Lectionary reflections – John 18:33-37

John 18:33-37

English has punctuation, but biblical Greek does not. Verse 37 reads a bit differently depending on which translation you use. The NRSV, for instance, has Pilate asking a question: “So you are a king?”

The ESV also makes it a question.

But the NIV puts an exclamation point where the question mark is in the NRSV: “You are a king, then!” The CEV is less emphatic than the NIV and gives us a period.

So, what tone did Pilate use when he uttered these words? Was it a question from a man who did not understand the strange mutterings of this commoner? Was it the “aha!” moment of an interrogator who thought he had heard the beans spilled? Was it said in anger? Was it is said with weariness?

Does it matter?

With so much talk in Christian circles of empires, Pilate stands in as the representative of the Roman Empire confronting not the church, but the Christ. So, how do we hear this exchange? What tone and nuance do we read into the text? Do we find exclamation points in the mouth of Pilate where questions should be?

And why does the lectionary leave off verse 38? Pilate’s question “What is truth?” is the end of the verbal exchange between Jesus and Pilate. Why leave it off? Jesus has told Pilate about those who hear the truth, and Pilate does not even know what truth is. He cannot even understand the concept of truth. How far from Jesus must he be then? It is not that he hears the truth and rejects it. He does not even know what truth is. How common is that in our world?

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One other thing I notice when reading this is that Pilate seems obsessed with ranks and titles and identities. Are you king of the Jews? Am I a Jew? Are you a king?

Jesus seems more interested in tasks and jobs. This is why I came into the world.

I’m not sure how far to press that distinction, but the two men do seem to be placing value in different things.

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