The Trial of Jesus

MEMORY VERSE: “Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified.” —Matthew 27:22

MATTHEW 27:11-26

ONE of the facts emphasized in Matthew’s account of Jesus’ trial before Pilate is that he made no effort to defend himself. Jesus was completely innocent of any wrongdoing. He had not broken any of the Roman laws, nor had he violated God’s Law which had been given to Israel by Moses. His refusal to defend himself was not, however, because he felt it would be useless in view of the enraged passions of his accusers, but because he wished voluntarily to lay down his life as the Redeemer and Savior of the world of mankind.

In verse 14 we are told that Pilate “marveled greatly” that Jesus made no attempt to defend himself, that “he answered him to never a word.” It was the accusations of his enemies to which Jesus made no reply. In John 18:33-38 we learn that Jesus did converse with Pilate, not to defend himself against the Jews, but to reply to questions which Pilate asked him, and to bear witness to the truth.

Jesus was accused of being a king, and Pilate asked him if he really was a king. Jesus replied, “To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I might bear witness unto the truth.” Jesus explained, nevertheless, that his kingdom was not of this world; that is, not after the order of worldly kingdoms, that his soldiers would not fight to place him in power. This implied that Pilate had nothing to fear from Jesus with respect to his kingdom.

Pilate, after questioning Jesus, realized that he had done no evil, and said so to Jesus’ enemies. “He knew that for envy they had delivered him.” (vs. 18) It was the custom of the Roman government at the time of the Jewish passover feast to deliver one of their people who had become a prisoner. They had the privilege of deciding which one would be set free. Pilate gave them the opportunity to ask for Jesus’ release, but instead they called for Barabbas.

Pilate’s wife came to the defense of Jesus, and this made the situation even more difficult for him. Finally, and in desperation, he inquired of the mob, “What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ?” To this the insistent reply was hurled back, “Let him be crucified.” Pilate tried to reason with Jesus’ accusers, but to no avail, and again they shouted, “Let him be crucified.”

Then Pilate realized that he was powerless to do anything unless he was willing to risk an insurrection of the Jewish people, which he was not. He took water and washed his hands before the multitude and said, “I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it.” (vs. 24) This did not disturb Jesus’ enemies. They seemed quite willing to accept the responsibility for Jesus’ death. They said, “His blood be on us, and on our children.”—vs. 25

What neither Pilate nor Jesus’ enemies understood was that through the death of Jesus redemption from sin and death was provided for them, and for all mankind. Had they known this they would have acted very differently. But Jesus knew full well that his death was a very vital part of the divine plan of salvation. This had been foretold in the Old Testament, and beautifully illustrated by the death of Israel’s passover lamb.

It was the death of the passover lamb that brought deliverance to Israel’s firstborn, and later to all Israel—deliverance from death, and from slavery under the cruel heel of Pharaoh. It was the time to commemorate this event when Jesus, the antitypical Passover Lamb, was led to the slaughter. Concerning this, the Prophet Isaiah wrote:

“All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.”—Isa. 53:3-7

QUESTIONS

Why did Jesus refuse to defend himself before Pilate?

What additional information is furnished by John concerning Pilate’s interview with Jesus?

What offer did Pilate make to the mob?

How did Pilate display his own innocence in the matter?

What part does the death of Jesus have in the divine plan?

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