Crowds incited against all righteousness
“See, I am bringing Him out to you so that you will know that I find no grounds at all for charges in His case.” Jesus then came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. And Pilate said to them, “Behold, the Man!” So when the chief priests and the officers saw Him, they shouted, saying, “Crucify, crucify!” Behold the Man
Pilate said to them, “Take Him yourselves and crucify Him; for I find no grounds for charges in His case!”
John 19:6b NASB
Justice of the Crowds
Though the politician in charge who happens to be Governor and Judge finds no case against Jesus Christ and mockingly charges those politicized religious officials to take justice into their own hands, the high profile trials of Jesus will continue before the watching eyes of the Jews ‘seeking justice.’
We’ve been following the false accusations against Jesus and cruel punishments placed on the innocent Son of Man for revealing the truth of who He IS.
- Elijah – on a Prophetic Path to Gethsemane
- Leviticus – Preparation of a Priest for the Sacrifice
- “O altar, altar! place of slaughter, place of worship
- The Sun and the Moon Stood Still – Why won’t we?
- Psalms of a Contrite Heart Before Christ
No political correctness required here, only political expediency to please the crowds.
From indictment of Truth to the Scapegoat of Sacrifice
Where is mercy?
You will not find it anywhere in the worldly darkness of this sacrificial scene. (Just read brief description of what has already taken place.)
His face already bruised, swollen, bloodied by the blows from Caiaphas, they continued the abuse by smiting Him, putting on the crown of thorns, mocking Him. Chuck Smith commentary on John 19 They had a third degree that was totally unmerciful. They would tie a prisoner to a post so that the back was stretched out. And then with a cat of nine tails whip, a leather whip with little bits of glass and lead imbedded in it designed to rip the flesh, they would lay the whip across the back of the prisoner thirty-nine times. .. Many times prisoners died as the result of these scourgings. Before the thirty-ninth stripe was laid upon them, they were already dead from the loss of blood and just from the extreme pain. But Jesus bore that suffering.
The ruthless brutality (which pleases the crowds) charged to Rome by the captive Jews presumes death by suffering – a bloodied man – hung on crossbeams from a tree, by nails through outstretched hands and a hammer-driven nail through his taughtly-bound feet.
Our own fear of pain so etched into this fragile flesh that scarcely can we look upon this Blood of Sacrifice for our own sins.
Pilate governs a people ruled over by corrupt religious officials of Jerusalem and simmering in Rome’s unstable peace.
What better way to eliminate all who threaten the Roman political peace?
The murderous shouts of the crowds are no doubt incited by the powerful, seeking yet more power over an incited powerless people.
Roger Harned – talkofJesus.com on religious & political leaders seeking influence
The familiar Roman outcome of public trials is so matter-of-fact and suffering so severe that the other Gospels move through it quickly.
Matthew 27:
And he said, “Why, what evil has He done?” But they kept shouting all the more, saying, “Crucify Him!”
When Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but rather that a riot was starting, 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.”
And all the people said, “His blood shall be on us and on our children!” .. Then he released Barabbas for them;
.. but after having Jesus scourged, he handed Him over to be crucified.
Mark 15:
The crowd went up and began asking him to do as he had been accustomed to do for them.. But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to ask him to release Barabbas for them instead. ..They shouted back, “Crucify Him!”
Luke 23:
.. but they kept on calling out, saying, “Crucify, crucify Him!” .. But they were insistent, with loud voices asking that He be crucified. And their voices began to prevail. And Pilate pronounced sentence that their demand be granted.
.. And following Him was a large crowd of the people…
How will we judge the Son of God?
They knew the truth of Jesus’ signs:
Lazarus raised to life.
The blind given sight.
And most threatening to their religious rule, Jesus riding to the gate of Jerusalem like a victorious King David.
..“What are we doing? For this man is performing many signs. If we let Him go on like this, all men will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.”
John 11:47b-48 NASB
John 19:
7 The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.
8 When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he was the more afraid; and went again into the judgment hall..
Brief respite from the crowds
Now Pilate’s examination of Jesus becomes more honest and personal away from the hateful cries of the crowds to ‘CRUCIFY!’
(.. the Son of God!)
.. and [Pilate] said to Jesus, “Where are You from?”
John 19:8,9 NASB
But Jesus gave him no answer.
10 So Pilate said to Him, “Are you not speaking to me?
Do You not know that I have authority to release You,
.. and I have authority to crucify You?”
To be continued...
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