"Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor questioned Him, saying, "Are You the King of the Jews?" And Jesus said to him, "It is as you say." And while He was being accused by the chief priests and elders, He did not answer. Then Pilate *said to Him, "Do You not hear how many things they testify against You?" And He did not answer him with regard to even a single charge, so the governor was quite amazed.
Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the people any one prisoner whom they wanted. At that time they were holding a notorious prisoner, called Barabbas. So when the people gathered together, Pilate said to them, "Whom do you want me to release for you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?" For he knew that because of envy they had handed Him over."
While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent him a message, saying, "Have nothing to do with that righteous Man; for last night I suffered greatly in a dream because of Him." But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to put Jesus to death. But the governor said to them, "Which of the two do you want me to release for you?" And they said, "Barabbas." Pilate *said to them, "Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?" They all *said, "Crucify Him!" And he said, "Why, what evil has He done?" But they kept shouting all the more, saying, "Crucify Him!"
When Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but rather that a riot was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd, saying, "I am innocent of this Man’s blood; see to that yourselves." And all the people said, "His blood shall be on us and on our children!" Then he released Barabbas for them; but after having Jesus scourged, he handed Him over to be crucified."
Good Morning my beloved,
We welcome you to worship in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. We are so grateful that you could be here with us today. Christian persecution is rapidly increasing in a number of countries throughout the world. 1 in 7 Christians are being persecuted worldwide for their faith. I humbly ask you would join us in praying for our brothers and sisters who are facing severe persecution, that their witness would help to turn the hardened hearts of their persecutors, leading others to Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. that their suffering would not be in vain, but glorify our Lord.
We welcome you to worship in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. We are so grateful that you could be here with us today. Christian persecution is rapidly increasing in a number of countries throughout the world. 1 in 7 Christians are being persecuted worldwide for their faith. I humbly ask you would join us in praying for our brothers and sisters who are facing severe persecution, that their witness would help to turn the hardened hearts of their persecutors, leading others to Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. that their suffering would not be in vain, but glorify our Lord.
Please don't forget to check out Vanessa Taylor's at Go Ye Kids
children's ministry, who has graciously partnered with us in providing printable biblical resources for
children, many of them free. Please be sure to thank her and let her
know that you heard about her here.
Pontius Pilate was the fifth governor of the Roman province of Judaea, serving under Emperor Tiberius, it is believed he reigned from 26 to 36 AD, best known for his connection with the trials and crucifixion of Jesus. His two primary responsibilities were to collect taxes and keep the peace. When he first came to power, he marched his armies through the city of Jerusalem, carrying poles with the Roman banner, complete with an image of Caesar attached. The Jewish people were so upset, they protested for five days on grounds that it was a graven image. Pilate finally agreed to meet with them, surrounding them with Roman soldiers and threatened to kill them.The Jews were so angry, they dared him to do so and bared their necks. Reluctantly, Pilate backed down and removed the graven images. According to Josephus, Pilate used money he stole from the Temple's treasury to build the Jerusalem aqueduct. The people were angry and started rioting in the streets, he had his soldiers dress as civilians and mingle with the crowds, clubbing many to death.
Pilate was on the hot seat much of the time with Caesar, due to written protests and the distrust of the religious leaders. Though Pilate was a vindictive man, he soon discovered that he was no match for Jesus, the King of Kings, Who unsettled even the most powerful, strong-willed men.
In the Synoptic Gospels, Pilate found Jesus not to be not guilty, acknowledging the truth was compromised in order to bring baseless charges and condemn an innocent man. Seeking to compromise with the Jewish leaders, Pilate appealed to the crowds at the Passover, asking which criminal should be set free, Jesus or Barabbas? Pilate faced a dreadful dilemma, already on thin ice with Caesar, he authorized both the flogging and crucifixion of Jesus, giving in to political pressure of the religious leaders. However, Pilate knowing they hated Jesus handed Him over out of envy, had the charge against Jesus posted on the cross above His head: "THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS."
Let us pray
Heavenly Father,
In Christ's name we ask and pray
Amen
Today's Message: Jesus Before Pilate - Part 1
The three-phase mock Jewish trial is over, where Jesus stood before Annas, before Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin and then again the morning to try and legitimize what they did illegally the night before to the Today we transition to the Roman trial, where they take Him to Pilate because they have to get the Romans involved in order to execute Him. Because of the Roman occupation, that right called "ius gladii," or right of the sword, belonged to Rome. In order to get a complete picture of the whole event, we're going to look not just at Matthew, but at Luke and John also.
It's interesting to note that all historians agree that every action taken during Jesus' trial was illegal and were not according to the laws and procedures of the day. We must remember that without the Cross there is no salvation.
Open your Bibles with me to the Gospel of Matthew chapter twenty-seven. Matthew 27:11-26. I
invite you to follow along with me as I read to set the text in our
minds. Let's open our hearts and our minds
to see what the Spirit of God has
to say us today. Matthew 27:11-26.
"Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor questioned Him, saying, "Are You the King of the Jews?" And Jesus said to him, "It is as you say." And while He was being accused by the chief priests and elders, He did not answer. Then Pilate *said to Him, "Do You not hear how many things they testify against You?" And He did not answer him with regard to even a single charge, so the governor was quite amazed.
Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the people any one prisoner whom they wanted. At that time they were holding a notorious prisoner, called Barabbas. So
when the people gathered together, Pilate said to them, "Whom do you
want me to release for you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?" For he knew that because of envy they had handed Him over."
While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent him a message, saying, "Have nothing to do with that righteous Man; for last night I suffered greatly in a dream because of Him." But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to put Jesus to death. But the governor said to them, "Which of the two do you want me to release for you?" And they said, "Barabbas." Pilate *said to them, "Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?" They all *said, "Crucify Him!" And he said, "Why, what evil has He done?" But they kept shouting all the more, saying, "Crucify Him!"
Let's go back to verse 2, before we begin, Matthew says they led Him away and delivered Him to Pilate the governor. John records in chapter 18, "Then they
*led Jesus from Caiaphas into the Praetorium, and it was early; and they
themselves did not enter into the Praetorium so that they would not be
defiled, but might eat the Passover. " The Jews were very particular about not stepping foot into Gentiles’ residences or places of business, because they would be rendered unclean and not be able to partake of the Passover meal. I believe John's purpose of including that information is to show us the hypocrisy of these holy hypocrites, who were so concerned about ceremonial cleanliness, they won’t enter a Gentile quarters, even though they're unbothered by the fact they are going to murder the innocent Son of God. Everything they are doing to Jesus is unbelievable!
John writes since they wouldn't come in, Pilate went out to them and *said, "What accusation do you bring against this Man?" They answered and said to him, "If this Man were not an evildoer, we would not have delivered Him to you." So Pilate said to
them, "Take Him yourselves, and judge Him according to your law." The
Jews said to him, "We are not permitted to put anyone to death," to fulfill the word of Jesus which He spoke, signifying by what kind of death He was about to die.
Pilate asks a fair question, "What accusation do you bring against this Man?" Their answer is shocking, they don’t give an answer! Because they don't have a legitimate accusation, so instead, they say, "If this Man were not an evildoer, we would not have delivered Him to you." What is that about? They're saying, "What right have you to question our integrity?" If He were actually guilty why are they so evasive in laying their charge against Him from the onset? Then, the truth comes out, "We are not permitted to put anyone to death," they want to kill Him, but they can't, they need Pilate's help to legalize an illegal execution. Again, they don't want a fair trial, they wanted Pilate to just take His life. The problem is, Pilate doesn’t care if Jesus is a blasphemer, so they needed another charge against Him. The Jews knew Rome had very little tolerance for insurrectionists, so they make up an accusation, presenting Him as One Who claims to be a king, that would be a threat to Rome and a problem for the Roman emperor. However, Pilate is not convinced that Jesus is a criminal, guilty of being a threat to Rome, so he goes back into the judgment hall to question Jesus himself to see if what they now say it true.
Now let's go back to verse 11, where we pick up the scene of Jesus before Pilate. I want you to notice, the consistent theme through all of this; the three phase Jewish trial and the three-phases of the Roman trial, is that Jesus Christ is innocent, found to be without fault.
Verse 11, "Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor questioned Him, saying, "Are You the King of the Jews?" And Jesus said to him, "It is as you say."
Matthew gives us a condensed version, notice that Jesus uses similar language to what He used when Judas asked if he was the betrayer, He's not disagreeing with what Pilate asked. John 18 gives us more detailed information, that Jesus first asks Pilate, "Are you saying this on your own initiative, or did others tell you about Me?" Pilate answered, "I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests delivered You to me; what have You done?" Jesus answered, "My kingdom is
not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants
would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as
it is, My kingdom is not of this realm." Therefore Pilate said to Him, "So You are a king?" Jesus answered, "You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice." 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 guilt in Him."
Jesus is saying, "I am a King. I have a Kingdom. But My Kingdom is not
like that of Caesar's. I'm not in competition with Caesar, because My
Kingdom is not of this world." Some have suggested Pilate was in a pensive mood, thinking about this existential question, "What is truth?" I do not believe he's seriously considering what truth is. Because after he had said this, he went back outside to the Jews and said "I find no guilt in Him." I want you notice, this is the first time Pilate pronounces Jesus innocent. So, Pilate goes back out on the porch, the chief priests refused not accept this verdict, they became angry, and started stirring up the crowds, shouting their accusations against Jesus. Mark 23 says, "But they kept on insisting, saying, "He stirs up the people, teaching all over Judea, starting from Galilee even as far as this place."
Then, Matthew says in verse 12, "And while He was being accused by the chief priests and elders, He did not answer. Jesus doesn't respond because their accusations are without merit. Pilate asked Him a direct question when he said, "Are You the King of the Jews?" They said He was stirring up trouble, He did not give an answer, there was nothing to say. Let the record stand, there is no guilt found in Him! Pilate knew there is no guilt with Jesus, it was obvious what was going on. They hated Roman oppression, had He been a threat to Rome, they wouldn't have exposed Him, they would likely have joined Him. It was obvious they despised Him, they were jealous. He was popular and they were not. He could heal people, He could raise the dead, they couldn’t. Luke adds "The chief priests began to accuse Him harshly."
Verse 13, "Then Pilate *said to Him, "Do You not hear how many things they testify against You?" They're shouting their accusations against You, shouting for Your blood, You're not going to proclaim Your innocence and defend Yourself? Pilate found no fault in Him, He's innocent, here’s nothing to say, nothing to defend. He knew He came to die, He's committed to God's plan. It had to be this way. Pilate had seen many criminals before, charged with crimes against them, whether innocent or guilty, most of them would say, "We are not guilty! We've done nothing wrong, release us! Not Jesus, He remained silent. He gave no defense whatsoever. He only testified that He bears witness of the truth. Pilate is not used to someone remain quiet when their life was on the line.
Verses 14, "And He did not answer him with regard to even a single charge, so the governor was quite amazed." Where is this threat to Caesar? Pilate knows the accusations are fa;se, he knows that He doesn’t deserve to die, He doesn't even defend Himself. Yet, he doesn’t want to irritate the crowd. He's in a difficult position, earlier we discussed all the problems he had when he first came into power, the Jews rioted and protested which could have led to a revolution, he can't afford any more trouble with Rome. He was sent to keep the peace, so Pilate needed a way out of this.
Luke tells us that Pilate asked "whether the man was a Galilean. And when he learned that He belonged to Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod, who himself also was in Jerusalem at that time." He found the solution, pass it off to Herod Antipas. Pilate found no basis for the charges against Jesus, he didn't like Herod, this man is a Galilean, Herod's in charge of the region of Galilee and Perea which is east of the Jordan River. Herod was an immoral, incestuous man, the one who had murdered John the Baptist and threatened to kill Jesus in Luke 13, but Jesus avoided that. This seems like the perfect plan to avoid having to make a decision.
It’s still around 5:00 in the morning, and Jesus is rushed off to Herod, who is excited to finally meet Jesus, he knew about Jesus, and was fascinated by what he'd heard about Him. Luke 23:8-10, says "Now Herod was very glad when he saw Jesus; for he had wanted to see Him for a long time, because he had been hearing about Him and was hoping to see some sign performed by Him. And he questioned Him at some length; but He answered him nothing. And the chief priests and the scribes were standing there, accusing Him vehemently." Herod wasn't there for truth, he wanted entertainment, the Sanhedrin was there, like bloodthirsty hounds, hurling their false accusations. Jesus' silent refusal to perform miracles or answer any of his questions, Herod comes up with the same verdict, this man is no threat to Rome. He's no king! Let the record stand, this is the second time in the Roman phase, there's no guilt found in Him because there has been no crime committed!
In verses 11-12, Luke says "And Herod with his soldiers, after treating Him with contempt and mocking Him, dressed Him in a gorgeous and sent Him back to Pilate. Now Herod and Pilate became friends with one another that very day; for before they had been enemies with each other." Herod thought this whole thing was a joke, this Man hadn't done anything wrong. He put a "lampros," on Him, which is a splendid, glistening white robe worn by Jewish kings. He was making a mockery of the King of the Jews. Apparently, he made a new friend out of the deal. Amazing, these two men who hated each other would bond over this three-ring circus. Pilate thought he could fix the problem with Jesus, sending Him to Herod but he could not. Jesus is back in front of Pilate, he's at a loss, he has to deal with Jesus again, If he weren't such a coward, he could have put an end to all this the first time. He knows he can’t elude the Jews again, so he devises a clever plan.
Let's turn back to Matthew 27, verse 15. "Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the people any one prisoner whom they wanted." This was customary as an act of kindness and to show mercy to an overthrown, conquered people. Mark 15 adds, "The crowd went up and began asking him to do as he had been accustomed to do for them." Pilate saw this as his opportunity to get out of this messy situation.
However, he underestimated just how committed these demonic driven holy hypocrites are to
having Jesus killed. That's all they cared about. Verse 16, "At that time they were holding a notorious prisoner, called Barabbas." Barabbas was not just any criminal, he was a notorious criminal that used violence as a means to control people. He was a well-known insurrectionist, directly challenging Roman rule, he was a murderer and a horrible wicked man. John tells us he was a robber. He was a threat to public safety, a real menace to society.
Verse 17, "So when the people gathered together, Pilate said to them, "Whom do you want me to release for you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?" I'm sure Pilate thought this was a no brainer, any person with common sense would choose to release an innocent man over a hardened, convicted murderer! Barabbas was on the brink of execution, he didn't do anything to merit mercy, when he discovers that Jesus is going to die instead. I believe it was on the cross intended for him that Jesus died. It's worth mentioning, we are always given a choice, just as we're about to stray from God’s path.
That brings us to verse 18, "For he knew that because of envy they had handed Him over."
Pilate presented them with what was an easy decision, because of sin, they wanted Jesus, the innocent Son of God, killed. We'll look at their decision next time.
In Closing..
God never forces us to do anything, He does, however, give us a choice. Even though our choices are clear, like those in Jesus' day, our problem is making the right decision. We
can either follow the pattern God has set before us in His Word, or we
can follow Satan's pattern, the way of sin. One leads to eternal life, the other leads to eternal separation from God and torment. I believe God gives us choices as a means of divine intervention, giving us time to pause, and think about what we're about to do. To pay attention to what's going on around us.
If you’ve been deliberating for quite some time. It’s time to decide. you have not accepted God's plan of salvation, if Jesus Christ, is not your Lord and Savior, you have a choice. There is forgiveness for those who comes to Christ because He took the punishment for your sins on his body, so you wouldn't have to. Today, you have the same decision to make. Confess you are a sinner in need of a Savior, repent and believe He died for your sin and was resurrected on the third day and be restored, or stand with those who rejected Him, shouting "Crucify Him," affirming your guilt before God. That's the question we all must answer. The choice is obvious!
If He's knocking on the door of your heart, I beseech you, don't slam the door shut on the only One Who save you. Tomorrow may be too late.
May it be so..
And now may the Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.
Now and forever, in Jesus' name
Amen
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