Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

John 18:36

ἡ β. ἡ ἐμή. This emphatic form, ‘the kingdom that is Mine’ (see on John 8:31) prevails throughout the verse. ‘Υπηρέται must be rendered ‘servants,’ not ‘officers,’ although there is doubtless an allusion to the officials of the hierarchy (John 18:3; John 18:12; John 18:18; John 18:22; John 7:32; John 7:45-46; Matthew 5:25). In Luke 1:2 and 1 Corinthians 4:1, the only places in Gospels and Epistles in which the word is used of Christians, it is rendered ‘ministers,’ both in A. V. and R.V. ‘Officers’ would here suggest military officers. ‘The kingdom that is really Mine does not derive its origin (ἐκ) from this world (John 4:22; John 8:23; John 15:19; John 17:14; John 17:16; John 10:16): if from this world sprang My kingdom, then would the servants that are really Mine be striving’ (Luke 13:24; 1 Corinthians 9:25). For the construction see on John 5:46, and for τοῖς Ἰουδαίοις see on John 13:33.

νῦν δέ. The meaning of νῦν is clear from the context; ‘as it is, as the case really stands:’ comp. John 8:40; John 9:41; John 15:22; John 15:24. It does not mean ‘My kingdom is not of this world now, but shall be so hereafter;’ as if Christ were promising a millennium.

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Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

John 18:36

Old Testament

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