I WOULD give much if I knew the tone of Pilate's voice, or the expression of his face, or his particular impelling thought, when he asked our Lord the question, What is truth? Jesus had just spoken of the permanent importance of truth. "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. Pilate said unto him, What is truth?" and immediately went out and declared that he found no fault in the accused person....
The scene is one of the most dramatic in literature. The powerful Roman official, with the whole force of the Empire behind him, is confronted by a quiet figure, unaggressive but unterrified, the only serene person in the hall....
The contrast between the friendless prisoner and the mighty Roman, who imagined he had final power over him, imposes itself on everyone who reads the Gospel narrative. I came into the world to bear witness unto the truth.
—From Reading the Bible,
