April 30, 2020
What Is Truth?
John 18:19-40
Russell Robertson
Central Truth
When no standard or acceptance of truth exists, there is no foundation for moral right and wrong. Justice becomes whatever fits the occasion. In Christ and His Word, we have a standard for truth and moral behavior.
Key Verse | John 18:38a
Pilate said to him, "What is truth?"
John 18:19-40
The High Priest Questions Jesus
19 The high priest then questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching. 20 Jesus answered him, “I have spoken openly to the world. I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret. 21 Why do you ask me? Ask those who have heard me what I said to them; they know what I said.” 22 When he had said these things, one of the officers standing by struck Jesus with his hand, saying, “Is that how you answer the high priest?” 23 Jesus answered him, “If what I said is wrong, bear witness about the wrong; but if what I said is right, why do you strike me?” 24 Annas then sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.
Peter Denies Jesus Again
25 Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. So they said to him, “You also are not one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not.” 26 One of the servants of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, “Did I not see you in the garden with him?” 27 Peter again denied it, and at once a rooster crowed.
Jesus Before Pilate
28 Then they led Jesus from the house of Caiaphas to the governor's headquarters. 1 18:28 Greek the praetorium It was early morning. They themselves did not enter the governor's headquarters, so that they would not be defiled, but could eat the Passover. 29 So Pilate went outside to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this man?” 30 They answered him, “If this man were not doing evil, we would not have delivered him over to you.” 31 Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law.” The Jews said to him, “It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death.” 32 This was to fulfill the word that Jesus had spoken to show by what kind of death he was going to die.
My Kingdom Is Not of This World
33 So Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” 34 Jesus answered, “Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?” 35 Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you done?” 36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” 37 Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” 38 Pilate said to him, “What is truth?”
After he had said this, he went back outside to the Jews and told them, “I find no guilt in him. 39 But you have a custom that I should release one man for you at the Passover. So do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” 40 They cried out again, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a robber. 2 18:40 Or an insurrectionist
Dive Deeper | John 18:19-40
In short, the truth is simply telling it like it is; it is the way things really are, and any other viewpoint is wrong. In this passage, however, we see that nearly every player in it fails to tell it like it is.
Despite spending three years laboring beside Jesus, Peter denied knowing Him at all.
Before Caiaphas and the Jewish Sanhedrin, many false witnesses came forward to speak against Jesus. And Caiaphas failed to "tell it like it is" when he broke several laws, including holding a trial in secret, carrying it out at night, and bribery. When the Sanhedrin brought Jesus before Pilate for the purpose of putting Him to death, more lies were brought against Him. His enemies said, "We found this man misleading our nation and forbidding us to give tribute to Caesar, and saying that He Himself is Christ, a king" (Luke 23:2). This was a lie, as Jesus had told everyone to pay their taxes (Matthew 22:21) and never spoke of Himself as a challenge to Caesar.
There seemed to be no question in Pilate's mind that Jesus was innocent. But because of the people's threat to inform the emperor that Pilate hadn't eliminated a potential rebel against Rome, Pilate went against what he knew was right by allowing Jesus' crucifixion.
While most of us are not like the religious leaders or government, we are all like the disciples, for all of us have been guilty of denying that Christ is Lord in vital areas of our lives.
Jesus Himself is the truth (John 14:6) that sets us free (John 8:32, 36). He is the author of life and truth, the perfect standard of what is right. He frees us from slavery to sin, self-deception, and the lies of Satan. He shows us the way to eternal life with God. Thus, Jesus does not give us freedom to do what we want, but freedom to follow Him. As we seek to serve and bring glory to God, Jesus' perfect truth frees us to be all that God meant us to be.
Discussion Questions
1. Have you ever been guilty of hiding your faith in Christ because of your audience?
2. When was the last time you failed to speak the truth in love and stand up for the truth?
3. In light of the passage and devotional, is there anything you need to confess and repent of?