John 18:36
What does John 18:36 mean?
A plain-English look at John 18:36 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 18:36 means
Jesus explains the nature of His kingdom to Pilate: \"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.\" He clarifies that His kingship is not earthly or political in the way a Roman governor would understand it. The absence of His followers fighting to defend allows His arrest and trial to proceed, underscoring its spiritual, not terrestrial, nature.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Jesus 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Jesus 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Jesus 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Jesus said in answer, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom was of this world, my disciples would have made a good fight to keep me out of the hands of the Jews: but my kingdom is not here.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Jesus answered, `My kingdom is not of this world; if my kingdom were of this world, my officers had struggled that I might not be delivered up to Jews; but now my kingdom is not from hence.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Jesus answered: My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would certainly strive that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now my kingdom is not from hence.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world; if my kingdom were of this world, my servants had fought that I might not be delivered up to the Jews; but now my kingdom is not from hence.
Context
This verse is Jesus' profound response to Pilate's inquiry about His actions and kingship. It defines the spiritual nature of His authority, directly contrasting it with earthly political power. This explanation of His kingdom leads naturally to Pilate's follow-up question, seeking further clarification on Jesus' royal claims.
v.35Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done?
v.36This passage
v.37Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end have I been born, and to this end am I come into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Romans 14:17
for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
- John 8:15
Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man.
- Psalms 45:3
Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O mighty one, Thy glory and thy majesty.
- John 6:15
Jesus therefore perceiving that they were about to come and take him by force, to make him king, withdrew again into the mountain himself alone.
- Matthew 26:53
Or thinkest thou that I cannot beseech my Father, and he shall even now send me more than twelve legions of angels?
- Daniel 2:44
And in the days of those kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed, nor shall the sovereignty thereof be left to another people; but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.
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