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.

JOHN 18:38KJV
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John 18:38 (KJV)

What does John 18:38 mean?

John 18:38 shows Pilate responding to Jesus with a question about truth, then telling the people outside that he finds no fault in Jesus. Pilate’s statement matters because he is the Roman governor responsible for examining the case against Jesus.

Pilate asks his question after Jesus speaks about truth in verse 37. The words on the page leave Pilate’s tone unclear: his question could be sincere, impatient, or skeptical.

The Greek behind John 18:38

  • “truth” — ἀλήθεια (alētheia): The word carries the sense of what is true or real. Pilate takes up the same subject Jesus has just raised in verse 37.
  • “fault” — αἰτία (aitia): The word can refer to a charge or grounds for accusation. Here, Pilate’s statement concerns the case brought against Jesus.

Why John 18:38 matters

  • Pilate’s finding concerns the accusation before him. He says, “I find in him no fault at all,” after questioning Jesus about whether he is a king.
  • The people waiting outside have a role in what happens next. Pilate addresses them again and goes on to offer a choice between releasing Jesus and releasing Barabbas in verses 39–40.

Where else these words appear

“fault” Greek G156 · used in 20 verses

  • Matthew 19:3 The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?
  • John 19:6 When 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.
  • Acts 25:27 For it seemeth to me unreasonable to send a prisoner, and not withal to signify the crimes laid against him.

“Pilate” Greek G4091 · used in 53 verses

  • Matthew 27:2 And when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor.
  • Mark 15:44 And Pilate marvelled if he were already dead: and calling unto him the centurion, he asked him whether he had been any while dead.
  • John 18:37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.

“truth” Greek G225 · used in 99 verses

  • Matthew 22:16 And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men.
  • Romans 2:8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,
  • 1 Timothy 6:5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

“again” Greek G3825 · used in 138 verses

  • Matthew 4:7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
  • John 4:13 Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:
  • Acts 11:10 And this was done three times: and all were drawn up again into heaven.