John 18:38
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.
Original Language Analysis
λέγει
saith
G3004
λέγει
saith
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
1 of 24
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
αὐτῷ
him
G846
αὐτῷ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
2 of 24
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Τί
What
G5101
Τί
What
Strong's:
G5101
Word #:
5 of 24
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
8 of 24
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
πάλιν
again
G3825
πάλιν
again
Strong's:
G3825
Word #:
11 of 24
(adverbially) anew, i.e., (of place) back, (of time) once more, or (conjunctionally) furthermore or on the other hand
πρὸς
unto
G4314
πρὸς
unto
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
13 of 24
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,
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
16 of 24
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
λέγει
saith
G3004
λέγει
saith
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
17 of 24
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
αὐτῷ
him
G846
αὐτῷ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
18 of 24
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
οὐδεμίαν
no
G3762
οὐδεμίαν
no
Strong's:
G3762
Word #:
20 of 24
not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e., none, nobody, nothing
αἰτίαν
fault
G156
αἰτίαν
fault
Strong's:
G156
Word #:
21 of 24
a cause (as if asked for), i.e., (logical) reason (motive, matter), (legal) crime (alleged or proved)
Cross References
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.
Historical Context
Pilate's question reflects first-century philosophical skepticism, especially Roman Stoicism and emerging relativism. Pontius Pilate governed during Tiberius's reign (AD 14-37), a period of political paranoia where governors feared accusations of disloyalty. His declaration of innocence while capitulating to pressure reveals his character: truth-aware but truth-denying.
Questions for Reflection
- In what areas of life do you ask "What is truth?" while refusing to wait for or act on the answer?
- How does declaring Jesus innocent while still condemning him mirror modern proclamations of faith without obedience?
- What does Pilate's encounter with Truth incarnate teach about the bankruptcy of relativism?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
What is truth? (Τί ἐστιν ἀλήθεια;)—History's most tragic question, asked while standing before the incarnate Truth. The Greek alētheia (truth, reality, unconcealedness) echoes Jesus's self-identification: "I am the way, the truth, and the life" (14:6). Was Pilate's question cynical skepticism, philosophical musing, or genuine inquiry cut short by political pressure? John leaves it unanswered—Pilate exits without waiting for response.
I find in him no fault at all (οὐδεμίαν εὑρίσκω ἐν αὐτῷ αἰτίαν)—Three times Pilate declares Jesus's innocence (here, 19:4, 19:6), fulfilling the Mosaic requirement of multiple witnesses and foreshadowing Christ as the spotless Lamb. The word aitian means "cause, guilt, accusation." Pilate pronounces Jesus legally innocent yet proceeds to execute him—the very definition of injustice, exposing how truth yields to expedience when power lacks moral courage.