The Meaning of John 18:36 Explained

John 18:36

KJV: Jesus 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.

YLT: Jesus 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.'

Darby: Jesus 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.

ASV: Jesus 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 Reverse Interlinear

Jesus  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. 

What does John 18:36 Mean?

Study Notes

of this Gk. ek, out of, or according to.
world kosmos = world-system. 1 Corinthians 1:20 ; John 7:7 .
world
Kosmos, Summary: In the sense of the present world-system, the ethically bad sense of the word, refers to the "order," "arrangement," under which Satan has organized the world of unbelieving mankind upon his cosmic principle of force, greed, selfishness, ambition, and pleasure. Matthew 4:8 ; Matthew 4:9 ; John 12:31 ; John 14:30 ; John 18:36 ; Ephesians 2:2 ; Ephesians 6:12 ; 1 John 2:15-17 . This world- system is imposing and powerful with armies and fleets; is often outwardly religious, scientific, cultured, and elegant; but, seething with national and commercial rivalries and ambitions, is upheld in any real crisis only by armed force, and is dominated by Satanic principles.

Verse Meaning

Jesus explained that He was indeed a king, as He claimed. However, His kingdom was not the type of kingdom that would compete with Pilate"s kingdom by waging war. Jesus was not denying that His kingdom was an earthly kingdom. He was not saying it was only the spiritual rule of God over the hearts of His people. He was not saying that His kingdom had nothing to do with this world either. [1] This should be clear from Jesus" other references to His kingdom as being an earthly kingdom. His point was that He and His kingdom were not a present threat to Rome (cf18:10-11). The reason was that God had postponed the messianic kingdom due to Israel"s unbelief, though Jesus did not explain this to Pilate.
Jesus" kingdom is "not of this realm" or "from another place" (Gr. ouk enteuthen, lit. not from this place) in another sense. It will come down from heaven to the earth rather than originating from the earth. It will begin when Jesus comes down from heaven to earth at His second coming.

Context Summary

John 18:33-40 - The King Of Truth
There was a tone of satire in Pilate's question: "Thou poor, worn, tear-stained outcast, forsaken by every friend in this hour of need-art thou a king?" Human ears have never heard more majestic words than our Lord's reply. But when He said, My kingdom is not of this world, He did not mean that it had nothing to do with this world, but that it did not originate here. It has descended from heaven, and seeks to bring the inspiration, principles, and methods of heaven into all the provinces of human activity. The one conspicuous proof of its absolutely foreign origin is its refusal to employ force. We do not fight, but sacrifice and suffer, for its maintenance. Our Lord therefore hastened to show that His Kingdom is based on the manifestation of the truth. There is no soul of man which is pure and true that does not recognize Christ's royalty, as King of Truth, when it hears Him speak. [source]

Chapter Summary: John 18

1  Judas betrays Jesus
6  The officers fall to the ground
10  Peter cuts off Malchus' ear
12  Jesus is taken, and led unto Annas and Caiaphas
15  Peter's denial
19  Jesus examined before Caiaphas
25  Peter's second and third denial
28  Jesus arraigned before Pilate
36  His kingdom
40  The Jews prefer Barabbas

Greek Commentary for John 18:36

My kingdom [η βασιλεια η εμη]
Christ claims to be king to Pilate, but of a peculiar kingdom. For “world” For the word see John 18:3 where it means the temple police or guards (literally, under-rowers). In the lxx always (Prov 14:35; Isaiah 32:5; Dan 3:46) officers of a king as here. Christ then had only a small band of despised followers who could not fight against Caesar. Was he alluding also to legions of angels on his side? (Matthew 26:56). Would fight Imperfect middle of αγωνιζομαι — agōnizomai common verb (only here in John, but see 1 Corinthians 9:25) from αγων — agōn (contest) with αν — an a conclusion of the second-class condition (assumed as untrue). Christians should never forget the profound truth stated here by Jesus. That I should not be delivered Negative final clause with ινα μη — hina mē and first aorist passive subjunctive of παραδιδωμι — paradidōmi (see John 18:28, John 18:36). Jesus expects Pilate to surrender to the Jews. But now In contrast to the condition already stated as in John 8:40; John 9:41; John 15:22, John 15:24. [source]
Servants [ὑπηρέται]
Only in this passage in the Gospels, of Christians. Compare Acts 13:5; 1 Corinthians 4:1. Corresponding with Christ as a king. [source]
Fight [ἠγωνίζοντο]
The imperfect tense, denoting action in progress: would now be striving. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for John 18:36

Matthew 26:52 Put up again thy sword [αποστρεπσον την μαχαιραν σου]
Turn back thy sword into its place. It was a stern rebuke for Peter who had misunderstood the teaching of Jesus in Luke 22:38 as well as in Matthew 5:39 (cf. John 18:36). The reason given by Jesus has had innumerable illustrations in human history. The sword calls for the sword. Offensive war is here given flat condemnation. The Paris Pact of 1928 (the Kellogg Treaty) is certainly in harmony with the mind of Christ. The will to peace is the first step towards peace, the outlawing of war. Our American cities are often ruled by gangsters who kill each other off. [source]
Luke 13:24 Strive []
Used only by Luke and Paul, except John 18:36. Originally to contend for a prize in the public games; and thus conveying a sense of struggle. The kindred noun, ἀγωνία , agony, is used of Christ's struggle in Gethsemane (Luke 22:44). Compare 1 Timothy 6:12; 2 Timothy 4:7. [source]
Luke 12:14 A judge or a divider [κριτην η μεριστην]
Jesus repudiates the position of judge or arbiter in this family fuss. The language reminds one of Exodus 2:14. Jesus is rendering unto Caesar the things of Caesar (Luke 20:25) and shows that his kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36). The word for divider or arbiter (μεριστης — meristēs) is a late word from μεριζομαι — merizomai (Luke 12:13) and occurs here only in the N.T. [source]
John 1:46 Come out of Nazareth [ἐκ Ναζαρὲτ εἶναι]
Literally, “be out of;” a characteristic expression of John. See John 3:31; John 4:22; John 7:17, John 7:22; John 8:23; John 15:19; John 18:36, John 18:38, etc. It means more than to come out of: rather to come out of as that which is of; to be identified with something so as to come forth bearing its impress, moral or otherwise. See especially John 3:31: “He that is of the earth is of the earth;” i.e., partakes of its quality. Compare Christ's words to Nicodemus (John 3:6), and 1 Corinthians 15:47. In the Greek order, out of Nazareth stands first in the sentence as expressing the prominent thought in Nathanael's mind, surprise that Jesus should have come from Nazareth, a poor village, even the name of which does not occur in the Old Testament. Contrary to the popular explanation, there is no evidence that Nazareth was worse than other places, beyond the fact of the violence offered to Jesus by its people (Luke 4:28, Luke 4:29), and their obstinate unbelief in Him (Matthew 13:58; Mark 6:6). It was a proverb, however, that no prophet was to come from Galilee (John 7:52). -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
[source]

John 18:36 My kingdom [η βασιλεια η εμη]
Christ claims to be king to Pilate, but of a peculiar kingdom. For “world” For the word see John 18:3 where it means the temple police or guards (literally, under-rowers). In the lxx always (Prov 14:35; Isaiah 32:5; Dan 3:46) officers of a king as here. Christ then had only a small band of despised followers who could not fight against Caesar. Was he alluding also to legions of angels on his side? (Matthew 26:56). Would fight Imperfect middle of αγωνιζομαι — agōnizomai common verb (only here in John, but see 1 Corinthians 9:25) from αγων — agōn (contest) with αν — an a conclusion of the second-class condition (assumed as untrue). Christians should never forget the profound truth stated here by Jesus. That I should not be delivered Negative final clause with ινα μη — hina mē and first aorist passive subjunctive of παραδιδωμι — paradidōmi (see John 18:28, John 18:36). Jesus expects Pilate to surrender to the Jews. But now In contrast to the condition already stated as in John 8:40; John 9:41; John 15:22, John 15:24. [source]
Philippians 3:20 Our citizenship [ημων το πολιτευμα]
Old word from πιλιτευω — piliteuō (Phlippians 1:27), but only here in N.T. The inscriptions use it either for citizenship or for commonwealth. Paul was proud of his Roman citizenship and found it a protection. The Philippians were also proud of their Roman citizenship. But Christians are citizens of a kingdom not of this world (John 18:36). Milligan (Vocabulary) doubts if commentators are entitled to translate it here: “We are a colony of heaven,” because such a translation reverses the relation between the colony and the mother city. But certainly here Paul‘s heart is in heaven. [source]
Colossians 1:29 Striving [ἀγωνιζόμενος]
From ἀγών originally an assembly, a place of assembly, especially for viewing the games. Hence the contest itself, the word being united with different adjectives indicating the character of the contest, as ἱππικός ofhorses; γυμνικός gymnastic μουσικός ofmusic; χάλκεος , where the prize is a brazen shield, etc. Generally, any struggle or trial. Hence the verb means to enter a contest, to contend, to struggle. The metaphor is a favorite one with Paul, and, with the exception of three instances (Luke 13:24; John 18:36; Hebrews 12:1), the words ἀγών contestand ἀγωνίζομαι tocontend are found only in his writings. See 1 Timothy 6:12; 2 Timothy 4:7; 1 Corinthians 9:25(note); 1 Thessalonians 2:2. [source]
Revelation 22:5 They shall reign [βασιλευσουσιν]
Future active of βασιλευω — basileuō Reign eternally in contrast with the limited millennial reign of Revelation 20:4, Revelation 20:6. This glorious eternal reign with Christ occurs repeatedly in the book (Revelation 1:6; Revelation 3:21; Revelation 5:10) as in Luke 22:30. Christ‘s Kingdom is spiritual (John 18:36.). “The visions of the Apocalypse are now ended; they have reached their climax in the New Jerusalem” (Swete). Now John gives the parting utterances of some of the speakers, and it is not always clear who is speaking. [source]
Revelation 22:5 They need [εχουσιν χρειαν]
Present active indicative, “They have need,” though A has εχουσιν — hexousin (shall have), future like εσται — estai Here again there is repetition of part of Revelation 21:23, but for the purpose of showing the delightsomeness of the New Jerusalem with no need of lamp or sun (change to πως — phōs with ηλιου — hēliou instead of πωτος — phōtos “they have no light of sun”).Shall give them light (πωτισει — phōtisei). Future active of πωτιζω — phōtizō while aorist επωτισεν — ephōtisen in Revelation 21:23.They shall reign Future active of βασιλευω — basileuō Reign eternally in contrast with the limited millennial reign of Revelation 20:4, Revelation 20:6. This glorious eternal reign with Christ occurs repeatedly in the book (Revelation 1:6; Revelation 3:21; Revelation 5:10) as in Luke 22:30. Christ‘s Kingdom is spiritual (John 18:36.). “The visions of the Apocalypse are now ended; they have reached their climax in the New Jerusalem” (Swete). Now John gives the parting utterances of some of the speakers, and it is not always clear who is speaking. [source]

What do the individual words in John 18:36 mean?

Answered Jesus The kingdom - My not is of the world this if were My - attendants - - My would fight that not I might be betrayed to the Jews Now however from here
Ἀπεκρίθη Ἰησοῦς βασιλεία ἐμὴ οὐκ ἔστιν ἐκ τοῦ κόσμου τούτου εἰ ἦν ἐμή οἱ ὑπηρέται ἄν οἱ ἐμοὶ ἠγωνίζοντο» ἵνα μὴ παραδοθῶ τοῖς Ἰουδαίοις νῦν δὲ ἐντεῦθεν

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.
βασιλεία  kingdom 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Feminine Singular
Root: βασιλεία  
Sense: royal power, kingship, dominion, rule.
  - 
Parse: Article, Nominative Feminine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ἐμὴ  My 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Nominative Feminine 1st Person Singular
Root: ἐμός  
Sense: my, mine, etc.
κόσμου  world 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: κόσμος  
Sense: an apt and harmonious arrangement or constitution, order, government.
τούτου  this 
Parse: Demonstrative Pronoun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: οὗτος  
Sense: this.
ἐμή  My 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Nominative Feminine 1st Person Singular
Root: ἐμός  
Sense: my, mine, etc.
οἱ  - 
Parse: Article, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ὑπηρέται  attendants 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: ὑπηρέτης  
Sense: servant.
ἄν  - 
Parse: Article, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: ἄν  
Sense: has no exact English equivalent, see definitions under AV.
οἱ  - 
Parse: Article, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ἐμοὶ  My 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Dative 1st Person Singular
Root: ἐμός  
Sense: my, mine, etc.
ἠγωνίζοντο»  would  fight 
Parse: Verb, Imperfect Indicative Middle or Passive, 3rd Person Plural
Root: ἀγωνίζομαι  
Sense: to enter a contest: contend in the gymnastic games.
ἵνα  that 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: ἵνα  
Sense: that, in order that, so that.
παραδοθῶ  I  might  be  betrayed 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Subjunctive Passive, 1st Person Singular
Root: παραδίδωμι  
Sense: to give into the hands (of another).
τοῖς  to  the 
Parse: Article, Dative Masculine Plural
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
Ἰουδαίοις  Jews 
Parse: Adjective, Dative Masculine Plural
Root: Ἰουδαῖος  
Sense: Jewish, belonging to the Jewish race.
νῦν  Now 
Parse: Adverb
Root: νῦν  
Sense: at this time, the present, now.
δὲ  however 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: δέ  
Sense: but, moreover, and, etc.
ἐντεῦθεν  from  here 
Parse: Adverb
Root: ἔνθεν 
Sense: from this place, hence.