What does John 18:37 mean? (2024)

FAQs

What does John 18:37 mean? ›

Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.'” — John 18:37. If you asked people why Jesus was born, probably few would include the answer, “To testify to the truth;” however, Jesus told Pilate that He came into the world to communicate and demonstrate the truth.

In verse 37, Jesus tells Pilate that “Everyone who is of the truth listens to me”. According to Jesus, all who are of the truth listen to Him, look to Him as their source of truth, that truth is not so much something, but someone, that truth is not only a “what”, but a “who”.

In 1 Kings 18:37, Elijah is praying to the Lord as the people of Israel witness this miraculous display of divine power. His prayer is for the people to know that the Lord is the one true God and that He has turned their hearts back to Him.

Here, John uses the trial and crucifixion to display Jesus' kingship and the faithlessness of those who reject him. Jesus refuses to answer Pilate's charge of kingship directly. He states that his kingdom is “not from here” (John 18:36), which Pilate interprets to be an affirmation that Jesus is a king.

Jesus testifies to the truth that he is the king of the Jews, the promised Messiah. Jesus testifies through his words and through his act of obedience to God. Jesus' testimony is not merely an historical statement. It demanded a response from Pilate; it demands a response from us.

Pilate remained oblivious to Jesus's identity and purpose, and his line of questioning is rather revealing. He asked Jesus, “What have you done?” (John 18:35). Perhaps he expected Jesus to defend Himself against a common charge brought before a Roman court: insurrection.

ESV Pilate said to him, "What is truth?" After he had said this, he went back outside to the Jews and told them, "I find no guilt in him.

In the Bible, Baal is the name given to several different deities who are designated as false gods or idols. However, it is most often used to describe the specific Canaanite-Phoenician god of fertility and rain. Additionally, Baal is associated with Beezlebub, demons, and the devil.

God revealed Himself as He had earlier in Israel's history (Leviticus 10:1-2). He accepted the sacrifice of the nation symbolized by the 12 stones, the dust out of which He had created the people, and the 12 pitchers of water (1 Kings 18:38). The Israelites did turn back to God.

Elijah was a mighty prophet during a turbulent time in Israel's history. The nation had turned away from the Lord to worship Baal, and King Ahab had formed an alliance with Sidon by marrying their princess, Jezebel. Elijah was sent to show Israel the evil of their ways and encourage them to return to the Lord.

What is the sermon on John 18 37? ›

In this sermon on John 18:36–37 titled “The King and His Kingdom,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones preaches on the great truth that Jesus is the Son of God who came into the world to die for sinners. Jesus came to make all things new by His life, death, and resurrection.

When we understand that we are going to suffer, instead of complaining about it, we can look for ways to persevere and endure. As children of God, we need to remind one another that suffering in the lifetime is temporary, while the joy of Heaven is forever!

John 18:36 Teaches Us We Are Not to Live for This World

Our eyes are fixed on another kingdom, a kingdom to come. This is how Jesus taught us to pray. Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come.

In conclusion, John 18:37-38 delves into the nature of truth, the identity of Jesus as the King who testifies to the truth, and the different responses of individuals to His message. The passage emphasizes the significance of recognizing and responding to the truth that Jesus embodies.

John 18:37 (NIV)

Unbeknownst to him, even the unregenerate spoke correctly of our Lord's position! Jesus came not as a worldly king but a King over hearts and minds and souls. He did not come to wear a crown – save one of thorns – nor found an earthly monarchy rather to proclaim Truth.

In John 14:6 Jesus answered, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (New International Version). I believe we can say that truth, in the eyes of Jesus, is doing and being in God's will in a consistent and obedient manner.

In John 14:6 Jesus answered, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (New International Version). I believe we can say that truth, in the eyes of Jesus, is doing and being in God's will in a consistent and obedient manner.

Drawn from the pages of scripture: “TRUTH IS THAT WHICH IS CONSTANT WITH THE MIND, WILL, CHARACTER, GLORY AND BEING OF GOD.” 3. To the point: TRUTH IS THE SELF-EXPRESSION OF GOD. Therefore, without God, there is not truth to be known at all.

These two images occur together in the manifestations of the Holy Spirit. ... In the Holy Spirit, Christ fulfills these figures. The Spirit comes upon the Virgin Mary and "overshadows" her, so that she might conceive and give birth to Jesus. ( Lk 1:35)

John 16:13-15 New King James Version (NKJV)

However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.