John 18:38 · Bible study
John 18:38 Commentary: Pilate's Question and the Nature of Truth
Greek · 11 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Exegetical study of Pilate's 'What is truth?' in John 18:38, examining whether his question was cynical, skeptical, or dismissive of Jesus' claim to testify
Research Summary
- Meaning: Pilate's dismissive question reveals a refusal to engage with Jesus' claim to embody divine truth.
- Key words: ἀλήθεια (truth, without article in Pilate's question, contrasting with 'the truth' in v.37), αἰτία (charge or legal ground for prosecution).
- Main debate: Was Pilate cynical, skeptical, or merely indifferent? Commentators differ, but all note he did not wait for an answer.
- Theological theme: Truth as personified in Jesus Christ stands over against human skepticism and political expediency.
- Best use: Lenten reflection on encountering truth, or a Gospel presentation on the contrast between worldly power and Christ's kingdom.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
“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.
WEB World English Bible 2000
Pilate said to him, “What is truth?” When he had said this, he went out again to the Jews, and said to them, “I find no basis for a charge against him.
KJV King James Version 1769
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.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
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 no crime in him.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
Pilate saith to him, `What is truth?' and this having said, again he went forth unto the Jews, and saith to them, `I do find no fault in him;
Darby Darby Bible 1890
Pilate says to him, What is truth? And having said this he went out again to the Jews, and says to them, I find no fault whatever in him.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
Pilate saith to him: What is truth? And when he said this, he went out again to the Jews and saith to them: I find no cause in him.
Translations in other languages (10 available)
Dícele|strong="G3004, G0846" Pilato: ¿ Qué cosa es verdad? Y como hubo dicho esto, salió otra vez á los Judíos, y díceles|strong="G3004, G0846": Yo no hallo en él ningún crimen.
Disse-lhe Pilatos: O que é a verdade? E havendo dito isto, voltou a sair aos Judeus, e disse-lhes: Nenhum crime acho nele.
Pilate lui dit: Qu’ est-ce que la vérité? Après avoir dit cela, il sortit de nouveau pour aller vers les Juifs, et il leur dit: Je ne trouve aucun crime en lui.
Spricht Pilatus zu ihm: Was ist Wahrheit? Und da er das gesagt, ging er wieder hinaus zu den Juden und spricht zu ihnen: Ich finde keine Schuld an ihm.
Pilatus zeide tot Hem: Wat is waarheid? En als hij dat gezegd had, ging hij wederom uit tot de Joden, en zeide tot hen: Ik vind geen schuld in Hem.
Pilato gli disse: Che cos’è verità? E detto questo, uscì di nuovo verso i Giudei, e disse loro: Io non trovo alcuna colpa in lui.
Rzekł mu Piłat: Cóż jest prawda? A to rzekłszy, wyszedł zasię do Żydów i rzekł im: Ja w nim żadnej winy nie znajduję.
Пилат сказал Ему: что есть истина? И, сказав это, опять вышел к Иудеям и сказал им: я никакой вины не нахожу в Нем.
彼拉多 說：「真理 是 甚麼呢？」 說了 這話，又 出來 到 猶太人那裡， 對他們 說：「我 查 不出 他 有甚麼罪來。
Pilate said to him, True? what is true? Having said this he went out again to the Jews and said to them, I see no wrong in him.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Koine Greek)
New Testament · Koine Greek · John 18:38
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators across traditions agree that Pilate's question 'What is truth?' was not a genuine inquiry. Calvin and Barnes argue it came from disdain, Pilate felt insulted when Jesus spoke of truth and kingship. Clarke suggests mockery or indifference, noting that Pilate did not wait for an answer. Vincent's Word Studies draws on Godet, calling it 'frivolous skepticism' typical of a worldly statesman. Wesley saw a courtier's dismissal: 'What signifies truth?' The key evidence is the sequence: Pilate asked the question and immediately went out. Whether cynical or weary, his question reflects a refusal to hear the truth Jesus had just proclaimed (John 18:37). Yet his next words, 'I find no basis for a charge against him', show that the truth he rejected still compelled an honest verdict.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Cynical dismissal: Pilate spoke in mockery or contempt, immediately leaving without waiting for an answer (Calvin, Barnes, Clarke).
- Skeptical frustration: Pilate expressed the despair of a man who believes certainty is unattainable (JFB, Godet via Vincent).
- Indifferent dismissal: Pilate treated the question as irrelevant to his political task, a 'what signifies truth?' attitude (Wesley).
What is clear: Pilate did not wait for a reply and then declared Jesus innocent, demonstrating that he was not engaging with Jesus' claim to be the truth.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning of Pilate's question | Pilate did not wait for an answer and immediately declared Jesus innocent. | Some see it as cynical dismissal (Calvin, Barnes), others as skeptical despair (JFB, Godet), and others as indifference (Clarke). |
| Pilate's declaration of innocence | Pilate found no legal basis for a charge against Jesus. | Whether his declaration was a sincere judicial opinion or a political maneuver to placate the crowd is debated. |
| Relationship to truth in John's Gospel | Jesus identifies himself with truth (John 14:6); Pilate's question contrasts human skepticism with divine revelation. | Whether Pilate's question reflects the general philosophical skepticism of the Greco-Roman world or his personal dismissiveness toward Jesus. |
| Significance of Pilate going out | He cut off the dialogue with Jesus by leaving the judgment hall. | Whether that shows haste, contempt, or a desire to avoid further entanglement with a politically sensitive case. |
Historical & Cultural Context
John 18:38 takes place in the Praetorium, the governor's residence in Jerusalem, during the early morning hours before Passover. As the Roman prefect, Pilate held sole authority to impose capital punishment, and the Jewish leaders had brought Jesus to him on a charge of sedition, claiming he made himself a king. Pilate's private interview with Jesus (John 18:33-38) was unusual; the other Gospels record only a brief exchange. Here Jesus speaks of a kingdom 'not of this world' and declares that he came to testify to the truth. This claim about a non-political kingship and an abstract truth that demands allegiance would have struck a Roman official as either naive or dangerous.
Pilate moved in and out of the Praetorium because the Jewish leaders refused to enter the Gentile building during Passover, fearing ritual defilement. This awkward staging, Jesus inside with Pilate, the accusers outside, frames the entire trial. The crowd outside was likely a mix of the Sanhedrin and a mob they had assembled. Pilate's question was not asked in a vacuum; it came at a moment of political tension. The Roman governor needed to maintain order in a volatile city during a feast known for nationalist fervor. His decision to pronounce Jesus innocent and then propose release according to Passover custom (John 18:39) was a calculated attempt to satisfy both the law and the crowd. The cross-references in Luke 23:4 and Matthew 27:19 confirm that Pilate repeatedly declared Jesus innocent, yet he found himself trapped by his own political calculus.
Textual Notes
The consulted sources note no significant textual variants for John 18:38. The Greek text is stable across major manuscript traditions.
Reception History
This verse has been used throughout church history to contrast the worldly ruler's skepticism with the divine truth revealed in Christ. It appears in Passion narratives, Lenten meditations, and philosophical discussions on the nature of truth. Early Christian writers saw Pilate's question as a missed opportunity; later commentators like Calvin and Wesley highlighted his disdain. The verse continues to prompt reflection on how we respond when truth confronts us.
Preaching This Verse
Three-Point Outline
- The Truth Stands Before a Judge, Jesus had just declared he came to testify to the truth; Pilate faces the embodiment of truth itself.
- The Question That Evades the Answer, Pilate asks "What is truth?" but does not wait for a reply, revealing his unwillingness to submit to truth.
- The Verdict That Condemns the Judge, Pilate pronounces Jesus innocent yet fails to act on that truth, demonstrating the disconnect between knowing and doing.
Five-Point Outline
- Jesus Claims a Kingdom of Truth (John 18:36-37), He redefines kingship as service to truth, not political power.
- Pilate Responds with a Question, "What is truth?" bypasses the claim by treating truth as an abstraction.
- Pilate Walks Away Without an Answer, He leaves the judgment hall, signaling that he has no interest in pursuing the question.
- Pilate Declares Jesus Innocent, To the crowd outside, he states, "I find no basis for a charge against him."
- The Missed Opportunity, Pilate had the one who is the truth standing before him, but he chose political safety over personal encounter.
Illustration Hooks
- A student asks a deep question in class but leaves the room before the teacher can answer, more interest in the appearance of inquiry than in the answer itself.
- A manager hears a clear report of wrongdoing in her company but deliberately does not investigate because the truth would force a difficult decision.
- Someone scrolling social media comes across a convicting post about justice but keeps scrolling, recognizing truth but refusing to engage it.
Questions Your Congregation Is Asking
- Was Pilate's question philosophical or an insult, or both?
- Why did Pilate declare Jesus innocent but not release him?
- What does it mean to be 'of the truth' as Jesus says in verse 37, and how does Pilate's question help us see the contrast?
Leading a Discussion
This verse sits at a turning point in Jesus' trial. Pilate has just heard Jesus claim that he came to testify to the truth and that everyone who is 'of the truth' listens to him. Then comes Pilate's question. Use these questions to explore what the text reveals about both Pilate and ourselves.
Discussion Questions
- Read John 18:36-38. What does Jesus say about his kingdom and his purpose? How does that set up Pilate's question?
- Observe Pilate's actions: he asks a question, then immediately goes out. What does this sequence suggest about his state of mind?
- The Greek word for truth (ἀλήθεια) appears in verse 37 with the article ('the truth') and in verse 38 without it. Why might that matter for understanding Pilate's question?
- Pilate says, "I find no basis for a charge against him." Why does he not act on that verdict right away? What pressures is he under?
- In what ways do we sometimes ask questions about truth but avoid sitting still for an answer?
- How does Pilate's response contrast with Jesus' statement that everyone 'of the truth' listens to his voice?
- This passage ends with Pilate going out to the crowd, not back to Jesus. When have you walked away from a truth you sensed God was presenting to you?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Matthew 27:18 | For he knew that because of envy they had delivered him up. |
| Matthew 27:19 | While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, saying, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered many things today in a dream because of him.” |
| Matthew 27:24 | So when Pilate saw that nothing was being gained, but rather that a disturbance was starting, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this righteous person. You see to it.” |
| Mark 15:14 | Pilate said to them, “Why, what evil has he done?” But they cried out exceedingly, “Crucify him!” |
| Luke 23:4 | Pilate said to the chief priests and the multitudes, “I find no basis for a charge against this man.” |
| Luke 23:14 | and said to them, “You brought this man to me as one that perverts the people, and behold, having examined him before you, I found no basis for a charge against this man concerning those things of which you accuse him. |
| Luke 23:16 | I will therefore chastise him and release him.” |
| John 19:4 | Then Pilate went out again, and said to them, “Behold, I bring him out to you, that you may know that I find no basis for a charge against him.” |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
10 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke suggests Pilate's question about truth was likely mocking or indifferent, since he left without waiting for an answer. He draws a parallel to many who seem to seek truth but lack patience
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes argues that Pilate asked "What is truth?" not as a sincere seeker but in contempt, viewing Jesus as a harmless, deluded fanatic. He did not wait for an answer, convinced Jesus posed no threat to Rome. The question was a dismissive mockery, not a genuine inquiry.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
Cambridge Bible Schools interprets Pilate's question not as cynical or jesting, but as the weary dismissiveness of a practical politician. Pilate has heard enough to know Jesus is no threat, so he cuts off the inquiry with a rhetorical question, convinced that truth is a dream and that Jesus' kingdom is as visionary as the Stoic ideal.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva Notes point out that Pilate asks Jesus what truth is, then does not wait for an answer. He immediately walks out and declares Jesus innocent. Pilate was close to the truth yet turned away without receiving it.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill notes that Pilate asked about truth not for genuine information, but in a scornful or jeering way, and he did not wait for an answer. The irony is that Pilate immediately declared Jesus faultless, yet still condemned him—proving Christ died not for his own sins, but for others.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB sees Pilate's question as a weary dismissal, not a genuine inquiry. By walking away without waiting for an answer, Pilate reveals the skepticism of his age and tragically misses the Truth itself standing before him in Jesus.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange observes that John deliberately omits Jesus' agony in Gethsemane to focus entirely on his sovereign control and voluntary surrender. For John, the key moment is not the traitor's kiss but Jesus stepping forward, identifying himself with divine majesty, and securing his disciples' escape. By presenting Christ as victor even as he is taken captive, John reveals the deeper reality behind the apparent defeat.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry highlights the shocking contrast: the Jewish leaders scrupulously avoid Gentile defilement so they can eat the Passover, yet they are busy condemning an innocent man to death. Their ceremonial caution only magnifies the deeper moral corruption of their hearts.
Vincent's Word Studies Evangelical 1887
Vincent highlights that Jesus spoke of absolute truth, while Pilate's "What is truth?" was not a sincere inquiry but the frivolous skepticism of a
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley reads Pilate's question as the dismissive remark of a worldly courtier, not a sincere inquiry. Pilate likely meant "What does truth matter? Is that worth dying for?" and then left Jesus, viewing him as innocent but weak.