What Is Truth? – The Trial Before Pilate

[bdavidc]

Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world, to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” Pilate said to him, “What is truth?” After he had said this, he went back outside to the Jews and told them, “I find no guilt in him. ~ John 18:37-38

When Jesus stood before Pontius Pilate, He was not standing as a helpless victim but as the sovereign Son of God fulfilling the very reason He came into the world. In John 18:37–38, we read a powerful exchange: “Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice. Pilate saith unto him, What is truth?”

That one cynical question, “What is truth?” captures the tragic heart of spiritual blindness. Pilate, faced with the very embodiment of truth standing before him, could not recognize it. He wasn’t sincerely searching. His words dripped with frustration and unbelief, showing that he had no interest in the truth Jesus offered. This is what separates those who belong to God from those who are lost: “Everyone that is of the truth heareth my voice.” If someone rejects the voice of Jesus, they are not of the truth, no matter how religious or powerful they seem (John 10:26–27).

Right after this exchange, Pilate did something remarkable: he went back to the Jews and declared, “I find in him no fault at all” (John 18:38). This confirms the innocence of Christ, not only in the eyes of God but even before the corrupt judgment of Rome. Jesus had committed no sin, no crime, no offense. Yet both the Jewish leaders and the Roman authorities pushed forward with His execution. The perfect, sinless Son of God was condemned by guilty men, fulfilling the Scriptures that said He would be “numbered with the transgressors” (Isaiah 53:12) though He had “done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth” (Isaiah 53:9).

This trial scene is not just a moment of injustice. It is a divine spotlight on the world’s rejection of truth. Jesus came to bear witness to the truth, the truth about God, about man’s sin, about judgment, and about salvation. And when the world looked that truth in the face, they crucified it. But for those who belong to God, His voice still calls out, and His truth still shines.

God did not leave truth open to human opinion. He gave us His Word in the Bible. Jesus said in prayer to the Father, “Thy word is truth” (John 17:17). Every word of Scripture is breathed out by God (2 Timothy 3:16), and those who reject the Bible are rejecting the very truth of the God who gave it. If someone says they believe in God but denies the truth of His Word, they do not believe in the one true God at all. They have created a false god of their own making. God’s truth is not negotiable, and it is not hidden. It is written clearly in the pages of Scripture, and only those who humble themselves before it will ever know Him.

The question is not whether truth exists. It does. The question is whether we will receive it. “Sanctify them through thy truth, thy word is truth” (John 17:17). If we reject that, we reject Him. If we hear Him, we prove we are of the truth. There is no middle ground.

 

[Sabé]

Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?”

Pilate wanted to know whether Jesus was a king. In his ironic pagan skepticism he wanted to have a little laugh at that royalty that rides a donkey, that has bare-footed children, smiling women and common men as courtiers, at that royalty that for three years has preached that it has no interest in riches and power and that speaks of no conquests but those of the spirit and the soul. What is the soul for a heathen? Not even his gods have souls. And can man have it? Also now this king with no crown, with no palace, with no court, with no soldiers, repeats to him that His kingdom is not of this world. So much so that no minister and no army rises to defend their king and free Him from His enemies.

Pilate, sitting on his seat, scrutinises Jesus, because He is an enigma to him. If he cleared his soul of human cares, of the pride of his office, of the error of heathenism, he would understand at once Who He is. But how can light enter where too many things obstruct the openings preventing light from entering? It is always like that. Even now. How can God and His light enter where there is no more room for them, and doors and windows are closed and defended by pride, by humanity, by vice, by usury, by so many guards at the service of Satan against God? Pilate cannot understand what His Kingdom is. And what is more painful, he does not ask Him to explain it to him. To His invitation to know the Truth, he, the untameable heathen, replies: "What is the truth?" and with a shrug of his shoulders he lets the matter drop.

To the Pilates of the present times, you, like Pontius Pilate, let the most vital matters drop with a shrug of your shoulders. You consider them useless old-fashioned things. What is the Truth? Money? No. Women? No. Power? No. Physical health? No. Human glory? No. Then forget about it. It is not worth running after a chimera. Money, women, power, good health, comforts, honours are the real useful things that one must love and attain at all costs. That is how you reason. And, worse than Esau, you barter eternal goods for coarse food that is harmful both to your physical health and to your eternal salvation. Why do you not persist in asking: "What is the Truth "? It, the Truth, asks for nothing but to be known in order to teach what it is. It is before you as it was for Pilate, and looks at you with eyes full of suppliant love, imploring you: "Question me. I will teach you." As Jesus looked at PIlate, He looks at all of you in the same way. And if He looks with serene love at those who love Him and ask for His words, He casts glances of sorrowful love at those who do not love Him, do not seek Him, do not listen to Him. But it is always love, because Love is His nature.

Then, Pilate leaves Jesus where He is, without asking more questions, and he goes towards the wicked people who speak in coarser voices and impose themselves through their violence. And he, a real wretch, listens to them, whilst he did not listen to Jesus and shrugging his shoulders he declined His invitation to become acquainted with the Truth. He listens to Falsehood. Idolatry, whatever its form may be, is always inclined to venerate and accept Falsehood, whatever it may be. And Falsehood, when accepted by the weak, leads the weak to crime. And yet Pilate, on the threshold of crime, still wants to save Jesus and he tries twice. It is at this point that he sends Jesus to Herod. He knows very well that the shrewd king, who keeps in with both Rome and his people, will act in such a way as not to damage Rome and not irritate the Jewish people. But, like all weak people, he puts off for a little while the decision that he does not feel like taking, hoping that the plebeian rising will abate.

Jesus said: "When you speak say 'Yes ' if you mean yes, 'No ' if you mean no. " But he did not hear that, and if somebody repeated it to him, he shrugged his shoulders as usual. In order to succeed in the world, to have honours and profits, it is necessary to be able to make a no of a yes and a yes of a no, according to what common sense (read: human sense) advises. How many Pilates there are in the twentieth century! Where are the Christian heroes who said yes, constantly yes, to the Truth and for the sake of the Truth, and no, constantly no, to Falsehood? Where are the heroes who are able to face danger and events with brave strength and tranquil quickness and do not postpone, because Good is to be accomplished at once and evil shunned at once, without "buts " and "ifs"? (PV5)

 

[bdavidc]

Pilate wanted to know whether Jesus was a king. In his ironic pagan skepticism he wanted to have a little laugh at that royalty that rides a donkey, that has bare-footed children, smiling women and common men as courtiers, at that royalty that for three years has preached that it has no interest in riches and power and that speaks of no conquests but those of the spirit and the soul. What is the soul for a heathen? Not even his gods have souls. And can man have it? Also now this king with no crown, with no palace, with no court, with no soldiers, repeats to him that His kingdom is not of this world. So much so that no minister and no army rises to defend their king and free Him from His enemies.

Pilate, sitting on his seat, scrutinises Jesus, because He is an enigma to him. If he cleared his soul of human cares, of the pride of his office, of the error of heathenism, he would understand at once Who He is. But how can light enter where too many things obstruct the openings preventing light from entering? It is always like that. Even now. How can God and His light enter where there is no more room for them, and doors and windows are closed and defended by pride, by humanity, by vice, by usury, by so many guards at the service of Satan against God? Pilate cannot understand what His Kingdom is. And what is more painful, he does not ask Him to explain it to him. To His invitation to know the Truth, he, the untameable heathen, replies: "What is the truth?" and with a shrug of his shoulders he lets the matter drop.

To the Pilates of the present times, you, like Pontius Pilate, let the most vital matters drop with a shrug of your shoulders. You consider them useless old-fashioned things. What is the Truth? Money? No. Women? No. Power? No. Physical health? No. Human glory? No. Then forget about it. It is not worth running after a chimera. Money, women, power, good health, comforts, honours are the real useful things that one must love and attain at all costs. That is how you reason. And, worse than Esau, you barter eternal goods for coarse food that is harmful both to your physical health and to your eternal salvation. Why do you not persist in asking: "What is the Truth "? It, the Truth, asks for nothing but to be known in order to teach what it is. It is before you as it was for Pilate, and looks at you with eyes full of suppliant love, imploring you: "Question me. I will teach you." As Jesus looked at PIlate, He looks at all of you in the same way. And if He looks with serene love at those who love Him and ask for His words, He casts glances of sorrowful love at those who do not love Him, do not seek Him, do not listen to Him. But it is always love, because Love is His nature.

Then, Pilate leaves Jesus where He is, without asking more questions, and he goes towards the wicked people who speak in coarser voices and impose themselves through their violence. And he, a real wretch, listens to them, whilst he did not listen to Jesus and shrugging his shoulders he declined His invitation to become acquainted with the Truth. He listens to Falsehood. Idolatry, whatever its form may be, is always inclined to venerate and accept Falsehood, whatever it may be. And Falsehood, when accepted by the weak, leads the weak to crime. And yet Pilate, on the threshold of crime, still wants to save Jesus and he tries twice. It is at this point that he sends Jesus to Herod. He knows very well that the shrewd king, who keeps in with both Rome and his people, will act in such a way as not to damage Rome and not irritate the Jewish people. But, like all weak people, he puts off for a little while the decision that he does not feel like taking, hoping that the plebeian rising will abate.

Jesus said: "When you speak say 'Yes ' if you mean yes, 'No ' if you mean no. " But he did not hear that, and if somebody repeated it to him, he shrugged his shoulders as usual. In order to succeed in the world, to have honours and profits, it is necessary to be able to make a no of a yes and a yes of a no, according to what common sense (read: human sense) advises. How many Pilates there are in the twentieth century! Where are the Christian heroes who said yes, constantly yes, to the Truth and for the sake of the Truth, and no, constantly no, to Falsehood? Where are the heroes who are able to face danger and events with brave strength and tranquil quickness and do not postpone, because Good is to be accomplished at once and evil shunned at once, without "buts " and "ifs"? (PV5)

I appreciate your interest in reflecting on the trial of Jesus before Pilate, but I need to be honest, much of what you’ve shared goes far beyond what the Bible actually says. It mixes truth with imagination, and that’s where we have to be careful. Scripture warns, “Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar” (Proverbs 30:6). When we start inserting fictional emotions, speculative motives, and poetic commentary into the biblical record, we risk presenting a false picture of Christ and His gospel.

Pilate wasn’t portrayed in Scripture as someone mocking Jesus with sarcasm or philosophical disdain. The Bible shows that he was confused, hesitant, and even convinced of Jesus’ innocence (John 18:38, Luke 23:4). He marveled greatly at Jesus’ silence (Matthew 27:14). That’s a far cry from the image painted here of a cynical pagan laughing at the Lord.

Also, portraying Jesus as someone “casting glances of sorrowful love” and silently begging people to ask Him about truth is not how the Bible presents Him. Jesus boldly declared, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6), and commanded, “Repent, and believe the gospel” (Mark 1:15). He didn’t implore people with poetic emotion, He confronted them with truth and called them to decision.

We live in a time when people are already drowning in emotional, man-centered messages. What they need is not commentary, but the pure Word of God, the sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17). I say this not to be critical, but to contend for the faith once delivered to the saints (Jude 1:3). Let’s stick to what is written. That’s where the real power and truth is.

 

[David Lamb]

What I've shared is from Jesus's commentary on His interaction with Pilate, spoken on March 10th, 1944. I'll stick to what is spoken by the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, wherever and in whatever form Their words are found, because They are where the real power and truth are.



Correct, but God doesn't prohibit Himself from filling in the omissions and gaps within Scripture, repeating, or revealing truths previously unknown, and so on.

Sorry, what commentary by Jesus on His interaction with Pilate? I see from your link that it comes from "Poem of The Man-God" by Maria Valtorta. I think it is vital that we get back to the bible for the truth.

 

[Manasseh]

I appreciate your interest in reflecting on the trial of Jesus before Pilate, but I need to be honest, much of what you’ve shared goes far beyond what the Bible actually says. It mixes truth with imagination, and that’s where we have to be careful. Scripture warns, “Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar” (Proverbs 30:6). When we start inserting fictional emotions, speculative motives, and poetic commentary into the biblical record, we risk presenting a false picture of Christ and His gospel.

Pilate wasn’t portrayed in Scripture as someone mocking Jesus with sarcasm or philosophical disdain. The Bible shows that he was confused, hesitant, and even convinced of Jesus’ innocence (John 18:38, Luke 23:4). He marveled greatly at Jesus’ silence (Matthew 27:14). That’s a far cry from the image painted here of a cynical pagan laughing at the Lord.

Also, portraying Jesus as someone “casting glances of sorrowful love” and silently begging people to ask Him about truth is not how the Bible presents Him. Jesus boldly declared, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6), and commanded, “Repent, and believe the gospel” (Mark 1:15). He didn’t implore people with poetic emotion, He confronted them with truth and called them to decision.

We live in a time when people are already drowning in emotional, man-centered messages. What they need is not commentary, but the pure Word of God, the sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17). I say this not to be critical, but to contend for the faith once delivered to the saints (Jude 1:3). Let’s stick to what is written. That’s where the real power and truth is.

I'm currently reading The Spiritual Man by Watchman Nee. He goes into this emotionalism in great detail. It was very convicting, to say the least. Highly recommended.

 

[MatthewG]

You tell me. Lol. Jesus may have pointed to himself in this instance. Amazingly he admitted. My kingdom is not of this place, but heavenly?

 

[Behold]

The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are the truth, and Their words aren't only found in Scripture.

Initially the word of God is only found in The Torah, and the Apostle's Letters.

The MaryCult came later, and has remodeled the Bible according to their MaryCult doctrine, using "church fathers" writings and Papal Decrees.
So, its interesting to see a 1500 yr old Religious Circus pretend that the bible "needs us to complete it"....and people actually believe it, who are mind owned by this False Religion that created the "Dark Ages".

Its interesting to note that the 2 False Religions that have slaughtered more human beings in the last 1500 yrs.......(not counting Marxism).

1.) Islam

2.) Catholicism

 

[bdavidc]

I'm currently reading The Spiritual Man by Watchman Nee. He goes into this emotionalism in great detail. It was very convicting, to say the least. Highly recommended.

Watchman Nee’s The Spiritual Manc may contain some biblical phrases, but the structure, framework, and mystical teachings go beyond Scripture and often contradict it. Colossians 2:8 warns us, “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.”

Stick to the Bible. Test all things by the Word of God (1 John 4:1). If a book teaches ideas that can’t be clearly supported by Scripture in context, then it’s not sound doctrine, no matter how spiritual it sounds.

 

[David Lamb]

The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are the truth, and Their words aren't only found in Scripture.

But there are warnings in the bible about adding to Scripture. All sorts of people down the centuries have tried doing so, and the "results" often differ with each other and with Scripture itself.

 

[Manasseh]

Watchman Nee’s The Spiritual Manc may contain some biblical phrases, but the structure, framework, and mystical teachings go beyond Scripture and often contradict it. Colossians 2:8 warns us, “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.”

Stick to the Bible. Test all things by the Word of God (1 John 4:1). If a book teaches ideas that can’t be clearly supported by Scripture in context, then it’s not sound doctrine, no matter how spiritual it sounds.

You have clearly never read the book

 

[Manasseh]

Initially the word of God is only found in The Torah, and the Apostle's Letters.

The MaryCult came later, and has remodeled the Bible according to their MaryCult doctrine, using "church fathers" writings and Papal Decrees.
So, its interesting to see a 1500 yr old Religious Circus pretend that the bible "needs us to complete it"....and people actually believe it, who are mind owned by this False Religion that created the "Dark Ages".

Its interesting to note that the 2 False Religions that have slaughtered more human beings in the last 1500 yrs.......(not counting Marxism).

1.) Islam

2.) Catholicism

How do you not count Jewish Marxism? And if I'm not mistaken, America is a predominantly Protestant nation. You know America right, that country who dropped not one but two nukes on the two largest christian populations in Asia, and led the firebombing of Dresden after the war was already over.

 

[David Lamb]

Correct, but God doesn't prohibit Himself from filling in the omissions and gaps within Scripture, repeating, or revealing truths previously unknown, and so on.

But this was in the writings of one Maria Valtorta, not God Himself.

 

[David Lamb]

She was His "pen".

Who says so? Are you saying her writings are God's inspired word, like the Scriptures?

 

[Behold]

God is a living Being. His Thoughts and Words are not confined between the covers of any book.

Take my word for it.....

"God's Thoughts" for the Body of Christ.....are found not in MaryCult Theology, but in the Holy Bible.

This is why the Bible is called "the word of God".

That's hint for you, @Origen.

 

[Behold]

How do you not count Jewish Marxism?

Religion is "what you believe in".....that appeals to you on a religious or spiritual level.

So, Marxism, is a cult theology, that appeals to perhaps a billion people who are under its influence.
Karl Marx, was initially trying to be Christian Minister......but, he was never born again, and just wanted to try to deceive people.
Later, He did......
He was a monster...
He was so obsessed with His "world reveloution" theology that his children starved, and some died.
= A Terrible Human being, and Marxism is a Religious Political Dictatorship..........that was refined by Stalin and exported worldwide, including right now.

And if I'm not mistaken, America is a predominantly Protestant nation. You know America right, that country who dropped not one but two nukes on the two largest christian populations in Asia, and led the firebombing of Dresden after the war was already over.

Some of the Russians i talk with , have a very dim view of THE USA, as they are taught to have.......same as Americans are taught to Hate Russia.
This Media mind game has been informing and commanding both populations for many many years.

In both Cases........ Both Countries, like all other countries, are at the mercy of their Leadership.
So, We can't Blame Russians, for the 30-90 Million Russians that Stalin butchered, exactly as we can't blame Americans when their Leaders droped NUKES on sleeping Japanese Citizens.. , in the 40's.

Did any American get to vote for or against "Abortion rights", or "Fund Zelensky's War with Russia'.?

Nope.

Even right now........ Americans Voted a Mandate, that was Trump's Victory, and one part of that is....>>"stop giving MONEY and ARMS to ZELENSKY">.
And im not certain that this has happened yet, and Trump is into 100+ days of His Presidency.
Hopefully He has cut it all off, but, i caught a FOX News update yesterday, 6-1-25... and it was suggesting that the weapons and similar are still flowing from the USA to Zelensky.
What is that? That is an undisclosed war between the USA and Russia, under the guise of "helping the Ukraine".
Putin understands this War, and Americans do not because they just dont know what is happening to their Country.
So...If Trump's "mineral deal with Zelensky"... is......>>"We'll keep Fighting Russia for you with our Arms and Money"........then He made a mistake, as His entire Cabinet is Anti-Zelensky War Effort.., and so are his Voters.

 

[Behold]

You, like God, are a living being. Are all your thoughts and words confined between the covers of a book?

I didnt create "the word of God".

The Holy Spirit did

See the words in the Holy bible are "Spirit and Truth" they are "Light for life"......they are "apples of gold in pictures of silver".. they are ... where JESUS is found, and where The Gospel is found........and on and on.

Why do you know about Heaven and Hell, and Salvation, and God's Love, and Christ on the Cross, and MARY?
Becasue the BIBLE told you about it.

 

[bdavidc]

You tell me. Lol. Jesus may have pointed to himself in this instance. Amazingly he admitted. My kingdom is not of this place, but heavenly?

Jesus did not merely “admit” something vague, and He was not speaking in riddles. He gave a clear and powerful answer rooted in eternal truth. When Pilate asked Him about being a king, Jesus said, “Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice” (John 18:37). Jesus was not pointing to some abstract concept or general spirituality. He was declaring that He is the truth (John 14:6), and the reason He came into the world was to testify to it. When He said, “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36), He meant that His rule is not established by earthly weapons or politics, but by divine authority. He reigns now in the hearts of those who believe, and one day He will return to reign visibly. The truth is not subjective. It is not open for speculation or laughter. Jesus is the truth, and those who reject Him reject the only truth that saves.

 

[Behold]

. I asked if you're a living being whose thoughts and words are confined between the covers of a book? Yes or no?

Only if i write an auto-biography.

God wrote His......The BIBLE......and its not just His AutoBiography....>Its His REVELATION Knowledge, @Origen

 

[Behold]

That's not an answer to my question, but you already know that. Try again.

Listen up..........as you need to "try again" regarding trying to understand your own question.

Let me help.

Your question was........"whose thoughts and words, are confined between the covers of a book"..

So, if i write an autobiography....then my thoughts and words, are confined there.

Now, had you asked....>>"Are ALL your Thoughts.......forever......confined in the Book"...then i would say......no, not all.

 

[MatthewG]

Jesus did not merely “admit” something vague, and He was not speaking in riddles. He gave a clear and powerful answer rooted in eternal truth. When Pilate asked Him about being a king, Jesus said, “Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice” (John 18:37).

I'm just talking about him using his finger to point to himself, and maybe it why it was not written as far as context. Never know. When I remember the Pilate and Jesus incident, I see it very vividly.

Jesus was not pointing to some abstract concept or general spirituality. He was declaring that He is the truth (John 14:6), and the reason He came into the world was to testify to it. When He said, “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36), He meant that His rule is not established by earthly weapons or politics, but by divine authority. He reigns now in the hearts of those who believe, and one day He will return to reign visibly. The truth is not subjective. It is not open for speculation or laughter. Jesus is the truth, and those who reject Him reject the only truth that saves.