John 18:38
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
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John chapter 18, verse 38 of the Gospel of John, is often referred to as "jesting Pilate" or "Truth? What is truth?", of Latin Quid est veritas?. In it, Pontius Pilate questions Jesus' claim that he is "witness to the truth" (John 18:37).
Following this statement, Pilate proclaims to the masses (lit., "the Jews" referring to the Jewish authorities) that he does not consider Jesus guilty of any crime.
Literary references
This verse has been widely quoted and alluded to in culture and literature, particularly in that of philosophical nature. While Pilate's question -- whether intended philosophically, jestfully, rhetorically, or born of frustration at the lack of a plain answer -- is by no means the first incident of someone questioning the nature of truth, it has been drawn upon many times as a significant occurrence thereof.
Francis Bacon uses this musing to open his essay "Of Truth", saying that Pilate "would not stay for an answer". He uses this to introduce his theme of truth as an affirmation of faith.
In The Antichrist (ยง 46), Friedrich Nietzsche calls upon Pilate's query. He uses it, however, as evidence of Pilate's character, saying that he is "a solitary figure worthy of honor" and that the question "What is truth" is "the only saying that has any value" in the New Testament.
See also
