John 18:33-37

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 18:34

Jesus answered him, sayest thou this thing of thyself ,.... That he was the king of the Jews: Christ's meaning is, whether he asserted this from the sentiments of his own mind; or moved the question from anything he himself had observed, which might give him just ground to suspect that he had, or intended to set up himself as the king of that nation: or did others tell it thee of me ? Whether the Jews had not intimated some such thing to him, out of malice and ill will? not but that... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 18:35

Pilate answered, am I a Jew ?.... This he said, in a sort of derision and contempt; who was not a Jew, neither by birth, nor by religion, and so had never imbibed any notions of their King Messiah, nor read anything about him; and knew nothing of his distinguishing characters and properties, by which he was described, and might be known; and therefore it remained, that what he had said, though not expressed, was not of himself, of his own knowledge or observation, but arose from some... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 18:36

Jesus answered, my kingdom is not of this world ,.... By saying which, he tacitly owns he was a king: as such he was set up, and anointed by his Father from everlasting; was prophesied of in the Old Testament; declared by the angel, both when he brought the news of his conception, and of his birth; was owned by many, who knew him to be so in the days of his flesh; and since his resurrection, ascension, and session at God's right hand, more manifestly appears to be one: he also hereby... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 18:37

Pilate therefore said unto him ,.... Upon this free and full declaration of Christ, concerning his kingly office, and the nature of his kingdom: art thou a king then ? or thou art a king then: for, from his having a kingdom, it might be very justly inferred that he was a king: Jesus answered, thou sayest that I am a king ; and which was very rightly said; and Christ by these words owns and confesses, that he was one: adding, to this end was I born, and for this cause came I into... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 18:33

Art thou the king of the Jews? - St. Luke says, expressly, Luke 23:2 , that when the Jews brought him to Pilate they began to accuse him as a rebel, who said he was king of the Jews, and forbade the people to pay tribute to Caesar. It was in consequence of this accusation that Pilate asked the question mentioned in the text. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 18:34

Sayest thou this thing of thyself - That is, Is it because my enemies thus accuse me, or because thou hast any suspicion of me, that thou askest this question? read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 18:35

Am I a Jew? - That is, I am not a Jew, and cannot judge whether thou art what is called the Christ, the king of the Jews. It is thy own countrymen, and their spiritual rulers, who delivered thee up to me with the above accusation. What hast thou done? - If thou dost not profess thyself king over this people, and an enemy to Caesar, what is it that thou hast done, for which they desire thy condemnation? read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 18:36

My kingdom is not of this world - It is purely spiritual and Divine. If it had been of a secular nature, then my servants would have contended - they would have opposed force with force, as the kingdoms of this world do in their wars; but as my kingdom as not of this world, therefore no resistance has been made. Eusebius relates, Hist. Eccles. lib. iii. c. 20, that "The relatives of our Lord were brought before Domitian, and interrogated whether they were of the family of David; and what... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 18:37

Thou sayest - A common form of expression for, yes, it is so. I was born into the world that I might set up and maintain a spiritual government: but this government is established in and by truth. All that love truth, hear my voice and attend to the spiritual doctrines I preach. It is by truth alone that I influence the minds and govern the manners of my subjects. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 18:33

Verse 33 33.Then Pilate went again into the hall. It is probable that many things were said on both sides, which the Evangelist passes over; and this conclusion might be readily drawn from the other Evangelists. But John dwells chiefly on a single point, that Pilate made a laborious inquiry whether Christ was justly or unjustly accused. In the presence of the people, who were inflamed with sedition, nothing could be done but in a riotous manner. He therefore goes again into the hall; and,... read more

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