EPISODE 2 - The Truth, The Whole Truth, and Nothing But The Truth

God’s Family Plan: Establishing Generational Blessing

Today’s podcast is Part Two of “The Truth, The Whole Truth, and Nothing but The Truth.” All of the episodes in this series are focused on answering the question, “What on Earth is Going On???”

We are going to be spending a lot of time in John’s gospel today. In John’s writing, Jesus offers significant insight into the subject of “The Truth.” With that in mind, John 18:37 and 38a will serve as an outline for today’s study.

However, before I read this passage, I would like to set the stage. in these two verses, John shares with us a portion of Jesus’ interrogation by Pilate, the Roman Governor of Judea on the morning of the crucifixion. You might find it beneficial to read all of John 17 and 18, as well as Chapters 22 and 23 of Luke’s Gospel in order to more fully understand the context of what I am about to share.

In the New King James Version, John 18:37 and 38a read as follows,

Pilate therefore said to Him, “Are You a king then?”

Jesus answered, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.”

Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?”

In these two verses, we find two questions. The first is, “Are you a King?”

Jesus’ reply to this question is translated somewhat differently in the various versions of the Bible. But, as you can see, in the New King James Version, Jesus’ response is clearly translated as in the affirmative. Yes, Jesus is a King. In the remainder of verse 37, Jesus offers a brief explanation of His kingly mission and purpose, for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. The phrase “bear witness” in the Greek text is “martureo.” It’s root is the word from which the get our word “martyr.”

Jesus also said,“Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.”

What does it mean to be “of the truth.” The word translated “of” in this passage is “ek” in the Greek. Our Anglicized spelling is “e-k.” According to Strong’s Lexicon, “ek” is a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause;…).

In other words, when our life is based in truth, when the truth is our source, we are given the ability to hear Jesus’ voice.

In response to this answer, Pilate offers another question, “What is truth?”

Whether Pilate offers us a rhetorical question, a philosophical question, or simply a dismissive response, when taken at face value, “What is truth?” is question of great importance. The answer to this question is foundational to our faith.