Interesting discourse, to say the least. I definitely understand the woeful limitations on the translation as it had passed from the various languages down to us and have been shown similar "translation" issues in the past.
But with this interaction between Jesus and Pilate was in the midst of political connotations and Jesus was taken to Pilate specifically because of his authority in the region at the time under the ruling authority of Caesar. But I was also contemplating that when Jesus speaks of the only power Pilate had was given to him by God could also allude to the premise that this temporary authority was permitted by God in order for various prophecies concerning the Messiah to be fulfilled. This would not legitimize governments but have them serve a purpose for the fulfillment of prophecy.
Another thought I had that supports your original premise about earthly governments is that I know this was not the original plan of God. The Bible is fairly clear, in my understanding, that God's original government design was an evolution from the priests of the Levi tribe to the judge system put into place. The only reason a king was ever appointed was because of the moaning and groaning (as usual lol) of the people. Only then did God permit a king to be appointed and also only after several admonitions that it would be a mistake.
Precisely! The state is and has always been an egregious error brought on by human hubris...
Human states are, in fact based on the very same sin Satan committed when he fell from grace; namely, aspiring to be like God.
You're also precisely right about this. God often through history uses fallen and corrupt human states to accomplish his purposes. The thing to bear in mind is exactly that this in no way legitimizes those evil beasts, nor does it constitute God's stamp of moral approval. This can easily be seen in that God subsequently judges such national behavior by destroying those nations.