What Is Truth, Anyway?
Today’s reading of Luke 23 and John 18–19 presents one of the most famous trials in history, yet the details feel surprisingly complex when read closely. Pilate’s brief question to Jesus—“What is truth?” (John 18:38, NLT)—stands out as a turning point. The weight of that question hangs over the entire scene.
In both accounts, Pilate seems to be navigating a delicate balance. He repeatedly tells the crowd that he finds no reason to charge Jesus, yet the mounting pressure from religious leaders and the crowd leaves him unwilling to stand by his own judgment. It’s a fascinating study in how truth can be acknowledged yet dismissed when other priorities take over. Pilate seems less concerned with finding truth than with managing a volatile situation.
Competing Claims and Quiet Confidence
The text also highlights competing claims to truth. Jesus speaks with authority, suggesting that his role is to “testify to the truth” and that “all who love the truth recognize that what I say is true” (John 18:37, NLT). Pilate’s question could be read as cynical, philosophical, or perhaps genuinely confused. Either way, it reveals a tension between power and truth: Pilate represents the might of the Roman Empire, yet he’s portrayed as hesitant, almost powerless, while Jesus stands accused yet confident.
Passing the Buck: Pilate and Herod
Luke’s account adds another layer by emphasizing Pilate’s attempts to avoid responsibility. He sends Jesus to Herod, then back again, as though truth is something to be passed around rather than confronted. Even Herod seems uninterested in a verdict; he’s more curious to see a miracle than to weigh evidence. Truth here feels almost irrelevant, overshadowed by political games and public pressure.
Reading these passages together raises questions about how truth functions in moments of crisis. What does it mean for truth to be known yet ignored? Pilate declares Jesus innocent, yet still hands him over to be crucified. This dynamic feels unsettlingly familiar, reflecting situations where decisions are made not by what’s right but by what’s expedient.
The Question That Lingers
There’s also an irony in how the narrative presents truth as both elusive and embodied. Jesus doesn’t argue his case in detail, nor does he try to persuade Pilate. Instead, his presence seems to challenge the very framework of the trial. Pilate’s question hangs in the air, unanswered, inviting the reader to grapple with it.
What stands out in these chapters is less about the mechanics of the trial and more about the characters’ relationship to truth. Pilate is caught between political necessity and moral clarity, Herod is indifferent, the crowd is stirred up, and Jesus remains calm. The story leaves space to consider how truth can be acknowledged yet disregarded, and what that means for those who claim to seek it.