Pilate


Matthew 27:11-26
11Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You have said so.”
12But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he gave no answer.
13Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how many things they testify against you?”
14But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed.
15Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the crowd any one prisoner whom they wanted.
16And they had then a notorious prisoner called Barabbas.
17So when they had gathered, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?”
18For he knew that it was out of envy that they had delivered him up.
19Besides, while he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered much because of him today in a dream.”
20Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus.
21The governor again said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.”
22Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said, “Let him be crucified!”
23And he said, “Why, what evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified!”
24So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves.”
25And all the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!”
26Then he released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, delivered him to be crucified.

As The Passion progresses, Jesus now lay in the hands of the Romans. The Jews could not enforce a death sentence. That required the power of the government. So the chief priests and elders turn Him over to Pilate. Pilate is a Roman official who has been assigned this area. He has quite a bit of power but is himself under the thumb of the Caesars. There had been a few uprising in the area of Israel already and he was under pressure to keep the peace. The possibility of another riot made him wary of the threats from the Jews that they would cause trouble. Now Jesus stands before him and even Pilate can see that He is innocent.

Jesus silence before Pilate is remarkable. Whenever we are accused our first impulse is to defend ourselves. This is especially true if we know that we are innocent. But Jesus remains silent before Pilate other than to agree with the identity that Pilate has placed upon Him. How many of us could simply stand there and say nothing? Meanwhile, the Jewish leadership is stirring up the crowd. The mob has a voice and it is loud. “Crucify Him” is their cry. Even Pilate’s attempt to mollify the mob doesn’t work as they agree to free a convicted criminal instead of Jesus. Hatred runs deep.

As we stand on this side of history and observe these events we are shocked and horrified. Yet all of this plays out to our advantage because Jesus stays the course and completes His work. This appearance before Pilate is just a part of the process. Jesus has His eyes fixed on the cross and our salvation. He suffers mightily under Pilate’s control but all of it moves Him closer to the goal. We are horrified and saved all in the same moment.

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