John 18:38

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

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].

Complete Jewish Bible:

Pilate asked him, “What is truth?”

Having said this, Pilate went outside again to the Judeans and told them, “I don’t find any case against him.

Berean Standard Bible:

“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.

American Standard 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 no crime in him.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Pilate^{G4091} saith^{G3004} unto him^{G846}, What^{G5101} is^{G2076} truth^{G225}? And^{G2532} when he had said^{G2036} this^{G5124}, he went out^{G1831} again^{G3825} unto^{G4314} the Jews^{G2453}, and^{G2532} saith^{G3004} unto them^{G846}, I^{G1473} find^{G2147} in^{G1722} him^{G846} no^{G3762} fault^{G156} at all.

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Commentary for John 18:38

John 18:38 is part of the account of Jesus' trial before Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea. This verse captures a pivotal moment in the interaction between Pilate and Jesus, who has been brought to him by the Jewish leaders accusing Jesus of sedition and blasphemy. Pilate's question, "What is truth?" reflects a deep philosophical skepticism and is a response to Jesus' statement that He came into the world to testify to the truth (John 18:37). This question resonates through the ages, challenging readers to consider the nature of truth itself.

The historical context of this verse is the Roman occupation of Judea, where Pilate, as a representative of the empire, holds significant power over the local population, including the authority to enforce capital punishment. Pilate's role in the trial is complex; he appears to recognize Jesus' innocence, as indicated by his declaration "I find in him no fault [at all]." Despite this, he ultimately succumbs to the political pressure from the Jewish leaders and the crowd, leading to Jesus' crucifixion.

The themes of this verse include the tension between political expediency and moral integrity, the nature and pursuit of truth, and the conflict between temporal power and divine authority. Pilate's rhetorical question underscores the difficulty of discerning truth amidst conflicting interests and the challenges of upholding justice in the face of societal and political pressures. The verse also highlights the contrast between Pilate, who is uncertain about truth and influenced by the crowd, and Jesus, who embodies truth and remains steadfast despite the consequences. This moment in the narrative underscores the Gospel's broader message about the kingdom of God and the ultimate triumph of divine truth over worldly power.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G4091
   There are 53 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: Πιλᾶτος
   Transliteration: Pilâtos
   Pronunciation: pil-at'-os
   Description: of Latin origin; close-pressed, i.e. firm; Pilatus, a Roman:--Pilate.
   
2. Strong's Number: G3004
   There are 1244 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: λέγω
   Transliteration: légō
   Pronunciation: leg'-o
   Description: a primary verb; properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas ἔπω and φημί generally refer to an individual expression or speech respectively; while ῥέω is properly to break silence merely, and λαλέω means an extended or random harangue)); by implication, to mean:--ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say(-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter.
   
3. Strong's Number: G846
   There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: αὐτός
   Transliteration: autós
   Pronunciation: ow-tos'
   Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ.
   
4. Strong's Number: G5101
   There are 483 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: τίς
   Transliteration: tís
   Pronunciation: tis
   Description: probably emphatic of τὶς; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions):--every man, how (much), + no(-ne, thing), what (manner, thing), where (-by, -fore, -of, -unto, - with, -withal), whether, which, who(-m, -se), why.
   
5. Strong's Number: G2076
   There are 812 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐστί
   Transliteration: estí
   Pronunciation: es-tee'
   Description: third person singular present indicative of εἰμί; he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are:--are, be(-long), call, X can(-not), come, consisteth, X dure for a while, + follow, X have, (that) is (to say), make, meaneth, X must needs, + profit, + remaineth, + wrestle.
   
6. Strong's Number: G225
   There are 1319 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἀλήθεια
   Transliteration: alḗtheia
   Pronunciation: al-ay'-thi-a
   Description: from ἀληθής; truth:--true, X truly, truth, verity.
   
7. Strong's Number: G2532
   There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: καί
   Transliteration: kaí
   Pronunciation: kahee
   Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
   
8. Strong's Number: G2036
   There are 901 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἔπω
   Transliteration: épō
   Pronunciation: ep'-o
   Description: a primary verb (used only in the definite past tense, the others being borrowed from ἐρέω, ῥέω, and φημί); to speak or say (by word or writing):--answer, bid, bring word, call, command, grant, say (on), speak, tell. Compare λέγω.
   
9. Strong's Number: G5124
   There are 303 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: τοῦτο
   Transliteration: toûto
   Pronunciation: too'-to
   Description: neuter singular nominative or accusative case of οὗτος; that thing:--here (-unto), it, partly, self(-same), so, that (intent), the same, there(-fore, -unto), this, thus, where(-fore).
   
10. Strong's Number: G1831
    There are 216 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἐξέρχομαι
    Transliteration: exérchomai
    Pronunciation: ex-er'-khom-ahee
    Description: from ἐκ and ἔρχομαι; to issue (literally or figuratively):--come (forth, out), depart (out of), escape, get out, go (abroad, away, forth, out, thence), proceed (forth), spread abroad.
    
11. Strong's Number: G3825
    There are 138 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: πάλιν
    Transliteration: pálin
    Pronunciation: pal'-in
    Description: probably from the same as πάλη (through the idea of oscillatory repetition); (adverbially) anew, i.e. (of place) back, (of time) once more, or (conjunctionally) furthermore or on the other hand:--again.
    
12. Strong's Number: G4314
    There are 674 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: πρός
    Transliteration: prós
    Pronunciation: pros
    Description: a strengthened form of πρό; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e. pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of, i.e. near to; usually with the accusative case, the place, time, occasion, or respect, which is the destination of the relation, i.e. whither or for which it is predicated):--about, according to , against, among, at, because of, before, between, (where-)by, for, X at thy house, in, for intent, nigh unto, of, which pertain to, that, to (the end that), X together, to (you) -ward, unto, with(-in). In the comparative case, it denotes essentially the same applications, namely, motion towards, accession to, or nearness at.
    
13. Strong's Number: G2453
    There are 187 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: Ἰουδαῖος
    Transliteration: Ioudaîos
    Pronunciation: ee-oo-dah'-yos
    Description: from Ἰουδά (in the sense of Ἰούδας as a country); Judæan, i.e. belonging to Jehudah:--Jew(-ess), of Judæa.
    
14. Strong's Number: G1473
    There are 334 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἐγώ
    Transliteration: egṓ
    Pronunciation: eg-o'
    Description: a primary pronoun of the first person I (only expressed when emphatic):--I, me. For the other cases and the plural see ἐμέ, ἐμοί, ἐμοῦ, ἡμᾶς, ἡμεῖς, ἡμῖν, ἡμῶν, etc.
    
15. Strong's Number: G2147
    There are 168 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: εὑρίσκω
    Transliteration: heurískō
    Pronunciation: hyoo-reh'-o
    Description: a prolonged form of a primary , which (together with another cognate form) is used for it in all the tenses except the present and imperfect; to find (literally or figuratively):--find, get, obtain, perceive, see.
    
16. Strong's Number: G1722
    There are 2129 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἐν
    Transliteration: en
    Pronunciation: en
    Description: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between εἰς and ἐκ); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (… sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.
    
17. Strong's Number: G3762
    There are 224 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: οὐδείς
    Transliteration: oudeís
    Pronunciation: oo-den'
    Description: from οὐδέ and εἷς; not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e. none, nobody, nothing:--any (man), aught, man, neither any (thing), never (man), no (man), none (+ of these things), not (any, at all, -thing), nought.
    
18. Strong's Number: G156
    There are 400 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: αἰτία
    Transliteration: aitía
    Pronunciation: ahee-tee'-a
    Description: from the same as αἰτέω; a cause (as if asked for), i.e. (logical) reason (motive, matter), (legal) crime (alleged or proved):--accusation, case, cause, crime, fault, (wh-)ere(-fore).