John 18:38
Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all.
John 18:38
Pilate’s question, “What is truth?” sits at a pivotal moment in John’s Gospel. In the Roman court, truth is not merely a philosophical puzzle but something that must be discerned in the face of political expediency. Pilate has already found no fault in Jesus (John 18:38 says he finds no fault at all), yet the crowd presses for a verdict that aligns with their religious leaders and national hopes. The context is Passover, a time of heightened national-religious fever, when Rome’s peace is fragile and the religious authorities feel the threat of Jesus’ growing influence. Pilate’s question also exposes a deeper human posture: truth can be elusive when power and convenience weigh more than moral integrity. The scene contrasts Pontius Pilate’s administrative pragmatism with Jesus’ claim to a higher truth, which will unfold in the subsequent events of crucifixion.
Truth-telling and the rightful judgment of Jesus are central themes. John presents Jesus as the embodiment of Truth (John 14:6), while those around him reveal conflicting responses to truth—whether to accept it, manipulate it, or avoid it. Pilate’s dismissive, rhetorical question underscores humanity’s struggle to align power with truth. Theologically, this passage foreshadows the necessity of belief in Jesus as the truth who bears witness to God’s kingdom, even when it costs life, status, or safety. It also highlights the irony: the one who thinks he governs truth is blind to the Truth standing before him.
We, too, face pressures to compromise truth for convenience, popularity, or political gain. Consider the moment when you must choose honesty in a difficult conversation at work, in family life, or on social media. Do you defend someone who is vulnerable even if it costs you? Do you align with integrity even if it means losing an endorsement or a promotion? The call is to seek truth in love, to discern beyond “what feels right” to what aligns with God’s character. Practical steps: pause before decision-making, seek wise counsel, question motives, and practice truthful silence when truth-telling could harm unnecessarily—but also act with courage when truth will liberate others. Let Jesus’ example challenge you to pursue truth that honors God, even when it costs.
Cross-References
- John 14:6
- James 1:5-6
- 1 Timothy 6:12
- Proverbs 12:19
- 2 Corinthians 4:2