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<DIV><FONT size=4>John's gospel does not feature the kingdom of God; nor does he
focus upon Christ's claim to be the coming king—until chapter 18. Whereas
Matthew, Mark and Luke from the very beginning of their gospels describe Jesus
proclaiming the imminence of the kingdom of heaven—the miracles of Christ as
signs of the kingdom breaking-in to history—the parables (which are completely
absent from John's gospel)—as parables of the kingdom, John only mentions the
words "king" and "kingdom" six times prior to chapter 18. The kingdom of God and
the kingship of Christ are written boldly over the first three gospels. But
John's gospel is remarkable for few references to this theme—until chapter 18;
and then, in the short space of two chapters, the words "king" and "kingdom"
literally explode on the page.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><A
href="http://www.kerux.com/documents/KeruxV5N2A2.asp">http://www.kerux.com/documents/KeruxV5N2A2.asp</A></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><FONT size=4></FONT></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4>James T. Dennison, Jr.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4>- - - - -</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4>...Jesus qualifies his reply to make clear to Pilate that he
is no political revolutionary: <B>his kingdom is not of this world</B>. This
recalls Jesus’ prayer concerning his disciples in 17:11 and 16: both he and his
disciples are <B>in</B> the world, but are not <B>of</B> the world. Jesus’
kingdom is a <B>heavenly</B> kingdom; it does not arise from the world but
<B>breaks in from outside the world</B>, just as Jesus himself came down from
heaven on a mission from the Father (cf. 1:14, 3:17, 16:28, etc.).</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><A
href="http://bible.org/seriespage/exegetical-commentary-john-18">http://bible.org/seriespage/exegetical-commentary-john-18</A></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><FONT size=4></FONT></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4>W. Hall Harris, III</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4>- - - - -</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4>Pilate was listening carefully to what Jesus said. He drew the
correct inference: “So then, you really <I>are</I> a King!” Jesus replies in a
way that clearly indicates this is true: “<B>You say that I am a King …</B>” In
more contemporary terminology, we would say, “You said it!” The Lord’s meaning
is therefore something like this: “You are absolutely right that I am a King!”
His “kingdom” is centered around revelation, not revolution; around truth, not
treason. Jesus was a teacher, not a traitor. This was the purpose for His
incarnation; this was His mission in life—to testify to the truth. And everyone
who embraces Him as the promised Messiah (who “<B>belongs to the truth</B>”)
listens to His voice.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><A
href="http://bible.org/seriespage/jesus-pilate-part-i-john-1828-38"><FONT
size=4>http://bible.org/seriespage/jesus-pilate-part-i-john-1828-38</FONT></A></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4>Robert Deffinbaugh </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4>- - - - - </FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4>John’s account of the trial and crucifixion of our Lord
depicts the sin and guilt of Pilate, the Roman soldiers, the Jews, and even (to
some degree) the disciples—especially Peter. The purpose of this lesson is to
consider the condemnation of Jesus as John portrays it, so that we see the guilt
of Jews and Gentiles alike. No one but our Lord comes out of this looking
good.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><A
href="http://bible.org/seriespage/jesus-pilate-part-ii-john-182882111916">http://bible.org/seriespage/jesus-pilate-part-ii-john-182882111916</A></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4>Robert Deffinbaugh </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4>- - - - - </FONT></DIV></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4></FONT> </DIV></FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>