Pilate Hands Jesus Over to be Crucified
December 27, 2020
Commentary
Pilate wanted to release Jesus, but the crowd continued to demand His death; so he sentenced Him to die (vv. 13-25). Today we might say that he did what was politically correct. No doubt Pilate did not want to risk losing his job, and as we have indicated previously, it was a bit shaky. As a career politician, he knew the importance of compromise and he saw Jesus as more of a political threat than as a person with rights and dignity. Keep in mind as you read this portion of Scripture that Jesus was not crucified because evil men decided to get Him out of the way. He was crucified because it was in God’s plan and was an appointment made in heaven that could not be changed (Acts 2:23).
Herod put Jesus through an interrogation but did not issue an official verdict about Him (v.15). He did make it clear that he did not find Him guilty of any crime worthy of death and sent Jesus back to Pilate. Pilate openly said – “I find no fault in this man,” and yet he permitted Him to be beaten and soon condemned Him to die (v. 14). Pilate wanted to be popular and was not concerned about what was right. He was more concerned about reputation than about character.
Barabbas had been part of a rebellion against the Roman government (Mark 15:7). As a political insurgent, he was no doubt a hero among some of the Jews. It is ironic that Barabbas, who was released, was guilty of the very crime Jesus was accused of (vv. 18-25).
Application
I must never look for an easy way out of a situation I may find myself in. The only right decision is the truth. Only in standing for the truth can one hope to prevent injustice. The only way I can make a right decision is to always take a stand for the truth - no matter what it may cost me.
Luke 23:13– 25 (NET)
13 Then Pilate called together the chief priests, the leaders, and the people, 14 and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was misleading the people. When I examined him before you, I did not find this man guilty of anything you accused him of doing. 15 Neither did Herod, for he sent him back to us. Look, he has done nothing deserving death. 16 I will therefore have him flogged and release him.”
18 But they all shouted out together, “Take this man away! Release Barabbas for us!” 19 (This was a man who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection started in the city, and for murder.) 20 Pilate addressed them once again because he wanted to release Jesus. 21 But they kept on shouting, “Crucify, crucify him!” 22 A third time he said to them, “Why? What wrong has he done? I have found him guilty of no crime deserving death. I will therefore flog him and release him.” 23 But they were insistent, demanding with loud shouts that he be crucified. And their shouts prevailed. 24 So Pilate decided that their demand should be granted. 25 He released the man they asked for, who had been thrown in prison for insurrection and murder. But he handed Jesus over to their will.