Then the whole company of them arose and brought him before Pilate. 2 And they began to accuse him, saying, “We found this man misleading our nation and forbidding us to give tribute to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ, a king.” 3 And Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” And he answered him, “You have said so.” 4 Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no guilt in this man.” 5 But they were urgent, saying, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee even to this place.”
Luke 23:1-25
6 When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. 7 And when he learned that he belonged to Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him over to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at that time. 8 When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had long desired to see him, because he had heard about him, and he was hoping to see some sign done by him. 9 So he questioned him at some length, but he made no answer. 10 The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him. 11 And Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him. Then, arraying him in splendid clothing, he sent him back to Pilate. 12 And Herod and Pilate became friends with each other that very day, for before this they had been at enmity with each other.
13 Pilate then called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, 14 and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was misleading the people. And after examining him before you, behold, I did not find this man guilty of any of your charges against him. 15 Neither did Herod, for he sent him back to us. Look, nothing deserving death has been done by him. 16 I will therefore punish and release him.”
18 But they all cried out together, “Away with this man, and release to us Barabbas”— 19 a man who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection started in the city and for murder. 20 Pilate addressed them once more, desiring to release Jesus, 21 but they kept shouting, “Crucify, crucify him!” 22 A third time he said to them, “Why? What evil has he done? I have found in him no guilt deserving death. I will therefore punish and release him.” 23 But they were urgent, demanding with loud cries that he should be crucified. And their voices prevailed. 24 So Pilate decided that their demand should be granted. 25 He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, for whom they asked, but he delivered Jesus over to their will.
The Judgment of Rome
If it was up to the Sanhedrin, Jesus would have been stoned to death there and then. Yet, they had no right to sentence any man to death. They needed the approval of the Roman Governor, a man named Pontius Pilate. This was not going to be easy, as Jesus had not broken any laws. They were going to have to use whatever tactics they could to force Pilate to execute Him.
Pontius Pilate was the Imperial Governor of Judea from 26-36AD, a position that was very tenuous. Pilate had made many errors in his rule over the province, not understanding the customs of the Jews and greatly offending them time and time again. He attempted to set up Emperor worship in the city, which was met with widespread riots in which he barely made it out alive. There were immense pressures on the Roman Governors to maintain order among their constituents, and Pilate understood his position was fragile in Judea. Harsh tactics of subjugation seemed to have little effect on the Jews. In fact, the harsher he was the more resistance he faced. The best tactic to deal with the Jews was to appease them and give them freedom of worship.
Therefore, the chief priests and scribes decide to manipulate Pilate in the area they knew he was the most sensitive. They claimed that Jesus was an insurrectionist, trying to rally support for His own rule and to become king. As Tiberius Caesar was the Emperor, this was a direct challenge to his rule. They were hoping that Pilate would bite and rid himself of this problem before it got more out of hand. Unfortunately, Pilate was not going to play their games. He questions Jesus, asking if He was the king of the Jews. Jesus, rather than defending Himself, simply answers, ‘you have said so.’
Of course, there was little evidence to suggest their accusations were true. Pilate wants to acquit Jesus and send Him away, but the chief priests and scribes’ pressure him all the more, saying that he stirs up the people (to rebellion) in the entire province, even attempting to rally support in Jerusalem. Pilate hears the word Galilee and breathes a sigh of relief. That is King Herod’s ‘jurisdiction.’ Jesus can be Herod’s problem instead.
Jesus is now sent to King Herod, who was in Jerusalem for the festival of the Passover. Herod was stoked, because he had heard about all of Jesus’ miracles and had wanted to meet Jesus for a long time. Jesus was then brought in to see Herod, who questioned Him continuously, but as with Pilate, Jesus made no substantive answer. The chiefs priests and scribes threw everything they had at Jesus, making all sorts of accusations. After the excitement died down Herod probably grew bored, perhaps angry, and decided to hand Jesus over to his own soldiers to be mistreated further. They dressed Him up in splendid clothing, mocking this peasant carpenter for claiming to be the king of the Jews, and then sent Him back to Pilate.
Apparently, this must have made Pilate laugh, because he made peace with Herod and became friends with him. Previously they were rival powers in Judea, but now their shared disdain for Jesus has made them close buddies. Pilate has made up his mind. He will release Jesus and be done with this whole mess. He gathers the whole crowd and declares Jesus innocent of all crimes and will punish and release Him back into the general population.
The chief priests and scribes had thrown everything at Pilate and he hadn’t budged. They were going have to go back to the drawing board. Instead, they wanted Pilate to release a prisoner to them, as was his custom. They wanted Barabbas, an insurrectionist and murderer. Shockingly, they would rather have a murderer and brigand than have Jesus acquitted of His charges. This is how much they loathed and despised Jesus for standing up to them and plainly declaring truth to them. They would pursue this execution no matter how much dignity and integrity they would have to sacrifice.
Pilate at this stage was stuck between a rock and a hard place. If he released Jesus, he might have a full-fledged riot on his hands. His superiors in Rome would not be happy to hear of more turmoil in Judea. On the other hand, if he condemns Jesus, he is giving the chief priests power to demand execution whenever they please. It would also make him an unjust and opportunist adjudicator. He tries again to release Jesus, but they shout, ‘crucify, crucify Him!’ Again, he asks what evil Jesus has done? His questions go unheard, they cry all the more for crucifixion. Luke says, ‘their voices prevailed.’ Pilate, motivated either by cowardice or self-preservation, or both, grants the demands of the chief priests and their followers. Barabbas was released, and Jesus was sent to die in his stead.
Jesus could have intervened at any moment. He could have spoken up in His own defence. Legions of angels could have come to His aid. He didn’t avail Himself of any of these because He was following the will of the Father. He endured the mockery and scorn, the beatings and accusations knowing that the worst was ahead. He would die on behalf of sinners, the very kind of sinners who were putting Him to death. What amazing love and mercy that Jesus, the creator of all things, would endure this kind of treatment from His own creation. What amazing love that He would purchase their salvation with His own blood and give His life as a ransom for many. For those of us who believe and trust in Jesus this is good news. We know that we didn’t deserve this. We know this is a sheer act of grace. If we are anyone in this scene, we are Barabbas – who was let free while Jesus is condemned and sentenced to face our punishment. It should have been us on that cross, yet Jesus died for us in our place.
Have we really digested and understood this amazing message? Does it bring us tears and joy, or indifference and coldness? Do we react with thanksgiving that God would do such an amazing thing on our behalf, or entitlement and expectation? May I humbly suggest that if you feel nothing to this message, you may not be a Christian. Ask Jesus to radically change your heart in this, so that you can be blown away by His grace. The joy in knowing Christ is beyond anything that this world offers.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for saving me even though I did not deserve it. You had every right to judge me and cast me from you and yet you brought me near in love. Thank you for the finished work of Jesus on cross. In Jesus Name, Amen.