Question by Carlito: A question for Jehovah’s Witnesses (others welcome) regarding the Watchtower interpretation of John 18:36…?
PLEASE read carefully before responding 🙂

The Watchtower prohibits involvement in this world’s political system for it’s adherents.

It repeatedly employs the above verse to support it’s stance.

Is it not the case that in doing so, the Watchtower has

ignored the context & background to Jesus’ statement, as found in the gospels?

In John 19:12, the Jews say to Pilate, “If you release this man, you are not Caesar’s friend. Everyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar.” They basically accused Jesus of being an insurrectionist.

Luke 23:2 – “We found this man misleading our nation and forbidding us to give tribute to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ, a king.”

Mark 15:26 – And the inscription of THE CHARGE against him read, “The King of the Jews.”

John 19:21 – So the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but rather, ‘This man said, I am the King of the Jews.'”

Was it not against this background

– that is, falsely accused under Roman law of sedition –

that Jesus statement, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, MY SERVANTS WOULD HAVE BEEN FIGHTING,”

was made?

Wasn’t Jesus statement a refutation of His accusers claim that He was looking to instigate a rebellion, rather than a prohibition of involvement in earthly politics?

Furthermore, please consider that two of Jehovah’s most renowned servants, Joseph and Daniel, were both involved at the highest level in the governments of Egypt and Babylon, respectively.

Your thoughts, please?

Thanks in advance for all polite and concise responses that address the scriptural references cited. All Bible quotes from ESV. Caps for emphasis.
Christ is the answer –

Good point about Esther.
Steinbeck11 –

Thanks for your time.

Are you completely ruling out the possibility that God could call someone into the political system for the execution of His purposes on earth today?

If so, which scripture categorically supports such a position? Background and context shows that it ISN’T John 18:36.

Thanks again. Caps for emphasis, btw.
everett –

Thanks for your time.

You wrote,

“Joseph and Daniel…were given certain duties within the governments where they were enslaved”

and

“They didn’t seek out a political position.”

The Bible teaches that both Joseph and Daniel’s entrance into the pagan political systems of the day were supernaturally facilitated BY GOD – Genesis 41:1-45, Daniel 2:1-49.

In other words, God called them into the political system and, particularly in Joseph’s case, used him PRIMARILY in regard to the administrative affairs of the land, for the good of PAGAN people (Genesis 41:46-56, esp. vv. 55, 57) as well as any Hebrews.

In fact, subsequent to Joseph’s political appointment, he did not prophesy in the Egyptian court again.

As a side note – on Daniel’s request, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were appointed “..over the affairs of the province of Babylon.” (2:49)

Cont…
Furthermore, everett –

The point of contention is not regarding the obvious imperfection of human political systems

but rather,

IN CONTEXT

whether or not Jesus’ statement in John 18:36 constitutes an explicit (or even implicit) prohibition of Christian entry into politics?

The answer is clearly NO.

Thanks again. All caps for emphasis.
Shell and Bambootiger –

Thanks for your time.

None of what you have written supports the WT position on John 18:36.

Steinbeck11 –

I hear what you are saying re we cannot legislate morality.

Perhaps it would be more accurate to say that we cannot legislate the INTERNAL morality that comes to hearts that receive God’s salvation and kingdom.

I’m no “right-wing fundamentalist,” and I ultimately look to the return of Christ and the establishment BY HIM of His righteous kingdom here on earth.

However, a DEGREE of moral conduct in society CAN be legislated through the political process. Just imagine if abortion was criminalised?

Also, the God-ordained authorities (ultimately headed up by politicians), exist to restrain evil & execute justice (Romans 13:1-7, esp. v.4). Can you imagine how much worse society would be without a police force, imperfect as it is?

Yes, the gospel is paramount, but God is also concerned for societal justice NOW.

Thanks again.
Rolando CI –

Thanks for your time.

Your argumentum ad hominem does little to conceal the weakness of your response, sir.

Your statement,

“people like you…want to find a justification to go and kill your neighbour”

is deeply offensive.

You don’t know me. There is nothing in my question or my additional comments to indicate that I am a murderer, which is essentially what you are saying.

So, on what basis do you judge me? Are you GOD, that you possess supernatural insight into the workings of my heart?

Shame on you 🙁

It’s a typical Watchtower tactic to attack the questioner, when one is unable to provide a substantial Biblical basis to support a position held.

“Politics and wars go hand in hand” betrays your ignorance of the political system, sir.

It was through the political system that Christian William Wilberforce worked for the abolition of slavery in the British Empire. If he had been a JW, many would probably still be in chains today.
Rolando CI –

Thanks for your time.

Your argumentum ad hominem does little to conceal the weakness of your response, sir.

Your statement,

“people like you…want to find a justification to go and kill your neighbour”

is deeply offensive.

You don’t know me. There is nothing in my question or my additional comments to indicate that I am a murderer, which is essentially what you are saying.

So, on what basis do you judge me? Are you GOD, that you possess supernatural insight into the workings of my heart?

Shame on you 🙁

It’s a typical Watchtower tactic to attack the questioner, when one is unable to provide a substantial Biblical basis to support a position held.

“Politics and wars go hand in hand” betrays your ignorance of the political system, sir.

It was through the political system that Christian William Wilberforce worked for the abolition of slavery in the British Empire. If he had been a JW, many would probably still be in chains today.
Phantom avatar –

Thanks for your time.

You wrote,

– And your statement “God is also concerned for societal justice NOW” is incorrect. There is no scriptural basis for that kind of thinking –

With all due respect, I beg to differ. Romans 13:1-6 clearly shows that God IS concerned with “societal justice NOW.” It is an indisputable, SCRIPTURAL fact.

I’ll let God’s word speak for itself.

Re your further comment –

My example of William Wilberforce disproves Rolando’s generalization that “Politics and Wars go hand in hand.”

It proves that good CAN be achieved through the political system, by means of the right people.

Thanks again.
Whoopsie –

Thanks for your time.

I’m not here to engage in childish exchanges of insults. I’m a Christian and TRUE Christians consistently display the fruit of the Spirit in their conduct.

The verses from Romans are clear enough. I’m content to let the Bible speak to those who wish to listen.

Thanks again.
Jacquie –

Thanks for your time.

None of those references provide anything like proof that Jesus was prohibiting involvement in politics.

Furthermore, Romans 13:1-6 shows that the “authorities” have been instituted, not by Satan, but by God.

v.6 shows that we pay taxes to “GOD’S public servants,” (NWT, caps emphatic).

Who do we pay taxes to, Jacquie?

The Government?

Which is comprised of…?

Satan may well have a limited amount of power in this world inasmuch as he holds sway over the minds of most of the world’s population (see Ephesians 2:2, 1 John 5:19)

– hence, “the god of this age” –

but ALL authority

“in heaven and on earth”

has been given to Jesus Christ, from His resurrection onward (see Matthew 28:18)

For the outworking of Jehovah’s purposes, Satan is permitted a measure of influence upon the world’s population, but JESUS CHRIST ultimately rules this world.

With all due respect, you are quite mistaken.

Thanks.
PS – Jacquie,

re the three refs which you quoted from John, which all refer to Satan as the “ruler” of this world –

These were all spoken PRIOR to Jesus’ death & resurrection and His subsequent installment as this world’s ruler (see the use of ‘arche’ in Revelation 3:14 – “the RULER of God’s creation”).

Please note that in 12:31, Jesus said that

“now the ruler of this world WILL BE CAST OUT,”

which points toward Satan’s loss of authority over this world, following Jesus death & resurrection.

Thanks again.

Best answer:

Answer by Christ is the Answer you seek™.
Let’s not forget Esther, who by virtue of her marriage to the king, used all the political knowledge and wherewithall to effect political change (the policy vs. Jews).

What about Paul? He used his rights as a Roman citizen to prevent being unlawfully executed.

How about Nehemiah who worked for the king?

Add your own answer in the comments!