What is Truth? The Fateful Question Asked by Pialte. - By: Dr. Danny Purvis
What is Truth?
The Fateful Question Asked by Pilate.
By: Dr. Danny Purvis
It has always been fascinating to me how the people mentioned in the Bible are portrayed in movies and television shows. Of course, the portrayals that catch the most of our attention are the various ones depicting Jesus. Throughout movie history Jesus has been portrayed in a variety of different ways. One of the most interesting portrayals is in the movie Ben-Hur. This epic film stars Charlton Heston as the main character, Judah Ben-Hur. However, throughout the movie, Jesus plays a very important role. In fact, He sort of hovers over the entire story. But here's the thing. You never see His face or hear His voice clearly.
Virtually every time He appears in the movie, you see Him from an angle that does not reveal His face. There are a few stories floating around that try to explain this. One reason given was that local government laws (on location) forbade movies from showing Jesus’ face or hearing His voice if He was a secondary character. Others say that the director, William Wyler, struggled with the depiction of Jesus and wondered if the showing of His face would be a benefit or a detraction from the film (with many wondering if Wyler being Jewish added to his struggle). Anyway…the depictions of Jesus in movies has drawn a lot of attention and criticism (much of it well deserved) over the years because of the many ways in which He has been portrayed.
There is one person, however, from the Biblical record that has been portrayed in a very similar way in virtually every movie I have ever seen on the life of Jesus. Please know, however, that I have not even come close to seeing all of them so I am not saying that there is not an exception to this thought. But generally speaking…Pilate is often portrayed as a man that had…in some small ways…some affinity for Jesus. Maybe that’s not the right word. And maybe even sympathy might not be the right word. But Pilate is often portrayed as being at least somewhat sympathetic to Jesus’ plight and is often shown as expressing reluctance to crucify Him. More times than not he is seen as someone who appeased a hostile crowd rather than having bloodlust towards this agitator. There is some Biblical foundation for this.
In Matthew 27:19 we are told that Pilate received a message from his wife pleading with him: “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man.” Pilate’s public display of handwashing also would seem to distance himself from the crucifixion and blaming it on the Jewish leaders that demanded it. What are we to make of this? Did Pilate feel sorry for Jesus? Was he showing a display of compassion towards this innocent Man? Was he capable of something like this? History seems to tell us…no. Two historians from that time period, Josephus and Philo, both Jews themselves, wrote about Pilate in their works. They both said the same thing. Pilate was a particularly cruel man who hated the Jews he governed and went out of his way to insult them and blaspheme their religion.
Philo called him a “spiteful and angry person”. When the Jewish leaders sent a letter to the Emperor Tiberius exposing Pilate’s cruelty, and intentional blasphemy, Tiberius, not noted for being quick to anger, was furious and unleashed a thousand rebukes to Pilate. Knowjng this, is it then logical to assume that Pilate had some special sympathetic feelings towards Jesus? It seems unlikely. Possible, but unlikely. Pilate hated unrest. Especially religious unrest. And Jesus was the cause for a LOT of religious unrest. From His Triumphal Entry to His violent and public arrest, Jesus was a thorn in Pilate’s side. I find it hard to believe he felt anything but antipathy for Jesus. That he was probably intrigued with Jesus’ demeanor and persona? Sure. Everyone was. Even those that hated Him. But I don’t buy this hateful pagan with a heart of gold portrayal.
However, in the midst of all of this hatred towards the Jews in general and, I argue, Jesus in particular, Jesus granted him a private audience with Himself. Oh, don’t get me wrong, it was certainly Pilate who was under the impression that he was being magnanimous by agreeing to speak with this Jewish religious agitator. However, this conversation was predetermined before the foundation of the world by the God to Whom Pilate was speaking. This conversation is included in all 4 Gospels…but it is John who gave us the pivotal details of this encounter. After bantering back and forth Jesus says: “for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of truth hears My voice” (John 18:37b). Jesus didn’t have to say any of this. But He was revealing Himself to the one who would be responsible (along with many others) for His death. What a moment of compassion. The compassion not coming from vicious governor who had put many troublesome Jews to their death…but compassion coming from the One Whom Pilate would murder. And the response to that statement?
Pilate said: “What is truth (John 18:38a)?” Notice he did not say…what is THE truth. He was not asking Jesus for proof that the charges were unfounded. He was not asking whether the truth of this case had merit. He was questioning the very essence of truth itself. John then tells us that after Pilate said this, “he went out”. He left Jesus and went on is way…not waiting on the answer. I have often wondered what Jesus would have said to him if he had stayed to listen to what truth actually is. My heart to this day goes out to Pilate. To be that close. To have been granted a private audience with the One Who created Pilate in the first place. And to walk away before hearing truth. He was face to face with the Incarnate Christ Who was tantalizing him with truth…and he walked out. Truly one of the most heart wrenching moments in human history. As it is with all who do not want to hear truth. “If you abide in my word, you are truly My disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31-32). Pilate did not want to know the truth…and he is for all eternity…not free.
-Dr. Danny Purvis
The Fateful Question Asked by Pilate.
By: Dr. Danny Purvis
It has always been fascinating to me how the people mentioned in the Bible are portrayed in movies and television shows. Of course, the portrayals that catch the most of our attention are the various ones depicting Jesus. Throughout movie history Jesus has been portrayed in a variety of different ways. One of the most interesting portrayals is in the movie Ben-Hur. This epic film stars Charlton Heston as the main character, Judah Ben-Hur. However, throughout the movie, Jesus plays a very important role. In fact, He sort of hovers over the entire story. But here's the thing. You never see His face or hear His voice clearly.
Virtually every time He appears in the movie, you see Him from an angle that does not reveal His face. There are a few stories floating around that try to explain this. One reason given was that local government laws (on location) forbade movies from showing Jesus’ face or hearing His voice if He was a secondary character. Others say that the director, William Wyler, struggled with the depiction of Jesus and wondered if the showing of His face would be a benefit or a detraction from the film (with many wondering if Wyler being Jewish added to his struggle). Anyway…the depictions of Jesus in movies has drawn a lot of attention and criticism (much of it well deserved) over the years because of the many ways in which He has been portrayed.
There is one person, however, from the Biblical record that has been portrayed in a very similar way in virtually every movie I have ever seen on the life of Jesus. Please know, however, that I have not even come close to seeing all of them so I am not saying that there is not an exception to this thought. But generally speaking…Pilate is often portrayed as a man that had…in some small ways…some affinity for Jesus. Maybe that’s not the right word. And maybe even sympathy might not be the right word. But Pilate is often portrayed as being at least somewhat sympathetic to Jesus’ plight and is often shown as expressing reluctance to crucify Him. More times than not he is seen as someone who appeased a hostile crowd rather than having bloodlust towards this agitator. There is some Biblical foundation for this.
In Matthew 27:19 we are told that Pilate received a message from his wife pleading with him: “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man.” Pilate’s public display of handwashing also would seem to distance himself from the crucifixion and blaming it on the Jewish leaders that demanded it. What are we to make of this? Did Pilate feel sorry for Jesus? Was he showing a display of compassion towards this innocent Man? Was he capable of something like this? History seems to tell us…no. Two historians from that time period, Josephus and Philo, both Jews themselves, wrote about Pilate in their works. They both said the same thing. Pilate was a particularly cruel man who hated the Jews he governed and went out of his way to insult them and blaspheme their religion.
Philo called him a “spiteful and angry person”. When the Jewish leaders sent a letter to the Emperor Tiberius exposing Pilate’s cruelty, and intentional blasphemy, Tiberius, not noted for being quick to anger, was furious and unleashed a thousand rebukes to Pilate. Knowjng this, is it then logical to assume that Pilate had some special sympathetic feelings towards Jesus? It seems unlikely. Possible, but unlikely. Pilate hated unrest. Especially religious unrest. And Jesus was the cause for a LOT of religious unrest. From His Triumphal Entry to His violent and public arrest, Jesus was a thorn in Pilate’s side. I find it hard to believe he felt anything but antipathy for Jesus. That he was probably intrigued with Jesus’ demeanor and persona? Sure. Everyone was. Even those that hated Him. But I don’t buy this hateful pagan with a heart of gold portrayal.
However, in the midst of all of this hatred towards the Jews in general and, I argue, Jesus in particular, Jesus granted him a private audience with Himself. Oh, don’t get me wrong, it was certainly Pilate who was under the impression that he was being magnanimous by agreeing to speak with this Jewish religious agitator. However, this conversation was predetermined before the foundation of the world by the God to Whom Pilate was speaking. This conversation is included in all 4 Gospels…but it is John who gave us the pivotal details of this encounter. After bantering back and forth Jesus says: “for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of truth hears My voice” (John 18:37b). Jesus didn’t have to say any of this. But He was revealing Himself to the one who would be responsible (along with many others) for His death. What a moment of compassion. The compassion not coming from vicious governor who had put many troublesome Jews to their death…but compassion coming from the One Whom Pilate would murder. And the response to that statement?
Pilate said: “What is truth (John 18:38a)?” Notice he did not say…what is THE truth. He was not asking Jesus for proof that the charges were unfounded. He was not asking whether the truth of this case had merit. He was questioning the very essence of truth itself. John then tells us that after Pilate said this, “he went out”. He left Jesus and went on is way…not waiting on the answer. I have often wondered what Jesus would have said to him if he had stayed to listen to what truth actually is. My heart to this day goes out to Pilate. To be that close. To have been granted a private audience with the One Who created Pilate in the first place. And to walk away before hearing truth. He was face to face with the Incarnate Christ Who was tantalizing him with truth…and he walked out. Truly one of the most heart wrenching moments in human history. As it is with all who do not want to hear truth. “If you abide in my word, you are truly My disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31-32). Pilate did not want to know the truth…and he is for all eternity…not free.
-Dr. Danny Purvis
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