Who Killed Jesus?

One cold December morning in Sunday School, a child was busy drawing a picture of the Nativity. He drew 4 people next to a truck getting ready to board an airplane. His teacher was curious and asked him about it. The child explained that he was drawing the flight to Egypt, when the holy family had to escape Herod’s wrath. The teacher was puzzled and asked, “OK, I see Mary, Joseph, and Jesus, but who’s the 4th person, next to the plane?” The child answered, “That’s Pontius Pilate.”

Who killed Jesus? Was it Judas, Caiaphas, or the Jews in general? The Apostles Creed says “He was crucified under Pontius Pilate,” no one else. If we’re looking for someone to blame, it seems that Rome is a prime suspect. But what about the Jews? A special interest group, the Sanhedrin, assembled a mob, and put political pressure on a weak politician, who caved in to their demands. The religious leaders wanted Jesus to be put to death for blasphemy, which wasn’t a capital offense under Roman Law; so, they pressured Pilate to charge Jesus with political insurrection, which he insisted was a bogus charge. Pilate had authority to execute anyone for doing anything contrary to the interests of Rome…and he had the authority to spare anyone he chose to show mercy to. Jesus didn’t have many executioners; He had one.

Jesus was no stranger to Pilate. For seven years they shared the same region. Pilate heard reports of Jesus teaching and healing. He surely was told about Palm Sunday, the public demonstration in Jerusalem. Yet Jesus did not look the part of an insurrectionist. Standing before Pilate, Jesus does not ask for mercy, nor does He plead His case. Pilate is annoyed and he tells Jesus (v 10), “Do you refuse to speak to me? Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?” Jesus tells Pilate he is serving under an Authority higher than Rome. Pilate is intimidated by Jesus, who clearly is not afraid of him, nor of death. Pilate is afraid to execute Jesus, and afraid to release him, for several reasons:

• A possible riot in the streets either way;

• Rome won’t be pleased if he releases a man who claims to be king, or if he executes an innocent man, harming the empire’s reputation;

• His wife had a troubling dream about Jesus (Mt 27:19);

• He feared the religious leaders’ retaliation;

• Most of all, he feared that Jesus was Who he claimed to be.

It was probably Pilate who suggested Jesus be arrested at night, to avoid a public outcry. Temple guards and Roman soldiers both were at the arrest. Pilate knew the illegitimate Sanhedrin “trial” was a farce. The religious leaders could not come to Pilate’s palace (or any Gentile building) without being defiled, so he had to submit to the indignity of going to them.

Pilate was likely agnostic, a skeptic. He dismissively asks “What is truth?” while staring Truth in the face. He believed in nothing but the power of Rome. But what if Jesus is the Messiah? Pilate is in a no-win situation. He should have had the backbone to not be pressured to give in to the religious leaders. Historians say that Pilate accepted a bribe to appoint Caiaphas as High Priest and relied on him to keep the public in line. Caiaphas in turn had some political clout with Rome.

As a former career Army officer, I can tell you that there are some coveted assignments officers get because of their connections. They cultivate friendships with people in power and are awarded. Then there are the officers who have a bad reputation or who have not distinguished themselves, who get the undesirable assignments. Israel was not a favored tour of duty. You can be sure Pilate wasn’t happy being stationed there.

Pilate was trapped. The religious leaders warn, “If you don’t do this, you’re not Caesar’s friend,” vs 16. To be “Caesar’s friend” was a sign of loyalty; and there is a clear, implicit threat in these words. “Comply or you’ll be in hot water.” The Roman Emperor awarded the privileged title “Friend of Caesar” to loyal subjects; a status that can be granted--and taken away. If Pilate did not appease the religious leaders, he would be in serious trouble with Rome.

Pontius Pilate is the epitome of inept and corrupt politicians. Like many Romans, he was antisemitic. He dismissed the Jews as “people born to be slaves.” While he may have admired Jesus, he felt insulted by their conversation, and with outrage said “Am I a Jew?” Pilate’s job was to secure tax revenues, keep the peace, and establish trade with Rome. He was instructed to tolerate the local culture, not get involve in social concerns, and not offend the people. Long before the arrest of Jesus he made a series of blunders: