Pilate Asked ‘What Is Truth?’ but Walked Away from the Answer

John 18:38 NKJV

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.”

I. Pilate Asked 'What Is Truth?' (38^a)

See v38^a.

³⁸ Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?”

During the trial, Pilate asked Jesus, “What is truth?” The Jews accused Jesus of committing a crime. However, Pilate recognised the teacher in Jesus and seemed to seek understanding from Him. Similarly, during the Jewish trial, the high priest Annas questioned Jesus about His doctrine (John 18:19 NKJV). The high priest also recognised Jesus as a teacher and appeared to seek insight from Him.

Pilate asked a good question. “What is truth?”

‘Truth’ in Jesus’ Statements

• Jesus Himself Is the Truth (John 14:6)
  • “What is ‘truth’?” ‘Jesus’ is the answer.
  • Truth is the revelation of God (John 1:18 NIV). Jesus Christ reveals God the Father. He who has seen Jesus has seen the Father (John 14:9b, also see John 8:19b). Jesus Christ is the image of the invisible Father (Colossians 1:15 NKJV) and the exact representation of His being (Hebrews 1:3 NIV).
  • Truth is the reality as opposed to the Law being mere a shadow of the reality (Colossians 2:17, Hebrews 10:1).
• Truth comes from God’s Word and Spirit (John 17:17^b; John 16:13).
  • God’s Word is Truth (John 17:17^b).
  • The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth (John 16:13)
• Truth has liberating and sanctifying power (John 8:32; John 17:17^a).
  • Truth Frees People (from the Slavery of Sin) (John 8:32).
  • Truth Sanctifies them (John 17:17^a).
• Truth is central to worship and salvation (John 4:23; John 18:37).
  • Truth in Worship (John 4:23)
  • Truth Is Tied to Jesus’ Mission (John 18:37)

Truth as opposed to Grace

• Truth reveals and assures ‘what grace does’ such as forgiveness and gift.
• Truth is divine thought while grace is divine love. * Jesus Christ is the Word of God (Revelation 19:13, John 1:14).

Truth is as opposed to gnostic and all other heresy

II. Pilate Walked Away from the Answer (38^b)

See v38^b.

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.”

Pilate’s question indicated that he didn’t know the truth (=Jesus). But, Pilate didn’t wait for Jesus’ answer to his question. Perhaps he was primarily interested in whether Jesus posed a political threat. He then went out again to the Jews, and said, “I find no fault in Him at all.” However, later, Pilate committed the grave sin of handing Jesus over to be crucified (John 19:16). To avoid sinning, it would have been better for Pilate to follow and know Jesus (=the truth), and be set free from the slavery of sin (John 8:31-32).