When Pilate heard this statement, he was more afraid than ever. He went back into the headquarters and asked Jesus, “Where are you from?” But Jesus did not give him an answer. So Pilate said to him, “Do you refuse to speak to me? Don’t you know that I have the authority to release you and the authority to crucify you?” “You would have no authority over me at all,” Jesus answered him, “if it hadn’t been given you from above. This is why the one who handed me over to you has the greater sin.” (John 19:8-11, CSB).

Every state classifies crimes into distinct categories. The categories are usually felony, misdemeanor, and infraction. The determination of the crime category is based on the severity of the crime.

It’s the same with sin. According to Jesus some sins are greater than others.

These verses are part of John’s account of the trial of Jesus before Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea. Pilate questioned Jesus about His religious authority and the charges brought against him by the Jewish religious leaders. John noted that Pilate was fearful when the Jewish religious leaders testified that Jesus “made himself the Son of God” (vs. 7).