Pastor's Blog

What Is Truth? (Part 1)

The Roman Procurator Pontius Pilate (AD 26-36), while sitting as judge on the crucifixion case of Jesus Christ, lamented, “What is truth?” (John 18:38). Pilate’s question, whether reflective or rhetorical, was given in response to Jesus’ own words of explanation in the preceding verse, “To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth.” Jesus further attests that, “Every one that is of the truth heareth [His] voice” (John 18:37), implying that those who follow Him (called His “sheep” in John 10:16 and 27), are indeed His. And being His, they are also of “the truth.”

More directly, Jesus labels Himself as “the Truth” (exclusively) in John 14:6. This demonstrates that Christianity is unique in that it teaches “truth” is more than just an idea, a concept, or some propositions set forth in words. God has most vividly expressed truth to the world in the personal embodiment of His Son in human flesh as Jesus Christ. The incarnation is a statement of deity—God becoming man in the form of Jesus.

Pilate’s question, then, would be better restated as “Who is truth?” The answer: Jesus is Truth. And Jesus is God (John 1:1, 14). Thus, truth is more than a concept, truth is a person. Truth is God and God is Truth.