18:28 the governor’s headquarters. The Roman trial of Jesus appears to have had three phases: an appearance before Pilate (vv. 28–38); an appearance before Herod (Luke 23:5–12); and a second appearance before Pilate (18:39–19:16). John describes only the first and third parts, but in more detail than the other Gospels.

so that they would not be defiled. The Roman Praetorium was a site of hostility between the Romans and the Jews, and an unclean place for Jews. Remarkably, it is the place where they collaborated to put Jesus to death. See note on chs. 13–17.