In The Footsteps Of The Master: The Life and Times of Jesus Christ Jesus’ Roman Trial August 12,

Jesus Before Pilate John 18:28-30 – 28 Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas into the Praetorium, and it was early; and they themselves did not enter into the Praetorium so that they would not be defiled, but might eat the Passover. 29 Therefore Pilate went out to them and said, "What accusation do you bring against this Man?" 30 They answered and said to him, "If this Man were not an evildoer, we would not have delivered Him to you." 2

Timing Roman courts were held early in the day –Generally began at daybreak –That gave them the rest of the day to indulge This could explain the Jews’ eagerness to try Jesus at night (illegally) –They didn’t want to miss court for the day by waiting until daylight to conduct the Jewish trial This case was probably “first in line” for Pilate on this day 3

Who Was Pilate? Pontius Pilate was the Roman governor or prefect assigned to the Judean region –He was known as a heavy-handed and unethical ruler –He was ruthless in suppressing uprisings Real or imagined Luke 13:1 –He was insensitive to Jewish customs and culture –Not liked at all among the Jews 4

Judean Rulers Roman/Jewish RulerDate King Herod the Great, King over all Israel, “King of the Jews”37-4 BC Herod Archelaus, "Ethnarch" of Judea, Samaria, and Idumea4 BC-AD 6 CoponiusAD 6-10 Marcus AmbivulusAD Annius RufusAD Valerius GratusAD Pontius PilateAD MarcellusAD MarullusAD Herod Agrippa IAD Cuspius FadusAD Tiberius AlexanderAD Ventidius CumanusAD M. Antonius FelixAD Porcius FestusAD AlbinusAD Gennius FlorusAD

Pilate’s Headquarters The Roman Governor’s headquarters was at Caesarea Maritima, on the coast Herod built a magnificent palace there, along with a manmade harbor 6

Pilate in Jerusalem Why would Pilate be in Jerusalem? Pilate generally avoided Jerusalem, as his presence there stirred up the Jews However, feast times were especially volatile, as emotions and salvific expectations ran high –Pilate would spend time in the city for two reasons To schmooze with the Jewish leaders To keep an eye on the volatile crowd 7

The Charges Against Jesus Luke 23:1-2 – 1 Then the whole body of them got up and brought Him before Pilate. 2 And they began to accuse Him, saying, "We found this man misleading our nation and forbidding to pay taxes to Caesar, and saying that He Himself is Christ, a King.“ Note how the charges against Jesus have changed now that He is before a Roman court 8

Pilate’s Initial Verdict John 18:31-32 – 31 So Pilate said to them, "Take Him yourselves, and judge Him according to your law." The Jews said to him, "We are not permitted to put anyone to death," 32 to fulfill the word of Jesus which He spoke, signifying by what kind of death He was about to die. Nothing here

A Similar Situation Acts 25:14-16,18-19 – Festus laid Paul's case before the king, saying, "There is a man who was left as a prisoner by Felix; 15 and when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews brought charges against him, asking for a sentence of condemnation against him. 16 I answered them that it is not the custom of the Romans to hand over any man before the accused meets his accusers face to face and has an opportunity to make his defense against the charges When the accusers stood up, they began bringing charges against him not of such crimes as I was expecting, 19 but they simply had some points of disagreement with him about their own religion and about a dead man, Jesus, whom Paul asserted to be alive." 10

Jesus Prophetic Words Mark 10:32-34 – 32 They were on the road going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking on ahead of them; and they were amazed, and those who followed were fearful. And again He took the twelve aside and began to tell them what was going to happen to Him, 33 saying, "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death and will hand Him over to the Gentiles. 34 They will mock Him and spit on Him, and scourge Him and kill Him, and three days later He will rise again." 11

Pilate Impressed Matthew 27:12-14 – 12 And while He was being accused by the chief priests and elders, He did not answer. 13 Then Pilate said to Him, "Do You not hear how many things they testify against You?" 14 And He did not answer him with regard to even a single charge, so the governor was quite amazed. How could you not be amazed when the Son of God stands before you? 12

The Silence of Jesus Why was Jesus silent? Isaiah 53:7 – 7 He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He did not open His mouth; Like a lamb that is led to slaughter, And like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, So He did not open His mouth. 13

Pilate Questions Jesus John 18:33-36 – 33 Therefore Pilate entered again into the Praetorium, and summoned Jesus and said to Him, "Are You the King of the Jews?" 34 Jesus answered, "Are you saying this on your own initiative, or did others tell you about Me?" 35 Pilate answered, "I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests delivered You to me; what have You done?" 36 Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm." 14

Pilate Questions Jesus (cont) John 18:37-38 – 37 Therefore Pilate said to Him, "So You are a king?" Jesus answered, "You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice." 38 Pilate said to Him, "What is truth?" And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews and said to them, "I find no guilt in Him. 15

Pilate’s Second Verdict Luke 23:4-5 – 4 Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, "I find no guilt in this man." 5 But they kept on insisting, saying, "He stirs up the people, teaching all over Judea, starting from Galilee even as far as this place." Note how the Jews attempt to force Pilate’s hand by depicting Jesus as an insurrectionist 16

Off to Herod Luke 23:6 – 6 When Pilate heard it, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. 7 And when he learned that He belonged to Herod's jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod, who himself also was in Jerusalem at that time. Herod Antipas –Son of Herod the Great –Tetrarch of Galilee –Executed John the Baptist 17

Jesus Before Herod Luke 23:8-10 – 8 Now Herod was very glad when he saw Jesus; for he had wanted to see Him for a long time, because he had been hearing about Him and was hoping to see some sign performed by Him. 9 And he questioned Him at some length; but He answered him nothing. 10 And the chief priests and the scribes were standing there, accusing Him vehemently. Luke 13:31 “go tell that fox” 18

Jesus Before Herod (cont) Luke 23:11-12 – 11 And Herod with his soldiers, after treating Him with contempt and mocking Him, dressed Him in a gorgeous robe and sent Him back to Pilate. 12 Now Herod and Pilate became friends with one another that very day; for before they had been enemies with each other. “The enemy of my enemy is my friend” Why would Herod send Jesus back to Pilate? 19

Pilate’s Wife Matthew 27:19 – 19 While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent him a message, saying, "Have nothing to do with that righteous Man; for last night I suffered greatly in a dream because of Him.“ Pilate’s wife has experienced something disturbing –There is a tradition that she was a God- fearing woman, who later would become a Christian 20

Pilate Seeks Jesus’ Release Luke 23:13-17 – 13 Pilate summoned the chief priests and the rulers and the people, 14 and said to them, "You brought this man to me as one who incites the people to rebellion, and behold, having examined Him before you, I have found no guilt in this man regarding the charges which you make against Him. 15 No, nor has Herod, for he sent Him back to us; and behold, nothing deserving death has been done by Him. 16 Therefore I will punish Him and release Him." 21

Crucify Him! Luke 23:18-23 – 17 [Now he was obliged to release to them at the feast one prisoner.] 18 But they cried out all together, saying, "Away with this man, and release for us Barabbas!" 19 (He was one who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection made in the city, and for murder.) 20 Pilate, wanting to release Jesus, addressed them again, 21 but they kept on calling out, saying, "Crucify, crucify Him!“ Pilate is losing control of the situation 22

Crucify Him! (cont) Luke 23:22-23 – 22 And he said to them the third time, "Why, what evil has this man done? I have found in Him no guilt demanding death; therefore I will punish Him and release Him." 23 But they were insistent, with loud voices asking that He be crucified. And their voices began to prevail. Pilate has now lost control of the situation 23

In A Pickle Matthew 27:24a – 24 When Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but rather that a riot was starting... Remember all that we’ve said about Romans and riots... –“Nip it” If Pilate let this situation get out of hand, it would be his head

Pilate Washes His Hands Matthew 27:24b-26 – 24b... he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd, saying, "I am innocent of this Man's blood; see to that yourselves." 25 And all the people said, "His blood shall be on us and on our children!" 26 Then he released Barabbas for them; but after having Jesus scourged, he handed Him over to be crucified. And Pilate “washed his hands” of the whole affair 25

The Irony Barabbas the insurrectionist and murderer, found guilty of his crimes, is set free Jesus, charged with insurrection, but found innocent, is condemned to die But isn’t that what Jesus came to do? –To be the substitute for us? –To take the place on the cross that was rightfully ours? –Barabbas was simply a proxy for you and me 26

27 Next Week Jesus is Crucified