18:29a

So Pilate went out to them: The Roman governor, Pilate, went out of his house to talk to Jesus’ accusers. Although Jews believed that entering a Gentile house would defile them, they could enter a courtyard and remain ritually clean. So it seems likely that they entered the courtyard and Pilate did not have to go outside the compound.

So: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as So indicates a return to the main story after the parenthetical information in 18:28c–f. It also indicates that Pilate went outside as a result of the Jews not entering his house.

Pilate: The name of the Roman governor of the province of Judea at this time was Pilate. Here is another way to translate this name:

Governor Pilate
-or-
Pilate, who was the governor,

them: This pronoun refers to the Jews who had come to accuse Jesus.

18:29b

and asked: The verb asked here introduces a question, but could also be translated as “said.” In some languages it is more natural to tell whom Pilate asked. For example:

asked the council members
-or-
asked the high priest and those with him

What accusation are you bringing against this man?: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as accusation means “what someone is accused of doing” or “what crime someone says another did.” To bring an accusation or charge is to accuse someone. Pilate asked Jesus’ accusers what wrong Jesus did. He wondered what they accused him of doing. Here are some ways that this question can be translated:

What crime did Jesus commit?
-or-
What ⌊Roman⌋ law did Jesus break?
-or-
What charges are you bringing against this man? (New International Version)
-or-
What do you accuse this man of? (Good News Translation)

accusation: An accusation is a charge or complaint that someone is guilty of some wrongdoing. Here the word is used in a legal setting, with Pilate being the judge. Use the legal expression that is common in your culture.

you: This pronoun is plural and refers to Jesus’ accusers.

this man: This phrase refers to Jesus.

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