Introduction: At the end there is a brief summary of what Jesus was forced to endure before He was sentenced to be crucified. I will consider the passage again tomorrow.
1 And as soon as it was morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council. And they bound Jesus and led him away and delivered him over to Pilate. 2 And Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” And he answered him, “You have said so.” 3 And the chief priests accused him of many things. 4 And Pilate again asked him, “Have you no answer to make? See how many charges they bring against you.” 5 But Jesus made no further answer, so that Pilate was amazed.
6 Now at the feast he used to release for them one prisoner for whom they asked. 7 And among the rebels in prison, who had committed murder in the insurrection, there was a man called Barabbas. 8 And the crowd came up and began to ask Pilate to do as he usually did for them. 9 And he answered them, saying, “Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?” 10 For he perceived that it was out of envy that the chief priests had delivered him up. 11 But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release for them Barabbas instead. 12 And Pilate again said to them, “Then what shall I do with the man you call the King of the Jews?” 13 And they cried out again, “Crucify him.” 14 And Pilate said to them, “Why? What evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Crucify him.” 15 So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.
1. Jesus is rushed to the house of Annas where He is interrogated and abused. (John 18:13, 19-24) 2. Jesus is brought to Caiaphas, who stages an occasion for Jesus to commit “Blasphemy.” He is charged swiftly and condemned. (Matthew 26:57, 59-66; Mark 14:53-64; John 18:24) 3. As soon as it is declared to be dawn, the Sanhedrin officially convict Jesus of blasphemy. (Matthew 27:1; Mark 15:1; Luke 22:66-71) 4. The priests send Jesus to Pilate, whom Pilate investigates but finds no guilt in Him. (Matthew 27:2; 11-14; Mark 15:1; Luke 23:1-2; John 18:28-32) 5. Pilate declares Jesus’ innocent and sends Him to Herod. (Luke 23:4-7; ) Jesus is silent before Herod, who dresses Him as a pretend King, and returns Jesus to Pilate. (Luke 23:8-12) 6. Pilate reaffirms Jesus’s innocence to the gathering crowd. Knowing they won’t like this verdict, he punishes Jesus before offering to release Him. This was Pilate’s first attempt to release Jesus. Pilate offers Jesus as a “Passover Pardon”, Pilate’s second attempt to release Jesus. Barabbas is chosen by the crowd. As for Jesus the crowd answers “Crucify Him!” (Luke 23:13-16 Matthew 27:15-16; Mark 15:6-9; Luke 23:17; John 18:39) 7. Pilate has Jesus scourged. The Roman legionnaires beat and mock Him as a king by putting a robe over Him and pressing a crown of thorns onto his head.
(Matthew 27:27-31; Mark 15:16-20a; Luke 23:20-22; John 19:1-3) 8. Pilate presents the bloodied, pitiable King Jesus to the Jews: “Behold the Man” and redeclares His innocence. The crowds persist, introducing the charge of Blasphemy. They accused Jesus of pretending to be the Son of God. This troubles Pilate, who examines Jesus again. Pilate tries to release Jesus a fourth time. (Luke 23:23; John 19:4-8; John 19:9-11) 9. The Jews commit blasphemy ‘We have no King but Caesar’, and force Pilate to defend himself, for Pilate was Caesar’s representative. Pilate still tries again for the fifth time to have Jesus released but then caves in and allows Jesus to be crucified.
Psalm 22: 1 – My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?
Prayer: I don’t know what to say. Jesus! I am amazed because You went through it all, guiltless, for my sin.
As I read it! 