The First Trial Before Pilate - Mark 15.1-5; Matt 27.2, 11-14; Luke 23.1-5; John 18.28-28

　

Pilate was a Roman citizen born in Spain. He was Roman procurator from 26-36 AD. In contemporary Jewish writings he was characterized as being a cruel man who was fair in his rulings. He was dressed early this morning expecting a trial as he had sent a cohort along with Judas to apprehend Yeshua.

The scripture says it was early and that the chef priests had not yet eaten the Passover. What that was referring to was the meal the priests would eat before performing the Passover sacrifice at the temple compound. If they became “unclean” they would not be able to perform their duties.

Pilate begins by asking, “What accusation do you make against this man?” This is where Judas would have come forth to testify. Since Judas is dead the chief priests say that they “found this man trying to pervert the nation.” Pilate wants none of this type of trial. “Take him yourself and judge him according to your law,” he says.

They respond that they cannot put a man to death under Jewish law. If they did kill him under Jewish law, Yeshua would have been stoned--not crucified as the scripture says. According to the Talmud, shortly after this event the Romans changed the law to allow Jews to stone a convicted Jew to death, rather than having them crucified.

Once they realize Pilate wants a witness they all start accusing Yeshua of perverting the nation, forbidding to give Caesar tribute, and saying that he is a King.

Now that Pilate has heard specific charges he continues by taking Yeshua aside and asking him if he is King of the Jews (not if he is Messiah). Jesus asks him on what basis he is asking this--to clarify the issue--is this what you think or did someone tell you this? Was he asking as a Jew or Roman. Pilate says, “I am not a Jew--your nation has delivered you up--what have you done?”

The issue is clear--this is a Jewish issue. Yeshua says:

1. My kingdom is not of this world, meaning it will not be of the nature of this world. His kingdom is in this world, but not of it, and will be in the future.

2. The Kingdom is future--not now. If it were my disciples would take up arms and fight.

Pilate asks if Yeshua is a king? Yeshua says, “You said it.” Then he tells Pilate he has come to bear witness to the truth. Pilate asks, “What is truth?” Sad to say, Pilate was looking at the truth and did not recognize him. Pilate did not hear the voice of truth. He sees no threat to Rome here.

They begin to accuse Yeshua more strongly. Someone mentions Yeshua is from Galilee. Pilate sees an opportunity to rid himself of the problem. Herod is the ruler in Galilee. Pilate sends Jesus to Herod who is in Jerusalem for the Passover feast.

2. The Trial Before Herod - Luke 23.6-12Herod Antipas was the son of Herod the Great who had killed all the babies under two years of age when Jesus was born. A year earlier Antipas had John the Baptist beheaded. Antipas now has an opportunity to see Jesus. He is hoping to be entertained by some miracle. Jesus refuses to speak. Antipas is disappointed but finds no reason to have Jesus executed. This is the 2^nd time Jesus is found not worthy of death. Antipas sends Jesus back to Pilate dressed in gorgeous apparel.

Herod and Pilate became friends that day. The story behind their enmity went back to when Pilate became procurator. Pilate had his legions hang Roman shields on the outside of the wall surrounding the temple. The Jews revolted because the shields were adorned with pagan images. Pilate refused to take the shields down and many Jews and Roman soldiers were killed in rioting.

Antipas asked Pilate to take down the shields but Pilate would not recognize Herod’s authority and understanding. Antipas wrote a letter to Caesar in Roman who notified Pilate to remove the shields from the wall. This day, at Jesus’ expense they finally recognized each other’s authority.

Nine years later Herod’s wife, who wanted to be recognized as Queen, talked Herod into going to Rome to request of Caligula that he be made “King” of Palestine as his father had been recognized. Caligula had them both exiled to what is now France and they died in abject poverty.

The Second Trial Before Pilate - Mark 15.6-15; Matt 27.15-26Pilate, slowly and reluctantly, and in fear, will surrender to the demand of the Sanhedrin for the crucifixion of Yeshua. Pilate will now attempt in subtle ways to release Jesus--but he will be unable to appease the mob. He falls back on a custom of releasing a political prisoner during the feast.

Barabbas was a robber, insurrectionist, and murderer. He hated the Romans and was involved in harassing them in order to get them out of Palestine. Barabbas is his Hellenized name. The writers of the gospels did not want to confuse the readers. Bar = Son of, and Abba = Father. His first name was Yeshua = Salvation, son of the Father is the meaning of the name. He had the title--but not the reality. He was the one guilty of serious crimes--not Jesus.

This procedure is interrupted briefly when Pilate gets a note from his wife pleading for him to release “this righteous man” of which she had dreams about that very night. This gives the chief priests plenty of time to incite the crowd to demand the release of Bar Abba.

The next attempt to release Jesus was to have him scourged. There were two types of scourging: Jewish and Roman.

Jewish was 40, save one (39). The Mosaic law forbade more than forty lashes. The Jews would count 39 and stop in order to not err and give too many lashes. Jewish lashes were short leather that only hurt the person’s back. Painful but not deadly. The Apostle Paul survived five Jewish scourges.

Roman scourging had no limits on the amount of lashings. The lashes were long leather with a piece of glass or bone on the ends to inflict severe bodily harm. The long leather lashes would wrap around the entire body or face inflicting great harm. Many did not survive--Jesus would have been disfigured by this scourging. This fulfilled Isaiah 52.13-53.12 in that he was maimed and disfigured. He suffered greatly--and had already been pummeled twice before this.

Pilate hopes this will satisfy the mob and for the third time says he finds no reason to execute Jesus. He then tries to turn Jesus over the chief priests. They then change the sedition charge into Jesus proclaiming he is the Son of God.

Pilate speaks to Jesus in private urging him to speak because he can have Jesus executed. Jesus tells Pilate, “All power is delegated from above.” Jesus also tells him those who brought him here will be guilty of greater sin than Pilate.

Pilate makes a 5^th attempt to release Jesus. He is told if he releases this man that he is no “friend of Caesar.” Pilate responds by moving to the judgment seat in order to pass sentence. Why has this comment caused him to do this?

Pilate was in a difficult position because his good friend, Janus, who was captain of Caesar’s guard had got him this position. Later Janus was involved in a conspiracy to oust Caesar and proclaim himself as emperor. Pilate would have been under close scrutiny because he was Janus’ friend--he did not want to be accused of treason by releasing a man proclaiming to be a king.

He makes a final attempt to clear Jesus by bringing him out and proclaiming, “Behold your King!” The crowd responds by saying, “We have no king but Caesar.” Pilate makes no further attempt to release Jesus. He washes his hands in front of the mob saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood!” The crowd responds, “His blood be on us and our children!”

Only Matt mentions this in his gospel--he is the writer focused on the unpardonable sin. Notice they said, “Us and our children.” There is no mention of the 3^rd and 4^th generation. They will receive their wish in 70 AD when the temple and Jerusalem are destroyed.

Pilate and the gentiles are not absolved either. Only Pilate could have Jesus executed--he gave into the mob out of fear. Acts 3 points out his guilt--and the Apostle’s Creed. In 36 AD Pilate was disposed and banished to Gaul--he would later commit suicide--he paid his price.

Jesus is given the death sentence and Yeshua Bar Abba is released. A symbolic substitution takes place--an innocent will die in place of the guilty!


Notes from: The Life of Messiah from a Jewish Perspective by Dr. Arnold Fruchtenbaum