John 18:28-40
Today's Passage: John 18:28-40
After Jesus’ mock trial before Caiaphas, he was sent to Pilate. The Jews, by their own words, noted that, “It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death.” The religious leaders wanted the death sentence for Jesus, but they weren’t technically allowed to do this themselves. It should be noted that death under Jewish law would have involved stoning. This would have broken many bones. John 19:36–37 indicates that crucifixion (and not broken bones) fulfilled prophecy regarding Jesus’ death. Additionally, it fulfilled other prophecy like John 3:14 and Dueteronomy 21:23.
Pilate did not have a great relationship with the Jewish leaders. He did not want to bow to their demand for a death penalty, presumably to frustrate them as much as anything else. It’s also likely that there were some political tensions with Rome and he did not desire to upset anyone above him. Yet, he had to do something fearing that the religious leaders would work the people into a riotous frenzy.
A core value for the Roman Empire was Pax Romana—the Peace of Rome. Roman Peace was such a high value that Rome expended great effort to maintain it. If Pilate let the Jewish people riot, he would face consequences. One man’s life is not worth upsetting Roman Peace, but it seemed Pilate wanted to avoid that trade.
He questioned Jesus personally. However, notice how this exchange ends, “What is truth?” Pilate asked Jesus this question, but presumably didn’t wait around for the answer. He asked the question and left the One whose very nature is truth.
Pilate attempted to appease the crowd to spare Jesus’ life. The first attempt was the release of a prisoner. Barabbas was a robber, a murderer, and an insurrectionist. He was guilty. Yet, the religious leaders had rather see him freed than the innocent man Jesus.
What do we take away from all this? There are two things as I reflect on this story. First, I think about how far sin can take a person. The religious leaders were so envious and so blinded because of their sin that they traded an innocent man’s life for that of a known robber and murderer. The unreasonableness of sin can do that. Like the old adage says: sin will take us further than we want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you want to pay,
Secondly, Pilate’s question is one for the ages. How many times do we find ourselves searching, only to discover later that the answer is Jesus? Instead, we should turn to him first. Because He is the Truth, He should be the starting point for any question we’re asking. Especially as we navigate this life, we should be seeking to walk with him. Jesus may not tell us everything we want to know all the time. But we can trust him as we walk with him through any season.
Written By: Tyler Short
After Jesus’ mock trial before Caiaphas, he was sent to Pilate. The Jews, by their own words, noted that, “It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death.” The religious leaders wanted the death sentence for Jesus, but they weren’t technically allowed to do this themselves. It should be noted that death under Jewish law would have involved stoning. This would have broken many bones. John 19:36–37 indicates that crucifixion (and not broken bones) fulfilled prophecy regarding Jesus’ death. Additionally, it fulfilled other prophecy like John 3:14 and Dueteronomy 21:23.
Pilate did not have a great relationship with the Jewish leaders. He did not want to bow to their demand for a death penalty, presumably to frustrate them as much as anything else. It’s also likely that there were some political tensions with Rome and he did not desire to upset anyone above him. Yet, he had to do something fearing that the religious leaders would work the people into a riotous frenzy.
A core value for the Roman Empire was Pax Romana—the Peace of Rome. Roman Peace was such a high value that Rome expended great effort to maintain it. If Pilate let the Jewish people riot, he would face consequences. One man’s life is not worth upsetting Roman Peace, but it seemed Pilate wanted to avoid that trade.
He questioned Jesus personally. However, notice how this exchange ends, “What is truth?” Pilate asked Jesus this question, but presumably didn’t wait around for the answer. He asked the question and left the One whose very nature is truth.
Pilate attempted to appease the crowd to spare Jesus’ life. The first attempt was the release of a prisoner. Barabbas was a robber, a murderer, and an insurrectionist. He was guilty. Yet, the religious leaders had rather see him freed than the innocent man Jesus.
What do we take away from all this? There are two things as I reflect on this story. First, I think about how far sin can take a person. The religious leaders were so envious and so blinded because of their sin that they traded an innocent man’s life for that of a known robber and murderer. The unreasonableness of sin can do that. Like the old adage says: sin will take us further than we want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you want to pay,
Secondly, Pilate’s question is one for the ages. How many times do we find ourselves searching, only to discover later that the answer is Jesus? Instead, we should turn to him first. Because He is the Truth, He should be the starting point for any question we’re asking. Especially as we navigate this life, we should be seeking to walk with him. Jesus may not tell us everything we want to know all the time. But we can trust him as we walk with him through any season.
Written By: Tyler Short
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