Jesus is Sentenced to Die
December 2, 2022
Commentary
As Jesus enters Pilate’s judgment hall the Jewish leaders accused Him of the following crimes:
1. Guilty of misleading the nation
2.Forbidding the paying of taxes
3.Claiming to be a king
Pilate focused on the third charge when he asked,"Are you the King of the Jews” (v. 11)? Jesus gave him a clear reply: “It is as you say;” but then qualified His answer by explaining that His kingdom was not of this world. However when the other leaders made accusations He was silent (vv. 12-14). Pilate often had prisoners who cowered in his presence, but this one was different, and it unnerved him. Isaiah had predicted that the Messiah would keep silent and this is what Jesus did (Isa. 53:7).
While Pilate was trying to decide what to do with Him, a delegation approached him with a request that he honor the custom of releasing a prisoner at the Passover time (Mark 15:8). Seeing this as an opportunity to compromise he chose Barabbas who was a robber (John 18:40) and a murderer (Mark 15:7) (v. 15). He then let the people choose between Jesus and Barabbas (vv. 16-17). He felt that for sure they would choose to release Jesus but the religious leaders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed. Realizing he was getting nowhere with the crowd, Pilate took water and washed his hands in front of them, trying to show that he was not responsible for this Man’s blood (vv. 18-24). When he turned the responsibility over to the Jews (Matt. 27:24) they readily accepted it and said, “Let His blood be on us and on our children” (vv. 25-26).
Application
To my shame, I can think of times I have been caught up in the enthusiasm of a crowd and done what I would have preferred not to do? I pray that the Lord will help me to not do this again!
Matthew 27:11– 26 (NET)
11 Then Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, âAre you the king of the Jews?â Jesus said, âYou say so.â 12 But when he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he did not respond. 13 Then Pilate said to him, âDonât you hear how many charges they are bringing against you?â 14 But he did not answer even one accusation, so that the governor was quite amazed.
15 During the feast the governor was accustomed to release one prisoner to the crowd, whomever they wanted. 16 At that time they had in custody a notorious prisoner named Jesus Barabbas. 17 So after they had assembled, Pilate said to them, âWhom do you want me to release for you, Jesus Barabbas or Jesus who is called the Christ?â 18 (For he knew that they had handed him over because of envy.) 19 As he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent a message to him: âHave nothing to do with that innocent man; I have suffered greatly as a result of a dream about him today.â 20 But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus killed. 21 The governor asked them, âWhich of the two do you want me to release for you?â And they said, âBarabbas!â 22 Pilate said to them, âThen what should I do with Jesus who is called the Christ?â They all said, âCrucify him!â 23 He asked, âWhy? What wrong has he done?â But they shouted more insistently, âCrucify him!â
24 When Pilate saw that he could do nothing, but that instead a riot was starting, he took some water, washed his hands before the crowd and said, âI am innocent of this manâs blood. You take care of it yourselves!â 25 In reply all the people said, âLet his blood be on us and on our children!â 26 Then he released Barabbas for them. But after he had Jesus flogged, he handed him over to be crucified.
Illustration: The Hunter And The Bear
Winter was coming on and a hunter went out into the forest to shoot a bear out of which he planned to make a warm coat. By and by he saw a bear coming toward him and raised his gun and took aim. ââ¬ÅWait,” said the bear, ââ¬Åwhy do you want to shoot me?” ââ¬ÅBecause I am cold,” said the hunter. ââ¬ÅBut I am hungry,” the bear replied, ââ¬Åso maybe we can reach an agreement.” In the end, the hunter was well enveloped with the bear’s fur and the bear had eaten his dinner. We always lose out when we try to compromise with sin. It will consume us in the end. (Source unknown).