Jesus' silence stung Pilate's pride. Barnes says, "This is the expression of a man of pride. He was not accustomed to be met with silence like this." Gill says Pilate was angry, "resenting his silence, and looking upon it as a contempt of him."

His first question demands that Jesus speak. His second reminds Jesus that His life is in Pilate's hands, to pressure Him into answering. Gill notes the "sudden change of the man from fear, to vain and proud boasting." Matthew Henry observes, "Men in power are apt to be puffed up with their power," and that Pilate overreached when he claimed power to crucify a man he had declared innocent, for "no prince or potentate has authority to do wrong."

This time Jesus answered: "Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin" (John 19:11). Barnes explains "from above" as "From God, or by his direction, and by the arrangements of his providence." Then, "from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him" (John 19:12). But the Jews answered with a threat, "thou art not Caesar's friend," and in the end Pilate delivered Jesus to be crucified (John 19:12-16).

The word Pilate uses for "power" is exousia, which the ESV translates "authority." Thayer's lexicon lists this verse under authority to make a judicial decision, here "to crucify" or "to release." Jesus uses the same word in His reply about power "given thee from above" (John 19:11). As Roman governor, Pilate held that power; the Jews had said, "It is not lawful for us to put any man to death" (John 18:31).

Barnes explains why the one who delivered Jesus had "the greater sin": the Jews knew that a magistrate's power comes from God, so they "have the greater sin for seeking my condemnation before a tribunal appointed by God."

Pilate claimed that Jesus' life was in his hands. Jesus answered that Pilate's power was itself in God's hands. This is a picture of God's rule over earthly rulers. Even the trial and death of Jesus were not out of control. The church later prayed that Herod and Pontius Pilate had gathered against Jesus "to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done" (Acts 4:27-28).

Yet God's rule does not erase human responsibility. Jesus did not tell Pilate he was innocent. He said the one who delivered Him had "the greater sin," which means Pilate's sin was real too. Matthew Henry's point stands: power from God is never permission to do wrong.