en_tn/jhn/18/38.md

What is truth?

This remark appears in the form of a question to reflect Pilate's belief that no one really knows what truth is. The irony here is that Jesus is the truth. AT: "No one can know what is true!" (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion and rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-irony)

the Jews

Here "Jews" is a synecdoche that refers to the Jewish leaders who opposed Jesus. (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche)

Not this man, but Barabbas

This is an ellipsis. You can add the implied words. AT: "No! Do not release this man! Release Barabbas instead!" (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis)

Now Barabbas was a robber

Here John provides background information about Barabbas. (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-background)

translationWords

• rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/true
• rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/passover
• rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/kingofthejews
• rc://en/tw/dict/bible/names/barabbas