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What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
John Chrysostom
"What is truth?" But for the present he applieth himself to what was pressing, for he knew that this question needed time, and desired to rescue Him from the violence of the Jews. Wherefore he went out, and what said he? "I find no fault in him." Consider how prudently he acted. …
Cyril of Alexandria
He does not deny the glory of His Kingdom, nor leave it to the voice of Pilate only to affirm it, for as God He is King, whether man so will, or no; but He once more showed the power of the truth which impelled Pilate, though reluctant, to declare the glory of Him Who was on His trial; for, He says: Thou hast said, that I am a King. …
Theophylact of Ohrid
With these few words He so captivated Pilate that Pilate asked about truth, what it is. For it had nearly vanished among men, and no one knew it, and all were already in unbelief. But since this question required special time for resolution, and now it was necessary to deliver Jesus from the fury of the Jews, Pilate goes out to them and says: "I find no fault in Him," and he says this reasonably.
Western Saints
Augustine of Hippo
"Pilate said unto Him, What is truth?" Nor did he wait to hear the answer; but "when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and said unto them, I find in him no fault. But ye have a custom that I should release unto you one at the passover: will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews?" I believe when Pilate said, "What is truth?" there immediately occurred to his mind the custom of the Jews, according to which he was wont to release unto them one at the passover; and therefore he did not wait to hear …
Thomas Aquinas
2364 Now the Evangelist tells us the effect of Christ's answer. We can see from this that Pilate abandoned his idea that Christ had an earthly kingdom, and now thought of Christ as a king in the sense of one who teaches the truth. He desired to learn this truth and to become a member of this kingdom and so he said, What is truth? He was not asking for a definition of truth, but wanted to know that truth by whose power he could become a member of this kingdom. …
Bonaventure
"Pilate says to him: What is truth?" He did not hear the answer to this question, because he did not wait. To this the Lord gives the answer above in chapter 14: "I am the way, the truth, and the life." Question III. Likewise, inquiry is made about the fact that Pilate did not await the Lord's response to his question. Augustine responds that "suddenly there came to his mind the custom of the Jews, by which one was accustomed to be released to them at Passover"; whence, because he wished to free him, he immediately went out. …
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