Paragraph 18:33–35
Pilate was trying to decide what to do with Jesus, so he asked him questions.
18:33a
The Greek begins this verse with a conjunction that indicates a return to the main story after the parenthetical information in 18:32. Indicate the return to the main story in a way that is natural in your language. If you put 18:32 in parentheses, that may be all that you need to do. It can also indicate that 18:33 is the result of what happened in 18:31, before the parenthetical information. Here are other ways to translate this word to indicate a result:
So (NET Bible)
-or-
As a result
Pilate went back into the Praetorium: Pilate had been outside talking to Jesus’ accusers. He now went back into the building where he lived. Translate the Praetorium as you did in 18:28. For example:
Pilate then went back inside the palace (New International Version)
-or-
Pilate then returned to his own house/palace/mansion.
18:33b
summoned Jesus: This phrase indicates that Pilate told some of the soldiers or guards to bring Jesus to him. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:
called Jesus to him (New Century Version)
-or-
called for Jesus to be brought to him (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
ordered that Jesus be brought to him
18:33c
Are You the King of the Jews?: This question of Pilate is exactly the same in all four gospels (see also Matthew 27:11, Mark 15:2, and Luke 23:3). John does not report that Jesus’ accusers said that Jesus said that he was the King of the Jews. However, Luke reports that they said that (Luke 23:2). In saying that, they accused Jesus of rebelling against Roman rule. Pilate wanted to know if Jesus really called himself the King of the Jews. This is a real question. Use the type of question that a judge might ask an accused person in court.
You: This pronoun is singular and refers to Jesus. The Greek text emphasizes this pronoun, which indicates surprise and perhaps scorn.
the King of the Jews: This phrase means “the ruler of the Jewish people.” A person who called himself this would be declaring his right and authority to rule the Jews. The Roman authorities could not allow this to happen. See how you translated this phrase in Matthew 27:37, Mark 15:9, and Luke 23:3, and the similar title in 1:49 “the king of Israel.” Here are other ways to translate this phrase:
the king/ruler of the Jewish people
-or-
the one who rules the Jews
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