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confusion. You are talking of the kingdom of God that is after death, somewhere in the heavens. But the politicians become afraid -- kingdom of God! -- and say you are gathering people to conquer the kingdom of God. It seems that you are using a code language and you are trying.... That's what the priest is trying to tell me" -- the viceroy told him -- "that 'He really is a revolutionary politician and he is trying to take over the country from the Romans.'" The priest said it just to influence the viceroy and convince the viceroy that the man was dangerous politically too, he should be crucified.
Pontius Pilate said to Jesus, "You drop these words. You can simply use...'I'm talking about the spiritual dimension, I have nothing to do with politics and the kingdom.' And why do you unnecessarily say that you are the son of God -- and the only begotten son of God? This creates jealousy in the rabbis, in the priests, that you are trying to pose yourself higher than them. They are only rabbis, and you are the only begotten son of God! So you are creating unnecessary enemies. Drop these words; say plainly what you want to say to people."
But Jesus was as much a fanatic as he was a nice man. They are not contradictory qualities; one can be a very nice fellow and yet, about certain things, very fanatical. And Jesus was very fanatical. Whatever he was saying, he was not ready to listen to anything against it. At the last, Pilate felt that this young man was impossible. At the last he said, "I only ask one question: what is truth, about which you are continuously talking? What is truth?" Now that is a question which nobody can answer -- nobody who knows, nobody who has ever tried, a little bit, to search for the truth.
Socrates said, "I do not know what is the truth." Don't be deceived by the words.
Bodhidharma has said, "I do not know even myself." Don't be deceived by the words. These people have a certain glimpse. At least one thing they understand perfectly well, that there are things which cannot be said and talked about.
Jesus remained silent, he did not answer. But this is his answer; silence is his answer. But for Pontius Pilate
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