Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me?
Jesus stands bound as a prisoner in Pilate's judgment hall after the Sanhedrin has condemned Him and brought Him to Pilate for legal judgment, while the Jewish authorities press to have their sentence carried out and Pilate investigates the charges instead of merely accepting their demand for condemnation. The questioning to which John 18:34 belongs is part of that examination, and after asking what truth is Pilate leaves without waiting for an answer and declares that he finds no fault in Jesus. Behind what transpires in the judgment hall lies a larger conflict, for Jesus is in the hands of a lawless mob whose hearts are filled with a violence that only Satan can inspire. That violence flows from Satan's hatred for Christ because of His position in the courts of God, a hatred increased when Satan was dethroned and when Christ pledged Himself to redeem sinners, pursued from the manger to the cross in a constant striving to gain the mastery over Him, filling priests and rulers with hatred and joining his agents disguised in the robes of priests and rulers with the lowest and most degraded to take the life of the Son of God.
By His question Jesus asks Pilate whether his inquiry about kingship, Art Thou the King of the Jews, comes from Pilate's own judgment, inquiry, conviction and desire to know or only from what others have told him and from the accusations brought by others. The question thus distinguishes Pilate's personal understanding from the charge and turns him toward the source and meaning of the accusation. It is purposeful, meant to reveal to Pilate how his mind has been influenced, to learn whether he wants to receive light, to lead him to examine his own heart, and to give him opportunity to recognize the conviction stirring in him. Pilate's reply shows that the charge came from Jesus' own nation and its chief priests while Pilate weighs what they brought against Him.
Pilate is inwardly moved at the time, for though his mind is confused he longs to know the truth. Jesus' dignified bearing and calm self-control have won his respect and awakened a desire for clearer faith, while the Spirit of God strives with him so that he feels conviction and sees his heart opened. Pride overpowers that work of the Spirit, so instead of responding Pilate turns the question back to Jesus. His evasion leaves unanswered the opportunity to respond to the conviction stirring in him.
Jesus then explains that His kingdom is not worldly and that His servants do not fight to prevent His delivery, and that He was born and came into the world to bear witness to the truth which all who are of the truth hear. To this Pilate answers by asking what truth is and then leaves without waiting for an answer. The accusations rest on testimony that contradicts itself and has no value, so Pilate declares Jesus faultless and finds no fault in Him, yet offers to release Him at the Passover and yields when the crowd cries out for Barabbas the robber instead. This trial foreshadows the very experience God's people will have to pass through, watched by Christ who sees every circumstance of life with all things open before Him, who will sustain those who brace up for His sake as they stand on the elevated platform of eternal truth while every false platform is shaken to pieces, refuse to trust in man or afflict their souls over men's words, cling to the mighty One and lean wholly on Jesus, walk humbly before God, and grow strong by ever repeating how sure and steadfast is the truth as it is in Jesus, whose word is truth and power to every believing soul.
Jesus stands bound as a prisoner in Pilate's judgment hall after the Sanhedrin has condemned Him and brought Him to Pilate for legal judgment, while the Jewish authorities press to have their sentence carried out and Pilate investigates the charges instead of merely accepting their demand for condemnation. The questioning to which John 18:34 belongs is part of that examination, and after asking what truth is Pilate leaves without waiting for an answer and declares that he finds no fault in Jesus. Behind what transpires in the judgment hall lies a larger conflict, for Jesus is in the hands of a lawless mob whose hearts are filled with a violence that only Satan can inspire. That violence flows from Satan's hatred for Christ because of His position in the courts of God, a hatred increased when Satan was dethroned and when Christ pledged Himself to redeem sinners, pursued from the manger to the cross in a constant striving to gain the mastery over Him, filling priests and rulers with hatred and joining his agents disguised in the robes of priests and rulers with the lowest and most degraded to take the life of the Son of God.
By His question Jesus asks Pilate whether his inquiry about kingship, Art Thou the King of the Jews, comes from Pilate's own judgment, inquiry, conviction and desire to know or only from what others have told him and from the accusations brought by others. The question thus distinguishes Pilate's personal understanding from the charge and turns him toward the source and meaning of the accusation. It is purposeful, meant to reveal to Pilate how his mind has been influenced, to learn whether he wants to receive light, to lead him to examine his own heart, and to give him opportunity to recognize the conviction stirring in him. Pilate's reply shows that the charge came from Jesus' own nation and its chief priests while Pilate weighs what they brought against Him.
Pilate is inwardly moved at the time, for though his mind is confused he longs to know the truth. Jesus' dignified bearing and calm self-control have won his respect and awakened a desire for clearer faith, while the Spirit of God strives with him so that he feels conviction and sees his heart opened. Pride overpowers that work of the Spirit, so instead of responding Pilate turns the question back to Jesus. His evasion leaves unanswered the opportunity to respond to the conviction stirring in him.
Jesus then explains that His kingdom is not worldly and that His servants do not fight to prevent His delivery, and that He was born and came into the world to bear witness to the truth which all who are of the truth hear. To this Pilate answers by asking what truth is and then leaves without waiting for an answer. The accusations rest on testimony that contradicts itself and has no value, so Pilate declares Jesus faultless and finds no fault in Him, yet offers to release Him at the Passover and yields when the crowd cries out for Barabbas the robber instead. This trial foreshadows the very experience God's people will have to pass through, watched by Christ who sees every circumstance of life with all things open before Him, who will sustain those who brace up for His sake as they stand on the elevated platform of eternal truth while every false platform is shaken to pieces, refuse to trust in man or afflict their souls over men's words, cling to the mighty One and lean wholly on Jesus, walk humbly before God, and grow strong by ever repeating how sure and steadfast is the truth as it is in Jesus, whose word is truth and power to every believing soul.