| John 18:38 | |
|---|---|
 "What is Truth?" - stylized inscription in Catalan at entrance to Sagrada Família Basilica, Barcelona. | |
| Book | Gospel of John |
| Christian Bible part | New Testament |
John 18:38 is the 38th verse in chapter 18 of the Gospel of John in the New Testament of Christian Bible. It is often referred to as "jesting Pilate". In it, Pontius Pilate questions Jesus' claim that he is "witness to the truth" (John 18:37).[1][2]
Following this statement, Pilate tells Jewish authorities[3] outside that he does not consider Jesus guilty of any crime.
- ^ The Wiersbe Bible Commentary: The Complete New Testament by Warren W. Wiersbe 2007 ISBN 978-0-7814-4539-9 page 303
- ^ Ask Augustine by Paul A. Tambrino 2006 ISBN 1-59781-894-1 pages 192-194
- ^ NET Bible notes on John 18:38 Textual note: Or “the Jewish authorities”; Grk “the Jews.” Here the phrase refers to the Jewish leaders, especially members of the Sanhedrin. See the note on the phrase “Jewish leaders” in v. 12. The term also occurs in v. 31, where it is clear the Jewish leaders are in view, because they state that they cannot legally carry out an execution. Although it is likely (in view of the synoptic parallels) that the crowd here in 18:38 was made up not just of the Jewish leaders, but of ordinary residents of Jerusalem and pilgrims who were in Jerusalem for the Passover, nevertheless in John’s Gospel Pilate is primarily in dialogue with the leadership of the nation, who are expressly mentioned in 18:35 and 19:6.