Exposition of John 18:36 for Kids
Understanding John 18:36
Jesus said to Pilate, "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be delivered to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not from here" [1].
Jesus' statement to Pilate in John 18:36 is a pivotal moment in the Gospel narrative, as it occurs during His trial before being crucified. To understand this verse, it's essential to consider its literary context within the Gospel of John.
Literary Context
The Gospel of John presents Jesus' statement as part of His dialogue with Pilate, the Roman governor, during the events leading up to the crucifixion. This conversation follows Jesus' arrest and trial before the Jewish leaders. The verse is part of Jesus' response to Pilate's inquiry about whether He is the King of the Jews [2].
Historical Setting
The historical setting of John 18:36 is crucial. Jesus is speaking to Pilate, a Roman official, in Jerusalem during the Roman occupation of Judea. The conversation reflects the political and religious tensions of the time. Jesus' statement about His kingdom not being "of this world" has been interpreted in various ways throughout history [5, 6].
Key Terms and Interpretations
The phrase "My kingdom is not of this world" is central to understanding Jesus' statement. The Greek phrase "οὐκ ἔστιν ἐκ τοῦ κόσμου τούτου" (ouk estin ek tou kosmou toutou) suggests that Jesus' kingdom does not originate from or belong to the world in the same way earthly kingdoms do. According to John Calvin, this indicates that Jesus' kingdom is spiritual rather than earthly, focusing on the preaching of the gospel and the gathering of believers [4].
Calvin further explains that Jesus' servants (or disciples) are not fighting to prevent His delivery to the Jews because their struggle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces [4]. This interpretation is supported by other Reformed theologians, such as Charles Hodge, who emphasizes the spiritual nature of Christ's kingdom [6].
Range of Interpretations
The interpretation of John 18:36 has varied across different Christian traditions. Patristic writers, such as Augustine, understood Jesus' statement as highlighting the distinction between the earthly and heavenly kingdoms. Augustine saw this as a reflection of the Christian's dual citizenship in both the earthly city and the heavenly city [3].
In Reformed theology, Jesus' statement is often seen as underscoring the nature of His kingdom as one that is not established or maintained through worldly means. This view is reflected in Calvin's Institutes, where he discusses the implications of Jesus' words for understanding the church's relationship with the world [5].
Function in Tradition
John 18:36 has played a significant role in Christian theology and practice. It has been used to inform understandings of the church's relationship with the state and to guide Christian political engagement. The verse has also been invoked in discussions about the nature of Christian discipleship and the characteristics of the kingdom of God.
Sources
- John “John 8:36 (NASB) — "So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.”
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “John 18:36 cross-references: Psalms 45:3, Isaiah 9:6, Daniel 2:44, Daniel 7:14, Zechariah 9:9, Matthew 26:53, Luke 12:14, Luke 17:20, John 6:15, John 8:15, Romans 14:17, Colossians 1:12, 1 Timothy 6:13”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 5: Augustine — Anti-Pelagian — CHAP. 36.--INFANTS NOT ENLIGHTENED AS SOON: AS THEY ARE BORN. Some, however, understand that as soon as children are born they are enlightened; and they derive this opinion from the passage: "That was the true Light, which lighteth every one that cometh into the world." (2) Well, if this be the case, it is quite astonishing how it can be that those who are thus enlightened by the only-begotten Son, who was in the beginning the Word with God, and [Himself] God, are not admitted into the kingdom of God, nor are heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ. Fo”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 98: have sufficient protection in the simplicity of truth, I am unwilling to evade the point by paltry subtleties. Let them, therefore, have a solid answer. The command here given by Christ relates principally to the preaching of the gospel: to it baptism is added as a kind of appendage. Then he merely speaks of baptism in so far as the dispensation of it is subordinate to the function of teaching. For Christ sends his disciples to publish the gospel to all nations of the world, that by the doctrine of salvation they may gather men, wh”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 109: 15:5 15:6 15:10 15:16 15:16 15:16 15:19 16:2 16:7 16:7 16:12 16:12 16:13 16:13 16:20 16:26 17:3 17:3 17:3 17:3 17:5 17:5 17:6 17:9 17:12 17:12 17:15 17:19 17:19 17:19 17:19 18:36 18:37 19:33 19:34 19:36 20 20:5 20:17 20:17 20:19 20:22 20:22 20:22 20:23 20:23 20:23 20:23 20:28 20:31 21:15 21:15 21:18 Acts 1 1:10 1:11 1:23 2:4 2:21 2:23 2:23 2:24 2:24 2:33 2:37 2:37-38 2:38 2:39 2:41 2:42 2:42 3:6 3:6 3:15 3:21 3:25 4:12 4:12 4:18 4:28 4:28 4:32 5:29 5:31 5:41 6:2 6:3 6:3 6:6 6:10 7:21 7:30 7:44 7:48 7:48 7:55 7:56 7:59 8:13-18 8:14”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 98: 16:16 16:17 16:19 16:19 16:27 17:11 18:3 18:17 18:18 18:19 18:25 19:1-30 19:3-9 19:3-9 19:4-9 19:5 19:9 19:10 19:10 19:11 19:11 19:28 20:28 22:37 22:38 23:39 24:1-25:46 24:3 24:6 24:6 24:14 24:14 24:14 24:24 24:29-35 24:30 24:30 24:31 24:31 24:34 24:34 24:36 25:31 25:31 25:31-46 25:31-46 25:31-46 25:31-46 25:32 25:32 25:41 25:46 26:26 26:26-28 26:27 26:63 26:64 27:24 27:43 28:19 28:19 28:19 28:19 28:19 28:19 28:20 28:20 28:20 28:24 Mark 1:8 1:15 3:4 6:18 6:48 7:4 7:4 7:4 7:28 9:42-48 10:2-12 10:4-9 10:7 10:8 10:11 10:12 10:13 12:26 13:7 1”