What Is [the] Truth?
Truth is, the New Testament encourages and calls us to realize that anyone who will come (it's important that they do that work) to Jesus in childlike trust, repenting of their sins (another important work of salvation) and embracing his offer of salvation (the most important work that must take place), will be saved.
Truth is Christ [God] will not prevent people who desire to trust in Christ from doing so.
Truth is God [Christ] has no interest in compelling people to trust Christ against their own will.
AND YET!
There is a supernatural power behind the truth and it's dissemination. It's called divine revelation. Any serious Bible student, and sincere follower of Jesus Christ absolutely must have experienced this power. Nothing but divine revelation can make us wise for salvation, can make Jesus known to us, and can draw us near to Christ. Another word for it is grace. For the young in Christ, prevenient grace draws the follower out from their sinful lost ways and guides them towards the straight and narrow path. And for those maturing in Christ's truth, sanctifying grace is curbing and cultivating truth in the life of the follower as they travel towards the Celestial City. It's supernatural truth that does that. Along "The Way" of Christ's perfecting grace the Holy Spirit reveals the bankruptcy of their human emotions. He breaks down the barriers to truth and opens up opportunities to learning more and more. Supernatural grace.
Meanwhile, what's going on with the rest of the world? What's happening to the truth in the hearts and minds of those who have rejected the gospel? When men and women appraise Jesus and conclude that he is nothing, (as did for instance Herod or Pilate), then it condemns their minds as corrupted by, and participants in, their own sinfulness. Their own grace is sufficient for their own desires and rewards. Maybe that reality is why Jesus never spoke a word to Herod and said very little to Pilate in order to nuance the gospel in terms that they could relate to. It's crucial to note that Jesus DID NOT mold the gospel message of truth in a fashion that would fit the needs of either of these power brokers.
Truth is, every aspect of human nature is inadequate when held up to the bright light of truth. Every aspect of our human nature is opposed to God, “There is none that seeks God. No, not one.”
Truth is, He died for sinners. If you’re a sinner, he died and rose again for you. So trust him and follow Him. And if you're smart you'll trust Christ while the going’s good, because every road down which way you may go, by nature, you'll find to be a dead-end street. And nothing but divine revelation will make you wise for salvation. You've got to hear His voice in order to follow him. And can't hear him if you've rejected him. That's the sound of silence.
Pilate wanted answers, I think possibly genuinely, though not fully. He's a politician looking to keep his position. His ultimate concern is his reward here on earth. Herod longed to meet Jesus, and wanted divine signs and answers, but really wanted to gain an advantage wherever he could, over whatever or whoever he could. When this encounter with Jesus was done he in fact did gain friendship with Pilate that wasn't there before. The Sanhedrin wasn't genuinely interested in any answers that might damage their own interests since they've got their own misinformation ministry prepared beforehand, and yet they still demanded answers to their accusations. This is the world. The world wants answers, not necessarily truth, but answers that can become their truth. For the most part Jesus remained silent to these administers of the world's truth . While they mocked him and accused him, and they got the sound of silence.
Conclusion:
No matter your reasoning, arguments and accusations, unless you've submitted to the divine voice, you'll not hear a gospel word from the King of the Universe. You've literally dug your own grave.
Isaiah 53:7 “He was oppressed and He was afflicted,
Yet He did not open His mouth;
Like a lamb that is led to slaughter,
And like a sheep that is silent before its shearers,’
So He did not open His mouth.”
"You'll get nothing and like it!" As judge Smails said in Caddy Shack.
Can you hear it?
Will you be healed?
Can you muster up even a mustard seed of faith?
When the Son of Man returns will he find faith on the earth?
Time will tell.