Commentaries:
Robertson's Word Pictures (NT)
My kingdom (h basileia h emh). Christ claims to be king to Pilate, but of a peculiar kingdom. For "world" (kosmou) see John 17:13-18.
My servants (oi uphretai oi emoi). For the word see verse John 18:3 where it means the temple police or guards (literally, under-rowers). In the LXX always (Proverbs 14:35; Isaiah 32:5; 3:46) officers of a king as here. Christ then had only a small band of despised followers who could not fight against Caesar. Was he alluding also to legions of angels on his side? (Matthew 26:56).
Would fight (hgwnizonto an). Imperfect middle of agwnizomai common verb (only here in John, but see I Corinthians 9:25) from agwn (contest) with an, a conclusion of the second-class condition (assumed as untrue). Christians should never forget the profound truth stated here by Jesus.
That I should not be delivered (ina mh paradoqw). Negative final clause with ina mh and first aorist passive subjunctive of paradidwmi (see verses John 18:28, John 18:36). Jesus expects Pilate to surrender to the Jews.
But now (nun de). In contrast to the condition already stated as in John 8:40; John 9:41; John 15:22, John 15:24.
Other Robertson's Word Pictures (NT) entries containing John 18:36:
Matthew 26:52
Mark 15:2
Luke 12:14
Luke 23:4
John 18:28
John 18:36
Philippians 3:20
Revelation 22:5
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