John 18:33

John 18:33-40 . Then Pilate entered into the judgment-hall again — See the note on Matthew 27:11 . It seems, as the governor had heard an honourable report of Jesus, and observed in his silence, under the accusations brought against him, an air of meek majesty and greatness of spirit, rather than any consciousness of guilt, or any indication of a fierce contempt, he was willing to discourse with him more privately before he proceeded further. He therefore called Jesus, and said, Art thou the king of the Jews? — Dost thou really pretend to any right to govern them? Jesus answered, Sayest thou this thing of thyself? — Dost thou ask this question of thy own accord, because thou thinkest that I have affected regal power? or did others tell it thee of me? — Or dost thou ask it according to the information of the priests, affirming that I have acknowledged myself to be a king? No doubt Jesus knew what had happened; but he spake to the governor after this manner, because, being in the palace when the priests accused him, he had not heard what they said. Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? — Dost thou think that I am acquainted with the religious opinions, expectations, and disputes of the Jews? Thine own nation, &c., have delivered thee unto me — As a seditious person, one that assumes the title of a king: What hast thou done — To merit the charge of sedition?

Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world — Not a temporal, but a spiritual kingdom, which does not at all interfere with the dominion of Cesar, or of which any prince has reason to be jealous. If my kingdom were of this world — Were of an external or temporal nature; then would my servants fight — Or rather, would have fought, would have endeavoured to establish me on the throne by force of arms, and would have fought against the Jews when they came to apprehend me. But as I have done nothing of this, but readily put myself into their hands, it is evident my kingdom is not from hence — Nor to be erected here; and therefore I have been so far from arming my followers with secular weapons, that the guard who came to apprehend me know I forbade their making use of those they had. Pilate said, Art thou a king then? — Art thou a king, notwithstanding thy kingdom is not of this world? Jesus answered, Thou sayest I am a king — That is, according to the Hebrew idiom, It is as thou sayest: I am a king, but not of this world: even the appointed Head and Governor of the whole Israel of God; nor will I ever basely seek my safety by renouncing my claim to the most excellent majesty and extensive dominion.

33-38. Pilate … called Jesus, and said … Art thou the King of the Jews?—In Lu 23:2 they charge our Lord before Pilate with "perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Cæsar, saying that He Himself is Christ a king." Perhaps this was what occasioned Pilate's question.

Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, the ordinary place of judicature, from whence we read before he went out, in civility to the Jews, whose superstition (as we before heard) kept them from going there during the festival. He called Jesus to him privately, and asks him, if he owned himself to be the King of the Jews? The confessing of which (for without doubt they had suggested some such thing to Pilate, and could not prove it) had brought Christ under Pilate’s power, he being governor for the Romans, and so concerned to inquire upon any that pretended to any regal power over that conquered people.

33 . Then Pilate ] Pilate therefore ( John 18:3 ). Because of the importunity of the Jews Pilate is obliged to investigate further; and being only Procurator, although cum potestate , has no Quaestor, but conducts the examination himself. called Jesus ] Probably the Roman guards had already brought Him inside the Praetorium: Pilate now calls Him before the judgment-seat. The conversation implies that Jesus had not heard the previous conversation with the Jews. Art thou the King of the Jews? ] In all four Gospels these are the first words of Pilate to Jesus, and in all four there is an emphasis on ‘Thou.’ The pitiable appearance of Jesus was in such contrast to the royal title that Pilate speaks with a tone of surprise (comp. John 4:12 ). The question may mean either ‘Dost Thou claim to be King?’ or, ‘Art Thou the so-called King?’ The royal title first appears in the mouth of the wise men, Matthew 2:1 , next in the mouth of Pilate. 33–37 . Inside the Praetorium ; Jesus is privately examined by Pilate and makes ‘a good confession’ ( 1 Timothy 6:13 ).