My Kingdom Is Not Of This World

Jesus declares, "My kingdom is not of this world."

JOHN 18 BIBLE STUDY ◄
John 18:33-35 Pilate And Jesus

John 18:36-38 (A) My Kingdom Is Not of This World

John 18:36-38 (B) Jesus And Herod

JOHN 18:36 36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.”

How does Jesus answer Pilate's question, "What have You done" (John 18:35)?
Strictly in the spiritual realm - “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here” (John 18:36).

By "My servants" (John 18:36), is Jesus referring to His disciples?
No, the "more than twelve legions of angels" (Matthew 6:53, see Malchus) God the Father would provide if Jesus were to ask for them.

JOHN 18:37 37 Pilate therefore said to Him, “Are You a king then?” Jesus answered, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.”

Why does Pilate again ask Jesus if He is a king?
Jesus said "My kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36), which means He wasn't claiming to be the king of the Jews, but He was claiming to have a kingdom elsewhere, hence the question.

How does Jesus respond to Pilate this time?
He remains in the spiritual realm.

JOHN 18:38 38 Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?” And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews, and said to them, “I find no fault in Him at all.

Where is the answer to Pilate’s question "What is truth? (John 18:38)"
Standing in front of him: "Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.'" (John 14:6)

Why did Pilate suddenly go out again to the Jews and tell them, "I find no fault in Him at all" (John 18:38)?
He didn't understand what Jesus said but he had heard enough to conclude that Jesus isn't some seditious rebel who was claiming to be the king of the Jews and leading a rebellion against Rome as the Jews had claimed.

How did the Jews react to Pilate's declaration of Jesus' innocence?
Luke 23:5-7 5 But they were the more fierce, saying, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee to this place.” 6 When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked if the Man were a Galilean. 7 And as soon as he knew that He belonged to Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time.

What are the Jews trying to do in Luke 23:5?
Pile on more accusations.

What does Pilate pick up?
A loophole - a way out for himself. Passing off Jesus to Herod would be the first of his three attempts to avoid crucifying Jesus.

Which Herod was this?
Herod Antipas, the son of King Herod and the brother of Archelaus.

Where was Herod Antipas?
In the sprawling palace built by his father King Herod just south of what is today Jaffa Gate, Jerusalem's main western gate, located about 15 minute walk west of what was Pilate's Praetorium at Antonia Fortress.