John 18 36

John 18:36 kjv

Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.

John 18:36 nkjv

Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here."

John 18:36 niv

Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place."

John 18:36 esv

Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world."

John 18:36 nlt

Jesus answered, "My Kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. If it were, my followers would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. But my Kingdom is not of this world."

John 18 verses

John 18 36 Meaning

John 18:36 declares that Jesus’ kingdom is fundamentally distinct from all earthly realms. Its origin, nature, and methods are not of this fallen world system. Unlike human kingdoms established and maintained by physical force and political struggle, Christ's kingdom operates by spiritual principles, truth, and sacrificial love. His lack of physical resistance and His disciples' non-engagement in fighting underscored this unique character, demonstrating that His sovereignty is not a threat to worldly authorities in the way they perceive, nor is it dependent on earthly means for its establishment or defense.

John 18 36 Context

John 18:36 is part of Jesus’ trial before Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor. Pilate, having heard accusations from Jewish leaders that Jesus claimed to be a king, questions Jesus directly (Jn 18:33). The Roman authorities were primarily concerned with potential rebellions and political threats. Jesus' answer in verse 36 is His clarifying declaration, differentiating His messianic kingship from the political or worldly expectations Pilate, and even some Jewish people, might have had. It establishes that Jesus poses no military or political threat to Rome and sets the stage for the deeper meaning of truth and the spiritual nature of His reign. This verse counters both the Roman imperial ideology, which recognized Caesar as the ultimate sovereign, and the common Jewish expectation of a warrior-king Messiah who would overthrow the oppressive Roman regime.

John 18 36 Word analysis

• Jesus answered (ἀπεκρίθη Ἰησοῦς - apekrithē Iēsous): Signifies a direct and authoritative response to Pilate's critical inquiry, characteristic of Jesus’ communication of divine truth.
• “My kingdom” (ἡ βασιλεία ἡ ἐμή - hē basileia hē emē):
  • Kingdom (basileia): In Greek, primarily denotes reign, rule, or sovereignty, rather than merely a geographical territory. It refers to the exercise of royal authority.
  • My (emē): The emphatic possessive pronoun stresses Jesus' unique personal claim and divine ownership over this reign, setting it apart from all human kingdoms.
• is not of this world (οὐκ ἔστιν ἐκ τοῦ κόσμου τούτου - ouk estin ek tou kosmou toutou):
  • Is not of (ouk estin ek): The Greek preposition ek signifies "out of" or "from," denoting origin or source. It emphasizes a complete lack of derivation from the world.
  • This world (tou kosmou toutou): In John’s Gospel, kosmos often refers to humanity in rebellion against God, or the system of values, principles, and powers alienated from divine truth. Jesus denies His kingdom originates from, or partakes in the nature of, this fallen, temporal system.
• If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting (εἰ ἐκ τοῦ κόσμου τούτου ἦν ἡ βασιλεία ἡ ἐμή, οἱ ὑπηρέται οἱ ἐμοὶ ἠγωνίζοντο - ei ek tou kosmou toutou ēn hē basileia hē emē, hoi hypēretai hoi emoi ēgōnizonto):
  • If... were... would have been fighting: A second-class conditional sentence (contrary to fact), presenting a hypothetical situation contrary to reality. It reveals the necessary implication: earthly kingdoms rely on violence.
  • My servants (hoi hypēretai hoi emoi): Literally "under-rowers" or assistants, denoting those who serve under authority. It implies active, dedicated service to their master.
  • Would have been fighting (ἠγωνίζοντο - ēgōnizonto): Imperfect indicative of agōnizomai, meaning "to contend," "struggle," or "fight." It describes a characteristic action of loyalty to earthly rulers, emphasizing physical defense or warfare.
• that I might not be delivered over to the Jews (ἵνα μὴ παραδοθῶ τοῖς Ἰουδαίοις - hina mē paradothō tois Ioudaiois):
  • Delivered over (paradothō): Passive form of paradidomi, meaning "to hand over," often implying betrayal or a judicial delivery. Jesus contrasts this passive submission with active resistance, which would be expected if His kingdom were worldly.
• But my kingdom is not from here.” (νῦν δὲ ἡ βασιλεία ἡ ἐμὴ οὐκ ἔστιν ἐντεῦθεν - nyn de hē basileia hē emē ouk estin enteuthen):
  • But (nyn de): "But as things stand now," or "in reality." It reinforces the previous negative statement.
  • Not from here (ouk estin enteuthen): `Enteuthen` means "from this place," "from here." This emphatic re-statement serves as a summary and conclusive point, reinforcing the spiritual, heavenly origin and non-earthly nature of His reign by specifically denying its earthly localized source or power base. It’s distinct from "this world" which is broader; "from here" points to earthly physicality/territory.

• “My kingdom is not of this world.”: This foundational declaration distinguishes Jesus’ reign from any political entity. It signifies that His authority and power do not derive from human systems, carnal methods, or earthly ambition. It contrasts divine principles with fallen world values.
• “If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews.”: This is a direct logical deduction showing the nature of earthly power. Worldly kings maintain their rule through conflict and armed defense. Jesus, by stating His servants would not fight, vividly illustrates His kingdom’s non-violent and spiritual modus operandi. His willing "delivery" demonstrates reliance on divine purpose, not human strength.
• “But my kingdom is not from here.”: This phrase acts as a definitive final assertion, reiterating and emphasizing the point with undeniable clarity. "From here" unequivocally means it does not belong to or originate from any part of the temporal, earthly sphere in terms of its establishment or function. It seals the divine and transcendent nature of His rule.

John 18 36 Bonus section

This verse implies a clear distinction between earthly means and spiritual ends, providing a crucial paradigm for Christian engagement with the world. It cautions against identifying Christ's kingdom with any particular political ideology or nationalistic fervor. The kingdom, though not of this world, is active in this world through its citizens, transforming lives and societies by manifesting its heavenly values of justice, righteousness, and peace, but never by co-opting the world's coercive methods. The "fighting" mentioned by Jesus is symbolic of the fundamental means by which worldly powers operate, highlighting the radical difference of His spiritual approach.

John 18 36 Commentary

John 18:36 stands as a profound theological declaration about the true nature of Christ’s kingdom. Jesus emphatically conveys to Pilate, and indeed to all generations, that His rule transcends and is separate from earthly political power structures. It is not founded on human ambition, military might, or material possessions. The kingdom of Christ is spiritual, originating from God and operating by divine principles. Its method is not physical confrontation but truth, conviction, and sacrificial love. This explains why Jesus did not allow His disciples to fight His arrest, directly countering any perception that He was a revolutionary seeking to overthrow Roman authority by force. The strength of His kingdom lies not in armies but in changed hearts and loyalty to His truth. It resides in its Heavenly origin and its eternal scope, challenging any attempt to reduce it to a mere socio-political movement or earthly dominion. The verse calls believers to align with this heavenly citizenship and to serve the Kingdom using spiritual means.