Jesus does not give a direct answer to Pilate’s question, What have you done? Rather, he describes the nature of his kingdom; though he is a king, his kingdom does not belong to this world (so also New English Bible, New American Bible, Barclay; Moffatt “My realm does not belong to this world”). Jesus’ statement is literally “my kingdom is not of this world” (see Jerusalem Bible “Mine is not a kingdom of this world”). Goodspeed translates “My kingdom is not a kingdom of this world”; the Living Bible has “I am not an earthly king.” Jesus is not denying that his kingdom exercises authority in this world; rather, he is affirming that the origin and nature of his kingly authority are not the same as those of the kings of this world. His authority is not of human origin, and the nature of his rule is different from that exercised by the rulers of this world. One may translate the whole of Jesus’ response: “My kingly authority does not have its origin in this world. If it did, my followers would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. No, my authority is not like that of earthly kings” (or “… No, my kingly authority does not have its origin in this world”). One may also translate: “I am not an earthly king. If I were, my followers would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. No, my kingly authority does not have its origin in this world.” On the other hand, it may be very difficult to speak of “kingly authority” or “having its origin in this world.” The closest equivalent in some languages may be “I am not like the kings who rule here in this world.” The rest of Jesus’ statement may then be rendered “If I were like kings who rule in this world, then my followers would fight in order not to have me handed over to the Jewish authorities.” Jesus’ final statement, No, my kingdom does not belong here! may then be rendered “No, I am not like those kings who rule here on earth.”

No translates “but now” of the Greek text, the same expression used in 8.40; 9.41; 15.22. Its force is to contrast the real situation with that presupposed by Pilate.

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on the Gospel of John. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1980. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .