King James Version

What Does John 18:37 Mean?

John 18:37 in the King James Version says “Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I bo... — study this verse from John chapter 18 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.

John 18:37 · KJV


Context

35

Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done?

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.

37

Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.

38

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 in him no fault at all.

39

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?


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Christ affirms His kingship while defining its purpose: 'to this end was I born...that I should bear witness unto the truth.' His kingdom is built on truth, not power. 'Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice' divides humanity into two groups: truth-lovers who recognize Christ's voice, and truth-rejecters who don't. This explains why some believe and others don't—it's a matter of spiritual orientation toward truth.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Pilate's cynical response (v. 38), 'What is truth?', reflects Roman pragmatism that valued power over principle. Greek philosophy debated truth's nature; Christ claims to embody it (14:6). This confrontation shows the gospel dividing people.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you see Christ's kingdom advancing through truth in a world that denies absolute truth?
  2. What does it mean practically to be 'of the truth' in contemporary society?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 43 words
εἶπεν1 of 43

said

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

οὖν2 of 43

therefore

G3767

(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly

αὐτῷ3 of 43

unto him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

4 of 43
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Πιλᾶτος5 of 43

Pilate

G4091

close-pressed, i.e., firm; pilatus, a roman

Οὐκοῦν6 of 43

then

G3766

is it not therefore that, i.e., (affirmatively) hence or so

βασιλεύς7 of 43

a king

G935

a sovereign (abstractly, relatively, or figuratively)

εἶ8 of 43

Art

G1488

thou art

Σὺ9 of 43

Thou

G4771

thou

ἀπεκρίθη10 of 43

answered

G611

to conclude for oneself, i.e., (by implication) to respond; by hebraism (compare h6030) to begin to speak (where an address is expected)

11 of 43
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Ἰησοῦς12 of 43

Jesus

G2424

jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

Σὺ13 of 43

Thou

G4771

thou

λέγεις14 of 43

sayest

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

ὅτι15 of 43

that

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

βασιλεύς16 of 43

a king

G935

a sovereign (abstractly, relatively, or figuratively)

εἰμι17 of 43

am

G1510

i exist (used only when emphatic)

ἐγὼ18 of 43

I

G1473

i, me

ἐγὼ19 of 43

I

G1473

i, me

εἰς20 of 43

To

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

τοῦτο21 of 43

this

G5124

that thing

γεγέννημαι22 of 43

born

G1080

to procreate (properly, of the father, but by extension of the mother); figuratively, to regenerate

καὶ23 of 43

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

εἰς24 of 43

To

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

τοῦτο25 of 43

this

G5124

that thing

ἐλήλυθα26 of 43

cause came I

G2064

to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

εἰς27 of 43

To

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

τὸν28 of 43
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

κόσμον29 of 43

the world

G2889

orderly arrangement, i.e., decoration; by implication, the world (including its inhabitants, literally or figuratively (morally))

ἵνα30 of 43

that

G2443

in order that (denoting the purpose or the result)

μαρτυρήσω31 of 43

I should bear witness

G3140

to be a witness, i.e., testify (literally or figuratively)

τῇ32 of 43
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀληθείας33 of 43

the truth

G225

truth

πᾶς34 of 43

Every one

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

35 of 43
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ὢν36 of 43

that is

G5607

being

ἐκ37 of 43

of

G1537

a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct

τῆς38 of 43
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀληθείας39 of 43

the truth

G225

truth

ἀκούει40 of 43

heareth

G191

to hear (in various senses)

μου41 of 43

my

G3450

of me

τῆς42 of 43
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

φωνῆς43 of 43

voice

G5456

a tone (articulate, bestial or artificial); by implication, an address (for any purpose), saying or language


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of John. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

John 18:37 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to John 18:37 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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