A Chat with Pilate:

Context:

• In the morning, Jesus was bound and delivered to Pilate, the governor.
• Judas, who betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver, hanged himself.
• Pilate asks Jesus “Are you the King of the Jews”?

Matthew 27:11b “...Jesus said, “You have said so...”

Mark 15:2b “...And he answered him, “You have said so...”

Luke 23:3b “...And he answered him, “You have said so...”

John 18:34b “...Jesus answered, “Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?...”

What did Pilate want to verify?

• That Jesus was promoting Himself to be King.

Did Pilate get the answer he was looking for?

• Jesus didn’t answer the question.

Matthew 27:13-14 “...Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how many things they testify against you?” But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed...”

Mark 15:5 “...But Jesus made no further answer, so that Pilate was amazed...”

Why didn’t Jesus defend Himself?

• He wasn’t concerned about how He was being, or would be, treated.
• He was concerned about carrying out the Will of the Father.

Have you ever been falsely accused? If so, what was most important to you at the time?

Luke 23:7-11 “...And when he learned that he belonged to Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him over to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at that time. When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had long desired to see him, because he had heard about him, and he was hoping to see some sign done by him. So he questioned him at some length, but he made no answer. The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him. And Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him. Then, arraying him in splendid clothing, he sent him back to Pilate...”

Why was Herod glad to meet Jesus?

• He had heard about Him, and was hoping to see a sign done by Him.
• But Jesus gave him no satisfaction, refusing to answer his questions.

How was Jesus treated by the soldiers?

• Poorly.

John 18:35-36 “...Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you done?” Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world...”

What clarification did Jesus offer?

• John 1:11 “...He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him...”
• Jesus wasn’t advocating political insurrection.
• He wasn’t a zealot or revolutionary in the worldly sense.
• He was offering participation in a Kingdom that was not of this world.
• He had no intention of forcing people to recognize His Kingship.

John 18:37-38 “...Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world - to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” Pilate said to him, “What is truth?” After he had said this, he went back outside to the Jews and told them, “I find no guilt in him...”

Why did Jesus come to earth?

• To bear witness to the truth.
• The world to which He came had lost its way.
• The world was not living in truth.

Does everyone receive the truth the Jesus came to bear witness to?

• Only those who “...of the truth...” listen to the words of Jesus.

What does it mean to be “...of the truth...”?

• John 3:3 “...Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God...”
• Being born again is a prerequisite for participation in Kingdom truth.

Matthew 27:17-20 “...So when they had gathered, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” For he knew that it was out of envy that they had delivered him up. Besides, while he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered much because of him today in a dream.” Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus...”

Mark 15:9-11 “...And he answered them, saying, “Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?” For he perceived that it was out of envy that the chief priests had delivered him up. But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release for them Barabbas instead...”

Luke 23:14-16 “...and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was misleading the people. And after examining him before you, behold, I did not find this man guilty of any of your charges against him. Neither did Herod, for he sent him back to us. Look, nothing deserving death has been done by him. I will therefore punish and release him.[23:17 Now he was obliged to release to them at the feast one prisoner.] But they all cried out together, “Away with this man, and release to us Barabbas”— a man who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection started in the city and for murder...”

John 18:38-40 “...Pilate said to him, “What is truth?” After he had said this, he went back outside to the Jews and told them, “I find no guilt in him. But you have a custom that I should release one man for you at the Passover. So do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” They cried out again, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a robber...”

What conclusion did Pilate reach?

• Jesus was not guilty.

Who deserved to die, Jesus or Barabbas?

• Barabbas was a murderer.
• Jesus had done no wrong.

Who deserves to die, Jesus or you?

• We, like Barabbas, deserve the punishment and death sentence that Jesus received.