The Motley Crew

July 27, 2011

Matthew 27:11-19

Jesus Before Pilate

The Questions

Read Matthew 27:11-19

1. What did Pilate seem to have in mind by his question?

2. Can we blame him for seeing Jesus this way?

3. This political king verses spiritual king thing was confusing to many. Does John's account of this event in John 18:22-27 shed any light?

4. How did Jesus' answer affect Pilate?

5. True or false: Jesus ' answer to Pilate prepares the way for Christianity on the basis of Jesus as the Messiah.

6. How could Jesus remain silent?

7. Did Pilate think Jesus was guilty because of His silence?

8. We have a unique situation in verse 15 which once again shows the veracity of the Scriptures. What is it?

9. What do we know about Barabbas?

10. What did Pilate fully expect?

11. Now Jesus is standing beside a horrible criminal. The criminal goes free and Jesus gets flogged and crucified. That hits pretty close to home does it not?

12. What should we do when our wife has a dream?

 

All citations from the Holy Bible are from the New International Version, used with permission.

 

 

 

The Motley Crew

July 27, 2011

Matthew 27:11-19

Jesus Before Pilate

Some Suggested Answers

 

Read Matthew 27:11-19

Matthew 27:1-2

1. Early in the morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people made their plans how to have Jesus executed. 2 So they bound him, led him away and handed him over to Pilate the governor.

Verses 3-10: Judas hangs himself.

Matthew 27:11-26. Jesus Before Pilate

 11 Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”

   “You have said so,” Jesus replied.

 12 When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer. 13 Then Pilate asked him, “Don’t you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?” 14 But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge—to the great amazement of the governor.

 15 Now it was the governor’s custom at the festival to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. 16 At that time they had a well-known prisoner whose name was Jesus[b] Barabbas. 17 So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you: Jesus Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Messiah?” 18 For he knew it was out of self-interest that they had handed Jesus over to him.

 19 While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat, his wife sent him this message: “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.”

Footnote:

b. Verse 16: Many manuscripts do not have Jesus; also in verse 17.

Note: Jesus does not appear in the Codex Sinaiticus (mid 4rd Century), the Textus Receptus (Erasmus, 1516 ff, the basis of the 1611 King James Version), or the Nova Vulgata (The Vatican, 1979).

 

 

1. What did Pilate seem to have in mind by his question, “Are you the king of the Jews?”?

He was certainly thinking of Jesus as a political king, which would support the contentions of the accusers that Jesus had fomented treason, etc., against the Roman empire.

Luke 23:1-2. Then the whole assembly [the Sanhedrin] rose and led him off to Pilate. And they began to accuse him, saying, "We have found this man subverting our nation. He opposes payment of taxes to Caesar and claims to be Christ, a king."

Patti came up with an excellent thought: perhaps Pilate was giving Jesus a way out, even if unintentionally. If Jesus answered “No,” Pilate would have had the answer that would have allowed Pilate to let Jesus go instantly!

 

2. Can we blame him for seeing Jesus this way?

No. Most if not all the Apostles thought that Jesus was a political Messiah, too. Besides, it doesn't appear that Pilate had come into contact with Jesus prior to this event. He maybe had heard of the man, especially the report of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem the previous Sunday with the great acclaim from the people.

Because he knew the intentions of the accusers – Verse 18: “For he knew it was out of self-interest that they had handed Jesus over to him.” – perhaps Pilate was just going through the formalities before letting Jesus go, since this was clearly an internal Jewish matter that didn't affect his role as Governor of Judea.

From Pilate's point-of-view, the only issue was whether this was going to cause some kind of civil unrest in Jerusalem, which he had to avoid at all costs. Indeed, it was reported that Josephus gave the reason for Pilate's dismissal a few years later, which was the inability to keep the peace, specifically because of a brutal repression in Samaria that involved the loss of life in an ambush planned and executed by Pilate, who had lured the Samaritans to Mt. Gerizzim with a lie concerning sacred vessels purportedly placed there by Moses. See Josephus, The Antiquities of the Jews, 18.4.1 and 18.4.2.

The disciples knew that Jesus had gotten out of tight spots before, as for example, the Feast of the Tabernacles incident reported by John, where the authorities tried to lay their hands on Jesus, but that Jesus had slipped away without a hand being laid on him.

 

3. This “political king” verses “spiritual king” thing was confusing to many. Does John's account of this event in John 18:33-37 shed any light?

John 18:33-37

 33 Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”

   34 “Is that your own idea,” Jesus asked, “or did others talk to you about me?”

 35 “Am I a Jew?” Pilate replied. “Your own people and chief priests handed you over to me. What is it you have done?”

 36 Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.”

 37 “You are a king, then!” said Pilate.

   Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”

It's a million-watt spotlight shining into the hearts of all people!

Clearly, Jesus is saying that he is a “spiritual king,” not a “political king.” In Matthew, Mark and Luke, we find the same account:

"Are you the king of the Jews?" asked Pilate.
"Yes, it is as you say," Jesus replied.

Yes, Jesus is the King of the Jews.

We turned to Jesus' statement: “In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”

It was observed that generation – and maybe earlier generations – believe that they can find the Truth, and don't accept that there is an objective truth.

It was also acknowledged that we, too, have our lists of “acceptable sins” – like the little white lies we talked about last week – and “unacceptable sins.” One member, with tongue planted firmly in cheek, declared “God, I thank you, that I am not like the rest of men, extortioners, unrighteous, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week. I give tithes of all that I get.” Luke 18:9-14. (including kitchen herbs)

We briefly explored the theme of Jesus as the willing sacrifice for our sins.

The conversation came back to a question that was posed last week: “who is really responsible for Jesus' crucifixion?” While our answer last week was: “us, because of our sin,” it is also true that God was in charge throughout the week. Everything happened because the Triune God has decided that this was how the reconciliation of a sinful people with God must proceed. God used Judas' feelings that he could force Jesus' hand; God used a spiritually-corrupt Sanhedrin to accuse Jesus; God used an unwilling Pilate to condemn Jesus to death.

But we also have to remember that God would not have had to do all of this except for the bottom-line: a payment must be made to expiate my sin. The Son volunteered to accept the obligation. He would not have been nailed to a cross on Good Friday except that I took a hammer and a nail, and on my knees, I nailed Him to that cross.

 

4. How did Jesus' answer affect Pilate?

Pilate believed that Jesus was innocent (as did Herod). Pilate wanted to let Him go, and urged the crowd at least three times to choose Jesus. Pilate began to put his faith in Him. There was a transformation. Pilate's wife was certainly touched, too. Pilate even put the inscription “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews” on the cross in 3 languages … and refused to remove it! “What I have written, I have written.” John 19:22.

Verse 14. “But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge—to the great amazement of the governor.”

 

5. True or false: Jesus ' answer to Pilate prepares the way for Christianity on the basis of Jesus as the Messiah.

True. The impact had immediate and long-term effects. The Gospels are unanimous.

 

6. How could Jesus remain silent?

By his actions, Jesus is saying that these men and their accusations are not worthy of a response.

In addition, this was part of the process of the path to the cross. We remembered other times when He was silent. In the story of the adulterous woman, when she was brought before Jesus, He crouched down and began to scratch in the dirt.

3 The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group 4 and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5 In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” 6 They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.

   But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. 7 When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.

   9 At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. 10 Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”

   11 “No one, sir,” she said.

   “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.” John 8:3-11.

His was a silence that spoke louder than words.

Beth pointed out that by keeping silence, sometimes we are allowing God to work without interruption.

Dr. Lenski pointed out that this silence was a scathing accusation of the priests (and also of Pilate, in that he had an obligation to pursue the truth once the innocence of Jesus is firmly established in his mind, as it was here).

 

7. Did Pilate think Jesus was guilty because of His silence?

No. Actually it appears from the text that Pilate is feeling the very opposite – that Jesus is innocent – and maybe even the Messiah. Dr. Lenski also pointed out that “It has been well said that Pilate was touched by something akin to what we feel when we see in him the Lamb that opened not his mouth.” This was a reference to Isaiah 53:7:

7 He was oppressed and afflicted,
yet he did not open his mouth;
he was led like a lamb to the slaughter,
and as a sheep before its shearers is silent,
so he did not open his mouth.

It was mentioned that the “washing of his hands” had an Old Testament basis. See Deut. 21:1-10 and Psalm 26:6.

Pilate - took water, and washed his hands - Thus signifying his innocence. It was a custom among the Hebrews, Greeks, and Latins, to wash the hands in token of innocence, and to show that they were pure from any imputed guilt. In case of an undiscovered murder, the elders of that city which was nearest to the place where the dead body was found, were required by the law, Deuteronomy 21:1-10, to wash their hands over the victim which was offered to expiate the crime, and thus make public protestation of their own innocence. David says, I will wash my hands in innocence, so shall I compass thine altar, Psalm 26:6. Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

 

8. We have a unique situation in verse 15 which once again shows the veracity of the Scriptures. What is it?

Verse 15. Now it was the governor’s custom at the festival to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd.

Nothing else is known about the Governor's custom outside the Gospels. We don't know how far it goes back, but evidently the Jews got to pick. I guess it was the Romans way of throwing them a bone.

From what this custom arose, or by whom it was introduced, is not known. It was probably adopted to secure popularity among the Jews, and to render the government of the Romans less odious. Any little indulgence granted to the Jews during the heavy oppression of the Romans would serve to conciliate their favor, and to keep the nation from sedition. Barnes' Notes on the Bible

 

9. What do we know about Barabbas?

Luke 23:19 tells us all we know: “Barabbas had been thrown into prison for an insurrection in the city, and for murder.” He was evidently the worse Jewish criminal Pilate had in his custody at this time.

 

10. What did Pilate fully expect?

That the people would easily choose Jesus over Barabbas, since we can assume that Pilate had heard about Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem a few days before, and possibly had heard other reports about the influence of His ministry. But once again Pilate was wrong.

He was therefore desirous of releasing him. He expected to release one to the people. He knew that Jesus, though condemned by the chief priests, was yet popular among the people He therefore attempted in this manner to rescue him from the hands of the priests, and expected that the people would prefer Him to an odious and infamous robber and murderer. Had the people been left to themselves it would probably have been done. Barnes' Notes on the Bible

It's important to remember that this incident took place “early in the morning.” Just how would a crowd of people be gathered at the Judgment Place outside the Antonia Fortress at that hour on a work day? The assumption is that this is a crowd of rabble (plus some of Barabbas' insurrectionists), purchased and incited by the Sanhedrists, whose only function was to parrot the bottom-line message of the chief priests and the council: Jesus must die.

While people are subject to manipulation by persuasive leaders, it's assumed that for the most part, this is not the same crowd that followed Jesus all the way from Jericho, nor is it the same crowd that enthusiastically welcomed Jesus into Jerusalem the previous Sunday.

It is for this reason that the crowd chose Barabbas over Jesus, and repeatedly screamed: “Crucify him. Crucify him.”

 

11. Now Jesus is standing beside a horrible criminal. The criminal goes free and Jesus gets flogged and crucified. That hits pretty close to home does it not?

Yes. I am the criminal that was set free, and Jesus gets the punishment I deserve. This is seen today, too, but never without the direction of the Triune God.

Some struggle with the concept of the Wrath of a loving God? Yes, the penalty for our sins, but also the supreme act of love by our Creator.

The topic turned to sin and sinners, and especially including homosexuality. We talked about the pains that some gay groups go to to welcome individuals who are “coming out of the closet,” including little booklets and a two-week “orientation.” But how do we deal with the sin of a homosexual as a church and as individuals? It was pointed out that God hates the sin, but loves the sinner (all the way to the Cross). As such, we don't have to accept the sin, but we must try to love the sinner.

Some have misinterpreted this requirement of love as meaning that we must also accept the actions of the homosexual, as is. But this is a misinterpretation. While we must love the individual, we must also reject the actions. In the same way, we see little children who from their earliest years are bullies or thieves. In order to protect ourselves as a society, and to affirm our beliefs as Christians, we must reject the sins of interpersonal violence and reject the sins of theft, while still loving the individual – perhaps getting them into therapy or some “tough love” by putting them in jail for a night (one of those programs for children … not really locking them up, at least not unless there is an unlawful level of activity). The Ted Bundy's of the world must understand that their happiness in torturing and murdering young women is something that we cannot accept. Torture and murder is just plain wrong.

We can and must affirm that there is an objective truth that rejects certain actions, and likewise reject the notion that truth is a subjective interpersonal exercise.

 

12. What should we do when our wife has a dream?

Listen. Take note. Respond appropriately (“Yes, dear”). You can fight or surrender … but if you surrender, you'll have fewer scars.

This incident is only found in Matthew's Gospel.

Concerning this dream, it was suggested that God was working with Pilate's wife to sow additional seeds of doubt in Pilate's mind.

Dreams were considered as indications of the divine will, and among the Romans and Greeks, as well as the Jews, great reliance was placed on them. Her mind was probably agitated with the subject. She was satisfied of the innocence of Jesus; and, knowing that the Jews would make every effort to secure his condemnation, it was not unnatural that her mind should be excited during her sleep, perhaps with a frightful prospect of the judgments that would descend on the family of Pilate if Jesus was condemned. She therefore sent to him to secure, if possible, his release. Barnes' Notes on the Bible

We wondered how this affected Pilate's wife later in her life.

Someone mentioned that she had a recollection of a conversation in a movie between Pilate's wife and Barnabas. We couldn't remember which movie this occurred in. The Wikipedia article on Pilate's wife mentioned that she had roles in numerous movies, but this particular scene wasn't mentioned.

 

We closed with prayer.

 

I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14.

 

The Background:

Setting the Scene:

Matthew 26:63-64

63 … The high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.”

64 “You have said so,” Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

65 Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. 66 What do you think?”

“He is worthy of death,” they answered.

67 Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists.

Matthew's Gospel omits the preliminary examination before Annas.

John 18:12-14

12 Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus. They bound him 13 and brought him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. 14 Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jewish leaders that it would be good if one man died for the people.

The examination by Annas is given by John, who then says that Jesus was then taken to Caiaphas and then to Pilate. The examination before Caiaphas is not given in John's Gospel.

Blasphemy is defined as the act of expressing lack of reverence for God. Source: The New Merriam-Webster Dictionary (1989).

Blasphemy. The act of cursing, slandering, reviling or showing contempt or lack of reverence for God. In the Old Testament, blaspheming God was a serious crime punishable by death (Lev. 25:15-16). It was a violation of the third commandment, which required that the name and reputation of the Lord be upheld (Ex. 20.7). The unbelieving Jews of Jesus' day charged Him with blasphemy because they thought of Him only as a man while He claimed to be God's Son (Matt. 9:3). Nelsons Compact Bible Dictionary (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2004), pp. 110-111.

Blasphemy is a capital crime. Leviticus 24:16: “... anyone who blasphemes the name of the LORD must be put to death. The entire assembly must stone him.” In Lev. 24:11, a man blasphemed the Name of the Lord with a curse. He was taken outside the camp and stoned.

The high priest and scribes had twice accused Jesus of blasphemy:

  1. Matthew 9:1-3: He entered into a boat, and crossed over, and came into his own city. Behold, they brought to him a man who was paralyzed, lying on a bed. Jesus, seeing their faith, said to the paralytic, "Son, cheer up! Your sins are forgiven you." Behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, "This man blasphemes." (World English Bible)

  2. Matthew 26:65. Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy.”

Barnes' Notes on the Bible. He hath spoken blasphemy - That is, he has, under oath, arrogated to himself what belongs to God. In asserting that he is the Son of God, and therefore equal in dignity with the Father, and that he would yet sit at his right hand, he has claimed what belongs to no man, and what is therefore an invasion of the divine prerogative. If he had not been the Messiah, the charge would have been true; … They assumed that he was an impostor, and that point being assumed, everything like a pretension to being the Messiah was, in their view, proof that he deserved to die.

Dr Lenski writes “… instead of submitting the sworn statement of Jesus to the court for its judicial decision as the law required, Caiaphas himself makes that decision.” Lenski, p. 1067. In doing so, Caiaphas breaks another of the Jewish laws, for in the Mishneh Torah, Maimonides quotes the Sages as saying: "Do not act as a judge alone, for there is only One who judges alone." Maimonides, The Mishneh Torah, Book 14, Sefer Shofetim, Part 1, Sanhedrin veha`Onashin haMesurin, Chapter 2, Halacha 11. Likewise, the high priest may not give his opinion first. The reason for this is to prevent the remainder of the court from being unduly influenced by the opinion of the high priest. Chapter 10, Halacha 6.

 

Parallel Verses

 

Mark 15. Jesus Before Pilate

1Very early in the morning, the chief priests, with the elders, the teachers of the law and the whole Sanhedrin, reached a decision. They bound Jesus, led him away and handed him over to Pilate.

2"Are you the king of the Jews?" asked Pilate.
"Yes, it is as you say," Jesus replied.

3The chief priests accused him of many things. 4So again Pilate asked him, "Aren't you going to answer? See how many things they are accusing you of."

5But Jesus still made no reply, and Pilate was amazed.

6Now it was the custom at the Feast to release a prisoner whom the people requested. 7A man called Barabbas was in prison with the insurrectionists who had committed murder in the uprising. 8The crowd came up and asked Pilate to do for them what he usually did.

9"Do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews?" asked Pilate, 10knowing it was out of envy that the chief priests had handed Jesus over to him. 11But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have Pilate release Barabbas instead.

12"What shall I do, then, with the one you call the king of the Jews?" Pilate asked them.

13"Crucify him!" they shouted.

14"Why? What crime has he committed?" asked Pilate.
But they shouted all the louder, "Crucify him!"

15Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.

 

Luke 23. Jesus Before Pilate

1Then the whole assembly rose and led him off to Pilate. 2And they began to accuse him, saying, "We have found this man subverting our nation. He opposes payment of taxes to Caesar and claims to be Christ, a king."

3So Pilate asked Jesus, "Are you the king of the Jews?"
"Yes, it is as you say," Jesus replied.

4Then Pilate announced to the chief priests and the crowd, "I find no basis for a charge against this man."

5But they insisted, "He stirs up the people all over Judea by his teaching. He started in Galilee and has come all the way here."

6On hearing this, Pilate asked if the man was a Galilean. 7When he learned that Jesus was under Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time.

Pilate Sends Jesus To Herod

8When Herod saw Jesus, he was greatly pleased, because for a long time he had been wanting to see him. From what he had heard about him, he hoped to see him perform some miracle. 9He plied him with many questions, but Jesus gave him no answer. 10The chief priests and the teachers of the law were standing there, vehemently accusing him. 11Then Herod and his soldiers ridiculed and mocked him. Dressing him in an elegant robe, they sent him back to Pilate.12That day Herod and Pilate became friends—before this they had been enemies.

Herod Returns Jesus To Pilate

13Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers and the people, 14and said to them, "You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined him in your presence and have found no basis for your charges against him.15Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us; as you can see, he has done nothing to deserve death. 16Therefore, I will punish him and then release him."

18With one voice they cried out, "Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us!"19(Barabbas had been thrown into prison for an insurrection in the city, and for murder.)

20Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate appealed to them again. 21But they kept shouting, "Crucify him! Crucify him!"

22For the third time he spoke to them: "Why? What crime has this man committed? I have found in him no grounds for the death penalty. Therefore I will have him punished and then release him."

23But with loud shouts they insistently demanded that he be crucified, and their shouts prevailed. 24So Pilate decided to grant their demand. 25He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, the one they asked for, and surrendered Jesus to their will.

 

John 18. Jesus Before Pilate

28Then the Jews led Jesus from Caiaphas to the palace of the Roman governor. By now it was early morning, and to avoid ceremonial uncleanness the Jews did not enter the palace; they wanted to be able to eat the Passover. 29So Pilate came out to them and asked, "What charges are you bringing against this man?"

30"If he were not a criminal," they replied, "we would not have handed him over to you."

31Pilate said, "Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law."

"But we have no right to execute anyone," the Jews objected. 32This happened so that the words Jesus had spoken indicating the kind of death he was going to die would be fulfilled.

33Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him, "Are you the king of the Jews?"

34"Is that your own idea," Jesus asked, "or did others talk to you about me?"

35"Am I a Jew?" Pilate replied. "It was your people and your chief priests who handed you over to me. What is it you have done?"

36Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place."

37"You are a king, then!" said Pilate.
Jesus answered, "You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me."

38"What is truth?" Pilate asked. With this he went out again to the Jews and said, "I find no basis for a charge against him. 39But it is your custom for me to release to you one prisoner at the time of the Passover. Do you want me to release 'the king of the Jews'?"

40They shouted back, "No, not him! Give us Barabbas!" Now Barabbas had taken part in a rebellion.

Jesus Sentenced to be Crucified by Pilate

1Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. 2The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head. They clothed him in a purple robe 3and went up to him again and again, saying, "Hail, king of the Jews!" And they struck him in the face.

4Once more Pilate came out and said to the Jews, "Look, I am bringing him out to you to let you know that I find no basis for a charge against him." 5When Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe, Pilate said to them, "Here is the man!" [“Ecce homo.”]

6As soon as the chief priests and their officials saw him, they shouted, "Crucify! Crucify!"
But Pilate answered, "You take him and crucify him. As for me, I find no basis for a charge against him."

7The Jews insisted, "We have a law, and according to that law he must die, because he claimed to be the Son of God."

8When Pilate heard this, he was even more afraid, 9and he went back inside the palace. "Where do you come from?" he asked Jesus, but Jesus gave him no answer.10"Do you refuse to speak to me?" Pilate said. "Don't you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?"

11Jesus answered, "You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin."

12From then on, Pilate tried to set Jesus free, but the Jews kept shouting, "If you let this man go, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who claims to be a king opposes Caesar."

13When Pilate heard this, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judge's seat at a place known as the Stone Pavement (which in Aramaic is Gabbatha). 14It was the day of Preparation of Passover Week, about the sixth hour.
"Here is your king," Pilate said to the Jews.

15But they shouted, "Take him away! Take him away! Crucify him!"
"Shall I crucify your king?" Pilate asked.
"We have no king but Caesar," the chief priests answered.

16Finally Pilate handed him over to them to be crucified.

 

Cited Works:

Lenski, R.C.H., The Interpretation of St. Matthew's Gospel (Minneapolis: Augsburg Publishing House, 1943)

Maimonides, The Mishneh Torah, ca. 1180. This is the authoritative codification of Jewish law.

 

For Additional Study:

The Prayer And Study Resources web page has a listing of some research web sites that I use. In addition, Additional Research Resources is a page with a more complete list of Bible and Lutheran resources, plus there is the Research Resources Checklist, which is the web page I use when I first begin a Bible study. Both of these last two web pages are always growing, and please let me know if you are aware of other great sites.