This is what Jesus meant when He said "My kingdom is not of this world" (John 18:36)

[Spiritual Israelite]

I have seen a few false interpretations of John 18:36 being shared on this forum, so I thought I would show the correct interpretation of the verse.

John 18:36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.” 37 Pilate therefore said to Him, “Are You a king then?” Jesus answered, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.”

Some seem to think that what Jesus was saying here is that His kingdom is not here yet, but will come in the future. That is not at all what He was saying. Why would He tell Pilate that He was a king back then AT THAT TIME if His kingdom didn't exist yet? He was a king without a kingdom? Of course not.

What did He mean when He said His kingdom is not of this world? Some seem to think that He meant that His kingdom is not in the world now, but that's not what the phrase "not of this world" means. The following passages show where Jesus said He was not of this world and His followers were not of this world, yet they were in the world. So, being "not of this world" does not mean "not in this world".

John 15:18 “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.

John 17:4 I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15 I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. 18 As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.

In the same way that Jesus and His disciples were not of this world while being in the world, His kingdom is not of this world while being in the world. To be "not of this world" means to not do things according to this evil world's ways. His kingdom did not originate from this world and its evil ways. Instead, as Jesus said, it is "not from here". It is instead from heaven. His kingdom is a heavenly kingdom rather than a worldly kingdom and it is in the world on the earth that we are in right now because we are in the world right now and we are in His kingdom that did not come with observation (Luke 17:20) because it is a spiritual, heavenly kingdom rather than a worldly kingdom like the kingdoms of this world.

Colossians 1:12 and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. 13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves,

 

[Gottservant]

I think there is a spiritual wall, within the heart of every believer, between them and the world.

The kingdom we have, is what you get when you put all those walls together.

 

[Lizbeth]

I have seen a few false interpretations of John 18:36 being shared on this forum, so I thought I would show the correct interpretation of the verse.

John 18:36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.” 37 Pilate therefore said to Him, “Are You a king then?” Jesus answered, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.”

Some seem to think that what Jesus was saying here is that His kingdom is not here yet, but will come in the future. That is not at all what He was saying. Why would He tell Pilate that He was a king back then AT THAT TIME if His kingdom didn't exist yet? He was a king without a kingdom? Of course not.

What did He mean when He said His kingdom is not of this world? Some seem to think that He meant that His kingdom is not in the world now, but that's not what the phrase "not of this world" means. The following passages show where Jesus said He was not of this world and His followers were not of this world, yet they were in the world. So, being "not of this world" does not mean "not in this world".

John 15:18 “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.

John 17:4 I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15 I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. 18 As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.

In the same way that Jesus and His disciples were not of this world while being in the world, His kingdom is not of this world while being in the world. To be "not of this world" means to not do things according to this evil world's ways. His kingdom did not originate from this world and its evil ways. Instead, as Jesus said, it is "not from here". It is instead from heaven. His kingdom is a heavenly kingdom rather than a worldly kingdom and it is in the world on the earth that we are in right now because we are in the world right now and we are in His kingdom that did not come with observation (Luke 17:20) because it is a spiritual, heavenly kingdom rather than a worldly kingdom like the kingdoms of this world.

Colossians 1:12 and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. 13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves,

Amen....so many wonderful scriptures that we need to take to heart. The one where He was telling the Jews that His kingdom doesn't come with observation that we may say lo here it is or there but is within/among us really clinched it for me., along with 2 Peter 3 and 1Cor 15.

Something that came to me just recently is that ruling/reigning means to CONQUER other kingdoms and destroy them and take them over.....that's what kingdoms did in ancient times. That is why David and his army went around subduing/conquering the enemy heathen nations around Israel to make the kingdom of Israel great and glorious.....as an allegory for God's kingdom. And this is why we are more than CONQUERORS through Christ...it means we are ruling and reigning with Him in His kingdom.....CONQUERING. And it is on a spiritual level, not that we may observe it with natural eyes. Jesus on the cross sure didn't look like a conqueror yet it was the greatest victory and conquest ever accomplished or ever will be. God's ways are not man's ways.....they are much higher.

Thousand year reign/rule of Christ is also an allegory for rest I believe......like David and kingdom of Israel, a time came when they finally vanquished their enemies and had rest from their enemies round about. Warfare completed. The last enemy to be defeated is death. When we enter His rest, the enemy is subdued beneath our feet. It's a paradox I think...we have both entered His rest and also are at war until the last enemy is defeated. All things have been put under His feet, yet we do not yet see it.

 

[rwb]

What did He mean when He said His kingdom is not of this world? Some seem to think that He meant that His kingdom is not in the world now, but that's not what the phrase "not of this world" means. The following passages show where Jesus said He was not of this world and His followers were not of this world, yet they were in the world. So, being "not of this world" does not mean "not in this world".

John 18:36 (KJV) Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.

From the fall, all of humankind comes in/of/from/through this world! The Kingdom of God, being a spiritual reality is NOT of, nor does it come in/through/or from this world NOW. Why? Because the Kingdom of God shall never be destroyed, and this world is destined for destruction.

Luke 17:20-21 (KJV) And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

We cannot see or know the Kingdom of God because His Kingdom is SPIRITUAL, not a literal, physical Kingdom IN/ON/OF/OR FROM THIS WORLD!

The only way to know and enter the Kingdom of God that is NOW the spiritual Kingdom in heaven, "Ye must be born again"! When a man is born again they are still clothed in physical flesh, physically alive while living on THIS earth, but spiritually or through the Spirit of Christ in us, our residence spiritually speaking is in the Kingdom of God in HEAVEN! This is why from the vantage point of human flesh while on this earth, man cannot see, know, or enter the Kingdom of God. But we can know (see) and enter the Kingdom of God in heaven through the Spirit of Christ within us.

Colossians 1:13 (KJV) Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

When Christ says that His followers are IN the world but are not OF the world it was not to prove the spiritual Kingdom of God is in or on this world. He said this that we might understand that our focus and thoughts should not be on material, physical things that shall ALL pass away! Rather our focus and thoughts should be on the unseen things that are above, things of heaven. For that is the eternal home for all who have been born again. And when the spiritual Kingdom of God in heaven is complete, and the last trumpet sounds we (spiritual body/living souls) who are with the Lord in the Kingdom of heaven shall return with Christ clothed in immortal & incorruptible body of flesh to be with Christ forever on the New Earth, not this earth that now is slated for a fiery destruction.

 

[Lizbeth]

John 18:36 (KJV) Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.

From the fall, all of humankind comes in/of/from/through this world! The Kingdom of God, being a spiritual reality is NOT of, nor does it come in/through/or from this world NOW. Why? Because the Kingdom of God shall never be destroyed, and this world is destined for destruction.

Luke 17:20-21 (KJV) And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

We cannot see or know the Kingdom of God because His Kingdom is SPIRITUAL, not a literal, physical Kingdom IN/ON/OF/OR FROM THIS WORLD!

The only way to know and enter the Kingdom of God that is NOW the spiritual Kingdom in heaven, "Ye must be born again"! When a man is born again they are still clothed in physical flesh, physically alive while living on THIS earth, but spiritually or through the Spirit of Christ in us, our residence spiritually speaking is in the Kingdom of God in HEAVEN! This is why from the vantage point of human flesh while on this earth, man cannot see, know, or enter the Kingdom of God. But we can know (see) and enter the Kingdom of God in heaven through the Spirit of Christ within us.

Colossians 1:13 (KJV) Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

When Christ says that His followers are IN the world but are not OF the world it was not to prove the spiritual Kingdom of God is in or on this world. He said this that we might understand that our focus and thoughts should not be on material, physical things that shall ALL pass away! Rather our focus and thoughts should be on the unseen things that are above, things of heaven. For that is the eternal home for all who have been born again. And when the spiritual Kingdom of God in heaven is complete, and the last trumpet sounds we (spiritual body/living souls) who are with the Lord in the Kingdom of heaven shall return with Christ clothed in immortal & incorruptible body of flesh to be with Christ forever on the New Earth, not this earth that now is slated for a fiery destruction.

Amen, this world is temporal and appointed unto wrath. It has an end, as our physical bodies have an end.

Trying to get hold of what new heavens/earth signifies. Jesus said He goes to prepare a "place" for us....I don't believe it is in the physical earthly realm, but heavenly. It could also be a reference to our physical bodies being dissolved and receiving a new glorified/spiritual/heavenly body for our spirit to dwell in.

 

[rwb]

Amen, this world is temporal and appointed unto wrath. It has an end, as our physical bodies have an end.

Trying to get hold of what new heavens/earth signifies. Jesus said He goes to prepare a "place" for us....I don't believe it is in the physical earthly realm, but heavenly. It could also be a reference to our physical bodies being dissolved and receiving a new glorified/spiritual/heavenly body for our spirit to dwell in.

I appreciate what you've said, though I believe our resurrected body of flesh will be changed to immortal & incorruptible body of flesh that shall be made alive again through our eternal spirit that shall return with Christ. Just as the body at creation was a lump of clay without life before the breath of life (Spirit) was breathed into it, so too, our body of dust of the earth shall be made alive again through our eternal spirit.

Eternal life we receive the moment we have been born again is spirit, through the Spirit of Christ within us. Because it is the spirit in man that returns to God when our body dies. If we have died in faith, out spirit that ascends to heaven is as the angels of God, without human form. Because heaven is the spiritual habitation of God, the spiritual realm.

Ecclesiastes 12:7 (KJV) Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

Ecclesiastes 3:20-21 (KJV) All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again. Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth?

2 Corinthians 5:6-8 (KJV) Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

Philippians 1:20 (KJV) According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.

1 Corinthians 15:44 (KJV) It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 (KJV) But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

Isaiah 26:19 (KJV) Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead.

1 Thessalonians 3:13 (KJV) To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.

Matthew 27:52-53 (KJV) And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.

 

[Spiritual Israelite]

John 18:36 (KJV) Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.

From the fall, all of humankind comes in/of/from/through this world! The Kingdom of God, being a spiritual reality is NOT of, nor does it come in/through/or from this world NOW. Why? Because the Kingdom of God shall never be destroyed, and this world is destined for destruction.

Luke 17:20-21 (KJV) And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

We cannot see or know the Kingdom of God because His Kingdom is SPIRITUAL, not a literal, physical Kingdom IN/ON/OF/OR FROM THIS WORLD!

The only way to know and enter the Kingdom of God that is NOW the spiritual Kingdom in heaven, "Ye must be born again"! When a man is born again they are still clothed in physical flesh, physically alive while living on THIS earth, but spiritually or through the Spirit of Christ in us, our residence spiritually speaking is in the Kingdom of God in HEAVEN! This is why from the vantage point of human flesh while on this earth, man cannot see, know, or enter the Kingdom of God. But we can know (see) and enter the Kingdom of God in heaven through the Spirit of Christ within us.

Colossians 1:13 (KJV) Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

When Christ says that His followers are IN the world but are not OF the world it was not to prove the spiritual Kingdom of God is in or on this world. He said this that we might understand that our focus and thoughts should not be on material, physical things that shall ALL pass away! Rather our focus and thoughts should be on the unseen things that are above, things of heaven. For that is the eternal home for all who have been born again. And when the spiritual Kingdom of God in heaven is complete, and the last trumpet sounds we (spiritual body/living souls) who are with the Lord in the Kingdom of heaven shall return with Christ clothed in immortal & incorruptible body of flesh to be with Christ forever on the New Earth, not this earth that now is slated for a fiery destruction.

Agree. That's pretty much what I said, but just with some different words.