Translation commentary on John 18:38

This statement is literally “Pilate says to him, ‘What is truth?’ ” Good News Translation inverts the order of the Greek for dramatic effect. The way of translating And what is truth? will depend primarily upon the way in which verse 37 is rendered. If, for example, one has translated to speak about the truth as “to speak true words,” then the question by Pilate will probably be “And what are true words?”

Then is literally “And having said this.” Several translations render “with these words”; Jerusalem Bible has “and with that.” All these translations convey the transitional force of the Greek phrase. However, it is also possible to omit it altogether (Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch “Pilate went out again to the Jews”).

Pilate is not explicitly mentioned in the Greek text. However, since a new section begins here, it is helpful to the reader that he be named.

I cannot find any reason to condemn him is literally “I find in him no ground for complaint.” New English Bible renders “I find no case against him”; Barclay translates “There is nothing of which I can find this man guilty.” In some languages one may say “This man has done nothing which would cause me to say, ‘He must die’ ” or “There is no reason why I must condemn him” or “I cannot discover how I can condemn him.”

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on the Gospel of John. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1980. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

SIL Translator’s Notes on John 18:38

18:38a

What is truth?: This is a rhetorical question. Pilate used it to stop the conversation. Pilate does not want to hear Jesus’ answer.

There are two ways to translate this question:

• Use a rhetorical question or questions. For example:

Truth?…What is that? (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
Can we really know truth?

• Use a statement. For example:

We cannot know what is really true.
-or-
It would be good if someone knew what the true teaching is (but no one does). (Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)

Translate this rhetorical question in a way that is most natural in your language. Try to show that Pilate did not want to talk anymore about truth.

truth: Translate this word like you translated it in 18:37. For example:

What is true?
-or-
What is the true teaching?

Pilate asked: The word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as asked is more literally “said.” Pilate did not really want or expect an answer to his question. We know that because he immediately went outside. Use a verb that is natural for introducing a rhetorical question.

Paragraph 18:38b–40

In this paragraph, Pilate tried to release Jesus. He thought that Jesus was innocent. So he offered to free Jesus for the celebration of a Jewish feast. But the leaders of the Jews and the crowd were determined to have Jesus crucified. They asked Pilate to release a criminal named Barabbas instead.

18:38b

And having said this: This phrase introduces Pilate’s next action: he went outside immediately after he asked about truth. He did not wait for an answer. Some English translations leave this phrase implicit. This may be most natural if you begin a new paragraph here. Here is one way you could start a new paragraph:

Pilate went back out… (Contemporary English Version)

he went out again to the Jews: This clause indicates that Pilate left the judgment hall in his house and went outside. That is where the Jewish crowd was waiting for him. Because this is a new paragraph, you may want to use Pilate’s name. For example:

Then Pilate went back outside (Good News Translation)

to the Jews: The phrase the Jews here refers to the religious leaders of the Jews.

18:38c

I find no basis for a charge against Him: This clause is more literally “I find no fault in him.” Pilate thought that Jesus was innocent. He did not disobey any Roman laws, so Pilate did not have a case (a basis for accusing him in court). Indicate this idea using the legal expression that is natural in your language. For example:

I don’t find this man guilty of anything! (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
He is not guilty of any crime. (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
I cannot find any reason for judging this person. (Yakan Back Translation)

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