John 18:28-38

New Testament for Everyone

Pilate and the Judaeans

²⁸ So they took Jesus from Caiaphas to the Praetorium, the governor’s residence. It was early in the morning. They didn’t themselves go inside the Praetorium. They were anxious not to pollute themselves, so that they would still be able to eat the Passover.

²⁹ So Pilate went outside and spoke to them.

“What’s the charge, then?” he asked. “What have you got against this fellow?”

³⁰ “If he wasn’t doing wicked things,” they replied, “we wouldn’t have handed him over to you.”

³¹ “Take him yourselves,” said Pilate to them, “and judge him by your own law.”

“We’re not allowed to put anyone to death,” replied the Judaeans. ³² (This was so that the word of Jesus might come true, when he had indicated what sort of death he was going to die.)

My kingdom is not from this world

³³ So Pilate went back in to the Praetorium and spoke to Jesus.

“Are you the King of the Jews?” he asked.

³⁴ “Was it your idea to ask that?” asked Jesus. “Or did other people tell you about me?”

³⁵ “I’m not a Jew, am I?” retorted Pilate. “Your own people, and the chief priests, have handed you over to me! What have you done?”

³⁶ “My kingdom isn’t the sort that grows in this world,” replied Jesus. “If my kingdom were from this world, my supporters would have fought, to stop me being handed over to the Judaeans. So then, my kingdom is not the sort that comes from here.”

³⁷ “So!” said Pilate. “You are a king, are you?”

“You’re the one who’s calling me a king,” replied Jesus. “I was born for this; I’ve come into the world for this: to give evidence about the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.”

³⁸ “Truth!” said Pilate. “What’s that?”

With those words, he went back out to the Judaeans.

“I find this man not guilty!” he said to them.