Jesus Before Pilate

The multitude brought Jesus before Pilate.  Scene Jn 18:28 they are outside the judgment hall, because Passover. Pilate is in the judgment hall.  Such legalists straining at gnats; they’re fixing to lie and condemn the just, Prov 17:15.  Pilate comes out to commune with them and goes in to commune with Jesus.

Their Intention

Jn 18:31 knows their intention.  They’re seeking the death penalty.  Romans crucify.  Jesus had prophesied his death by being lifted up, Jn 18:32, Jn 12:32-33.

Their Accusation

Perverting the nation – lie.  If anything, they perverted the nation.

Forbidding to give tribute to Caesar – absolutely a lie.  Fish coin, Matt 17:24-27.  Matt 22:17-22 question.  Saying he is Christ A King.  If he is Christ, he is THE King.

23:3 Pilate knows the question to ask, Art thou the king of the Jews?  Thou sayest it.  Affirmative.  In Jn 18:36 but now is my kingdom not from hence.  No threat to you or them.

23:4 No fault.

Their Method

23:5 More fierce (Pilate’s weakness).  He stirreth up the people.  False.  Not cry bruised reed, Is 42:1-3.  They were about to stir up the people against him.  Teaching throughout all Jewry.  True.

23:6-7 Galilean.  Herod’s jurisdiction.  Pilate’s convenient out.  Because he didn’t respect his jurisdiction in Lk 13:1.  That’s probably why enemies before.  See v.23:12.

23:8 Herod exceeding glad.  Heard many things.  Hoped to see a miracle.

23:9 Questioned many words, but Jesus didn’t answer.  He knew Herod.  He was a fox, Lk 13:31-32, sly, cunning, independent, trickster.

23:10 Chief priests and scribes vehemently accused him.  Applying more pressure, (v.5).

23:11-12 Herod with men of war mocked him, gorgeous robe, sent him back to Pilate.  Friends that day.

23:13-16 Pilate no fault touching those things whereof ye accuse him.  Nor Herod.  Nothing worthy of death.  Therefore I’ll chastise and release him.  23:17 Of necessity release one at the feast.

23:18-22 Pilate willing to release Jesus.  They cried crucify him.

Why, what evil hath he done, I find no cause of death in him.  I’ll chastise and let him go.

Jn 18:39-40 and Jn 19:1-5.  Crowd cried release Barabbas.  Matt 27:16-17 Pilate gave the choice between only these two, because Barbaras was a notable prisoner.  Figured they had to choose Jesus.  Matt 27:20 Chief priests and elders persuaded the people to ask Barabbas.  Cried out away with this man release Barabbas, means son of the father.  His crimes sedition, murder, robbery.  Then Pilate scourged him.  That’s when crowned with thorns and he brought Jesus out to them and said Behold the man.  Hoping this would satisfy them.

Their Reason

Jn 19:6-7 no fault.  By our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.  Jn 19:8-11 Then took Jesus back into the judgment hall and asked, Whence art thou?  Jn 19:12 Pilate sought to release him.

Jn 19:12 the Jews cried out if thou let this man go thou art not Caesar’s friend. Political pressure.

Jn 19:13-14 Brought Jesus forth 6th hour (dawn) and saith to the Jews, Behold your King. Jn 19:15 we have no king but Caesar.

23:23 Instant with loud voices.  Their voices prevailed.  Matt 27:24 a tumult was made (they had stirred up the people).

23:24-25 And Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they required.  Released Barabbas, delivered Jesus.

Their Curse

Matt 27:25 His blood be on us, and on our children.

Jn 19:17 he bearing his cross went forth.  Lk 23:26 Laid the cross on Simon the Cyrenian that he might bear it after Jesus.

Their Motive

Mk 15:10 Pilate knew that the chief priests had delivered him for envy.  Who is able to stand before envy?  Prov 27:4. Thus, it wasn’t primarily unbelief.