Commentary on John 18:33-37 - Working Preacher from Luther Seminary

Jesus’ kingship begins with the opening verse of the gospel of John: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (1:1).The evangelist continues the theme of Jesus’ kingship incarnate in human flesh: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; we have beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father” (1:14; RSV).In the verse immediately following our assigned text for Christ the King Sunday, Pilate responds to Jesus’ witness to his kingship, “What is truth?” (18:38).These verses (1:1, 14; 18:38) provide the framework of the text for Christ the King Sunday. What events in the gospel have led us to hear Jesus’ witness of his kingship to Pilate? “My kingship is not of this world; if my kingship were of this world, my servants would fight, that I might not be handed over to the Jews; but my kingship is not from the world” (18:36; RSV).Christ’s kingship is both hidden and revealed throughout the gospel of John. At Jes...