Matthew Henry Commentary John 18:33-40

"Pilate therefore entered again into the Praetorium, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews? Jesus answered, Sayest thou this of thyself, or did others tell it thee concerning me? Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done? 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. Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end have I been born, and to this end am I come into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice. Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find no crime in him. But ye have a custom, that I should release unto you one at the passover: will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews? They cried out therefore again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber.)" — John 18:33-40 (ASV)

Are you the King of the Jews? That King of the Jews who has been so long expected? Messiah the Prince; are you he? Do you call yourself so, and would you be thought so? Christ answered this question with another; not for evasion, but so that Pilate might consider what he did.

He never took upon himself any earthly power; no traitorous principles or practices were ever charged against him. Christ gave an account of the nature of his kingdom.

Its nature is not worldly; it is a kingdom within men, set up in their hearts and consciences; its riches spiritual, its power spiritual, and its glory within. Its supports are not worldly; its weapons are spiritual; it did not need, nor did it use, force to maintain and advance it, nor did it oppose any kingdom but that of sin and Satan.

Its object and design are not worldly. When Christ said, I am the Truth, he said, in effect, I am a King. He conquers by the convincing evidence of truth; he rules by the commanding power of truth. The subjects of this kingdom are those who are of the truth. Pilate put a good question; he said, What is truth?

When we search the Scriptures and attend the ministry of the word, it must be with this inquiry, What is truth? and with this prayer, Lead me in your truth; into all truth. But many put this question who do not have patience to persevere in their search after truth, or not humility enough to receive it.

By this solemn declaration of Christ's innocence, it appears that though the Lord Jesus was treated as the worst of evildoers, he never deserved such treatment.

But it unfolds the design of his death: that he died as a Sacrifice for our sins. Pilate was willing to please all sides; and was governed more by worldly wisdom than by the rules of justice. Sin is a robber, yet is foolishly chosen by many rather than Christ, who would truly enrich us. Let us endeavor to make our accusers ashamed as Christ did; and let us beware of crucifying Christ afresh.