What is the Truth?

“Pilate therefore said to Him, “Are You a king then?” Jesus answered, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” (38) Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?” And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews, and said to them, “I find no fault in Him at all.” John 18:37-38

This is an all too familiar passage with believers; we know of the questioning of Jesus by Pilate and have often wondered what was really going through Pilate’s mind when he was face to face with the Saviour.

Here standing before him is a true picture of the lamb being lead to slaughter. He is standing ministering to the one who will impose the force of Roman brutality upon Him. What a picture of our Saviour’s grace and love. With full knowledge, Jesus stands peacefully and confidently before Pilate, knowing that which lies ahead. We see in this conversation Jesus’ passion and commitment to the truth. “…Jesus answered, “…For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth…” Verse 37

Pilate’s answer to this statement is, “What is truth?” This suggests that he is either not clear that absolute truth exists or is stating a rhetorical question. It could be that perhaps that the world Pilate observed was oblivious or absent of truth. In turn, Jesus answers Pilate’s question with silence. Could be that Jesus knows the heart of Pilate, and the gulf that separates them was so great that the only answer to the question “What is truth,” can be nothing other than silence? Even Claudia, Pilate’s wife, had even had a dream about it. “When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, ‘Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.’ ” (Matthew 27:19). It’s as if God the Father was giving Pilate every chance to come to faith in Christ, perhaps planting seed for his future.

The question “What is truth?” is a question which people have struggled with and sought to answer in every way imaginable. Many today, when confronted by the truth of Jesus stand oblivious or worse yet threatened by what truth is. They have the choice to either embrace him or reject him. The forces that often surround men sadly drive their decision in the wrong direction. Jesus is standing by to offer all men the choice to accept Him, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16.

The truth is, “…It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4) God’s words are that which holds this world together, they mold and shape us into that which God would have us to be. They offer us salvation or they will be that which condemns us to an eternity of destruction if we reject Christ.

Pilate’s response to the silence was unfortunate for Jesus because after this conversation Pilate step back outside in a futile attempt to defend Jesus before the gathered mob. The mob reinforced their accusation against Jesus by implying, that Pilate’s attempt to free Jesus made him an enemy of Rome. With this possible threat confronting Pilate, he needed some immediate help. He needed an out, a loop hole if you will, to quickly separate himself from this mob and Jesus. In doing so he stepped his way into history as the one who judged the Saviour.