Commentaries:
People's Commentary (NT)
John 18:36 My kingdom is not of this world. It would be hard for Pilate to form any conception of a kingdom not of this world, a kingdom of which the subjects did not fight with carnal weapons to defend its king, or to extend its borders. He was a soldier and the representative of a monarch whose power rested on the sword. But such a kingdom was Christ's. It was not of this world, did not spring from it, was heavenly in its origin, and hence his servants would not fight that he should not be delivered to the Jews. (1) Christ's kingdom is supernatural, not of human origin. It is in the world, but not worldly. (2) It is maintained, not by carnal weapons, but by spiritual and moral means.
John 18:28-40 For notes on the trial before Pilate, see Matthew 27:1-25. Compare Mark 15:1-15 Lu 23:1-25. The first examination was at the house of Annas (John 18:13), where an officer had smitten Jesus (John 18:22). Then Annas sent him to Caiaphas (John 18:24). Still later he was tried before the Sanhedrin (Matthew 27:1) and condemned. Then he was led from Caiaphas to Pilate's judgment hall (John 18:28). The judgment hall. The praetorium, or official hall of the Roman governor. Lest they should be defiled. These Jewish leaders, filled with the hate of Christ, and ready to secure his judicial murder by the foulest means, were yet so scrupulous that they would not enter the house of a Gentile lest "they should be defiled" (see Deuteronomy 16:4), so that they would not be able to eat the passover. The Pharisees held that contact with a Gentile, or to enter his house was a source of defilement. Hence, this deputation of the Sanhedrin waited without, and Pilate "went out unto them" to ascertain their business. Men can be very religious and yet great sinners.
Other People's Commentary (NT) entries containing John 18:36:
Matthew 4:9
Matthew 27:11
Luke 23:1-25
Luke 23:4
John 18:28-40
John 18:36
1 Timothy 6:13
DISCLAIMER: Church of the Great God (CGG) provides these resources to aid the individual in studying the Bible. However, it is up to the individual to "prove all things, and hold fast to that which is good" (I Thessalonians 5:21). The content of these resources does not necessarily reflect the views of CGG. They are provided for information purposes only.