Bible Strands
John 18:37
“Then You are a king!” Pilate said. “You say that I am a king,” Jesus answered. “For this reason I was born and have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to My voice.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jesus answers Pilate during the Roman trial, immediately after declaring His kingdom is not of this world (v.36). Pilate draws the inference that Jesus is a king.
The words — οὐκοῦν (oukoun), "then/therefore," marks Pilate's statement as a conclusion drawn from Jesus's prior words rather than an open question.
The thread — The link between belonging and hearing recurs in John 8:47 ("Whoever belongs to God hears the words of God") and 1 John 4:6 ("Whoever knows God listens to us").
Why it lands — The verse makes hearing a test of allegiance: you either belong to the truth and listen, or you do not. It offers no middle ground of polite curiosity.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Pilate 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.
Cross-references
- John 8:47 Whoever belongs to God hears the words of God. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.”
- 1 John 4:6 We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. That is how we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of deception.
- John 8:14 Jesus replied, “Even if I testify about Myself, My testimony is valid, because I know where I came from and where I am going. But you do not know where I came from or where I am going.
- John 10:26 But because you are not My sheep, you refuse to believe.
- 1 John 3:19 And by this we will know that we belong to the truth, and will assure our hearts in His presence:
- John 14:6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
- Isaiah 55:4 Behold, I have made him a witness to the nations, a leader and commander of the peoples.
- John 7:17 If anyone desires to do His will, he will know whether My teaching is from God or whether I speak on My own.
- Mark 15:2 So Pilate questioned Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” “You have said so,” Jesus replied.
- Luke 23:3 So Pilate asked Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” “You have said so,” Jesus replied.