Roman Trials and Sentencing

(One Perfect Life Chapters 185-189) In this portion of the Gospel Jesus’ trials conclude with His wrongful conviction and unjustified punishment. A punishment predetermined by God for our salvation.

The findings of the illegal trial the night before are affirmed the next day by the religious tribunal as soon as the sun rose. Again Jesus affirms that He is the Messiah, the Son of God. Having heard it again, they pronounce the now legal conviction. Rome had stripped the Jewish authorities of the ability to carry out capital punishment. So the religious leaders devised a plan for the Romans to condemn Jesus to death. They would accuse Him of inciting an insurrections against Rome. The specifically claimed Jesus told the people not to pay taxes, which He had not (Matthew 15). They also claimed Jesus was setting Himself up as a Jewish King in opposition to Rome (Luke 23:2).

Jesus initially confronts Pilate as not asking Him honest questions but only asking at the provocation of the Jewish authorities. He agrees that He is a King but His kingdom is not of this world (John18:36). Jesus could call on the angels to deliver Him but He has come to die. Jesus tells Pilate He came into the world to witness to the truth – the truth of the Father. Pilate’s response if perhaps the most cynical of all time but it is echoed by today’s world, “what is truth” John 18:38)? Answer: the Word of God (John17:17). After this question, Jesus remains silent before Pilate and before Herod.

Pilate tries to escape the dilemma of crucifying an innocent man by sending Him to Herod since Jesus was technically under Herod’s jurisdiction. Jesus does not respond to Herod’s questioning so Herod mocks Him, put a royal robe on Him and sends Him back to Pilate.

Pilate knows the religious leaders want to kill Jesus because they are jealous of Him (Mark 15:10). Further, Pilate is warned by his wife that He should have nothing to do with Jesus based on a dream that distressed her. He tries one more ploy to release Jesus. One prisoner was released at Passover each year as a goodwill gesture to the Jews. Pilate gives them a choice that He believes will result in the release of Jesus. Release Jesus or Barabbas?

The name Barabbas means, son of his father. They wanted to kill Jesus for identifying Himself as the Son of God – His Father. Who was the father of Barabbas? The evil one. Barabbas is described as a robber and a murderer. Satan is described as a robber (John 10:10) and a murderer (John 8:44). “This is the test by which men are judged – the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness more than they loved the Light” (John 3:19).

In the ultimate act of cowardice, Pilate scourges Jesus and turns Him over to be crucified. He affirms Jesus innocence but washes his hands of the matter. All this happened to fulfill God’s plan for our salvation.