“What Is Truth?”

by Micky Galloway

After Jesus was arrested and brought before Pilate, He explained that His kingdom was not of this world. It was never intended to be a material kingdom with geographic boundaries. Pilate responded, “Art thou a king then?” Jesus answered, “Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end have I been born, and to this end am I come into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.” Pilate said to him, “What is truth?” (John 18:36-38). Perhaps we can’t be sure if Pilate was being sarcastic or sincere. However, his question implies that truth cannot be discerned. Unfortunately, even among brethren, there are some that deny that we can fully know the truth. Others are content to agree to disagree saying, “We just cannot understand the truth alike.” Please be assured that we do not have to look to the preacher or religious leaders to answer the question, “What is truth?” What did the Lord say?

“Jesus therefore said to those Jews that had believed him, If ye abide in my word, (then) are ye truly my disciples; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31-32). Let us examine the simple statement of Jesus and see what must be concluded.

“And ye shall know …” Truth is knowable. As Paul wrote concerning the mystery, he said, “whereby, when ye read, ye can perceive my understanding in the mystery of Christ” (Ephesians 3:3-4). Peter said regarding his writings, “Wherefore I shall be ready always to put you in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and are established in the truth which is with (you)” (II Peter 1:12). Peter was confident that his writings would continue to help them understand the truth even after his death (cf. II Peter 1:12-17). John also stated, “I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and because no lie is of the truth” (I John 2:21). We are commanded to understand the truth. “Wherefore be ye not foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is” (Ephesians 5:17). Jesus spoke of some who did not know the truth because they had closed their eyes and stopped their ears (cf. Matthew 13:15). Paul spoke of those who “received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.” He continued, “And for this cause God sendeth them a working of error, that they should believe a lie: that they all might be judged who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness” (II Thessalonians 2:10-12).

“… The truth …” Truth exists! We recognize this in the absolute laws of nature though stated as fact in the Bible and later “discovered” by science. For example, we know the earth is round. David wrote about 1,000 years before Christ, “When he established the heavens, I was there: When he set a circle upon the face of the deep” (Proverbs 8:27). Isaiah wrote about 750 years before Christ, “(It is) he that sitteth above the circle of the earth …” (Isaiah 40:22). Much later, Aristotle (384-322 BC) argued for a spherical earth, but few were convinced. In 1520 AD with the introduction of the compass and the voyages of Columbus and Magellan it was generally accepted that the earth is round. The book of Job records that the earth is suspended on nothing (Job 26:7; 2000-1600 BC). Previously, men thought the earth was flat and was supported on the shoulders of Atlas. However, with the invention of the telescope by a Dutch optician, Hans Lippershey (1608 AD), and the work of Sir Isaac Newton (1687 AD) and his “Law of Universal Gravitation” (Principia), it was “discovered” that the earth is suspended in its orbit by the attraction of the sun. Though these acknowledged absolute truths in the natural world are “discovered” by man, spiritual truths could never be “discovered.” God revealed spiritual truth. “But as it is written, Things which eye saw not, and ear heard not, And (which) entered not into the heart of man, Whatsoever things God prepared for them that love him. But unto us God revealed (them) through the Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For who among men knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of the man, which is in him? even so the things of God none knoweth, save the Spirit of God. But we received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is from God; that we might know the things that were freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Spirit teacheth; combining spiritual things with spiritual (words)” (I Corinthians 2:9-13). This truth is complete (John 16:13; II Timothy 3:16-17). It will never change. Jesus said, “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away” (Matthew 24:35). It is of unparalleled importance, it is the standard by which we will be judged, “the word that I spake, the same shall judge him in the last day” (John 12:48).

By default, error exists. Jesus said, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves” (Matthew 7:15; cf. I Timothy 4:1; I John 4:1; II Peter 2:1-3).

“… Truth shall make you free …” Truth has a purpose. The knowledge of truth coupled with obedience, will make you free from the bondage of sin. That is the context of Jesus’ discussion. The Jews erroneously argued, “We are Abraham’s seed, and have never yet been in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?” Jesus answered them, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Every one that committeth sin is the bondservant of sin” (John 8:33-34). God’s plan to make free from sin is a plan that is to be taught and learned. “And they shall all be taught of God. Every one that hath heard from the Father, and hath learned, cometh unto me” (John 6:45). Jesus said, “Go … teach all nations” (Matthew 28:19; cf. Mark 16:15-16).

Let us make some observations. (1) Truth unites. Jesus prayed for the apostles that they might be one (John 17:11). He had given them the word he had received from the Father (John 17:8, 14). He prayed that they might be “sanctified” in the truth, the word he had given them (John 17:17). Jesus also prayed for those who “believe on me through their word; that they may all be one” (John 17:20-21). (2) Truth also divides. In the context of John 8, those who rejected Jesus were identified as “… of (your) father the devil, and the lusts of your father it is your will to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and standeth not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father thereof. But because I say the truth, ye believe me not. Which of you convicteth me of sin? If I say truth, why do ye not believe me?” (John 8:44-46). (3) Truth demands individual responsibility. We are responsible therefore to: Know the truth. “Ye shall know the truth …” (John 8:32); Understand and submit to the truth. Christ is the author of eternal salvation “unto all them that obey him” (Hebrews 5:8-9). (4) And we are responsible to share the truth with others. “And the things which thou hast heard from me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also” (II Timothy 2:2).

If we can know the truth, don’t we have to understand the truth alike? We may not be able to determine the motive behind Pilate’s question, but we can know the answer to his question.