John 18:38

Translations

Modern

“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.

Traditional

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.

Literal

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 guilt in Him.

Latin

Dicit ei Pilatus: Quid est veritas? Et cum hoc dixisset, iterum exivit ad Judæos, et dicit eis: Ego nullam invenio in eo causam.

Original

Greek

English

“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.

Notes

John 18:38–39

What is truth?: Truth was not a foreign idea to Pilate. But he did not wait for an answer because he did not believe there was one.
Pilate returned to the council members waiting outside and delivered his verdict: not guilty. Although he referred to Jesus as “King of the Jews” (see also 19:19), the title was just an expression meant to mock Jesus. Pilate wanted to release Jesus. His offer showed that he did not want Jesus to be executed.

John 18:1–40

Jesus finished speaking his final words to his disciples in the upper room (13:31–17:26). Jesus then left the city and went to a garden east of Jerusalem to pray. There, authorities arrested him and took him back into the city for questioning by the Jewish religious leaders. The important "hour" Jesus often mentioned throughout the Gospel had arrived (see 2:4; see also study note on 12:23).

Theme notes and profiles

Pontius Pilate Encounters with Jesus

Events

Related verses

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.”
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.”
Luke 23:4
Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no basis for a charge against this man.”
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 27:24
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.”
1 Peter 2:22–23
“He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in His mouth.”
1 Peter 1:19
…but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot.
John 19:21–22
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 24:25–26
As Paul expounded on righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix became frightened and said, “You may go for now. When I find the time, I will call for you.”
Matthew 27:18–19
For he knew it was out of envy that they had handed Jesus over to him.
Acts 17:19–20
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?
Mark 15:14
“Why?” asked Pilate. “What evil has He done?” But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify Him!”

Parallels

Matthew 27:11–14 Luke 23:1–5

People

Judah: Israelite tribe, kingdom, and province Pilate: Roman governor who presided over Jesus' trial

Glossary

Acts of Pilate Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Jesus Christ John, Gospel of Judge Passion Procurator Tiberius

Topics

Demagogism: Pilate Jesus, the Christ: Led by the Council to Pilate (In Jerusalem) Politics: Pilate, Condemning Jesus to Gratify the Clamoring People Pontius Pilate: Tries Jesus and Orders his Crucifixion Prisoners: Jesus Public Opinion: Corrupt Yielding To by Pilate The Human Nature of Christ was Without Sin Truth: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Typical Nature of Paschal Lamb: Shut up Four Days That It Might be Closely Examined

John 18:38

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