John 18:34 Meaning and Explanation
“Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me?”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Jesus answers with a question: does Pilate ask this for himself, or only repeat what others have said?
What Does John 18:34 Mean?
Before confessing or denying kingship, Jesus asks what the word means in the mouth of the asker. On Roman lips, king means insurrection against Caesar; on the lips of the priests it carries the hope of Israel. The prisoner makes the judge define his terms — the steadiest voice in the praetorium is the man on trial.
It is a strange mercy: Jesus, on trial for his life, makes room for Pilate to ask honestly. He will not let the governor hide behind other men's words. He deals with every soul the same way still: reports and opinions about him abound, but at last the question comes to each of us directly, as it came to Pilate — whom say ye that I am? (Matthew 16:15).
Frequently Asked Questions About John 18:34
What does John 18:34 mean?
Jesus answers with a question: does Pilate ask this for himself, or only repeat what others have said?