There are multiple elements that stand out to me from this conversation. One is that Jesus, at least in this section, does not say that He is a king. While Catholics such as myself refer to Jesus as King of the Universe, the fact that He does not directly claim the title, but rather says that "You say I am king" suggests that the titles that humanity holds in high esteem mean little to Him. Instead, He tells Pilate that His reason for existence is "to testify to the truth." It's little wonder that He does not want an Earthly title as the truth and kings are not of the same species. (I'm reminded of the Pirate King's song from The Pirates of Penzance: "But many a king of a first class throne, if he wants to call his crown his own, must manage somehow to get through more dirty work than ever I do!")
As if to prove this point, Pilate--a worldly leader--demonstrates that he isn't interested in the truth. He asks the question "What is truth?" in an off-handed rhetorical manner--as though this is a question that has no answer. Ironically, the Truth was standing there, directly in front of him at that moment, but Pilate turns from Him and goes to the crowd.
Am I putting too much faith in the deceitful leaders of our world and not enough in God? Do I seek an answer to the question "What is truth?" Do I belong to the truth, or do I turn away from the truth as though it is something that can never be resolved? I would like to think that I am closer to Jesus' side of these answers than Pilate's side.