"Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews?" (John 18:33).
Evidently this Roman Governor had entertained questions in his mind about the Lord and was capitalizing on the opportunity afforded him by Jesus' arrest. The response was a question for Pilate. "Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me?" (verse 34).
Pilate thought himself the ultimate authority, but in a far greater sense he was the one standing before the Judge. The tables were turned and he became the one under trial. But it was a gentle probing of Pilate's motive for asking. Jesus cared. Did Pilate's question stem from a concern about how he himself stood before the Lord?
"Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done?" (Verse 35). Pilate was evasive, and pretended the issue was just a Jewish question. And if he was the King of the Jews, why had the Jewish authorities delivered Him up to be killed?
"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" (Verse 36). Jesus went right to the point - the spiritual and eternal nature of His kingdom first of all. He was not operating in the realm of petty corrupt earthly administrations (like the Sanhedrin, and like Pilate). The proof was evident in the fact that the ones who did believe in Him did not fight to establish His throne. No, Jesus came to establish an eternal kingdom victorious over the problem of human sin.
"Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then?" (Verse 37a). People know there are matters of the soul before God that go deeper than the affairs of this world. "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" (Verse 37b). Jesus affirmed His royal and heavenly calling. He was letting Pilate know that truth would prevail, God would ultimately establish His kingdom and overturn all the corruption and lies of earthly administrations.
Further, those that are people of His eternal kingdom recognize in His voice the Words of truth and eternal salvation. And it was not just a Jewish issue. Sadly, at this point the heart of Pilate turned away and his last question spoke a message of hopelessness, cynicism, and unbelief. " Pilate saith unto him, What is truth?" (Verse 38a). What a tragic end to an encounter with eternal Truth.
Ian Kurylyk is pastor at Summerside Fundamental Baptist Church
