Bible Strands
John 18:38
“What is truth?” Pilate asked. And having said this, he went out again to the Jews and told them, “I find no basis for a charge against Him.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Pilate addresses himself and then the Jewish leaders immediately after questioning Jesus inside the Praetorium. He has just heard Jesus define his mission as testifying to the truth before turning to the crowd for the Passover custom.
The words — The Greek ἀλήθεια (alētheia) literally means truth or reality, forming Pilate’s question “What is truth?” (τί ἐστιν ἀλήθεια). This directly follows Jesus’ statement that he was born to testify to this concept.
The thread — Pilate repeats his official verdict in John 19:4 and Luke 23:4 before the crowd demands crucifixion in John 19:6. These passages show Pilate’s legal declarations running parallel to the escalating political pressure against Jesus.
Why it lands — The text records Pilate’s question without supplying an answer, leaving the reader to weigh political convenience against objective reality. It requires a clear stance on whether one will acknowledge the truth Jesus embodies or follow the crowd’s demand for execution.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- John 19:4 Once again Pilate came out and said to the Jews, “Look, I am bringing Him out to you to let you know that I find no basis for a charge against Him.”
- Luke 23:4 Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no basis for a charge against this man.”
- John 19:6 As soon as the chief priests and officers saw Him, they shouted, “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!” “You take Him and crucify Him,” Pilate replied, “for I find no basis for a charge against Him.”
- Acts 17:32 When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some began to mock him, but others said, “We want to hear you again on this topic.”
- Matthew 27:18 For he knew it was out of envy that they had handed Jesus over to him.
- Matthew 27:24 When Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but that instead a riot was breaking out, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “You bear the responsibility.”
- Mark 15:14 “Why?” asked Pilate. “What evil has He done?” But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify Him!”
- Luke 23:14 and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined Him here in your presence and found Him not guilty of your charges against Him.
- John 19:21 So the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but only that He said, ‘I am the King of the Jews.’”
- Acts 17:19 So they took Paul and brought him to the Areopagus, where they asked him, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting?