Translation commentary on John 18:33

Called Jesus is literally “called Jesus and said to him,” which reflects the Semitic redundancy used to introduce direct discourse.

Even though the Greek text literally says called Jesus (many translations “summoned Jesus”), the meaning is best expressed as “had Jesus brought to him.” Called Jesus must be rendered in the sense of “summoned Jesus before him” or “commanded Jesus to be brought before him” or “commanded soldiers to lead Jesus in front of him.”

According to the Gospel accounts, the first thing Pilate said to Jesus was Are you king of the Jews? this is the first time in John’s Gospel that Jesus is referred to as “the king of the Jews” (but see 1.49, where he is designated the King of Israel). This designation will play an important part in what follows (note 18.33-37,39; 19.3,12,15,19-22). In Pilate’s question the pronoun you is emphatic and may be used scornfully.

In languages which have no special term for king it is always possible to use a verb meaning “ordering” or “ruling,” for example, “Are you the one who rules over the Jews?” or “Are you the one who commands the Jews?”

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 .

SIL Translator’s Notes on John 18:33

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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