John 18:33
Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews?
Original Language Analysis
εἰς
into
G1519
εἰς
into
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
3 of 21
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πραιτώριον
the judgment hall
G4232
πραιτώριον
the judgment hall
Strong's:
G4232
Word #:
5 of 21
the praetorium or governor's courtroom (sometimes including the whole edifice and camp)
πάλιν
again
G3825
πάλιν
again
Strong's:
G3825
Word #:
6 of 21
(adverbially) anew, i.e., (of place) back, (of time) once more, or (conjunctionally) furthermore or on the other hand
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
9 of 21
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐφώνησεν
called
G5455
ἐφώνησεν
called
Strong's:
G5455
Word #:
10 of 21
to emit a sound (animal, human or instrumental); by implication, to address in words or by name, also in imitation
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦν
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦν
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
12 of 21
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
13 of 21
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αὐτῷ
unto him
G846
αὐτῷ
unto him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
15 of 21
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
βασιλεὺς
the King
G935
βασιλεὺς
the King
Strong's:
G935
Word #:
19 of 21
a sovereign (abstractly, relatively, or figuratively)
Cross References
Mark 15:2And Pilate asked him, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answering said unto him, Thou sayest it.Zechariah 9:9Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.Matthew 27:11And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest.John 12:13Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.John 19:3And said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands.John 18:37Pilate 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.John 19:12And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar's friend: whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Caesar.Jeremiah 23:5Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.John 19:9And went again into the judgment hall, and saith unto Jesus, Whence art thou? But Jesus gave him no answer.John 12:15Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass's colt.
Historical Context
Pontius Pilate served as Roman prefect of Judea (AD 26-36). Roman law reserved capital punishment for the governor; the Sanhedrin needed Pilate's authority to execute Jesus. The charge shifted from blasphemy (religious, v. 30) to sedition (political)—claiming kingship threatened Roman order.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jesus's kingship challenge both religious hypocrisy and political power in your context?
- What does Pilate's private interrogation reveal about his conscience versus his political calculation?
- In what ways do you maintain "ritual purity" while compromising moral integrity?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Art thou the King of the Jews? (Σὺ εἶ ὁ βασιλεὺς τῶν Ἰουδαίων;)—Pilate's question uses the emphatic pronoun sy (you), expressing incredulity: "You—this bound prisoner—are a king?" The term basileus (king) carried political weight; Roman governors executed those claiming kingship as insurrectionists against Caesar.
The judgment hall (πραιτώριον, praitōrion) was the governor's official residence, likely Herod's former palace. Pilate entered privately, away from the Jewish leaders who remained outside to avoid ceremonial defilement before Passover (v. 28)—a tragic irony, maintaining ritual purity while engineering judicial murder. This interrogation reveals the collision between earthly political power and Christ's spiritual kingdom, foreshadowing his declaration: "My kingdom is not of this world" (v. 36).