John 18:35

What does John 18:35 mean?

A plain-English look at John 18:35 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 18:35 means

Pilate responds to Jesus' question by asserting his Roman identity and distancing himself from Jewish affairs: \"Am I a Jew?\" He then clarifies that Jesus' own people, specifically \"Thine own nation and the chief priests,\" delivered Him for judgment. Pilate then directly asks Jesus, \"what hast thou done?\" This move puts the burden back on Jesus to explain the nature of the accusations brought against Him by His own people, attempting to get at the heart of the matter from Jesus' perspective.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done?

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done?

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done?

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Pilate said, Am I a Jew? Your nation and the chief priests have given you into my hands: what have you done?

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

Pilate answered, `Am I a Jew? thy nation, and the chief priests did deliver thee up to me; what didst thou?'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Pilate answered: Am I a Jew? Thy own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee up to me. What hast thou done?

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thy nation and the chief priests have delivered thee up to me: what hast thou done?

Context

This verse contains Pilate's indignant reply to Jesus' question, revealing his frustration and his acknowledgment of the source of the accusation. It then directly asks Jesus to explain His actions, shifting the burden of explanation back onto Him. This directly prompts Jesus' explanation of His kingdom, which follows.

v.34Jesus answered, Sayest thou this of thyself, or did others tell it thee concerning me?

v.35This passage

v.36Jesus 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.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • John 19:6

    When therefore the chief priests and the officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him! Pilate saith unto them, Take him yourselves, and crucify him: for I find no crime in him.

  • Acts 23:29

    whom I found to be accused about questions of their law, but to have nothing laid to his charge worthy of death or of bonds.

  • Acts 3:13

    The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Servant Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied before the face of Pilate, when he had determined to release him.

  • John 18:28

    They lead Jesus therefore from Caiaphas into the Prætorium: and it was early; and they themselves entered not into the Prætorium, that they might not be defiled, but might eat the passover.

  • Acts 22:22

    And they gave him audience unto this word; and they lifted up their voice, and said, Away with such a fellow from the earth: for it is not fit that he should live.

  • Acts 25:19

    but had certain questions against him of their own religion, and of one Jesus, who was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.

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