John 18:37
What does John 18:37 mean?
A plain-English look at John 18:37 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 18:37 means
Pilate, seeking clarification after Jesus' statement about His unique kingdom, asks, \"Art thou a king then?\" Jesus affirms, \"Thou sayest that I am a king,\" before explaining His core purpose: \"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.\" He then states, \"Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.\" Jesus links His kingship directly to bearing witness to the truth, appealing to all who genuinely seek it. He is a King whose authority is founded on truth.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Pilate 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Pilate 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Then Pilate said to him, Are you then a king? Jesus made answer, You say that I am a king. For this purpose was I given birth, and for this purpose I came into the world, that I might give witness to what is true. Every lover of what is true gives ear to my voice.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Pilate, therefore, said to him, `Art thou then a king?' Jesus answered, `Thou dost say <FI>it<Fi> ; because a king I am, I for this have been born, and for this I have come to the world, that I may testify to the truth; every one who is of the truth, doth hear my voice.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Pilate therefore said to him: Art thou a king then? Jesus answered: Thou sayest that I am a king. For this was I born, and for this came I into the world; that I should give testimony to the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Pilate therefore said to him, Thou art then a king? Jesus answered, Thou sayest [it], that I am a king. I have been born for this, and for this I have come into the world, that I might bear witness to the truth. Every one that is of the truth hears my voice.
Context
This verse develops the dialogue between Jesus and Pilate, following Jesus' discourse on His kingdom's nature. Jesus clarifies His kingship is tied to truth, providing divine purpose to His earthly life. This declaration of His mission to bear witness to truth immediately precedes Pilate's famous skeptical question, 'What is truth?'
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.
v.37This passage
v.38Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find no crime in him.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Isaiah 55:4
Behold, I have given him for a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander to the peoples.
- 1 John 3:14
We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not abideth in death.
- Revelation 3:14
And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God:
- Mark 14:62
And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.
- Matthew 27:11
Now Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest.
- John 7:17
If any man willeth to do his will, he shall know of the teaching, whether it is of God, or whether I speak from myself.
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