The King and Governor

John 18:28-40

28 Then they led Jesus from the house of Caiaphas to the governor's headquarters. It was early morning. They themselves did not enter the governor's headquarters, so that they would not be defiled, but could eat the Passover. 29 So Pilate went outside to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this man?” 30 They answered him, “If this man were not doing evil, we would not have delivered him over to you.” 31 Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law.” The Jews said to him, “It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death.” 32 This was to fulfill the word that Jesus had spoken to show by what kind of death he was going to die. 33 So Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” 34 Jesus answered, “Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?” 35 Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you done?” 36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” 37 Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” 38 Pilate said to him, “What is truth?”. After he had said this, he went back outside to the Jews and told them, “I find no guilt in him. 39 But you have a custom that I should release one man for you at the Passover. So do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” 40 They cried out again, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a robber.

Notes

The author, John, recounted the betrayal, arrest, and initial trials of Jesus. He focused on showing the willingness of the Lord to submit to the Father’s will, in contrast to the failure of His disciples, with a highlight on Peter. John also revealed the injustice of the religious leaders. Jesus was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane with Judas and a group. Despite this betrayal, God uses it to unfold His plan to bring the sacrifice of the Lamb of God to its fulfillment. Peter tried to fight with a sword, but Jesus insisted on fulfilling the Father’s plan. Taken to Annas and then Caiaphas, Jesus endured questioning about His teachings, exposing the leaders’ lack of sincere pursuit of truth.

Narrated was Peter’s denial of Jesus three times, which fulfilled Jesus’ earlier statement. Peter’s failure highlights human weakness in the face of fear. The writer contrasted Jesus’ steadfastness with His followers' failure and the religious authorities' hypocrisy. The themes covered are divine sovereignty, human frailty, and the unjust opposition to the truth.

1. Brought to Pilate

   The Jews brought Jesus to Pilate, avoiding his headquarters to stay ceremonially pure for Passover. Under Roman rule, they lacked authority for capital punishment, so they sought Pilate's approval. This fulfilled Jesus' word that He would die by crucifixion (John 12:32-33).

   
   28 Then they led Jesus from the house of Caiaphas to the governor's headquarters. It was early morning. They themselves did not enter the governor's headquarters, so that they would not be defiled, but could eat the Passover. 29 So Pilate went outside to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this man?” 30 They answered him, “If this man were not doing evil, we would not have delivered him over to you.” 31 Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law.” The Jews said to him, “It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death.” 32 This was to fulfill the word that Jesus had spoken to show by what kind of death he was going to die (John 18:28-32).
   

   Application: Despite the imperfect justice system in the world, God’s plan will unfold. God is not subject to human government, but He is above all. Despite the injustice against believers, God’s will unfolds. He uses even the evil intents of men to accomplish His will.
   

2. Not of this World

   Pilate asked Jesus about His kingship, but Jesus wisely answered him. Jesus explained that His kingdom is not of this world. The Lord also explained His purpose why He was born into this world, which is to bear witness to the truth. But Pilate asked, “What is truth?”
   
   33 So Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” 34 Jesus answered, “Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?” 35 Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you done?” 36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” 37 Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” 38 Pilate said to him, “What is truth?” (John 18:33-38a).

   Application: Therefore, let us listen to the truth, which is the word of our King. His kingdom is not of this world, although He is sovereign above all things. If, like His sheep, we follow His voice, meaning we listen to His word, then we are assured that we belong to Christ.

3. Not Guilty

   Pilate found Christ not guilty after questioning Jesus about kingship. The questioning aimed to find out if Jesus was a political revolutionary. Pilate cited an annual custom where he released a Jew in captivity every Passover celebration. The Jews did not want Jesus released. They asked for Barabbas.

   
   After he had said this, he went back outside to the Jews and told them, “I find no guilt in him. 39 But you have a custom that I should release one man for you at the Passover. So do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” 40 They cried out again, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a robber (John 18:38b40).

   Application: Let us thank the Father and Son for this redemptive plan to sacrifice the Son like a sacrificial lamb. Let us believe the Lord Jesus and follow Him. Let us also proclaim His suffering, death, and resurrection to the world.

Reflection & Discussion

1. Why did the Jews bring Jesus to Pilate?

2. Why was Pilate’s line of questioning related to the kingship of Jesus?

3. What did Jesus mean when He said His kingdom is not of this world?