Jesus Before Pilate

The multitude brought Jesus before Pilate.  The scene is in Jn 18:28.  They are outside the judgment hall, because of 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 Pilate knows their intention.  They’re seeking the death penalty.  Romans crucify their criminals.  Jesus had prophesied his death by being lifted up, Jn 18:32, Jn 12:32-33.

Their Accusation

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

Forbidding to give tribute to Caesar.  Absolutely a lie.  Remember the fish with a piece of money in his mouth, Matt 17:24-27.  Remember the question and answer in Matt 22:17-22.  Saying he is Christ A King.  If he is Christ, he is THE King.

Lk 23:3 Pilate knew the question to ask, “Art thou the king of the Jews”?  Thou sayest it.  Affirmative answer.  In Jn 18:36 Jesus said “but now is my kingdom not from hence”.  Jesus was no threat to Rome or the chief priests.

Lk 23:4 Pilate judged that there was no fault in Jesus.

Their Method

Lk 23:5 More fierce (Pilate’s weakness was succumbing to political and mob pressure).  They said of Jesus “He stirreth up the people”.  False according to Is 42:1-3.  They were about to stir up the people against him.  And they said he had been “teaching throughout all Jewry”.  True.

Lk 23:6-7 Galilean.  Herod’s jurisdiction.  This gave Pilate a convenient out.  Pilate didn’t really respect Herod’s jurisdiction in Lk 13:1.  That’s probably why they were enemies before.  See Lk 23:12.

Lk 23:8 Herod was exceeding glad.  He had heard many things.  And he hoped to see a miracle.

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

Lk 23:10 While with Herod, the chief priests and scribes vehemently accused him.  Applying more pressure, (v.5).

Lk 23:11-12 Herod with his men of war mocked him, put on him a gorgeous robe, and sent him back to Pilate.  Pilate and Herod became friends that day.

Lk 23:13-16 Pilate again announced “no fault touching those things whereof ye accuse him”.  Nor Herod.  Nothing worthy of death.  Therefore I’ll chastise and release him.  Lk23:17 Of necessity he must release one at the feast.

Lk 23:18-22 Pilate was willing to release Jesus.  Yet, the mob cried crucify him.

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

See Jn 18:39-40 and Jn 19:1-5.  The crowd had been stirred up to cry release Barabbas.  Matt 27:16-17 Pilate gave the choice between only these two, because Barbaras was a notable prisoner.  He figured they had to choose Jesus.  Matt 27:20 but the chief priests and elders persuaded the people to ask Barabbas.  Cried out away with this man release Barabbas, which means son of the father.  His crimes were sedition, murder, and robbery.  Then Pilate scourged Jesus.  That’s when he was 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 Pilate 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. This is serious political pressure.

Jn 19:13-14 Pilate brought Jesus forth at the 6th hour (dawn) and saith to the Jews, “Behold your King”. Jn 19:15  and they replied “we have no king but Caesar”.

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

Lk 23:24-25 And Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they required.  He released Barabbas, and delivered Jesus to them.

Their Curse

Matt 27:25 They said, “His blood be on us, and on our children”.  they are still living with the consequences of what they had said.

Jn 19:17 he bearing his cross went forth.  Lk 23:26 Then they 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, the reason they wanted him dead wasn’t primarily unbelief.