Truth in the Shadows: Clinging to Christ Amidst Trials (John 18:28-40)

Bible Passage: John 18:28–40

Summary: In the passage of John 18:28-40, Jesus is brought before Pilate, illustrating a stark confrontation between truth and falsehood. Here, the religious leaders seek to condemn Jesus while Pilate grapples with the truth of Jesus’ identity amid the pressures of public opinion and fear of insurrection.

Application: This sermon encourages believers to remain steadfast in their understanding of truth, especially when faced with opposition or uncertainty. The example of Jesus teaches us to stand firm, maintaining our integrity and faith in the face of adversity, reminding us that truth ultimately prevails.

How this passage could point to Christ: This passage points to Christ as the ultimate truth and the fulfillment of God's plan. Throughout Scripture, Jesus is portrayed as the truth (John 14:6) and in this account, He stands as the silent but resolute witness to that truth, foreshadowing His ultimate victory over sin and falsehood through His crucifixion and resurrection.

Big Idea: In times of adversity, we are called to cling to the truth embodied in Jesus, trusting that He will guide us through any challenge we face.

1. Stand in Unjust Accusations (28-32)

John 18:28–32 ESV

Then they led Jesus from the house of Caiaphas to the governor’s headquarters. It was early morning. They themselves did not enter the governor’s headquarters, so that they would not be defiled, but could eat the Passover. So Pilate went outside to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this man?” They answered him, “If this man were not doing evil, we would not have delivered him over to you.” Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law.” The Jews said to him, “It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death.” This was to fulfill the word that Jesus had spoken to show by what kind of death he was going to die.

Jesus was led instead of being the one that leads the world.

John Explanation of the Text

“the Jews have ironically prepared for the arrival of the true Passover by leading Jesus to the praetorium to be put to death.”

John Explanation of the Text

In every important respect Pilate is Rome; the authority he assumes, the questions he asks, and his interaction with the Jews and Jesus expresses as much to the readers.

The Jews are trying to use Pilate (just as Pilate will try to use the Jews) to access his authority and obtain their intended political (and religious) victory. The scene depicts two worldly authorities fighting over a claim to power that ultimately belongs to neither.

Pilate’s response not only reflects a move to disassociate himself from the (Jewish) legality involving “this man” but also serves to strike back at the Jews (per a social challenge) by leveraging their own laws against them. Pilate’s argument is as follows: if your laws can so easily and with little qualification declare his actions as “evil,” then they should just as easily be able to declare him guilty. This argument brings to light the real intentions of the Jews and forces them to qualify and explain their need for Pilate (and Rome more generally).

Going to Christian conferences can be a real blessing or… political

The Jews then explain, “It is not lawful for us to kill anyone” (Ἡμῖν οὐκ ἔξεστιν ἀποκτεῖναι οὐδένα). This statement has not been easily interpreted. There is no need to doubt the historicity of this statement, as if the Gospel is not itself a source into the legalities of a vassal state (Israel) under a foreign power (Rome) or a trustworthy source for understanding such authority in the first century. But the issue may have less to do with Roman authority and more to do with the regulations described by their own law, perhaps especially in light of Passover. This latter sense fits well with the Gospel itself, where the Jews not only freely speak of killing Jesus with no regard for Roman permission (e.g., 5:18; 7:1; 11:53) but are even the ones to whom Pilate hands Jesus over to be crucified (see 19:15–16; cf. Jesus’s prediction of this in 8:28). The expression, “It is not lawful,” is almost always used in the Gospels to refer to what is either permitted or forbidden to Jews by their own law of Moses, which makes it difficult to interpret the statement as a reference to Roman law alone.

Jesus, though innocent, was brought to Pilate with false accusations. Here, maybe discuss the hypocrisy of the religious leaders who sought to maintain ritual purity while plotting an unjust execution. Emphasize how, like Jesus, we often face unjust circumstances but must cling to truth during trials. This passage illustrates the beginning of the collision between divine truth and human deception, inviting us to trust in Christ when truth seems overshadowed.

2. Speak Kingdom Truths (33-37)

John 18:33–37 ESV

So Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?” Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you done?” Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”

Jesus’ dialogue with Pilate, where He declares His kingdom is not of this world. Explore the concept of truth as Jesus presents it—otherworldly, unwavering, and challenging the temporal powers. You could encourage the congregation to adopt this perspective of truth, aligning more with God's eternal purpose than immediate comfort. Reflect on how Christ, as the embodiment of truth, empowers us to face worldly trials.

John Explanation of the Text

It is common for scholars to interpret the term “kingdom” (βασιλεία) as “kingship” to emphasize that Jesus’s rule is not defined by a place but by a power—the sovereign reign of God.

3. Seek Unwavering Truth (38-40)

John 18:38–40 ESV

Pilate said to him, “What is truth?” After he had said this, he went back outside to the Jews and told them, “I find no guilt in him. But you have a custom that I should release one man for you at the Passover. So do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” They cried out again, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a robber.

Maybe Pilate's question, "What is truth?" encapsulates a crucial struggle we face: recognizing and standing up for truth amidst cultural relativism and moral ambiguity. Pilate, rejecting truth for convenience, released Barabbas—a choice that underscores humanity's tendency to evade truth. Encourage believers to hold fast to Jesus, the truth, even when others choose falsehood for ease. This point reinforces the importance of a steadfast commitment to Christ as our guide through adversity.