from such insult.