Second Appearance Before Pilate Series

HARMONY OF THE GOSPELS

(33) Second Appearance Before Pilate

Scripture: Matthew 27:15-16; Mark 15:6-15; Luke 23:13-25; John 18:39-19:16 (focal passage)

Tom Lowe

2/13/2008

(Deuteronomy 21:6-9) And all the elders of that city, that are next unto the slain man, shall wash their hands over the heifer that is beheaded in the valley: And they shall answer and say, Our hands have not shed this blood, neither have our eyes seen it. Be merciful, O LORD, unto thy people Israel, whom thou hast redeemed, and lay not innocent blood unto thy people of Israel’s charge. And the blood shall be forgiven them. So shalt thou put away the guilt of innocent blood from among you, when thou shalt do that which is right in the sight of the LORD.

Time: Friday of Jesus’ Final Week

Place: Jerusalem

Since the Jews could not execute a person without approval from the Roman authorities, the Jewish leaders brought Jesus to Pilate to pronounce the death sentence. Pilate seemed convinced that Jesus was not guilty of anything deserving death and he sought to release Jesus. However, he was more concerned with antagonizing the Jews and running the risk of damaging his own reputation and career. Therefore, when they insisted on Jesus’ crucifixion, Pilate turned Jesus over to be executed.

(Luke 23:13) And [1]Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests and the [2]rulers and the people,

(Luke 23:14) Said unto them, Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that [3]perverteth the people: and, [4]behold, I, having [5]examined him before you, have found no [6]fault in this man [7]touching those things [8]whereof [9]ye accuse him:

A mob led by the Jewish religious leaders rushed Jesus from Herod’s palace to the residence of Pontius Pilate hoping to pressure him into sentencing Jesus to death by crucifixion. This presented Pilate with a problem; because he had failed to act justly by acquitting his royal prisoner, Pilate now found himself trapped. He called a hurried meeting of the Jewish leaders and explained to them that he had been unable to find any evidence of disloyalty on the part of Jesus. If he really believed that, he should have immediately released him and then protected him from the fury of the priests and mob, and reprimanded His prosecutors for presenting false evidence. But, since he was a bad man, he could not show Christ any kindness, and, in addition, he was afraid of displeasing either the emperor or the people. Therefore, since he lacked integrity, instead of dispersing the riotous crowd, he called together the chief priests, and rulers, and people to hear what they had to say. He said, "You have brought this man to me, and, because I have a respect for you, I have examined him in your presence, and have heard all you have alleged against him, and yet I cannot find that he has broken any laws; and besides, you cannot prove the things you have accused him of.’’

(Luke 23:15) No, nor yet Herod: for I sent you to him; and, [10]lo, [11]nothing worthy of death is done unto him.

He reminds the mob that King Herod has also interviewed Jesus: "I sent this man to Herod, who is supposed to know more about Him than I do. But what did he do; he has sent him back, and He has not been convicted of any thing, and He doesn’t show any marks that would indicate that Herod was displeased with Him. In his opinion, his crimes are not worthy of the death sentence. He laughed at him for His pathetic appearance and outrageous claims, but he did not classify him as a dangerous man.’’

(Luke 23:16) I will therefore [12]chastise him, and release him.

Pilate proposes to release him, since “Nothing deserving of death has been done by Him.” But first he will placate the crowd by severely punishing Him. As Stewart points out: “This sorry compromise was, of course, totally unjustifiable and illogical. It was the poor, fear-driven soul’s attempt to do his duty by Jesus and to please the crowd at the same time. But it did neither, and it is no wonder that the angry priests would not accept that verdict at any price.”

He will release Jesus if they will agree to it. He ought to have done it without their consent, after all, he didn’t need their approval. He had the authority to do anything he wanted to Jesus. But he was caught in the same snare that is common to many men—that, while justice should take place, they will do an unjust thing, against their consciences, rather than go against public opinion and face criticism from superiors.

(John 18:39) But ye have a custom, that I should release unto you one at the [13]passover: will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews?