Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary John 18:36

"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." — John 18:36 (ASV)

Jesus asserted that his “kingdom” (GK 993) was not of this world because he had no military support and did not relate to any geographic locality. He did not, however, deny that “king” (GK 995) could be his proper title. He affirmed that his kingdom had a different origin and a different character from any that Pilate knew. Had he been an ordinary revolutionary, he would have offered armed resistance to those who took him captive.