John 18:36

My kingdom (h basileia h emh). Christ claims to be king to Pilate, but of a peculiar kingdom. For "world" (kosmou) see John 17:13-18 . My servants (oi uphretai oi emoi). For the word see verse John 18:3 where it means the temple police or guards (literally, under-rowers). In the LXX always ( Proverbs 14:35 ; Isaiah 32:5 ; Da 3:46) officers of a king as here. Christ then had only a small band of despised followers who could not fight against Caesar. Was he alluding also to legions of angels on his side? ( Matthew 26:56 ). Would fight (hgwnizonto an). Imperfect middle of agwnizomai common verb (only here in John, but see 1 Corinthians 9:25 ) from agwn (contest) with an, a conclusion of the second-class condition (assumed as untrue). Christians should never forget the profound truth stated here by Jesus. That I should not be delivered (ina mh paradoqw). Negative final clause with ina mh and first aorist passive subjunctive of paradidwmi (see verses 1 Corinthians 28 36 ). Jesus expects Pilate to surrender to the Jews. But now (nun de). In contrast to the condition already stated as in 1 Corinthians 8:40 ; 1 Corinthians 9:41 ; 1 Corinthians 15:22 1 Corinthians 15:24 .