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.
Parallel translations
- WEB 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.
- BSB “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.
- NKJV Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?” And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews, and said to them, “I find no fault in Him at all.
- NASB Pilate *said to Him, “What is truth?” And after saying this, he came out again to the Jews and *said to them, “I find no grounds at all for charges in His case.
- NLT “What is truth?” Pilate asked. Then he went out again to the people and told them, “He is not guilty of any crime.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Pilate asks, 'What is truth?' then declares he finds no basis for a charge against Jesus. The judge unwittingly acquits the innocent King.
Overview
Pilate's question may reflect cynicism or evasion; ironically, Truth incarnate stands before him (14:6). Despite his dismissive query, Pilate pronounces Jesus innocent, the first of several such declarations in the trial. John stresses Jesus' innocence: he is condemned not as a criminal but as the spotless Lamb, dying for the guilty though guiltless himself.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 13
- John 19:4Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him.
- John 19:6When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Take ye him, and crucify him: for I find no fault in him.
- Luke 23:4Then said Pilate to the chief priests and to the people, I find no fault in this man.
- Acts 17:32And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter.
- John 19:21–22Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews; but that he said, I am King of the Jews.
- Matt 27:18–19For he knew that for envy they had delivered him.
- Acts 24:25–26And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.
- 1 Pet 2:22–23Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
- Matt 27:24When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it.
- Acts 17:19–20And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is?
- Mark 15:14Then Pilate said unto them, Why, what evil hath he done? And they cried out the more exceedingly, Crucify him.
- 1 Pet 1:19But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
- Luke 23:14–16Said unto them, Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perverteth the people: and, behold, I, having examined him before you, have found no fault in this man touching those things whereof ye accuse him:
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Christ at the center
John declares him plainly: the eternal Word made flesh, the Lamb of God, the great 'I AM' — bread, light, door, shepherd, way, truth, life, resurrection — that you may believe and have life in his name.
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Original language
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