Luke 23:3

Clearly, our Lord here affirms His rightful title as King of the Jews to Pilate, the pagan Governor of Judea. Yet, we find in Matthew that He did not respond to the chief priests and elders accusations – to the utter amazement of Pilate:

12 When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer. 13 Then Pilate asked him, "Don't you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?" 14 But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge--to the great amazement of the governor. Matt 27:12-14 (NIV)

Interestingly, we also find in Matthew that Pilate’s wife had warned him regarding the innocence of Jesus:

19 While Pilate was sitting on the judge's seat, his wife sent him this message: "Don't have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him." Matt 27:19 (NIV)

“This was an honourable testimony to our Lord Jesus, witnessing for him that he was an innocent man. When his friends were afraid to appear in defence of him, God made even those who were foreigners and enemies, to speak in his favour; when Peter denied him, Judas confessed him; when the chief priests pronounced him guilty of death, Pilate declared he found no fault in him; when the women who loved him stood far off, Pilate’s wife, who knew little of him, showed a concern for him. It was a fair warning to Pilate; ‘Don’t have anything to do with him.’ God has many ways of giving checks to sinners in their sinful pursuits, and it is a great mercy to have such checks. It is also our great duty to listen to them.” Matthew Henry

John records the interaction with Jesus and Pilate in the following way:

36 Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place." 37 "You are a king, then!" said Pilate. Jesus answered, "You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me." 38 "What is truth?" Pilate asked. With this he went out again to the Jews and said, "I find no basis for a charge against him. John 18:36-38 (NIV)

Truth was standing right smack dab in front of him and Pilate missed it. As the saying goes: “If it was a snake it would have bit him” – or perhaps the wily serpent had already taken hold of him! How Pilate’s question was intended, we do not know yet what we do know is that he turned away from the One who is “the Truth”. We find that Pilate gives in to the demands of the crowds:

15 Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified. Mark 15:15 (NIV)

Interestingly, Matthew tells us that Pilate took water and washed his hands in front of the crowds declaring his innocence in the matter unfortunately failing to realize that his soul remained dirty. An outward act of righteousness does not determine a cleansed soul – only the blood of Jesus cleanses our filthy souls yet in his politician like manner, he makes an attempt to shift the blame and sadly, the Jews readily accept:

24 When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. "I am innocent of this man's blood," he said. "It is your responsibility!" 25 All the people answered, "Let his blood be on us and on our children!" Matt 27:24-25 (NIV)

Had Pilate turned to the Truth, not only would his hands have been cleansed but also his soul. This was his choice – he had been given the opportunity. It would have been his great duty to have listened and responded to Him as Matthew Henry said. Jesus tells us:

6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6 (NIV)

When we seek after truth, we need to learn no more than the truth that is in Jesus.

“He that takes truth for his guide, and duty for his end, may safely trust to God’s providence to lead him aright.” Blaise Pascal