Tag: pilate

  • The Last Word on Authority – Jesus Son of God

    The Last Word on Authority – Jesus Son of God

    John 19:

    Yesus facing Pilate

    Previously, Pilate had questioned Jesus apart from the crowds and asked if He is a king. Now, after having had Jesus scourged 39 times and coming out to the barely controlled crowds of Jerusalem, Pilate will question this ‘man’ a second time in his judge’s chambers within the palace.

    What has prompted Pilate’s new interrogation of Jesus?

    1. This ‘man’ kept silent during all 39 lashes, confessing no crimes to receive some mercy from the whip.
    2. When Rome’s Prefect had asked why Jesus should be crucified, the Jews answered Pilate, ‘.. because he made himself the Son of God.’

    Pilate may have also been a religious man, though as we pointed out previously the Romans had many gods.

    Could this man Jesus be one of them?

    In a private appeal

    Pilate said to Jesus, “Where are You from?” 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?”

    John 19:10b Pilate’s claim of authority to ‘the man’ Jesus

    Roman Authority

    Before we hear Jesus breaking the silence of Roman interrogation, let’s consider briefly an earlier encounter of Jesus in Galilee with a Roman officer.

    This healing by Jesus not only illustrates an absolute no questions asked authority of Roman Legions, but by his own high position, Pilate might have heard from this Roman leader who helped build a synagogue in Capernaum.

    Matthew 8:

    When He had come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed Him..

    Now when Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, pleading with Him, saying, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented.”

    And Jesus said to him, “I will come and heal him.”

    The centurion answered and said, “Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed.

    For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me.

    And I say to this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

    When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, “Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!

    Judean Authority

    Make no mistake about the authority of Rome’s governor Pontius Pilate. Rome revoked the kingdom of Herod Archelaus of Judah just two years after he failed to govern as Rome expected. They renamed the new Roman province Judea and placed a Roman Prefect in charge.

    Pilate governs with political authority similar to Antipas in Galilee to the north. Jesus of Nazareth is technically a subject of Herod Antipas. Pilate, however, may have heard of Jesus from a fellow Roman legion in the region of Galilee.

    Authority – Pilate’s understanding

    Pilate said to Him, .. Do You not know that I have authority to release You, and I have authority to crucify You?”

    ἐξουσία, the Greek word for authority simply means, power. I am in charge. I can do whatever I please.

    It could mean, I have influence and the privilege of judging you. In Pilate’s case, authority means: the power of rule or government (the power of him whose will and commands must be submitted to by others and obeyed). And specifically, the power of judicial decisions and authority to manage domestic affairs.

    And Jesus remains silent, Pilate must have thought? Silent even when scourged 39 times and questioned by the Prefect with authority to sentence the ‘Man’ to a Cross?

    Finally the Lord answers the authority of the governor in charge of this high Judean court.

    The Authority of Christ

    Jesus answered him, “You would have no authority over Me at all, if it had not been given to you from above..

    John 19:11a NASB

    Don’t miss this: Jesus in essence refers to a higher authority (from above).

    Pilate is a religious man with many gods. Rome acknowledges these higher authorities as had Greece. These are gods defined as: the leading and more powerful among created beings superior to man, spiritual potentates (that is, kings and Caesars).

    Again, perhaps Pilate has heard the buzz of the crowds witnessing Jesus healing the sick and even raising the dead. Romans kept close to the everyday happenings in Judea. Had he perhaps heard about the Galilean legion’s servant who Jesus healed?

    Some dilemma, that a human judge should judge a god!

    12 As a result of this, Pilate made efforts to release Him..

    A Greater Sin

    Perhaps, in a sense, Pilate considers or acknowledges the Higher Authority of Jesus. To some extent Jesus’ answer actually exonerates Pilate, but convicts another.

    Listen to the second part of the Lord’s answer to Pilate:

    Jesus answered him, “You would have no authority over Me at all, if it had not been given to you from above; for this reason the one who handed Me over to you has the greater sin.”

    John 19:11 NASB

    A greater sin than Pontius Pilate? For Christ-followers remember by our creeds the the Lord Jesus “was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate?”

    Yet Jesus says that one who handed Him over to Pilate has the greater sin.

    Does the Lord mean to say that Pilate’s sin is forgivable? Perhaps.

    We assume here that Jesus refers to Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Him to the Jews, is the one with the greater sin.

    • Have you ever considered that Annas or Caiaphas are truly the ones who handed Jesus over to the gentiles?
    • These High Priests of the Jews handed Jesus over to Pilate for crucifixion.
    • Annas, Caiaphas and other Jewish officials of the Sanhedrin, who betray their own Messiah, have greater sins than Pilate!

    Had you have not known of the Highest Authority of Jesus until now, you may be forgiven for not knowing. But now that you know Jesus, you must accept Christ or oppose God Almighty.

    Who will rule over you now?

    Opposition to Authority

    12 As a result of this, Pilate made efforts to release Him; but the Jews shouted, saying,

    “If you release this Man, you are not a friend of Caesar;

    everyone who makes himself out to be a king opposes Caesar!”

    Pilate their Governor rules over those in the crowds and as Judea’s Governor. He appoints their religious authorities (who have consistently incited the crowds against the Authority of their Messiah) and outranks every member of the Sanhedrin in all civil matters.

    But the Jewish authorities cite a technical argument, not a religious reason – a political reason for Pilate to condemn their messianic opponent.

    • Jesus claims to be a king.
    • Caesar, a king and a god to the Romans also commands their loyalty.

    Will Pilate actually oppose the authority of Caesar by releasing a Man who makes claim as a king of the Jew?

    Of course, the Governor cannot allow the crowds to think that. Now he must sentence the Man. Rome’s judge returns Jesus to the public court of crowd justice.

    13 Therefore when Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out, and sat down on the judgment seat at a place called The Pavement—but in Hebrew, Gabbatha.

    From the hour of Jesus’ betrayal by Judas under cover of darkness in Gethsemane until now, these trials, interrogations and cruel punishments have all been completed by morning’s end.

    14 Now it was the day of preparation for the Passover; it was about the sixth hour..

    The Jewish Authorities Prevail

    No one likes to see the opposition win — not you, not me — and not even Pilate.

    But in fact, here it would seem that evil prevails. Evil destroys its opponent in the agenda of those religious leaders who have stoked the hatred of the crowds.

    So they shouted, “Away with Him, away with Him, crucify Him!” - John19:15 - collage of Jesus and Pilate with first and 21st century crowds

    Then he told the Jews, “Here is your king!” They shouted, “Take him away! Take him away! Crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Should I crucify your king?”

    The chief priests answered,

    We have no king but Caesar.

    John 19:15b KJV

    16 Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away. KJV

    Who are ‘they’ who crucify Christ?

    We will explore the verdict, which would seem to suggest that the majority rules.

    Who crucified the Man of God, Christ Jesus? This we must ask NEXT as we follow Christ with His Cross to the skull where criminals hang from a tree.

    To be continued...

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  • CRUCIFY! CRUCIFY iēsous Crucify ben ‘elyown ‘elyown

    CRUCIFY! CRUCIFY iēsous Crucify ben ‘elyown ‘elyown

    Crowds incited against all righteousness

    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.

    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:

    soldier whipping Jesus Christ

    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:

    from passion of the Christ film Pilate and Jesus

    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…

    מָשִׁיחַ מָשִׁיחַ talk of jesus dot com

    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!’

    Yesus facing Pilate

    (.. 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...
    Page TWO - Please click Page 2 below for the questions.

    Pages: 1 2

  • What is Truth?

    What is Truth?

    Opinion Poll | Vote today:

    Which politician do you believe?

    Who will vote for Truth?

    A vile venom of political and religious rhetoric is nothing new under the sun in the 1st century A.D. or this 21st century.

    If you share any of my political views or religious convictions, you’ve likely been agitated by escalation of accusations in current events.

    We find many parallels in history, but none with more impact that a 1st. century trial of Jesus Christ by Jerusalem’s Roman governor, Pontius Pilate.

    Truth on Trial

    politics and religion - imaginary view of Roman temple of Jupiter
    1st c in the year of our Lord

    Previously in 2020..

    We have been following the Gospel (Good News) of John:

    ALL took place in 1st century Jerusalem in the brief span of one week!

    Continuing Jesus’ trials..

    Yesus facing Pilate

    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.”

    “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.”

    “What is truth?” retorted Pilate. With this he went out again to the Jews gathered there…

    John 18:37-38a NIV

    Jesus has already been found guilty and tried by the Jewish leaders Annas and Caiaphas during the wakening hours of this day. Then they brought the Messiah to the governor Pilate, who has just questioned their prisoner in his own judge’s quarters (which the Jews would not enter).

    John 18:

    38 Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?”

    Now Pilate brings Jesus back into the public spotlight.

    And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews and said to them, “I find no guilt in Him…

    What an amazing statement of truth!

    Prior to questioning Jesus in his Judge’s chambers, Pilate had already acquitted Jesus in public.

    What accusation do you bring against this Man?

    We read previously in Kings, Governors, Politicians & Priests 2 31 So Pilate said to them, “Take Him yourselves, and judge Him according to your law.”

    In effect, the Roman Governor of all the province of Judea acting as High Court Judge of Jerusalem tells them, ‘Case dismissed.’

    Now, after private questioning of Jesus about their accusation, Pilate once again finds Jesus, Not Guilty!

    But now begins the politics of playing the crowds.

    Justice by Public Opinion – a Poll of the people

    Once again, some time passes as the Jerusalem crowds gather for the preparation for the Passover feast. The buzz of the multitudes outside must have reminded Pilate of the great accolades for Jesus as He had approached Jerusalem just five days before.

    As Governor of Judea, Pilate also had to placate officials of the Sanhedrin who Jesus offended in the Temple courts on Monday.

    What’s a politically correct way to please the crowds who followed Jesus AND the Jewish leaders who help Pilate maintain the peace of Jerusalem?

    The Judge of Judea will show mercy to this innocent man.

    So the Prefect likely sent guards to the prison to bring a second previously condemned man to the governor near to Pilate’s position above the crowds. Now the Jews will see the truth of an innocent Man compared to an insurrectionist murderer like this prisoner Barabbas.

    “I find no grounds for charging him. 39 You have a custom that I release one prisoner to you at the Passover. So, do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews?”

    IF you didn’t already know the ending of this Good Friday, you might jump up and applaud Pilate’s political correctness.

    Everybody wins when the governor shows mercy. This powerful Roman governor of Judea seems to judge truth with great fairness.

    BUT, as you know, crowds may be easily swayed from doing what is right.

    40 They shouted back, “Not this man, but Barabbas!”

    Now Barabbas was a revolutionary.

    CSB

    John 19:1 Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged.

    To be continued...
    Page TWO - Please click Page 2 below for the questions.

    Yes, it’s a POLL

    Your political opinion about religion

    & politics A.D. 2020

    Pages: 1 2

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