Final Examination of Jesus and His Suffering - John 18:39-19:16
Pilate failed in his first attempt to release Jesus when the Jews chose Barabbas. He had reason to be worried. Jesus did not fit the pattern of most rebels or false Messiah, not in word, deed or demeanor. Jesus’ reputation as a miracle worker was also well known and then Pilate’s wife comes to say, she had been warned in a dream that Jesus was a just man.
Matthew 27:19 When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.
Vs. 19: 1-3 Pilate Orders Jesus Punished
Pilate then tries, by punishing and humiliating Jesus, to appease the Jews and thus find a way to release Him.
Scourging - Scourging was a very severe form of punishment, just short of the sure death of the crucifixion. It was usually done with a flagellum, a multiheaded whip constructed with bits of lead and bone braided into the whips. Under Jewish law, the number of lashes was 39. 40 lashes was considered a death penalty.
Horace calls it horribile flagellum. It consisted of a handle, to which several cords or leather thongs were affixed, which were weighted with jagged pieces of bone or metal, to make the blow more painful and effective. ... The victim was tied to a post (and the blows were applied to the back and loins, sometimes even … to the face and the bowels. So hideous was the punishment that the victim usually fainted and not rarely died under it. - Henry E. Dosker, The International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia, 1915, 1–5, 2704.
“they (the Roman spectators) saw them (the Christians) lacerated with scourges even to the innermost veins and arteries, so that the hidden inward parts of the body, both their bowels and their members, were exposed to view; - Eusebius of Caesaria, writing about the death of Polycarp from Smyrna and members of his church in 155 AD.
The Crown of Thorns – Some believe the crown was made from the thorns of the Date Palm, thorns that are 2-3 inches long and very sharp, able to pierce skin and flesh. Palm fronds had been used to welcome their Messiah, and the Date Palm was a symbol of Jewish independence, thus the crown would mock both Jesus as King and the nation’s hope in their humiliated Messiah.
The Purple Robe - Purple was the color of royalty and the soldiers under Pilates command, placed the robe on Jesus so that when Pilate proclaimed, “Behold, your King!” it would be the most cruel mockery.
He was innocent, yet He was treated as though He were guilty; and He did it for us. He was slapped in the face before Annas (John 18:22), and spat on and beaten before Caiaphas and the council (Matt. 26:67). Pilate scourged Him and the soldiers smote Him (John 19:1–3); and before they led Him to Calvary, the soldiers mocked Him and beat Him with a rod (Mark 15:19). How much He suffered for us! - Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 1:379.
Vss 4-5 Pilate now goes out the third time and brings Jesus, beaten, bloody, crowned and robed before the people. What is his declaration of Jesus before the Jews?
Behold The Man! Pilate was showing this was no king, no messiah, no threat.
Vs. 6-8 The Jews are not satisfied with the torture of Christ and call for His crucifixion. Pilate tells them to take Jesus and crucify Him for they would be guilty of killing an innocent man, but the Jews declare Jesus is not innocent. What crime do they say Jesus committed that was worthy of death?
Jesus had proclaimed himself the Son of God, and under their law that was a blasphemy worthy of death.
Vs. 10-11 The Bible says that Pilate after hearing this was even more afraid. What did Pilate then ask Jesus after hearing the accusation?
He asks Jesus directly, “Whence Art Thou?”
Jesus did not immediately answer Pilate and he warned Jesus that he as prefect (governor) had the power of life or death over Jesus. In a sense, what was Jesus’ answer to both questions?
Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above. (You have no authority over me, except what heaven has granted.)
Vs. 12-13 Pilate in his fear, and confronted by the Lord’s calmness and courage, tries even more to release Jesus. What finally forced Pilate to condemn Jesus?
The Jews claimed that Jesus had tried to make himself a king. They were threatening Pilate with ignoring rebellion against Caesar. (at this time Tiberius)
What was the response of the Jews when Pilate offered them Jesus as their King?
“We have no king but Caesar.”
How does the Jews response typify their relationship with Jesus throughout His earthly ministry?
They refused Him as their Messiah and King from the very beginning choosing power though politics over truth and the Word of God.
According to the early church historian Eusebius a tradition states that Pilate was ordered back to Rome for his own trial after attacking the Samaritans on the holy mountain, Mt. Gerizim in 36 AD. Afterward he was ordered by the emperor Caligula to kill himself. We do know that he was removed from office and there is no record of him afterward. (barely 5-6 years after he sent Jesus to the cross to prevent being accused of ignoring rebellion he is removed from office by death or in shame.)
The Pilate stone was discovered in 1961 which confirms the person and time of the prefect Pontius Pilate. Before the stone was discovered Pilate was dismissed as fictitious by many atheist and skeptics.
The stone reads [This] Tiberieum (building dedicated to Tiberius) by Pontius Pilatus prefect of Judea Had been built)
Applications
What does Jesus habit of praying in solitude often challenge us to do in our own times of turmoil and hurt?
Like Jacob on Penuel, Moses on Sinai, or Christ in the wilderness, we all need a secluded place to really do business with God.
Can we be guilty of denying Christ? How?
Yes, through our words, actions or lack thereof we can and do deny Him. Usually under much less pressure than Peter.
Using Peter’s story as a foundation, what can I learn to prevent my own denial of Christ?
Stay close to Christ especially in midst of trial. Peter waited outside while John went in.
Don’t accept anything from the world. Peter warmed himself by the fire and when it came time to take a stand he could not.
Pilate dismisses Jesus talk truth with the question, “What is truth?” What do you think he meant by that question?
That truth is changeable, unknowable or subjective.
How does is compare to today’s philosophy of relativism? (Everything is relative. What is true to you may not be true to me.)
Some basic idea though Pilate may have been dealing with truth between the Jews, himself and Jesus. Today it is not just powerful rulers who manipulate the truth but anyone who doesn’t like what they hear.
Herod tried to not pass judgment on Jesus. Is it possible for us to decide not to decide?
No, a non-decision is still a decision and we will still be held responsible by God if by no one else.
Chronology of the Trial
1. Judas' Betrayal and Peter's Denial Foretold (Jerusalem in the evening before the crucifixion) Mt 26:21-25,31-35 Mr 14:18-21,27-31 Lu 22:21-23,31-38 Joh 13:21-38
2. The Lord's Supper Instituted (Jerusalem in the evening before the crucifixion)
Mt 26:26-29 Mark 14:22-25 Lu 22:19,20 1Co 11:23-26
3. Farewell Discourse to Disciples (Jerusalem in the evening before the crucifixion)
Joh 14:1-16:33
4. The Lord's Prayer (Jerusalem, Somewhere on the way to Garden of Gethsemane late at night) John 17:1-26
5. Gethsemane and Agony Therein (A garden between the brook Kidron and the Mount of Olives. Late at night.) Mt 26:30,36-46 Mr 14:26,32-42 Lu 22:39-46 Joh 18:1
6. Jesus Betrayed, Arrested, and Forsaken (Gethsemane, several hours before dawn) Mt 26:47-56 Mr 14:43-52 Lu 22:47-53 Joh 18:2-11
7. First Stage of Jewish Trial. Examination by Annas (Annas home, before dawn)
Joh 18:12-14,19-23
8. Second Stage of Jewish Trial. Jesus Condemned by Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin (Palace of Caiaphas, early before dawn.) Mt 26:57,59-68 Mr 14:53,55-65 Lu 22:54,63-65 Joh 18:24
9. Peter Thrice Denies the Lord (Court of the high priest's residence, about dawn) Mt 26:58,69-75 Mr 14:54,66-72 Lu 22:54-62 Joh 18:15-18,25-27
10. Third Stage of Jewish Trial. Jesus Formally Condemned by the Sanhedrin (Jerusalem after dawn) Mt 27:1,2 Mr 15:1 Lu 22:66-23:1 Joh 18:28
11. First Stage of the Roman Trial. Jesus Before Pilate for the First Time (Jerusalem. Early morning) Mt 27:11-14 Mr 15:2-5 Lu 23:2-5 Joh 18:28-38
12. Second Stage of the Roman Trial. Jesus Before Herod Antipas (Jerusalem. In the morning after sunrise) Lu 23:6-12
13. Third Stage of the Roman Trial. Pilate Reluctantly Sentences Him to Crucifixion (after sunrise, early morning before 9 am.) Mt 27:15-30 Mr 15:6-19 Lu 23:13-25 Joh 18:39-19:16
Conclusion
Jesus greatest agony still waits for him upon the cross, but it did not start there. He has been awake for at least 24 hours, emotionally tormented on the way and in the Garden. He was arrested, beaten, illegally tried, ridiculed, humiliated and scourged in those 24 hours. All of these, we are witness to through the Bible, but none can know all that He suffers in His heart and in his mind knowing what still lies ahead.
When we consider all He has suffered and what He will suffer, we should dedicate ourselves once again to serve Him fully in gratitude and humility for all He has done for us.
No comments:
Post a Comment