11 Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You have said so.” 12 But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he gave no answer. 13 Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how many things they testify against you?” 14 But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed.” Matthew 27:11–14 (ESV)
“And as soon as it was morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council. And they bound Jesus and led him away and delivered him over to Pilate. 2 And Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” And he answered him, “You have said so.” 3 And the chief priests accused him of many things. 4 And Pilate again asked him, “Have you no answer to make? See how many charges they bring against you.” 5 But Jesus made no further answer, so that Pilate was amazed.” (Mark 15:1–5 (ESV)
“Then the whole company of them arose and brought him before Pilate. 2 And they began to accuse him, saying, “We found this man misleading our nation and forbidding us to give tribute to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ, a king.” 3 And Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” And he answered him, “You have said so.” 4 Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no guilt in this man.” 5 But they were urgent, saying, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee even to this place.” (Luke 23:1–5 (ESV)
28 Then they led Jesus from the house of Caiaphas to the governor’s headquarters. It was early morning. They themselves did not enter the governor’s headquarters, so that they would not be defiled, but could eat the Passover. 29 So Pilate went outside to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this man?” 30 They answered him, “If this man were not doing evil, we would not have delivered him over to you.” 31 Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law.” The Jews said to him, “It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death.” 32 This was to fulfill the word that Jesus had spoken to show by what kind of death he was going to die.” (John 18:28–32 (ESV)
In studying the Passion Week of the Lord Jesus Christ, it is wise to examine all four Gospel accounts. Each evangelist, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, contribute to our comprehensive understanding of our Lord’s arrest, trials, crucifixion, death and resurrection. Condemned to death by the Jewish religious authorities, Jesus subsequently faced three trials before the ruling secular authorities.
Beginning today, we examine the Son of God’s first trial before the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate.
Pontius Pilate asked the Jewish religious leaders what accusations they had against Jesus. The Jews responded, ““If this man were not doing evil, we would not have delivered him over to you.” (John 18:30).Pilate then said, ““Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law.” (John 18:31a). They replied, ““It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death.” (John 18:31b). John notes this was a fulfilment of Jesus’ words He would be crucified (Matt. 20:19; 26:2; Mark 10:33; Luke 18:32; John 12:32-33).
As previously noted, Luke’s Gospel alone specifically outlines the Sanhedrin’s criminal charges against the Lord Jesus Christ. “We found this man misleading our nation and forbidding us to give tribute to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ, a king.” (Luke 23:2). The fabricated accusations included (1) misleading the Jewish nation; (2) forbidding Jews to give tribute to Caesar; and (3) being an insurrectionist against Rome by saying He was a king.
It was this statement regarding Jesus’ kingship which caught Pilate’s attention. Matthew, Mark and Luke recorded Pilate asking Jesus, “Are you the King of the Jews?” The Lord’s response sparked an interesting debate between the two individuals.
“To understand why Pilate finally condemns Jesus to death, we need to know something of Pilate’s character and his relationship with Israel. From his appointment as governor of Judea (circa AD 26), Pontius Pilate has shown little but contempt for his Jewish subjects, raiding the temple treasury to finance the construction of an aqueduct and even murdering some Galileans while they offered sacrifices (Luke 13:1). As such, Pilate will not be moved to kill Jesus simply because Jesus violates the Sanhedrin’s religious sensibilities. In fact, Pilate’s hatred for the Sanhedrin is well-known,” explains Dr. R. C. Sproul.
“Therefore, the Jewish leaders do not charge Jesus with blasphemy before Pilate’s bench; rather, they accuse our Lord of claiming to be “King of the Jews” (Matt. 27:11–12). In riot-prone Judea, this is the best way to convince Pilate that Jesus must die, for the Roman authorities will do nearly anything to prevent uprisings against the Empire.”
Soli deo Gloria!
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