KJV: Pilate 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.
YLT: Pilate, therefore, said to him, 'Art thou then a king?' Jesus answered, 'Thou dost say it; 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.'
Darby: Pilate 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.
ASV: Pilate 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.
| Εἶπεν | Said |
|
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular Root: λέγω Sense: to speak, say. |
|
| αὐτῷ | to Him |
|
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular Root: αὐτός Sense: himself, herself, themselves, itself. |
|
| ὁ | - |
|
Parse: Article, Nominative Masculine Singular Root: ὁ Sense: this, that, these, etc. |
|
| Πιλᾶτος | Pilate |
|
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular Root: Πειλᾶτος Sense: the sixth Roman procurator of Judah and Samaria who ordered Christ to be crucified. |
|
| βασιλεὺς | a king |
|
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular Root: βασιλεύς Sense: leader of the people, prince, commander, lord of the land, king. |
|
| Ἀπεκρίθη | Answered |
|
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Passive, 3rd Person Singular Root: ἀποκρίνομαι Sense: to give an answer to a question proposed, to answer. |
|
| Ἰησοῦς | Jesus |
|
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular Root: Ἰησοῦς Sense: Joshua was the famous captain of the Israelites, Moses’ successor. |
|
| λέγεις | say |
|
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 2nd Person Singular Root: λέγω Sense: to say, to speak. |
|
| ὅτι | that |
|
Parse: Conjunction Root: ὅτι Sense: that, because, since. |
|
| βασιλεύς | a king |
|
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular Root: βασιλεύς Sense: leader of the people, prince, commander, lord of the land, king. |
|
| εἰμι | I am |
|
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 1st Person Singular Root: εἰμί Sense: to be, to exist, to happen, to be present. |
|
| τοῦτο | this |
|
Parse: Demonstrative Pronoun, Accusative Neuter Singular Root: οὗτος Sense: this. |
|
| γεγέννημαι | have been born |
|
Parse: Verb, Perfect Indicative Middle or Passive, 1st Person Singular Root: γεννάω Sense: of men who fathered children. |
|
| ἐλήλυθα | I have come |
|
Parse: Verb, Perfect Indicative Active, 1st Person Singular Root: ἔρχομαι Sense: to come. |
|
| εἰς | into |
|
Parse: Preposition Root: εἰς Sense: into, unto, to, towards, for, among. |
|
| κόσμον | world |
|
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular Root: κόσμος Sense: an apt and harmonious arrangement or constitution, order, government. |
|
| ἵνα | that |
|
Parse: Conjunction Root: ἵνα Sense: that, in order that, so that. |
|
| μαρτυρήσω | I may bear witness |
|
Parse: Verb, Aorist Subjunctive Active, 1st Person Singular Root: μαρτυρέω Sense: to be a witness, to bear witness, i.e. to affirm that one has seen or heard or experienced something, or that he knows it because taught by divine revelation or inspiration. |
|
| τῇ | to the |
|
Parse: Article, Dative Feminine Singular Root: ὁ Sense: this, that, these, etc. |
|
| ἀληθείᾳ | truth |
|
Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Singular Root: ἀλήθεια Sense: objectively. |
|
| πᾶς | Everyone |
|
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Masculine Singular Root: πᾶς Sense: individually. |
|
| ὢν | being |
|
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Active, Nominative Masculine Singular Root: εἰμί Sense: to be, to exist, to happen, to be present. |
|
| ἀληθείας | truth |
|
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular Root: ἀλήθεια Sense: objectively. |
|
| ἀκούει | hears |
|
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular Root: ἀκουστός Sense: to be endowed with the faculty of hearing, not deaf. |
|
| μου | of Me |
|
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive 1st Person Singular Root: ἐγώ Sense: I, me, my. |
|
| φωνῆς | voice |
|
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular Root: φωνή Sense: a sound, a tone. |
|
Greek Commentary for John 18:37
Compound of ουκ ouk and ουν oun and is clearly ironical expecting an affirmative answer, only here in the N.T., and in lxx only in A text in 2Kings 5:23. Thou sayest that In Matthew 27:11; Mark 15:2; Luke 23:3, συ λεγεις su legeis clearly means “yes,” as συ ειπας su eipas (thou saidst) does in Matthew 26:64 (= “I am,” εγω ειμι egō eimi in Mark 14:62). Hence here οτι hoti had best be taken to mean “because”: “Yes, because I am a king.” Have I been born Perfect passive indicative of γενναω gennaō The Incarnation was for this purpose. Note repetition of εις τουτο eis touto (for this purpose), explained by ινα μαρτυρησω τηι αλητειαι hina marturēsō tēi alētheiāi (that I may bear witness to the truth), ινα hina with first aorist active subjunctive of μαρτυρεω martureō Paul (1 Timothy 6:13) alludes to this good confession when Christ bore witness (μαρτυρησαντος marturēsantos) before Pilate. Jesus bore such witness always (John 3:11, John 3:32; John 7:7; John 8:14; Revelation 1:5). [source]
The interrogative particle οὐκοῦν , not therefore, occurs only here in the New Testament. It is ironical. In John 18:33the emphasis is on thou: here upon king. So then, after all, thou art a king. [source]
Both perfects. Have I been born - am I come. So Rev. The Greek order is I for this have been born, etc., throwing the emphasis on Christ's person and destiny. The perfect describes His birth and coming not merely as historical facts, but as abiding in their results. Compare this confession before Pilate (1 Timothy 6:13) with the corresponding confession before the high-priest (Matthew 26:64). “The one, addressed to the Jews, is framed in the language of prophecy; the other, addressed to a Roman, appeals to the universal testimony of conscience. The one speaks of a future manifestation of glory, the other speaking of a present manifestation of truth. The one looks forward to the Return, the other looks backward to the Incarnation” (Westcott). [source]
Literally, out of: sprung from: whose life and words issue from the truth. See on John 14:6, and compare John 8:47. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for John 18:37
Αὐτοῦ may be rendered Him, but this is not probable. Hear means a docile hearing, with a view to receiving what is heard. Compare John 10:3, John 10:16, John 10:27; John 12:47; John 18:37. [source]
The perfect tense, pointing to the abiding result of His manifestation. Compare John 5:43; John 7:28; John 8:42; John 16:28; John 18:37. [source]
This passage is differently interpreted. Some join coming ( ἐρχόμενον ) with man ( ἄνθρωπον ), and render every man that cometh, as A.V. Others join coming with light, and render, as Rev., the true light - coming into the world. The latter is the preferable rendering, and is justified by John's frequent use of the phrase coming into the world, with reference to our Lord. See John 3:19; John 6:14; John 9:39; John 11:27; John 12:46; John 16:28; John 18:37. In John 3:19and John 12:46, it is used as here, in connection with light. Note especially the latter, where Jesus himself says, “I am come a light into the world.” Was ( ἦν ) is to be taken independently, there was, and not united in a single conception with coming ( ἐρχόμενον ), so as to mean was coming. The light was, existed, when the Baptist appeared as a witness. Up to the time of his appearance it was all along coming: its permanent being conjoined with a slow, progressive coming, a revelation “at sundry times and in diverse manners” (Hebrews 1:1). “From the first He was on His way to the world, advancing toward the incarnation by preparatory revelations” (Westcott). Render therefore as Rev., “There was the true light, even the light which lighteth every man, coming into the world.” [source]
Revised version of the New Testament, more correctly, for witness: a witness would be, μάρτυρα as Acts 1:8. The sense is for witness-bearing or to bear witness. On the word, see Acts 1:22; 1 Peter 5:1. It is one of John's characteristic words, occurring nearly fifty times in various forms in his Gospel, and thirty or forty times in the Epistles and Revelation. The emphatic development of the idea of witness is peculiar to this Gospel. “It evidently belongs to a time when men had begun to reason about the faith, and to analyze the grounds on which it rested” (Westcott). He develops the idea under the following forms: The witness of the Father (John 5:31, John 5:34, John 5:37); the witness of Christ himself (John 8:14; John 18:37); the witness of works (John 5:17, John 5:36; John 10:25; John 14:11; John 15:24); the witness of Scripture (John 5:39, John 5:40, John 5:46; John 1:46); the witness of the forerunner (John 1:7; John 5:33, John 5:35); the witness of the disciples (John 15:27; John 19:35; John 21:24; 1 John 1:2; 1 John 4:14); the witness of the Spirit (John 15:26; John 16:13, John 16:14; 1 John 5:6). Note the emphasis attached to the idea here, by the twofold form in which it is put: first, generally, for witness, and then by giving the subject of the testimony. [source]
Definite act (aorist), the Incarnation, with repetition of εκ ek (out of), while in John 16:27 we have Perfect active indicative of ερχομαι erchomai as in John 18:37. The Incarnation is now a permanent fact, once only a blessed hope (John 11:27). His leaving the world and going to the Father does not set aside the fact of the Incarnation. Both απιημι aphiēmi (I leave) and πορευομαι poreuomai (I go) are futuristic present indicatives. [source]
First aorist passive indicative of ταρασσω tarassō and the locative case of πνευμα pneuma See note on John 11:33 and note on John 12:27 for this use of ταρασσω tarassō for the agitation of Christ‘s spirit. In John 14:1, John 14:27 it is used of the disciples. Jesus was one with God (John 5:19) and yet he had our real humanity (John 1:14). Testified First aorist active indicative of μαρτυρεω martureō definite witness as in John 4:44; John 18:37. One of you shall betray me Future active of παραδιδωμι paradidōmi to betray, the word so often used of Judas. This very language occurs in Mark 14:18; Matthew 26:21 and the idea in Luke 22:21. Jesus had said a year ago that “one of you is a devil” (John 6:70), but it made no such stir then. Now it was a bolt from the blue sky as Jesus swept his eyes around and looked at the disciples. [source]
Because of “the law of moral correspondence” (Westcott), often in John for “inherent impossibility” (Vincent). The brothers of Jesus here belong to the unbelieving world This unbelieving “world” resented the exposure (John 3:19, cf. John 18:37). [source]
Condition of third class with εαν ean and present active subjunctive τεληι thelēi not used as a mere auxiliary verb for the future “will do,” but with full force of τελω thelō to will, to wish. See the same use of τελω thelō in John 5:40 “and yet ye are not willing to come” He shall know Future middle indicative of γινωσκω ginōskō Experimental knowledge from willingness to do God‘s will. See this same point by Jesus in John 5:46; John 18:37. There must be moral harmony between man‘s purpose and God‘s will. “If there be no sympathy there can be no understanding” (Westcott). Atheists of all types have no point of contact for approach to the knowledge of Christ. This fact does not prove the non-existence of God, but simply their own isolation. They are out of tune with the Infinite. For those who love God it is also true that obedience to God‘s will brings richer knowledge of God. Agnostic and atheistic critics are disqualified by Jesus as witnesses to his claims. Of God Out of God as source. From myself Instead of from God. [source]
Ἑκ πίστεως fromor out of faith, is found with the verb to justify (Romans 3:26, Romans 3:30; Romans 5:1): with other verbs, as live (Romans 1:17); eat (Romans 14:23): with the noun δικαιοσύνη righteousness(Romans 1:17; Romans 9:30; Romans 10:6): with other nouns, as promise (Galatians 3:22), law (Galatians 3:12). For parallels to the phrase οἱ ἐκ πίστεως , see Romans 3:26; Romans 4:16; Romans 14:23; Galatians 3:9. It denotes believers as sprung from, or receiving their spiritual condition from that which specially characterizes them. Comp. οἱ ἐξ ἐριθίας theywho are of faction, Romans 2:8; οἱ ἐκ νόμου theywho are of the law, Romans 4:14; ὁ ἐκ τῆς ἀληθείας hewho is of the truth, John 18:37. [source]
Five times in the Pastorals (1 Timothy 1:15; 1 Timothy 3:1; 1 Timothy 4:9; Titus 3:8; 2 Timothy 2:11). It will pay to note carefully πιστισ πιστευω πιστος pistisπιστος pisteuōλογος pistos Same use of οτι pistos (trustworthy) applied to αποδοχης logos in Titus 1:9; Revelation 21:5; Revelation 22:6. Here and probably in 2 Timothy 2:11 a definite saying seems to be referred to, possibly a quotation (αχιος hoti) of a current saying quite like the Johannine type of teaching. This very phrase (Christ coming into the world) occurs in John 9:37; John 11:27; John 16:28; John 18:37. Paul, of course, had no access to the Johannine writings, but such “sayings” were current among the disciples. There is no formal quotation, but “the whole phrase implies a knowledge of Synoptic and Johannine language” (Lock) as in Luke 5:32; John 12:47. [source]
See on John 21:1. Including Christ's whole life on earth and its consequences. The idea of manifestation here assumes the fact of a previous being. John various terms to describe the incarnation. He conceives it with reference to the Father, as a sending, a mission. Hence ὁ πέμψας με Hethat sent me (John 4:34; John 6:38; John 9:4; John 12:44, etc.): ὁ πέμψας με πατήρ theFather that sent me (John 5:37; John 8:18; John 12:49, etc.): with the verb ἀποστέλλω tosend as an envoy, with a commission; God sent ( ἀπέστειλεν ) His Son (John 3:17; John 10:36; 1 John 4:10; compare John 6:57; John 7:29; John 17:18). With reference to the Son, as a coming, regarded as a historic fact and as an abiding fact. As a historic event, He came ( ἧλθεν , John 1:11); this is He that came ( ὁ ἐλθὼν , 1 John 5:6). Came forth ( ἐξῆλθον ; John 8:42; John 16:27, John 16:28; John 17:8). As something abiding in its effects, am come, hath come, is come, marked by the perfect tense: Light is come ( ἐλήλυθεν , John 3:19). Jesus Christ is come ( ἐληλυθότα , 1 John 4:2). Compare John 5:43; John 12:46; John 18:37). In two instances with ἥκω Iam come, John 8:42; 1 John 5:20. Or with the present tense, as describing a coming realized at the moment: whence I come ( ἔρχομαι , John 8:14); compare John 14:3, John 14:18, John 14:28; also Jesus Christ coming ( ἐρχόμενον , 2 John 1:7). With reference to the form: in flesh ( σάρξ ). See John 1:14; 1 John 4:2; 2 John 1:7. With reference to men, Christ was manifested (1 John 1:2; 1 John 3:5, 1 John 3:8; John 1:31; John 21:1, John 21:14).|To take away ( ἵνα ἄρῃ )|See on John 1:29.|Our sins ( τὰς ἁμαρτίας ἡμῶν )|Omit ἡυῶν ourCompare John 1:29, τὴν ἁμαρτίαν , the sin. The plural here regards all that is contained in the inclusive term the sin: all manifestations or realizations of sin.|In Him is no sin ( ἁμαρτία ἐν αὐτῷ οὐκ ἔστιν )|Lit., in Him sin is not. He is essentially and forever without sin. Compare John 7:18.| [source]
First aorist passive articular participle referring to Christ, if the reading of A B is correct It is Christ who keeps the one begotten of God It is a difficult phrase, but this is probably the idea. Jesus (John 18:37) uses γεγεννημαι gegennēmai of himself and uses also τηρεω tēreō of keeping the disciples (John 17:12, John 17:15; Revelation 3:10). [source]
The whole Gospel. All reality is in God. He is the only true God ( ἀληθινός John 17:3; see on John 1:9). This reality is incarnated in Christ, the Word of God, “the very image of His substance,” and in His message to men. This message is the truth, a title not found in the Synoptists, Acts, or Revelation, but in the Catholic Epistles (James 5:19; 1 Peter 1:22; 2 Peter 2:2), and in Paul (2 Corinthians 8:8; Ephesians 1:13, etc.). It is especially characteristic of the Gospel and Epistles of John. The truth is represented by John objectively and subjectively. 1. Objectively. In the person of Christ. He is the Truth, the perfect revelation of God (John 1:18; John 14:6). His manhood is true to the absolute law of right, which is the law of love, and is, therefore, our perfect pattern of manhood. -DIVIDER- -DIVIDER- Truth, absolutely existing in and identified with God, was also, in some measure, diffused in the world. The Word was in the world, before as after the incarnation (John 1:10. See on John 1:4, John 1:5). Christ often treats the truth as something to which He came to bear witness, and which it was His mission to develop into clearer recognition and expression (John 18:37). This He did through the embodiment of truth in His own person (John 1:14, John 1:17; John 14:6), and by His teaching (John 8:40; John 17:17); and His work is carried out by the Spirit of Truth (John 16:13), sent by God and by Christ himself (John 14:26; John 16:7). Hence the Spirit, even as Christ, is the Truth (1 John 5:6). The whole sum of the knowledge of Christ and of the Spirit, is the Truth (1 John 2:21; 2 John 1:1). This truth can be recognized, apprehended, and appropriated by man, and can be also rejected by him (John 8:32; 1 John 2:21; John 8:44). -DIVIDER- -DIVIDER- 2. Subjectively. The truth is lodged in man by the Spirit, and communicated to his spirit (John 14:17; John 15:26; John 16:13). It dwells in man (1 John 1:8; 1 John 2:4; 2 John 1:2), as revelation, comfort, guidance, enlightenment, conviction, impulse, inspiration, knowledge. It is the spirit of truth as opposed to the spirit of error (1 John 4:6). It translates itself into act. God's true children do the truth (John 3:21; 1 John 1:6). It brings sanctification and freedom (John 8:32; John 17:17). See on John 14:6, John 14:17. -DIVIDER- -DIVIDER- [source]
Lineal present active indicative, “does not keep on sinning,” as he has already shown in 1 John 3:4-10.He that was begotten of God (ο γεννητεις εκ του τεου ho gennētheis ek tou theou). First aorist passive articular participle referring to Christ, if the reading of A B is correct (τηρει αυτον tērei auton not τηρει εαυτον tērei heauton). It is Christ who keeps the one begotten of God (γεγεννημενος εκ του τεου gegennēmenos ek tou theou as in 1 John 3:9 and so different from ο γεννητεις ho gennētheis here). It is a difficult phrase, but this is probably the idea. Jesus (John 18:37) uses γεγεννημαι gegennēmai of himself and uses also τηρεω tēreō of keeping the disciples (John 17:12, John 17:15; Revelation 3:10).The evil one Masculine and personal as in 1 John 2:13, not neuter, and probably Satan as in Matthew 6:13, not just any evil man.Touchest him not (ουχ απτεται αυτου ouch haptetai autou). Present middle indicative of απτω haptō elsewhere in John only John 20:17. It means to lay hold of or to grasp rather than a mere superficial touch (τιγγανω thigganō both in Colossians 2:21). Here the idea is to touch to harm. The devil cannot snatch such a man from Christ (John 6:38.). [source]
Condition of third class with εαν ean and first aorist (ingressive) active subjunctive of ακουω akouō and ανοιγω anoigō See John 10:3; John 18:37. See the picture reversed (Swete) in Luke 13:25; Matthew 25:10.I will come in to him (εισελευσομαι eiseleusomai). Future middle of εισερχομαι eiserchomai See Mark 15:43; Acts 11:3 for εισερχομαι προς eiserchomai pros to go into a man‘s house. Cf. John 14:23.Will sup Future active of δειπνεω deipneō old verb, from δειπνον deipnon (supper), as in Luke 17:8. Fellowship in the Messianic kingdom (Luke 22:30; Mark 14:25; Matthew 26:29). Purely metaphorical, as is plain from 1 Corinthians 6:13. [source]