Closing in on the Cross of Jesus Christ
Part 9: God on Trial before the Governor
The Gospel of Matthew
Matthew 27:11-26
Sermon by Rick Crandall
(Prepared May 3, 2023)
BACKGROUND:
*Matthew 27:1-2 tells us that "When morning came (the day of the cross), all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put Him to death. And when they had bound Him, they led Him away and delivered Him to Pontius Pilate the governor."
*Last time, in vs. 3-10 we focused mainly on Judas the betrayer. Today in vs. 11-26, we will take a close look at the Lord's trial before the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate. But before we read the Scripture, let me give you a little background about the charges against our Lord.
*The real charge the Jewish rulers had against Jesus was blasphemy, because He made Himself equal with God. Of course, that's not blasphemy in Jesus' case, because He is and always has been the Son of God. Here in Matthew 27, the charge was claiming to be the King of the Jews. Verse 11 says, "Now Jesus stood before the governor. And the governor asked Him, saying, 'Are You the King of the Jews?' So Jesus said to him, 'It is as you say.'''
*Where did the charge of claiming to be King of the Jews come from? William Barclay explained that the Jewish rulers knew the Roman governor would never consider a charge of blasphemy. "He would tell them to go away, and settle their own religious quarrels." That's why the council schemed up three charges to bring Jesus before Pilate. We see these charges in Luke 23:2, where they made these accusations before Pilate: "We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to pay taxes to Caesar, saying that He Himself is Christ, a King.'' Barclay explained, "They charged Jesus first with being a revolutionary, second with inciting the people not to pay their taxes, and third with claiming to be a king. They fabricated three political charges, because they knew that Pilate would only act on such charges." (1)
*Under the leadership of the Holy Spirit, Matthew only listed the last charge. With that background in mind, let's begin by reading Matthew 27:11-18 to discover what the Bible shows us when God went on trial before the Roman governor.
MESSAGE:
1. ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS TO NOTICE IS THE SILENCE OF OUR SAVIOR.
*We can see Jesus' silence in vs. 11-14:
11. Now Jesus stood before the governor. And the governor asked Him, saying, "Are You the King of the Jews?'' So Jesus said to him, "It is as you say.''
12. And while He was being accused by the chief priests and elders, He answered nothing.
13. Then Pilate said to Him, "Do You not hear how many things they testify against You?''
14. And He answered him not one word, so that the governor marveled greatly.
*Pilate was amazed by Christ's silence in the face of His murderous accusers. The Lord did not utter one word of protest, when a word was all it would have taken to end that travesty of a trial.
*In fact, Jesus had already spoken up the night before, but not for Himself. Instead, the Lord spoke up for His followers. It happened in the Garden of Gethsemane when a multitude of soldiers and temple police came out to arrest the Lord.
*John 18:3-6 tells us about it. There God's Word says:
3. Then Judas, having received a detachment of troops, and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons.
4. Jesus therefore, knowing all things that would come upon Him, went forward and said to them, "Whom are you seeking?''
5. They answered Him, "Jesus of Nazareth.'' Jesus said to them, "I am He.'' And Judas, who betrayed Him, also stood with them.
6. Then when He said to them, "I am He,'' they drew back and fell to the ground.
*With just a word, Jesus miraculously sent them sprawling to the ground. This was a most amazing thing, especially when we understand the large number of men who came out to arrest Jesus that night.
*William Barclay explained: "There is something astonishing about the force that came out to arrest Jesus. John 18:3 tells us that there were soldiers along with officers from the chief priests and Pharisees. The officers were from two branches of the Jewish police force, but "a band of men" or "a detachment of troops" was also there. In the original language that word meant a force of at least 200 men, and usually up to 1,000 soldiers. That's who came to arrest Jesus! And what a testimony of the Lord's power. When the authorities decided to arrest him, they sent an army to do it." (2)
*How easy it would have been for Jesus to crush that crowd like an army of ants. Jesus made this clear when He laid them all flat on the ground. He is the Mighty God! Matthew Henry said that "with that simple saying, 'I am He,' Jesus showed plainly, what He could have done with them. When He struck them down, He could have struck them dead. When He spoke them to the ground, He could have spoken them to hell. Jesus also showed what He will do at last with all His hardhearted enemies who will not repent to give him glory. They shall flee, and they shall fall, before him." (3)
*Jesus could have crushed them all, but He had other things on His mind. He had His Father's perfect will on His mind. He had His mission to die on the cross on His mind. He had His disciples on His mind. He even had you and me on His mind. So John 18:7-9 says:
7. Then He asked them again, "Whom are you seeking?'' And they said, "Jesus of Nazareth.''
8. Jesus answered, "I have told you that I am He. Therefore, if you seek Me, let these go their way,''
9. that the saying might be fulfilled which He spoke, "Of those whom You gave Me I have lost none.''
*Jesus had already spoken up that night for His followers. Then He spoke to His followers. John 18:10-11 says:
10. Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus.
11. Then Jesus said to Peter, "Put your sword into the sheath. Shall I not drink the cup which My Father has given Me?''
*Matthew 26:52-54 also says:
52. Then Jesus said to him (Peter), "Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword.
53. Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels?
54. How then could the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must happen thus?''
*Church: Twelve legions of angels is over 70,000 angels! And in Revelation 7:1 just four angels will hold back all the winds of the earth. The Lord could have easily called for help. For that matter, He could have handled all the armies of Rome on His own.
*But Jesus was serenely silent before His accusers, because back in the Garden, He had already confirmed His commitment to die for us. There Jesus made the most difficult decision anyone has ever made. Matthew 26:37-39 tells us that,
37. . . He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed.
38. Then He said to them, "My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.''
39. He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, "O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.''
*Luke 22:44 tells us that Jesus was in agony in the Garden, and as He prayed "His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground." But Jesus prayed 3 times, "Father, Thy will be done." And after that, His heart was settled, even as the Lord stood before Pilate. So here we see the silence of our Savior.
2. BUT GOD ALSO SHOWS US THE INNOCENCE OF OUR SAVIOR.
*Jesus was innocent. Pilate knew that Jesus was innocent from the start. We can see this truth in vs. 15-18:
15. Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to releasing to the multitude one prisoner whom they wished.
16. And they had then a notorious prisoner called Barabbas.
17. Therefore, when they had gathered together, Pilate said to them, "Whom do you want me to release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?''
18. For he knew that because of envy they had delivered Him.
*Pilate also declared Jesus to be innocent down in vs. 20-23:
20. But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitudes that they should ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus.
21. The governor answered and said to them, "Which of the two do you want me to release to you?'' They said, "Barabbas!''
22. Pilate said to them, "What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?'' They all said to him, "Let Him be crucified!''
23. Then the governor said, "Why, what evil has He done?'' But they cried out all the more, saying, "Let Him be crucified!''
*In fact, Pilate declared Jesus to be innocent more than once in all four Gospels. For example, Luke 23:13-16 says:
13. Then Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests, the rulers, and the people,
14. said to them, "You have brought this Man to me, as one who misleads the people. And indeed, having examined Him in your presence, I have found no fault in this Man concerning those things of which you accuse Him;
15. no, neither did Herod, for I sent you back to him; and indeed nothing worthy of death has been done by Him.
16. I will therefore chastise Him and release Him''
*Another example is in John 18:37-38:
37. Pilate therefore said to Him, "Are You a king then?'' Jesus answered, "You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.''
38. Pilate said to Him, "What is truth?'' And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews, and said to them, "I find no fault in Him at all."
*Jesus was perfectly innocent when He died on the cross. And we know this from an infinitely greater authority than Pontius Pilate. God the Father gave the same testimony both at the beginning and near the end of Jesus' ministry. The first was after the Lord's baptism in Matthew 3:17, and then in Matthew 17:5, on the Mount of Transfiguration, God the Father Himself said, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.'' Hebrews 4:15 tells us, "We do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin."
*Jesus was perfectly innocent when He died on the cross. And this is crucially important, because Jesus could have never died for our sins, if He had to die for His own. So here we see the innocence of our Savior.
3. BUT GOD ALSO SHOWS US THE INFLUENCE OVER THE GOVERNOR.
*There are influences all around us, both for good and for evil.
[1] AND PILATE WAS UNDER SOME GOOD INFLUENCES THAT DAY.
*His own conscience pointed him to do the right thing. In vs. 18, Pilate "knew that because of envy they had delivered" Jesus. Then in vs. 19, Pilate's wife tried to get him to do the right thing: "While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, saying, 'Have nothing to do with that just Man, for I have suffered many things today in a dream because of Him.'''
*Some people believe that this dream came from the devil in an effort to keep Jesus from dying on the cross for our sins. But as best as I can tell, the power of the cross was just as much a mystery to the devil and his fallen angels as it was to the people in Old Testament times.
*In Romans 16:25-27 Paul closed his letter with great praise for God. There, Paul also mentioned the mystery of the cross, and said:
25. Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which was kept secret since the world began
26. but now has been made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures has been made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith
27. to God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen.
*Then in 1 Corinthians 2:7-8, Paul said, "We speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory."
*This is why John Gill concluded that the dream that troubled Pilate's wife did not come from the devil. Rather, it came from God as another testimony of the innocence of Jesus Christ. (4)
[2] PILATE'S OWN CONSCIENCE AND HIS WIFE TRIED TO BE GOOD INFLUENCES ON THE GOVERNOR, BUT EVIL INFLUENCES PREVAILED.
*Again in vs. 19-24:
19. While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, saying, "Have nothing to do with that just Man, for I have suffered many things today in a dream because of Him.''
20. But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitudes that they should ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus.
21. The governor answered and said to them, "Which of the two do you want me to release to you?'' They said, "Barabbas!''
22. Pilate said to them, "What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?'' They all said to him, "Let Him be crucified!''
23. Then the governor said, "Why, what evil has He done?'' But they cried out all the more, saying, "Let Him be crucified!''
24. When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather that a tumult was rising, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, "I am innocent of the blood of this just Person. You see to it.''
*Pilate gave in to the evil influences on his life, and made the worst decision he ever made in his life. That is the power of influence. May God help us to follow the good influences in our lives. And may God help us to be good influences in our world.
4. BUT HERE GOD ALSO SHOWS US THE INDIFFERENCE OF THE UNBELIEVERS.
*We can see the indifference starting in vs. 24. "When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather that a tumult was rising, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, 'I am innocent of the blood of this just Person. You see to it.'''
*The reality is that Pilate didn't really care that much one way or another what happened to Jesus. Mostly what he selfishly cared about was his own political career. And the more we know about Pilate, the more we can see how indifferent he was to an innocent man's death.
*Philo was a famous Jewish scholar in Alexandria. And he wrote that the Jews had threatened to report Pilate to the Emperor for his misdeeds. The list of charges included: "His corruption, his acts of insolence, his violent seizure of people's property, his habit of insulting people, his cruelty, his continual murders of people untried and uncondemned, and his never-ending, gratuitous, and most grievous inhumanity." (5)
*Pilate was guilty of all that and more. He was indifferent to the Lord's death. So was the mob of unbelieving Jews on the verge of a riot that day. Verses 24-25 tell us that "When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather that a tumult was rising, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, "I am innocent of the blood of this just Person. You see to it.'' And all the people answered and said, "His blood be on us and on our children.''
*Pilate didn't care on that day. The unbelieving Jews didn't care. They were all indifferent to the death of our Lord. But that doesn't mean they stayed indifferent. There is no biblical evidence that Pilate and his wife later turned to the risen Christ and received Him as their Lord and Savior. But the ancient historian Eusebius reported that Pilate converted after seeing the many wonders that occurred after Jesus’ death, even reporting it to Tiberius. And many Eastern Churches including the Coptic and Ethiopian churches honor Pilate and his wife as saints to this day. (6)
*What about the Jewish mob before Pilate screaming "His blood be on us and on our children''? There is strong biblical evidence that some of them were among the 3,000 that got saved on the Day of Pentecost. I say this because that's exactly who Peter confronted in his sermon.
*In Acts 2:22-24 we hear Peter say, "Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know: Him, being delivered by the determined counsel and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death; whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it."
*The same kind of thing happened before 5,000 more Jews were reported to be saved in Acts 4:4. It happened after a man never able to walk was miraculously healed in the temple. After a large crowd gathered, Peter began to preach.
*In Acts 3:12-21 he said:
12. . . "Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this? Or why look so intently at us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?
13. The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified His Servant Jesus, whom you delivered up and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let Him go.
14. But you denied the Holy One and the Just, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you,
15. and killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses.
16. And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.
17. Yet now, brethren, I know that you did it in ignorance, as did also your rulers.
18. But those things which God foretold by the mouth of all His prophets, that the Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled.
19. Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,
20. and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before,
21. whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began."
*Thank God that He was patiently waiting for people to turn to Jesus Christ. And God is still waiting today! Don't give up on indifferent people! Keep praying for them and doing everything else you can to reach them for Jesus Christ, because being indifferent to God is the most dangerous place to be.
5. BUT HERE GOD ALSO SHOWS US THE DELIVERANCE OF OUR SAVIOR.
*We can see it in vs. 26, where Pilate "released Barabbas to them; and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered Him to be crucified."
*From a human point of view, Pilate delivered Jesus to the cross. But the ultimate reality is that God the Father delivered His only begotten Son to die on the cross for our sins, and Jesus delivered Himself to die on the cross for our sins.
*That's why in Romans 8:32 Paul tells Christians, "He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?" And in Galatians 2:20 Paul also said, "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."
*The original word for "gave" there is the same word as "delivered" here in vs. 26. Jesus Christ delivered Himself to the cross for you and for me! And He did that to deliver us from our sins.
*In vs. 24 Pilate took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, "I am innocent of the blood of this just Person,'' but nobody can wash away their own sins. The only way to be delivered from our sins is to trust in the Savior who died on the cross for our sins, and rose again from the dead.
*That's why in Revelation 1:4-5 John wrote these words to the churches: "Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood."
CONCLUSION:
*Put your trust in our crucified and risen Savior. Receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Call on the Lord to save you now, as we go back to God in prayer. And thank God for the cross of Jesus Christ!
(1) BARCLAY'S DAILY BIBLE STUDY SERIES (NT) by William Barclay, Revised Edition - Copyright 1975 - First published by the Saint Andrew Press, Edinburgh, Scotland - The Westminster Press, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania -- Public Domain - "The Man Who Sentenced Jesus to Death" - Matthew 27:1-2; 11-26 - https://bibleportal.com/commentary/section/william-barclay/the-man-who-sentenced-jesus-to-death-matthew-271-2-matthew-2
(2) Adapted from BARCLAY'S DAILY BIBLE STUDY SERIES - NEW TESTAMENT by William Barclay - Revised Edition - Copyright 1975 - First published by the Saint Andrew - Press, Edinburgh, Scotland - The Westminster Press, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - Public domain - "The Arrest in the Garden" - John 18:1-11 - https://bibleportal.com/commentary/section/william-barclay/the-arrest-in-the-garden-john-181-11-7846
(3) Adapted from MATTHEW HENRY'S WHOLE COMMENTARY ON THE BIBLE - 1708-1710 - John 18:1-12
(4) JOHN GILL'S EXPOSITION OF THE BIBLE by Dr. John Gill, D. D. - 1697-1771 - Published in 1746-1766, 1816 - Matthew 27:19 - Downloaded to e-Sword by Rick Meyers - Copyright 2021
(5) BARCLAY'S DAILY BIBLE STUDY SERIES - NEW TESTAMENT by William Barclay - Revised Edition - Copyright 1975 - First published by the Saint Andrew - Press, Edinburgh, Scotland - The Westminster Press, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - Public domain - "The Man Who Sentenced Jesus to Death" - Matthew 27:1-2; 11-26 - https://bibleportal.com/commentary/section/william-barclay/the-man-who-sentenced-jesus-to-death-matthew-271-2-matthew-2
(6) Sources:
-BARCLAY'S DAILY BIBLE STUDY SERIES - NEW TESTAMENT by William Barclay - Revised Edition - Copyright 1975 - First published by the Saint Andrew - Press, Edinburgh, Scotland - The Westminster Press, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - Public domain - "The Man Who Sentenced Jesus to Death" - Matthew 27:1-2; 11-26 - https://bibleportal.com/commentary/section/william-barclay/the-man-who-sentenced-jesus-to-death-matthew-271-2-matthew-2
-"Pontius Pilate, a saint?" by Patricia Kasten - "The Compass" - April 12, 2019 - https://www.thecompassnews.org/2019/04/pontius-pilate-a-saint/
-"Why do some Christians consider Pontius Pilate a saint?" by Philip Kosloski - published on 02/25/2018 - https://aleteia.org/2018/02/25/why-do-some-christians-consider-pontius-pilate-a-saint/
