Jesus Before Pilate. (John 18:28-19:18)

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Episode Notes:

Introduction

• Purpose: To explore the significant events leading to the crucifixion of Jesus, highlighting the key interactions between Jesus and Pilate.

The Setting

• Early Morning: The Jewish leaders take Jesus from Caiaphas to Pilate’s palace.
• Jewish Leaders: Refuse to enter Pilate’s palace to avoid ceremonial uncleanness before Passover.
• Pilate’s Role: Central figure in the narrative, moving between Jesus inside and the Jewish leaders outside.

First Interaction (John 18:28-37)

• Pilate’s Question: "What charges are you bringing against this man?"
• Jewish Leaders’ Response: Vague, implying Jesus is a criminal without specifying charges.
• Pilate’s Proposal: Suggests they judge Jesus by their law.
• Jewish Leaders’ Objection: They cannot execute anyone, hinting at their desire for Jesus’ death.
• Pilate’s Interrogation: Asks Jesus if He is the King of the Jews.
• Jesus’ Response: Discusses His kingdom being not of this world and His mission to testify to the truth.
• Pilate’s Reaction: Perplexed by Jesus’ concept of a spiritual kingdom.

Pilate’s Dilemma (John 18:38-19:5)

• Pilate’s Question: "What is truth?"
• Pilate’s Declaration: Finds no basis for a charge against Jesus.
• Proposal to Release a Prisoner: Pilate offers to release Jesus, but the crowd demands Barabbas, a known insurrectionist.

Mockery and Scourging (John 19:1-5)

• Pilate’s Attempt: Has Jesus flogged, hoping to appease the crowd.
• Soldiers’ Mockery: Crown of thorns, purple robe, and striking Jesus.
• Pilate’s Presentation: Shows Jesus to the crowd, saying, "Behold the man!"

Final Condemnation (John 19:6-16)

• Crowd’s Demand: “Crucify him!”
• Jewish Leaders’ Accusation: Jesus claimed to be the Son of God.
• Pilate’s Fear: Intensifies as he questions Jesus further.
• Political Pressure: Jewish leaders threaten Pilate’s loyalty to Caesar.
• Final Decision: Pilate succumbs, delivering Jesus to be crucified.

Reflections and Lessons

Innocence and Guilt

• Jesus’ Innocence: Despite Pilate finding no fault in Him, Jesus is condemned.
• Human Guilt: Contrasts with Jesus’ innocence, highlighting the depth of His sacrifice.

Spiritual Truths

• Jesus’ Sacrifice: The innocent Christ died for the guilty humanity.
• Gospel Essence: Jesus, the sinless one, took the place of sinners, exemplified by the release of Barabbas.

Personal Applications

• Eternal vs. Temporal: Prioritize eternal values over temporal concerns.
• Spiritual Integrity: Stand for truth despite worldly pressures.
• Gratitude and Reflection

Transcript

Jesus Before Pilate.  (John 18:28-19:17)

Transcript.

We've been moving rapidly through the Gospel of John and have now reached the trial and crucifixion of Christ. Today in John 18:28 through 19:16, we are going to look at Jesus' trial before Pontius Pilate. 

John will address this at length, likely because many people at the time John wrote His account had questions about Jesus' trial and execution as a criminal.

Before examining the passage, we need to note the that the Jews' refused to enter the fortress of Pontius Pilate. You will see rather strangely they preferring to stay outside and Pilate has to go back and forth between talking to Jesus inside and addressing the Jewish leadership outside. 

So the focus shifts, almost like scene after scene in a play but Pilate is the central figure in every scene, playing a crucial role in the unfolding events.

Let's start by looking at John 18:28.

Jesus Before Pilate.

28 Then the Jewish leaders took Jesus from Caiaphas to the palace of the Roman governor. By now it was early morning, and to avoid ceremonial uncleanness they did not enter the palace, because they wanted to be able to eat the Passover. 29 So Pilate came out to them and asked, “What charges are you bringing against this man?”

30 “If he were not a criminal,” they replied, “we would not have handed him over to you.”31 Pilate said, “Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law.”“But we have no right to execute anyone,” they objected. 32 This took place to fulfil what Jesus had said about the kind of death he was going to die. 33 Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” 34 “Is that your own idea,” Jesus asked, “or did others talk to you about me?” 35 “Am I a Jew?” Pilate replied. “Your own people and chief priests handed you over to me. What is it you have done?” 36 Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.” 37 “You are a king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me

(John 18: 28-37)

Now these events are taking place just before the Passover and according to the original Jewish tradition, people could not partake in the Passover if they had been ceremonially defiled with yeast/leaven.

Leaven was believed to represent sin, it was the rising agent in bread and cause the bread to fill up, and in Jewish typography it pictorially represents the fact that at the core of all sin lies pride, which it that which causes us to puff ourselves up, and make us the centre of all our decision making. 

However, by the time of Jesus the Jews extended this rule, making it they could not even enter any house that might even possibly have leaven in it. Assuming Pontius Pilate’s house, being that of a Gentile, would probably contain leaven, they refused to go inside his official residence in Jerusalem. This is what the verse indicates.

The verse also mentions it was early. In the Greek text, this means it was the fourth watch of the night, between 3:00 and 6:00 AM. We also should know that a Roman court could not convene until sunrise, yet despite the early hour, the Jews refused to go in, they stayed outside demanding a trial.

Pilate then went out unto them, and said, 'What accusation do you bring against this man?'" Pilate, playing the part of the judge, wanted a formal statement of the charges against Jesus. Although he likely already knew some of the accusations due to prior dealings with the Jewish leaders, he now asks for a clear and formal declaration.

The Jews, surprised by his question, were unprepared for a formal charge. They simply replied, "If he were not a criminal we would not have brought him unto you." This vague response indicated their assumption that Pilate would take their word without further inquiry.

Pilate then says, "Take him and judge him according to your law." The Jews, in a difficult spot, they now had to admit they were looking to bring more than some minor charge against him, which was all they were allowed to do under Roman law. They wanted Jesus dead, which was beyond their jurisdiction since they couldn’t carry out capital punishment. 

So, they openly admitted their true motivation when they said, "It is not lawful for us to put any man to death."

John then adds the comments that this admission fulfilled Jesus' prophecy about the manner of his death. If the Jews had killed Jesus, they would have stoned him, but Jesus had predicted he would be crucified, lifted up as stated in John 12:32-33, which only the Romans could do

Pilate, still without seeing a formal charge brough against Jesus, turned to interrogate Him. In verse 33, Pilate entered the judgment hall and asked Jesus, "Are you the King of the Jews?" 

Instead of directly answering, Jesus asked, "Is that your question, or did others put you up to it?" Pilate, unprepared for this response, flustered, asked, "Am I a Jew? Your own people and chief priests handed you over to me. What is it you have done?" Jesus replied, "My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place."

Jesus' statement confused Pilate. A kingdom not of this world was beyond his understanding, but it is stimulating his curiosity. Pilate’s encounter with Jesus challenged his perception of power and kingdom, introducing him to a spiritual realm he couldn’t comprehend.

Pilate then says to Jesus, "So you are a king then?" Jesus answered, "It is you say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth will listen to me." 

So Jesus Christ stands before Pontius Pilate and declares that he is a king, but not in the way Pilate thought emphasizing that his mission is to bear witness to the truth. 

This proclaimation by Jesus is one of the high points in the Gospel of John. Back in chapter one, Nathanael recognized Jesus as the King of the Jews, and now, before Pilate, Jesus affirms that he was born for this purpose and came into the world to testify to the truth. Everyone who is aligned with the truth hears and understands his voice.

In verse 38, Pilate responds to Jesus by asking the amazing question, "What is truth?" This question has been interpreted in various ways over the years. Cynicism, sarcasm, Moral relativism or just palin confusion. Regardless of Pilate's tone, he does not receive or even wait for an answer from Jesus. Instead, he goes out again to the Jews outside and says, "I find no fault in him at all." 

Pilate, having completed his initial interrogation, finds no basis for a charge against Jesus. He concludes that there is no reason for punishment, no crime of any nature.

Round Two of the Trial

Round two of the trial begins in the latter part of verse 38 and continues through John 19:5. Lets read it.

.” 38 “What is truth?” retorted Pilate. With this he went out again to the Jews gathered there and said, “I find no basis for a charge against him. 39 But it is your custom for me to release to you one prisoner at the time of the Passover. Do you want me to release ‘the king of the Jews’?” 40 They shouted back, “No, not him! Give us Barabbas!” Now Barabbas had taken part in an uprising.

Pilate, addressing the Jews outside again, reiterates his finding of no fault in Jesus. The Gospel accounts suggest that someone in the crowd proposed releasing a prisoner as per a custom. The custom involved releasing a criminal during Passover, as a sign of compassion and mercy of the state as occupiers which the Jews seemed to acknowledge as well.

The Proposal of Barabbas is made (more details of that and him are found in the other gospel accounts. But by this Pilate, seeking a way out, and initially offers to release Jesus, whom he calls the King of the Jews. However, the crowd, influenced by the religious leaders, rejects Jesus and instead demands the release of Barabbas. John adds a note: "Now Barabbas was a robber." 

The Greek word used here usually meant someone who in their acts was also an insurrectionist, indicating that Barabbas was not just a thief but a rebel who had committed murder. The crowd, manipulated by the leaders, chooses Barabbas over Jesus, even though he was innocent.

1 So then Pilate took Jesus and scourged Him. 2 And the soldiers twisted a crown of thorns and put it on His head, and they put on Him a purple robe. 3 Then they said, “Hail, King of the Jews!” And they struck Him with their hands. 4 Pilate then went out again, and said to them, “Behold, I am bringing Him out to you, that you may know that I find no fault in Him.” 5 Then Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. And Pilate said to them, “Behold the Man!”

(John 19: 1-5)

John 19:1 tells us that Pilate, probably in an attempt to appease the crowd, has Jesus flogged. The soldiers’ actions are filled with cruel irony, as they mock the true King of kings with a parody of royal investiture.

This passage highlights the stark contrast between Jesus' dignity and the injustice he endures. Despite being the rightful King and the embodiment of truth, he is subjected to a sham trial, cruel mockery, and physical abuse. Pilate, caught between his recognition of Jesus' innocence and the pressure from the crowd, becomes a reluctant participant in the miscarriage of justice. 

The Jewish leaders, driven by envy and fear, manipulate the situation to achieve their goal of condemning Jesus to death. 

Yet through it all, Jesus remains steadfast, fulfilling his mission to bear witness to the truth and ultimately he will offer himself as the sacrificial Lamb for the sins of the world.

Pilate then again goes out to the crowd and says, "Behold, I am bringing him out to you that you may know that I find no fault in him." Pilate presents Jesus, now wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe, to the crowd. Pilate's hope is that perhaps this visual of a beaten and bruised Jesus will elicit some degree of sympathy and perhaps sway the crowd from demanding further punishment. Pilate declares, "Behold the man!" I believe this means he wants the crowd to see Jesus not as a threat but as a pitiable figure who does not deserve death.

6 Therefore, when the chief priests and officers saw Him, they cried out, saying, “Crucify Him, crucify Him!” Pilate said to them, “You take Him and crucify Him, for I find no fault in Him.” 7 The Jews answered him, “We have a law, and according to our law He ought to die, because He made Himself the Son of God.” 8 Therefore, when Pilate heard that saying, he was the more afraid, 9 and went again into the Praetorium, and said to Jesus, “Where are You from?” But Jesus gave him no answer. 10 Then Pilate said to Him, “Are You not speaking to me? Do You not know that I have power to crucify You, and power to release You?” 11 Jesus answered, “You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above. Therefore the one who delivered Me to you has the greater sin.”

12 From then on Pilate sought to release Him, but the Jews cried out, saying, “If you let this Man go, you are not Caesar’s friend. Whoever makes himself a king speaks against Caesar.”

13 When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus out and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called The Pavement, but in Hebrew, Gabbatha. 14 Now it was the Preparation Day of the Passover, and about the sixth hour. And he said to the Jews, “Behold your King!” 15 But they cried out, “Away with Him, away with Him! Crucify Him!” Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar!”

16 Then he delivered Him to them to be crucified. Then they took Jesus and led Him away.

(John 19: 6-16)

Despite Pilate's attempts, verse 6 tells us that when the chief priests and officers see Jesus, they cry out, "Crucify him, crucify him!" Pilate responds with frustration, "Saying effect “You crucify him, for I find no fault in him." Pilate is essentially stating that he sees no legal reason to condemn Jesus and is passing the responsibility back to the Jews.

The Jews then escalate their accusation in verse 7, saying, "We have a law, and according to that law he ought to die because he has declared himself the Son of God." This declaration intensifies the situation for Pilate, who becomes even more afraid because this charge of claiming to be the Son of God carries significant weight both religiously and politically.

Pilate's fear grows as he contemplates the gravity of the situation. His wife’s dream and the Jews' accusation add to his anxiety. Pilate returns to question Jesus again, asking, "Where are you from?" But Jesus remains silent. Pilate is baffled by Jesus' silence.

There is an important principle to see here in that sometimes God remains silent when the answer is already evident or when the individual is not genuinely seeking the truth.

When Pilate pressures Jesus, saying, "Do you not know that I have authority to release you and authority to crucify you?" Jesus replies, "You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above" 

Pilate has a dilemma. He wants to release Jesus, but the Jews play into his fear of losing favour with Caesar. They shout, "If you release this man, you are not Caesar's friend. Everyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar." This statement hits a raw nerve, as Pilate cannot afford to be seen as disloyal to Caesar.

In verse 13 Pilate makes his final decision he brings Jesus out and sits in the judgment seat at a place called The Stone Pavement. Pilate presents Jesus to the crowd, saying sarcastically, "Behold your King!" The crowd, incited by the chief priests, responds, "Away with him, away with him, crucify him!" Pilate asks, "Shall I crucify your King?" The chief priests answer, "We have no king but Caesar." Pilate then delivers Jesus to be crucified.

The conclusion of this passage is clear: Jesus Christ is innocent. Pilate, after three rounds of interrogation, finds no fault in him. Yet, driven by fear and political pressure, Pilate allows Jesus to be crucified. 

This decision highlights a crucial warning about prioritizing temporal concerns over spiritual truths and how that can lead to devastating consequences.

Pilate’s fear of losing his position outweighed his acknowledgment of Jesus' innocence, leading to a miscarriage of justice.

We learn from Pilate’s example that failing to stand for what is right due to fear of worldy repercussions not only harms the cause of Christ but also leads to personal ruin. 

Pilate’s ultimate fate is fulfilled when he is reported later by historians as having committing suicide less than a decade later. This for me underscores the potential destructive path of choosing earthly security over spiritual integrity.

In all of our decision making it is essential to recognize the shortness of time and the vastness of eternity. Let us not make the mistake of Pontius Pilate by allowing any immediate daily fears and concerns overshadow eternal truths and values.

The result of all this the King is nailed to a Cross.

17 And He, bearing His cross, went out to a place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha, 18 where they crucified Him, and two others with Him, one on either side, and Jesus in the center. 19 Now Pilate wrote a title and put it on the cross. And the writing was:

JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS.

The Innocence of Christ and the Guilt of Humanity is displayed for all to see in the events seen here

As I reflect on this passage, there is one profound spiritual truth that stands out for me: 

Jesus Christ, though innocent, died with criminals and as a criminal. 

This innocent one, who was found guiltless by Pilate and who bore no sin, was crucified. 

John’s Gospel does not delve deeply into this in the detail the other gospel accounts did, but the broader biblical narrative reminds us of its significance. 

The Apostle Paul, in 2 Corinthians 5:21, encapsulates this truth: 

"He who knew no sin became sin for us, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him." 

The essence of this story is that an innocent man died to pay for the sins of all humanity.

The Apostle Peter also emphasizes this in his writings, stating that "The just died for the unjust" died so that He might bring us to God. 

This great truth is fundamental to our faith. Jesus Christ was sinless and flawless, yet He took upon Himself the punishment that the guilty, deserved. 

The biblical record, inspired by the Spirit of God, asserts again and again that every one of us is guilty. We all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

Consider this for a moment. The record of Christ’s innocence juxtaposed with our guilt is stark and should be an insight that humbles us.

Jesus, the innocent one, should not have died. We, the guilty, deserved that death. It was God’s grace that allowed an innocent man to die so that guilty men could go free.

This is the heart  of the Christian message and was the thing that lay at the heart of the trial of Jesus Christ. His innocence contrasted with others guilt underscores the depth of His sacrifice.

Barabbas was clearly guilty—a robber, a criminal, an insurrectionist. Yet, because of Jesus, Barabbas went free. This incident encapsulates the essence of the gospel: the innocent Christ takes the place of the guilty so that we might be set free.

The point is: an innocent man, yet the son of God took the place of the guilty, as Christ took our place on the cross. This should lead us to deep gratitude and reflection on the immense sacrifice made for us. 

The warning remains, do not sacrifice eternal values for temporal secular concerns. Prioritize the spiritual over the secular the eternal over the immediate. 

Learn from Pilate’s mistake.

Learn from Jesus’ example.

Let’s not forget the shortness of time and the vastness of eternity. 

Let’ s value the eternal over the temporal. 

Jesus Christ’s trial and crucifixion remind us of the ultimate sacrifice made for our sins. Embrace this truth and let it transform your life. Let this truth guide your actions and decisions each and every day.