John 18:33-40
Then Pilate said to him, “So You are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to My voice.”- John 18:37
In today’s passage, Jesus clearly declares to Pilate: “My kingdom is not of this world.”
On that dark and tense night, Jesus was arrested and brought before the Roman governor Pilate. Yet He showed no fear; instead, He stood firm and bore witness to the truth (v.37). While the Jewish religious leaders were eager to accuse Jesus and cling to their own power, Jesus calmly spoke to Pilate about the kingdom of truth.
When Pilate asked, “Are you the King of the Jews?” (v.33) Jesus did not respond directly. Instead, He asked, “Is that your own idea, or did others talk to you about me?”(v.34) This counter-question revealed Jesus’s calmness and authority. He had not been afraid of the soldiers who arrested Him (John 18:4–9) or of Annas (John 18:20–23); and now, He did not yield to Pilate’s interrogation either. Instead, He questioned Pilate about the source of his information, hinting that Pilate needed to understand what kind of king Jesus truly was.
Guided by Jesus’s response, Pilate became increasingly passive. Hearing Jesus mention “my kingdom” (v.36), Pilate pressed further: “So you are a king?” Pilate wanted Jesus to openly admit to being a political king, therefore giving him grounds to sentence Jesus to death. But Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world- to bear witness to the truth”(v.37)
Jesus did not fall into Pilate’s trap. He did not claim to be an earthly king challenging Caesar but declared that His mission was to bear witness to the truth. His purpose was to proclaim God’s truth, announce the coming of God’s kingdom, and challenge Pilate to listen to the truth rather than siding with the Jews’ accusations. Jesus said, “Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice”(v.37).
In this exchange, Jesus appeared firm and in complete control. At the same time, Pilate looked increasingly confused and helpless, eventually asking, “What is truth?” (v.38). Jesus remained steadfast, unmoved by the circumstances around Him. In contrast, Pilate, confronted by the truth, became bewildered and chose to evade it.
Reflection:
Jesus said that His kingdom is not of this world. As I live in the world today, do I truly long for the heavenly kingdom? Or am I more concerned with worldly success, applause, and power?
Jesus said, “Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” As citizens of the heavenly kingdom and people of the truth, when we face pressure and threats, do we, like Jesus, stand firm for the truth, or do we, like Pilate, choose compromise?
Prayer:
Lord, You are the King who bears witness to the truth, the King of the heavenly kingdom, and the sovereign Lord of our lives. Thank You for making us citizens of Your kingdom. Lord, may Your Spirit continually help and remind us that we belong to You. Grant us heavenly vision so that as we live in these turbulent and fearful times, your truth will be the anchor of our lives. May we not only experience unspeakable peace and joy but also be filled with the courage to listen to Your voice and boldly bear witness to Your kingdom. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
In today’s passage, Jesus clearly declares to Pilate: “My kingdom is not of this world.”
On that dark and tense night, Jesus was arrested and brought before the Roman governor Pilate. Yet He showed no fear; instead, He stood firm and bore witness to the truth (v.37). While the Jewish religious leaders were eager to accuse Jesus and cling to their own power, Jesus calmly spoke to Pilate about the kingdom of truth.
When Pilate asked, “Are you the King of the Jews?” (v.33) Jesus did not respond directly. Instead, He asked, “Is that your own idea, or did others talk to you about me?”(v.34) This counter-question revealed Jesus’s calmness and authority. He had not been afraid of the soldiers who arrested Him (John 18:4–9) or of Annas (John 18:20–23); and now, He did not yield to Pilate’s interrogation either. Instead, He questioned Pilate about the source of his information, hinting that Pilate needed to understand what kind of king Jesus truly was.
Guided by Jesus’s response, Pilate became increasingly passive. Hearing Jesus mention “my kingdom” (v.36), Pilate pressed further: “So you are a king?” Pilate wanted Jesus to openly admit to being a political king, therefore giving him grounds to sentence Jesus to death. But Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world- to bear witness to the truth”(v.37)
Jesus did not fall into Pilate’s trap. He did not claim to be an earthly king challenging Caesar but declared that His mission was to bear witness to the truth. His purpose was to proclaim God’s truth, announce the coming of God’s kingdom, and challenge Pilate to listen to the truth rather than siding with the Jews’ accusations. Jesus said, “Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice”(v.37).
In this exchange, Jesus appeared firm and in complete control. At the same time, Pilate looked increasingly confused and helpless, eventually asking, “What is truth?” (v.38). Jesus remained steadfast, unmoved by the circumstances around Him. In contrast, Pilate, confronted by the truth, became bewildered and chose to evade it.
Reflection:
Jesus said that His kingdom is not of this world. As I live in the world today, do I truly long for the heavenly kingdom? Or am I more concerned with worldly success, applause, and power?
Jesus said, “Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” As citizens of the heavenly kingdom and people of the truth, when we face pressure and threats, do we, like Jesus, stand firm for the truth, or do we, like Pilate, choose compromise?
Prayer:
Lord, You are the King who bears witness to the truth, the King of the heavenly kingdom, and the sovereign Lord of our lives. Thank You for making us citizens of Your kingdom. Lord, may Your Spirit continually help and remind us that we belong to You. Grant us heavenly vision so that as we live in these turbulent and fearful times, your truth will be the anchor of our lives. May we not only experience unspeakable peace and joy but also be filled with the courage to listen to Your voice and boldly bear witness to Your kingdom. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.