John 18:33-37

John 18:33-37
Reign of Christ B

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33 Then PilateA enteredB the headquartersC again,

Notes on verse 33a

A “Pilate” = Pilatos. From Latin Pilatus (may mean one who has skill with a javelin); perhaps from pilum (javelin) OR perhaps from pileus (a soft cap made of felt that was brimless and was associated with people who were free people). This is Pilate, which may mean “free person” or “equipped with spears.” See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pontius_Pilate & https://www.abarim-publications.com/Meaning/Pilate.html
B “entered” = eiserchomai. From eis (to, into, for, among) + erchomai (to come, go). This is to go in in a literal or figurative sense.
C “headquarters” = praitorion. 8x in NT. From Latin praetorium (headquarters, general’s tent, villa, place where the governor lives); from prator (leader, chief, president); from pareeo (to lead, go before). This is praetorium or preatorian guard. It is the place where the governor lives or the place where the praetorian guard of Rome lived. It could also mean courtroom. See https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/praetorium#Latin

summonedD Jesus,E and askedF him,

Notes on verse 33b

D “summoned” = phoneo. From phone (voice, sound, tone or noise; also a language or dialect); probably from phemi to declare, say, use contrasts in speaking to shed light on one point of view); {from phao (to shine) or phaino (to bring light, cause to appear, shine, become visible or clear). This is to call out, summon, shout, address. It is making a sound whether of an animal, a person, or an instrument.
E “Jesus” = Iesous. From Hebrew Yehoshua (Joshua, the Lord is salvation); {from YHVH (proper name of the God of Israel; the self-existent and eternal one); {from havah (to become) or from hayah (to come to pass, become, be)} + yasha (to deliver, defend, help, preserve, rescue; properly, to be open, wide or free, which implies being safe. So, in a causative sense, this is to free someone)}. This is Jesus or Joshua in Greek – the Lord saves or the Lord is salvation.
F “asked” = eiron. This is to speak say, answer, command.

“AreG you the KingH of the Jews?”I 

Notes on verse 33c

G “are” = eimi. This is to be, exist.
H “King” = Basileus. Probably from basis (step, hence foot; a pace); from baino (to walk, to go). This is king, emperor, or sovereign.
I “Jews” = Ioudaios. From Ioudas (Judah, Judas); from Hebrew Yehudah (Judah, son of Jacob, his tribal descendants, a name for the southern kingdom. Literally, it means praised); probably from yadah (to throw one’s hands into the air in a gesture of praise); from yad (hand). This is Jewish, a Jew, or Judea.

34 Jesus answered,J “Do you askK this on your own, or did othersL tellM you about me?” 

Notes on verse 34

J “answered” = apokrinomai. From apo (from, away from) + krino (to judge, decide, think good, condemn, determine, pass judgment, stand trial, sue; judging whether in court or in a private setting; properly, mentally separating or distinguishing an issue – to come to a choice or decision, to judge positively or negatively in seeking what is right or wrong, who is innocent or guilty; can imply trying, condemning, punishing, or avenging). This is to reply or respond, to draw one’s own conclusions, to speak when one is expected to.
K “ask” = lego. This is to speak, say, name, call, command. It is generally to convey verbally.
L “others” = allos. This is other, another. Specifically, it is another of a similar kind or type. There is a different word in Greek that speaks of another as a different kind (heteros).
M “tell” = eiron. Same as “asked” in v33. See note F above.

35 Pilate replied,N “I am not a Jew, am I?O Your own nationP

Notes on verse 35a

N “replied” = apokrinomai. Same as “answered” in v34. See note J above.
O “not…am I” = meti. 17x in NT. From me (not, neither, never; rules out conditional statements and their implications) + tis (someone, anyone, anything). This is asking a question when you expect the answer to be no. It is if not, surely no. But it also keeps a small possibility floating – but could it be?
P “nation” = ethnos. Probably from etho (a custom or culture). This is people who are united by having similar customs or culture. Generally, it is used to refer to Gentiles. This is a tribe, race, nation, or Gentiles in general. This is where the term “ethnicity” comes from.

and the chief priestsQ have handed you overR to me. What have you done?”S 

Notes on verse 35b

Q “chief priests” = archiereus. From archo (to rule, begin, have first rank or have political power) + hiereus (a priest literal or figurative – of any faith); {from hieros (sacred, something sacred, temple, holy, set apart; something consecrated to God or a god)} This is a high or chief priest.
R “handed…over” = paradidomi. From para (from beside, by) + didomi (give, offer, place, bestow, deliver; give in a literal or figurative sense). This is literally to hand over – hence to deliver, abandon, or betray. It implies a personal involvement.
S “done” = poieo. This is to make, do, act, construct, abide, or cause.

36 Jesus answered, “My kingdomT does not belong to this world.U If my kingdom belonged to this world, my followersV would be fightingW to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.” 

Notes on verse 36

T “kingdom” = basileia. Related to “King” in v33. From basileus (see note H above). This is kingdom, rule, authority, sovereignty, royalty, a realm.
U “world” = kosmos. Perhaps from the base of komizo (to carry, convey, recover); from komeo (to take care of). This is order, the world, the universe, including its inhabitants. Literally, this is something that is ordered so it can refer to all creation. It can also refer to decoration in the sense that something is better ordered and, thus, made more beautiful. This is where “cosmos” and “cosmetics” come from.
V “followers” = huperetes. From huper (by, under, subordinate to another) + eresso (to row). This is originally a rower or someone who crewed a boat on the lower deck. It came to mean underling, servant, or attendant. It is also used in the New Testament of disciples under the gospel.
W “fighting” = agonizomai. 8x in NT. From agon (a gathering or contest – as an athletic competition such as a race; also conflict, struggle, opposition or a fight; used figuratively in a positive sense – as fighting the good fight of faith; used in a negative figurative sense for effort or anxiety; properly, refers to a place where people gather, which implies the game or contest); from ago (lead, bring, carry, drive, go). This is to struggle, strive, or fight. It could be contending to win a prize or against an adversary or in war. It can also mean striving to accomplish something. This is where the word “agonize” comes from.

37 Pilate askedX him, “So you are a king?”

Jesus answered, “You sayY that I am a king. For this I was born,Z

Notes on verse 37a

X “asked” = eiron. Same as “asked” in v33. See note F above.
Y “say” = lego. Same as “ask” in v34. See note K above.
Z “was born” = gennao. From genna (descent, birth); from genos (family, offspring, kin – in a literal or figurative sense); from ginomai (to come into being, to happen, become, be born; to emerge from one state or condition to another; this is coming into being with the sense of movement or growth). This is to beget, give birth to, or bring forth. Properly, it refers to procreation by the father, but was used of the mother by extension. Figuratively, this can mean to regenerate.

and for this I cameAA into the world, to testifyBB to the truth.CC

Notes on verse 37b

AA “came” = erchomai. Related to “entered” in v33. See note B above.
BB “testify” = martureo. From martus (a witness whether having heard or seen something; witness literally, judicially, or figuratively; by analogy, a martyr). This is to bear witness, testify, give evidence. It is to testify in a literal or figurative sense.
CC “truth” = aletheia. From alethes (true, unconcealed; true because it is in concert with fact and reality – attested; literally, what cannot be hidden; truth stands up to test and scrutiny and is undeniable, authentic). {from a (not, without) + lanthano (unnoticed, concealed)}. Truth is literally that which is not or cannot be concealed. This word covers more than the sense of true versus false. It spoke of truth as that which corresponds to reality – reality as opposed to illusion. Thus, it includes, sincerity, straightforwardness, and reality itself.

EveryoneDD who belongsEE to the truth listensFF to my voice.”GG

Notes on verse 37c

DD “everyone” = pas. This is all or every.
EE “belongs” = eimi. Same as “are” in v33. See note G above.
FF “listens” = akouo. This is hear or listen, but it also means to understand by hearing. This is where the word “acoustics” comes from.
GG “voice” = phone. Related to “summoned” in v33. See note D above.


Image credit: “Pilate Washing his Hands” – stained glass window at St. Laurentius in Oberderdingen, Germany. Photo by GFreihalter, 2011.

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