28 Then they led Jesus from the house of Caiaphas to the governor’s headquarters. 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.
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?”
Comment: I was surprised when visiting a monastery in the middle of Lake Tana in Ethiopia that the Ethiopian Orthodox Church has sainted Pilate. Why? Because he was the only one who sought to release Jesus. Sadly in the end he was gutless and folded to the Jews’ wishes! I would remind you that it is now early in the morning. Jesus has had no sleep – after his last meal with the disciples and a final teaching session – he was dragged for one court to the other and now He stands before the Head Roman in the country. The Jews could have stoned Jesus to death but not crucified Him and they wanted the show by this most terrible of all deaths. Jesus denies being political but acknowledges being a King from a different world. Jesus, mentions that His goal is Truth but Pilate pushes that aside with the question ‘what is truth?’. Was Pilate dismissive or really questioning?
Prayer: Give me the sense and courage to stand with and not against You, Lord Jesus.
As I read it! 
Thank you Barry for the comments on this passage. Thank you for sharing about the Ethiopian Orthodox Church which has “Sainted” Pilate because he was the only one who tried to save Jesus. But as you said, Pilate was gutless. And I guess that we will never know why Pilate asked Jesus the question, “What is truth?” Unfortunately it is much the same in our world and society today. People wonder, and ask, “What is truth?” God bless you.
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