frankiespeakin.. you say
The question was never answered. Typical evengelical style if you ask me (ie.. Those who love the lord look for the smallest opening to give a witness even in vague answers to questions).
I suspect the question was never answered because it was a rhetorical question. And hybridous is correct, the purpose of it is presumptively to demonstrate that Pilate and Jesus are not even on the same page, let alone that they happen to be in the same room.
When I was a child this response put in the mouth of Pilate struck a very responsive chord. In essence it says, "what on earth are you talking about?" Did anyone see the way the line was delivered in Latin in Gibson's Passion? I thought, this is the only line I've read in this story that makes any sense? It's not just a relativist question...Jesus is the one playing fast and loose with semantics in the word 'truth.' JWs also use this as the high-water mark of their defense of anti-intellectualism: How Dare Haughty Pilate talk to the Son of God like that! To me, it's an honest question, and as you point out, one that speaks to feelings. It's quite in keeping with John's characterizations also to have Jesus speaking elliptically and Pilate come across as out of the loop and forgivable, sinless compared to the "Jews."
The most difficult element of this Gospel to me is for the lines delivered by the "other side" to be the ones I agree with the most, like cheering when the serpent of Genesis or Job's comforters speak.
