Joh 18:37 | RWP | e4.org | Art thou a king then? ( ουκουν βασιλευς ε συ; ). Compound of ουκ and ουν and is clearly ironical expecting an affirmative answer, only here in the N.T., and in LXX only in A text in . Thou sayest that ( συ λεγεις οτ ). In ; ; , συ λεγεις clearly means "yes," as συ ειπας (thou saidst) does in (= "I am," εγω ειμ , in ). Hence here οτ had best be taken to mean "because": "Yes, because I am a king." Have I been born ( εγω γεγεννημα ). Perfect passive indicative of γενναω . The Incarnation was for this purpose. Note repetition of εις τουτο (for this purpose), explained by ινα μαρτυρησω τη αληθεια (that I may bear witness to the truth), ινα with first aorist active subjunctive of μαρτυρεω . Paul ( ) alludes to this good confession when Christ bore witness ( μαρτυρησαντος ) before Pilate. Jesus bore such witness always ( , ; ; ; ).

‏ John 18:37

Art thou a king then? ( ουκουν βασιλευς ε συ; ). Compound of ουκ and ουν and is clearly ironical expecting an affirmative answer, only here in the N.T., and in LXX only in A text in 2Ki 5:23.

Thou sayest that ( συ λεγεις οτ ). In Mt 27:11; Mr 15:2; Lu 23:3, συ λεγεις clearly means "yes," as συ ειπας (thou saidst) does in Mt 26:64 (= "I am," εγω ειμ, in Mr 41:62). Hence here οτ had best be taken to mean "because": "Yes, because I am a king."

Have I been born ( εγω γεγεννημα ). Perfect passive indicative of γενναω. The Incarnation was for this purpose. Note repetition of εις τουτο (for this purpose), explained by ινα μαρτυρησω τη αληθεια (that I may bear witness to the truth), ινα with first aorist active subjunctive of μαρτυρεω. Paul (1Ti 6:13) alludes to this good confession when Christ bore witness ( μαρτυρησαντος ) before Pilate. Jesus bore such witness always (Joh 3:11, 32; 7:7; 8:14; Re 1:5).