John 18:34
Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me?
Original Language Analysis
ἀπεκρίθη
answered
G611
ἀπεκρίθη
answered
Strong's:
G611
Word #:
1 of 15
to conclude for oneself, i.e., (by implication) to respond; by hebraism (compare h6030) to begin to speak (where an address is expected)
αὐτῷ
him
G846
αὐτῷ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
2 of 15
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 #:
3 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
4 of 15
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
ἀφ'
of
G575
ἀφ'
of
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
5 of 15
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
ἑαυτοῦ
thyself
G1438
ἑαυτοῦ
thyself
Strong's:
G1438
Word #:
6 of 15
(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc
λέγεις
Sayest
G3004
λέγεις
Sayest
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
9 of 15
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
Historical Context
Roman governors routinely faced accusations from provincial subjects. Pilate had to discern genuine threats from religious squabbles. His question about kingship was standard protocol for sedition cases, but Jesus's counter-question shifted the trial from legal proceeding to spiritual examination.
Questions for Reflection
- When you question Jesus, are you seeking truth or defending predetermined conclusions?
- How does Jesus's sovereignty remain intact even when he appears powerless?
- What does this exchange teach about the difference between political expediency and moral clarity?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me?—Jesus's response is not evasion but diagnostic inquiry. The Greek construction (ἀπὸ σεαυτοῦ σὺ τοῦτο λέγεις, apo seautou sy touto legeis) emphasizes "from yourself"—is Pilate asking from genuine political concern, or merely parroting the Jewish accusation?
This question probes whether Pilate seeks truth or performs theater. If Pilate asks personally, "king" means political revolutionary; if echoing Jewish charges, it means Messianic claim. Jesus, even in chains, remains the sovereign interrogator, exposing hearts. Throughout John's Gospel, Jesus never defends himself—he reveals others. This mirrors his later declaration: "For this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth" (v. 37).