Jesus: My Kingdom Is Not Of This World

John 18:33-37

³³ Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews?
³⁴ Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me?
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.


This portion of scripture is among the most misunderstood in the Bible, as most believers take it to mean the world was not of interest to Jesus in regard to His ruling and reigning on it before the resurrection.

But when you look  the context, what Jesus was saying in verse 36 was in response to Pilate being puzzled as to why, if He were a king, He was standing before him individually without forces to back Him up. What He was obviously saying was the source of His kingdom wasn't of this world; it was from another realm and was something completely different from the kingdoms of this world. 

Jesus didn't come to fight to sit on top of the kingdoms of the world, as some think will happen after the resurrection. He came to replace the world governments with His own; meaning, they are called to submit to His rule now. Governments are called to operate in line with His law and commands, not natural law theory or laws based upon false gods. 

When you look at Jesus' response in verse 36, it makes little sense when considering what Pilate had just asked Him concerning what He had done. He saw what it was that troubled Pilate, and explained that, rather than answer the question concerning the reason He had been brought before Pilate. 

He was saying if His purpose was to conquer the kingdoms of the world by taking authority over them as they were, He could easily do that. That wasn't His purpose. His purpose is to permeate the world with His person and word, to the end of having it conform to His image. He has no interest in ruling corrupt kingdoms; He is remaking those that are willing to submit unto His rule now. That's why He referred to the source of His kingdom.

In that context it's easier to understand the importance and length, height and depth of the Great Commission (Mt. 28:20). We are called to teach the nations to submit to or observe, everything Jesus taught in His Word. That includes all areas of life, not just the church in the limited capacity people think of it as. 

No. The kingdom of Jesus isn't from this world, it far surpasses this world, and is completely different from it. It is an expression of who Jesus Christ is Himself, and that is what is meant to migrate from heaven to earth, as we're taught to pray to happen - "thy kingdom come they  will be done on earth as it is in heaven." (Mt. 6:10)

Jesus rules and reigns in heaven, and that is what is being worked out on the earth. His servants not fighting on behalf of Jesus wasn't a reference to abandoning the earth, it was a reference to His not fighting to take charge of the corrupted nations that now inhabited it. They weren't worth fighting for in order to stand on the top of them as King. He has something more comprehensive and important in mind, which was to fill the earth with His glory by converting people and by extension nations, to His will and kingdom. 

Again, He is birthing His kingdom among the kingdoms of this world, in order to transform them into His likeness, which means over time they will submit to His comprehensive rule. This of course goes beyond governing nations, but having all areas of life being governed by the written and living Word of God. That's our heritage. That's the great privilege we've been given to participate in.

Jesus will sit at the right hand of the Father until His enemies become His footstool. (Mark 12:36). He won't return until that becomes a reality on this earth. Let us submit individually and as churches, and then focus on our specific localities in teaching those we are in contact with and have an influence with, the commands and ways of Jesus Christ.