1. A Case Study in Lack of Conviction Scripture Reading: Mark 15:6-15
Pilate
A Case Study in
Lack of Conviction
Scripture Reading: Mark 15:6-15

2. Who Was Pilate?
Matthew 27:2 And when they had bound Him, they led Him away and delivered Him to Pontius Pilate the governor. NKJV
It is his job to protect the innocent, punish the guilty, and maintain law and order in Jerusalem and Judea.

3. Our Study:
Matthew 27:2-23
Mark 15:1-15
Luke 23:1-25
John 18:28-19:22

4. Matthew 27
V.11 Now Jesus stood before the governor. And the governor asked Him, saying, "Are You the King of the Jews?“ Jesus said to him, "It is as you say.“ - King of the Jews!
V.17 Therefore, when they had gathered together, Pilate said to them, "Whom do you want me to release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus Who is called Christ?” - Offers choice of Jesus or a notorious criminal
V.18 For he knew that they had handed Him over because of envy. - Envy
V.19 While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, saying, "Have nothing to do with that just Man, for I have suffered many things today in a dream because of Him." NKJV - He is Just; Leave Him alone!

5. Matthew 27
V.21 The governor answered and said to them, "Which of the two do you want me to release to you?“ They said, "Barabbas!" - Holds them to the choice
V.22 Pilate said to them, "What then shall I do with Jesus Who is called Christ?“ They all said to him, "Let Him be crucified!" - Forces them to admit their intent
V.23 Then the governor said, "Why, what evil has He done?“ But they cried out all the more, saying, "Let Him be crucified!" NKJV - WHY? What is His crime?

6. Mark 15
V.8 Then the multitude, crying aloud, began to ask him to do just as he had always done for them. – Opportunity to release Jesus!
V.9 But Pilate answered them, saying, "Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?" - “But” – Pilate offers Jesus with His accusation.
V.10 For he knew that the chief priests had handed Him over because of envy.
V.11 But the chief priests stirred up the crowd, so that he should rather release Barabbas to them. – Their hatred would have a murderous thug released into their society.
V.12 Pilate answered and said to them again, "What then do you want me to do with Him whom you call the King of the Jews?" - Forces the revelation of their intent.
V.13 So they cried out again, "Crucify Him!" – Shameless hatred and spite.
V.14 Then Pilate said to them, "Why, what evil has He done?“ But they cried out all the more, "Crucify Him!" – Mockery of Justice by the leaders of God’s People against God Himself.
V.15 So Pilate, wanting to gratify the crowd, released Barabbas to them; and he delivered Jesus, after he had scourged Him, to be crucified. NKJV - Wanting to gratify the crowd – He scourged the Innocent and delivered Him to crucifixion!

7. Luke 23
V.2 And they began to accuse Him, saying, "We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to pay taxes to Caesar, saying that He Himself is Christ, a King." 3 Then Pilate asked Him, saying, "Are You the King of the Jews?“ He answered him and said, "It is as you say." 4 So Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowd, "I find no fault in this Man." – Plants his foot. Innocent!
V.5 But they were the more fierce, saying, "He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee to this place." – Frivolous accusations.
V.6 When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked if the Man were a Galilean. NKJV – “Passing the buck” Let someone else deal with this!

8. Luke 23
V.13 Then Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests, the rulers, and the people, 14 said to them, "You have brought this Man to me, as one Who misleads the people. And indeed, having examined Him in your presence, I have found no fault in this Man concerning those things of which you accuse Him; 15 no, neither did Herod, for I sent you back to him; and indeed nothing deserving of death has been done by Him. – Planting his foot…to a point. No fault  nothing deserving of death.
V.16 I will therefore chastise Him and release Him“– Appeasement of evil. Let the innocent suffer at his leisure.
V.17 (for it was necessary for him to release one to them at the feast). 18 And they all cried out at once, saying, "Away with this Man, and release to us Barabbas" — 19 who had been thrown into prison for a certain rebellion made in the city, and for murder. - Whose idea was Barabbas? Either way it was unspeakable.
V.20 Pilate, therefore, wishing to release Jesus, again called out to them. 21 But they shouted, saying, "Crucify Him, crucify Him!" - Pilate WANTED Jesus released. He could have forced the issue, but at a cost. Would you?
V.22 Then he said to them the third time, "Why, what evil has He done? I have found no reason for death in Him. I will therefore chastise Him and let Him go." - THREE TIMES; WHY??? Serious backpedaling. Compromise. Plenty of people died from scourging alone.
V.23 But they were insistent, demanding with loud voices that He be crucified. And the voices of these men and of the chief priests prevailed. 24 So Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they requested. 25 And he released to them the one they requested, who for rebellion and murder had been thrown into prison; but he delivered Jesus to their will. NKJV – Barabbas goes free while the Innocent is made to suffer excruciation. Pilate showed good intent, but no follow-through. What is a parallel to Pilate today?

9. John 18
V.28 Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas to the Praetorium, and it was early morning. But they themselves did not go into the Praetorium, lest they should be defiled, but that they might eat the Passover. 29 Pilate then went out to them and said, "What accusation do you bring against this Man?" 30 They answered and said to him, "If He were not an evildoer, we would not have delivered Him up to you." 31 Then Pilate said to them, "You take Him and judge Him according to your law.“ Therefore the Jews said to him, "It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death," 32 that the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled which He spoke, signifying by what death He would die. NKJV– Sanctimonious thugs!

10. John 18
V.37 Pilate therefore said to Him, "Are You a king then?“ Jesus answered, "You say rightly that I am a King. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness 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 fault in Him at all. NKJV – True effort

11. John 19
V.1 So then Pilate took Jesus and scourged Him. 2 And the soldiers twisted a crown of thorns and put it on His head, and they put on Him a purple robe. 3 Then they said, "Hail, King of the Jews!" And they struck Him with their hands. – Pilate let soldiers mar Jesus’ appearance for sympathy of the crowd. Brutality.
V.4 Pilate then went out again, and said to them, "Behold, I am bringing Him out to you, that you may know that I find no fault in Him.“ 5 Then Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. And Pilate said to them, "Behold the Man!" – Trying to win Jesus sympathy, but…
V.6 Therefore, when the chief priests and officers saw Him, they cried out, saying, "Crucify Him, crucify Him!“ Pilate said to them, "You take Him and crucify Him, for I find no fault in Him." – Pressure mounts…by design, yet he mocks them!
V.7 The Jews answered him, "We have a law, and according to our law He ought to die, because He made Himself the Son of God." 8 Therefore, when Pilate heard that saying, he was the more afraid, NKJV – Terror builds!

12. John 19
V.12 From then on Pilate sought to release Him, but the Jews cried out, saying, "If you let this Man go, you are not Caesar's friend. Whoever makes himself a king speaks against Caesar." 13 When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus out and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called The Pavement, but in Hebrew, Gabbatha. 14 Now it was the Preparation Day of the Passover, and about the sixth hour. And he said to the Jews, "Behold your King!" NKJV – Valiant efforts are made by Pilate. He has the power to overcome, and it looks as though he will invoke it fully.

13. John 19
V.19 Now Pilate wrote a title and put it on the cross. And the writing was: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS. 20 Then many of the Jews read this title, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin. 21 Therefore the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, "Do not write, 'The King of the Jews,' but, 'He said, "I am the King of the Jews."'" 22 Pilate answered, "What I have written, I have written." NKJV – Pilate knew full well what had been in his hands, yet he let the opportunity to protect The Innocent slip between his fingers. Why?

14. Offenses Will Come
Matthew 18:7 Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes! NKJV (// Luke 17:1)
Matthew 26:24 The Son of Man indeed goes just as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born.“ NKJV (// Luke 22:22; Mark 14:21)
Of Judas, but what of Pilate? Peter? You and me?

15. Which one was Pilate?
Matthew 13:18 "Therefore hear the parable of the sower: 19 When anyone hears the Word of the Kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside. 20 But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the Word and immediately receives it with joy; 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the Word, immediately he stumbles. 22 Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the Word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the Word, and he becomes unfruitful. 23 But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the Word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty." NKJV

16. Which one was Pilate?
Matthew 13:18 "Therefore hear the parable of the sower: 19 When anyone hears the Word of the Kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside. 20 But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the Word and immediately receives it with joy; 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the Word, immediately he stumbles. 22 Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the Word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the Word, and he becomes unfruitful. 23 But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the Word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty." NKJV

17. Which one was Pilate?
Matthew 13:18 "Therefore hear the parable of the sower: 19 When anyone hears the Word of the Kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside. 20 But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the Word and immediately receives it with joy; 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the Word, immediately he stumbles. 22 Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the Word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the Word, and he becomes unfruitful. 23 But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the Word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty." NKJV

18. Which one was Pilate?
Matthew 13:18 "Therefore hear the parable of the sower: 19 When anyone hears the Word of the Kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside. 20 But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the Word and immediately receives it with joy; 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the Word, immediately he stumbles. 22 Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the Word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the Word, and he becomes unfruitful. 23 But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the Word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty." NKJV

19. Which one was Pilate?
Matthew 13:18 "Therefore hear the parable of the sower: 19 When anyone hears the Word of the Kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside. 20 But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the Word and immediately receives it with joy; 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the Word, immediately he stumbles. 22 Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the Word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the Word, and he becomes unfruitful. 23 But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the Word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty." NKJV

20. Which one are We?
Wayside – Lack of understanding, the Word is snatched away by the wicked one.
Stony ground – No root, no endurance. Tribulation or persecution because of the Word causes immediate stumbling.
Thorny ground – Cares of this world and deceitfulness of riches choke the Word  unfruitful.
Good ground – Hears and understands. Bears fruit and produces, some more than others.

21. Compare & Contrast
Pilate had previously violated the sanctity of the Temple and had people ripped open as they sacrificed. The people caused trouble and he was bent on putting it down.
Mr. Rogers (Neighborhood) had been a military sniper in WW2. He made a living killing people.
Mr. Rogers changed. All most people know of him is the new man.
Did Pilate change?
He violated the sanctity of God in the flesh!
He ripped open the Son of God and put Him to open shame!
He KNEW that Jesus was innocent and to be protected, yet…

22. How Does it Apply?
Hebrews 6:4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the good Word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame. NKJV

23. “What Must I Do To Be Saved?”
Hear The Gospel (John 5:24; Romans 10:17)
Believe it (John 3:16-18; John 8:24)
Repent Of Your Sins (Luke 13:1-5; Acts 2:38)
Confess Jesus as Christ (Mt. 10:32; Rom. 10:10)
Be Baptized (Acts 22:16; Galatians 3:27)
Remain Faithful for Life (John 8:31; Rev. 2:10)
For The Erring Child of God:
Repent (Acts 8:22), Confess (I John 1:9),
Pray (Acts 8:22)