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Scott's Reference Library
November 23, 2003 | November 26, 2006 | November 22, 2009
John 18:33 through John 18:37 (NIV)
33Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him,
“Are you the king of the Jews?”
34“Is that your own idea,” Jesus asked, “or did others talk to you about me?”
35“Am I a Jew?” Pilate replied. “It was your people and your chief priests who
handed you over to me. What is it you have done?”
36Jesus said,
“My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent
my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place.”37“You are a
king, then!” said Pilate.
Jesus answered, “You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I
was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone
on the side of truth listens to me.”
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
VERSES 33-40
Art thou the King of the Jews? that King of the Jews who has been so long
expected? Messiah the Prince; art thou he? Dost thou call thyself so, and
wouldest thou be thought so? Christ answered this question with another; not for
evasion, but that Pilate might consider what he did. He never took upon him any
earthly power, never were any traitorous principles or practices laid to him.
Christ gave an account of the nature of his kingdom. Its nature is not worldly;
it is a kingdom within men, set up in their hearts and consciences; its riches
spiritual, its power spiritual, and it glory within. Its supports are not
worldly; its weapons are spiritual; it needed not, nor used, force to maintain
and advance it, nor opposed any kingdom but that of sin and Satan. Its object
and design are not worldly. When Christ said, I am the Truth, he said, in
effect, I am a King. He conquers by the convincing evidence of truth; he rules
by the commanding power of truth. The subjects of this kingdom are those that
are of the truth. Pilate put a good question, he said, What is truth? When we
search the Scriptures, and attend the ministry of the word, it must be with this
inquiry, What is truth? and with this prayer, Lead me in thy truth; into all
truth. But many put this question, who have not patience to preserve in their
search after truth; or not humility enough to receive it. By this solemn
declaration of Christ’s innocence, it appears, that though the Lord Jesus was
treated as the worst of evil-doers, he never deserved such treatment. But it
unfolds the design of his death; that he died as a Sacrifice for our sins.
Pilate was willing to please all sides; and was governed more by worldly wisdom
than by the rules of justice. Sin is a robber, yet is foolishly chosen by many
rather than Christ, who would truly enrich us. Let us endeavour to make our
accusers ashamed as Christ did; and let us beware of crucifying Christ afresh.