As Jesus the King of truth, being tried for political treason, stood before Governor Pontius Pilate, and declared the real purpose of His presence on earth which was to “Teach the truth” Pilate then asked Him, “And what is truth?” (John 18:37-38). Pilate did not have a clue, that Jesus, Who stood before him was “the truth” and came from God’s world of truth. However, he knew the truth of the then situation which he was called upon to examine. He knew that Jesus was innocent of the accusations his Jewish companions presented for the formal accusation. Pilate admitting that fact said, “I have not found Him guilty of your charges” (John 18:36. Berean Literal Bible).
In the historical narratives the Old Testament, both qualitative and quantitative aspects characterize truth (Bible Dictionary). Amidst all the negatives that faced God’s people God sent His Prophets to proclaim unequivocally what His truth was in the situation. When David had Uriah put to death for not doing his biddings, God sent the prophet Nation to confront him with the truth of his actions (see 2 Samuel 12:1-7). When the prophet Amaziah failed to proclaim the truth to the king and people of Bethel, the Lord deputized Amos and sent him to announce His truth in that land (see Amos 7:10-end). In the New Testament Jesus clarified for us what is truth when He said, “I am the way, the truth and the life” (John 14:6). It is for this reason; He stood before Pilate and announced that His mission is to bring all peoples to accept this truth.
Even though Jesus is the truth; and came from the world of truth, Pilate was not alone in disbelief that Jesus was the truth; there was a schism among the crowd at a Jewish Festival; it is recorded this way, “But after his brothers had gone to the festival, then He also went, not publicly but as it were in secret. The Jews were looking for him at the festival and saying, “Where is He?” And there were considerable complains about him among the crowds. While some were saying, “He is a good man,” others were saying, “No, he is deceiving the crowd.” (John 7:10-12 NRSV). Although Jesus gave the Sadducees’ crowd the truth as to paying the tribute money to King Caesar (see Matthew 22:21); the same set of deceivers stood before Pilate and accused Jesus for telling them not to pay government taxes (Luke 23:3).
We expect the world to reject God’s truth, but Christ’s children are duty bound to possess this truth and to practice it in the world; remembering that, we are in the world but not of the world. Sadly, most practicing Christians prefer to hear lies rather than the truth. It does us good to remember the Apostle Paul’s words, “So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. (2Tim.4:4). However, the words of encouragement for those who hold to the truth and are persecuted for it. This is how He coined such words, “But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry (v 5).
Isaiah in 59:9-15 did prophesy what the church is today. He said, “If we shut our eyes against the light of Divine truth, it is just with God to hide from our eyes the things that belong to our peace. The sins of those who profess themselves God’s people, are worse than the sins of others. And the sins of a nation bring public judgments, when not restrained by public justice. Men may murmur under calamities, but nothing will truly profit while they reject Christ and His gospel. (see Matthew Henry on this section).
Pulpit Commentary on Verse 15 – puts it this way, “Yea, truth faileth. Truth itself is altogether gone, is missing, not forthcoming. “Tetras Astraea reliquit.” This is the worst of all. For truth is the basis of the social fabric, the groundwork of all morality. Once let there be no regard for truth in a state, no discredit attaching to lying, and all virtue is undermined, all soundness is vanished – nothing remains but “wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores” (Isaiah 1:6). He that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey. Evil-doers prosper. The man who “eschews evil,” and declines to employ (as others do) the weapons of fraud and violence, simply gives himself over as a prey to those who are less scrupulous than himself. Verses 15-21”. Nonetheless, – God made a promise of deliverance. to oppressed Israel. The godly in Israel were suffering a double oppression: Jesus came and delivered that promise.
What is truth? Jesus is the truth. And we need to stand with Him. He died so that we can boldly proclaim it.