John 18:33–37 (WEL) Then Pilate again went into the Judgment Hall, summoned Jesus, and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” 34 Jesus answered, “Are you saying this on your own, or did you hear others say this about me?” 35 Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?” 36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not a kingdom of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, then my servants would fight, so I would not be handed over to the Jews, but my kingdom is not now from here.” 37 Then Pilate said to him, “Are you a king then?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. I have been born for this, and for that purpose, I have come into the world, so I might bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears my voice.”
V33 Then Pilate again went into the Judgment Hall, summoned Jesus, and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?”
This straightforward question is with the Jewish leaders present. If anything, Pilate does not want an uprising in Jerusalem when there are so many Jews present. He is questioning but wants to appease these Jewish leaders.
King of the Jews refers to Jesus as the Messiah. It is a catch-all question. If Jesus says, “Yes,” then Rome considers Jesus to be an insurrectionist. If Jesus says, “No,” then Jesus is a liar, not Messiah (Isaiah 53:9), and irritates the Jews even more.
V34 Jesus answered, “Are you saying this on your own, or did you hear others say this about me?”
Jesus answers with a question.
Principle: Following Jesus’ example can help us understand what someone is really asking, gently clarify their motives, and respond in a more thoughtful way.
Jesus is saying, “Is this your own question, or are you asking me this because you heard it from others?”
Jesus wants to know how and where Pilate heard this? Note how Pilate gives a sassy answer. He never answers the question. If he had, then he would understand and be able to give a better decision. Jesus wanted Pilate to clarify, and Pilate gives a sassy answer. Pilate was not very gifted in leadership or judgeship.
Principle: If someone asks a question, answer it to the best of your ability.
V35 Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?”
Pilate heard the complaint and charge from the Jewish leaders. Now Pilate asks Jesus what He thinks the problem is. Both Pilate and the Lord Jesus know the issue is whether Jesus is the King of the Jews (Messiah) or not.
V36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not a kingdom of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, then my servants would fight, so I would not be handed over to the Jews, but my kingdom is not now from here.”
“I do not have a kingdom here today; it is not a kingdom of this world. My kingdom is coming in the future.” This will be fulfilled (Zechariah 14:9 and Revelation 19:11–16).
A principle is also taught: We do not use worldly weapons of war to convert people. That was the problem from Constantine to now.
V37 Then Pilate said to him, “Are you a king then?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. I have been born for this, and for that purpose, I have come into the world, so I might bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears my voice.”
Jesus states, “You are correct.”
Jesus states that He came at this time and in this manner (virgin birth) for these reasons:
Jesus’s birth was necessary because the King of Israel had to be a descendant of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and King David (Psalm 89:3, 2 Samuel 7:16, and 2 Samuel 23:5).
Principle: Bear witness of the truth (John 14:6). The present world is in lies and ignorance (1 John 5:19, John 8:44, and 2 Corinthians 11:3).
Those of us who have believed the truth about us, our sins, our punishment, our need of a Savior, having heard the Gospel, have placed our faith and trust in Jesus Christ alone. We are of the truth, and we hear His voice.
All hear His voice by being aware that God exists (Romans 1:18), but most reject. Compare Acts 22:9 (they heard but could not understand) and John 12:29–30.
We learn:
- How Jesus answered questions tailored to the situation and need.
- How to answer tactfully.
Questions:
- How are you when people ask a question about Christianity?
- How tactful are you?