Hi friends,
I’ve often heard Christians say, “Well, Jesus’ kingdom is not of this world,” as an excuse to avoid getting involved in different issues.
But when did Jesus say this? And what does it mean?
It comes from John 18:33-37 (CSB):
Then Pilate went back into the headquarters, summoned Jesus, and said to him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”
Jesus answered, “Are you asking this on your own, or have others told you about me?”
“I’m not a Jew, am I?” Pilate replied. “Your own nation and the chief priests handed you over to me. What have you done?”
“My kingdom is not of this world,” said Jesus. “If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would fight, so that I wouldn’t be handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.”
“You are a king then?” Pilate asked.
“You say that I’m a king,” Jesus replied. “I was born for this, and I have come into the world for this: to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”
To understand what it means that Jesus’ kingdom is not of this world, it’s essential to recognize the context.
Dr. Craig Keener explains, “The priests charge Jesus with claiming to be a king, which is a charge of treason against the emperor” (IVP NT Background Commentary).
Why? Because if this charge can be sustained before Pilate, then Jesus will face the death penalty.
However, Jesus is not guilty of that crime! As Pilate himself acknowledges, “I find no grounds for charging him” (verse 38).
Gerald Borchert gets to the heart of the issue:
There was no doubt what Jesus’ answer was intended to be. He certainly was a king! Indeed, he was born to be a king, even though he was not a king in the earthly sense. But his kingship was intimately tied to his mission. His coming into the world was to be a witness or testifier to the truth.
The theme of truth is a foundational idea in John. For Jesus and for John truth is not merely some intellectual concept of correct facticity. It also involves life-oriented integrity (New American Commentary).
So, what does it mean that Jesus’ kingdom is not of this world?
In the original context, all it meant was that Jesus was not claiming to be Caesar. He was not guilty of political treason.
However, that did not mean that Jesus was not interested in the decisions of politicians, the religious leaders, or the economic activity of Israel.
By saying that he was the King of Kings, who presents the truth that transforms our lives, he claimed a much higher authority.
Jesus’ kingdom may not be of this world, but it absolutely transforms how we live within it!
It’s interesting how we try to find ways to box Jesus out of our lives.
Pilate wanted Jesus to be a religious leader so he didn’t have to deal with him as a political leader. The religious leaders wanted Jesus to be about politics so they didn’t have to deal with his religious claims.
Do we want Jesus’ kingdom to not be about this world so we can dismiss his claims for our lives?
Are we using the Bible to avoid discipleship?
Once we see what Jesus’ claim means, we’ll stop using “not of this world” as an excuse to disengage, and start seeing it as a call to kingdom-minded engagement in every sphere of life.
It’s precisely because Jesus’ kingdom is not of this world that it calls us to a higher ethic as we live as citizens of God’s kingdom!
Whether you’re participating in business, education, healthcare, politics, or the arts, with family or friends, at play or at work, Jesus’ kingdom has a claim on our lives.
The next time someone justifies disengagement by saying Jesus’ kingdom is ‘not of this world,’ we can humbly but firmly respond: ‘That’s right! And because Jesus is the King of Kings, his truth transforms everyone and everything!’"
Instead of compartmentalizing our faith, let’s ask these questions:
- Where am I boxing Jesus out of my life?
- How do I use this phrase to avoid the challenge of loving my neighbors?
- What would it look like to represent the life-changing truth of Jesus (who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life) in my daily life?
The question isn’t whether Jesus’ kingdom is of this world.
The question is: Will we live as citizens of His kingdom in everything we do?