THIRD STAGE OF THE ROMAN TRIAL
PILATE RELUCTANTLY SENTENCES HIM TO CRUCIFIXION
(Friday. Toward sunrise)
MATT. 27:15-30
MARK 15:6-19
LUKE 23:13-25
JOHN 18:39-19:16
Pilate welcomed the demand as a possible escape from his difficulties.-Fourfold
"And the multitude went up and began to ask him to do as he was wont to do unto them."
"It was still early in the morning, and the vast majority of the city of Jerusalem did not know what was transpiring at Pilate's palace. But they came thither in throngs, demanding their annual gift of a prisoner. Pilate welcomed the demand as a possible escape from his difficulties." -FF
And Pilate called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people.
"He did not wish to seem to take advantage of our Lord's accusers by releasing him during their absence. Possibly he knew of the triumphal entry the Sunday previous, and thought that the popularity of Jesus would be such that his release would be overwhelmingly demanded, and so called the rulers that they might see that he had released Jesus in answer to popular clamor. If he had such expectations, they were misplaced." -FF
For he knew {perceived} that for envy they the chief priests had delivered him up.
"Though Jesus had been declared innocent on the joint finding of himself and Herod, Pilate did not have the courage to deliberately release him. He sought to please the rulers by scourging him, and the multitude by delivering him to them as a popular favorite, and himself by an adroit escape from an unpleasant situation. But he pleased nobody." -FF
And while he was sitting on the judgment-seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that righteous man; for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.
This message of Pilate's wife suggests that the name and face of Jesus were not unknown to Pilate's household. Pilate would be much influenced by 226 such a message. The Romans generally were influenced by all presages, and Suetonius tells us that both Julius and Augustus Cæsar attached much importance to dreams.
Jesus therefore came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple garment. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold, the man!
"It was Pilate's original proposition to scourge Jesus and let him go (Luke 23:16)." -FF
"When Pilate therefore heard this saying, he was the more afraid"
The words of Jesus at John 28: 37 (see p. 707) and the message from his wife had already filled Pilate with fear, and this saying added to it because the Roman and Grecian mythologies told of many incarnations; and, influenced by the calm presence of Jesus, Pilate readily considered the possibility of such a thing. -FF
"Pilate condemned the innocent when brought before him, but the Sanhedrin searched out and arrested the innocent that they might enjoy condemning him."-FF
"Carried away by the strong emotions of the moment, the official organs of the Jewish theocracy proclaimed Cæsar to be their only king, thus yielding with Jesus their claims to independence and their hopes in a Messiah." -FF
"Had the Jewish rulers not been frenzied by hatred, the sight of Pilate washing his hands would have checked them." -FF
"But Pilate’s plan did not work. The chief priests incited the emotional crowd to pressure him into releasing Barabbas instead of Jesus. Apparently they knew that the Sanhedrin had already condemned Jesus (cf. Mar_14:64). Strangely, Pilate failed to consider that the crowd would never side with him against their own leaders (cf. Joh_19:6-7)." -BKC
"Since the crowd had rejected Pilate’s offer and requested the release of Barabbas, he inquired (“again” is in the Gr.) about what they wanted done with the One they called the King of the Jews. Pilate did not accept this title for Jesus but his question implied he was willing to release Jesus also if they wished. But without hesitation they shouted back, Crucify Him! The punishment that once awaited Barabbas was now thrust on Jesus." -BKC
"At the siege of Jerusalem they answer in part for the blood of Christ, but God alone determines the extent of their responsibility, and he alone can say when their punishment shall end. But we know that it ends for all when they repentantly seek his forgiveness." -FF
"In spite of Pilate’s four declarations of Jesus’ innocence (Luk_23:14, Luk_23:20, Luk_23:22; Joh_19:4), he fulfilled his commitment to the Jews by releasing Barabbas and turning Jesus over for crucifixion after He had been flogged." -BKC
(Mar_15:16-20; Joh_19:1-5) Jesus was brought into the Praetorium, the common meeting courtyard crowded with Roman soldiers. The Praetorium may have been at Pilate’s residence, the Castle of Antonia, though others suggest Herod’s palace. The Praetorium was a large area, for 600 soldiers were there (“company of soldiers” is lit., “cohort,” one-tenth of a legion). -BKC
No comments:
Post a Comment