Matthew 27:11-26

THE COUNCIL OF RELIGIOUS LEADERS CONDEMNS JESUS

JESUS STANDS TRIAL BEFORE PILATE

Matthew 27:11-14

Mat 27:11  Now Jesus was standing before Pilate, the Roman governor. "Are You the king of the Jews?" the governor asked Him. Jesus replied, "You have said it. 

These four verses contain so much information. The Life Application New Testament Commentary paints the background where I cannot. These are excellent books I have purchased mine through the E-Sword.

LANTC Said : "The region of Judea where Pilate ruled as governor was little more than a hot and dusty outpost of the Roman Empire. The Roman government could not afford to put large numbers of troops in all the regions under their control, so one of Pilate’s main duties was to do whatever was necessary to maintain peace. We know from historical records that Pilate had already been warned about other uprisings in his region. Although he may have seen no guilt in Jesus and no reason to condemn him to death, Pilate wavered when the Jews in the crowd threatened to report him to Caesar (Joh_19:12). Such a report, accompanied by a riot, could cost him his position and hopes for advancement. Would he set free this innocent man at the risk of a major uproar in his region, or would he give in to their demands and condemn a man who, he was quite sure, was innocent? That was the question facing Pilate that springtime Friday morning nearly two thousand years ago". 

Mat 27:12  But when the leading priests and the elders made their accusations against Him, Jesus remained silent. Mat 27:13  "Don't You hear all these charges they are bringing against You?" Pilate demanded. Mat 27:14  But Jesus made no response to any of the charges, much to the governor's surprise.

 It was prophesied that Jesus would not say anything see: Joh_18:33-38. Luke has a more detailed version of this event. Pilot had sent Jesus to Herod Antipas See my bog on Herod here. Herod found no reason that Jesus should be crucified but he mock him and put a purple robe on him Jesus still said nothing Isaiah 53:2 . This was to mock Jesus even more. Pilot now had to make the decision. He refused at first but without adequate forces he capitulated to the crowd in order to keep the peace. 

JESUS STANDS TRIAL BEFORE PILATE

Matthew 27:11-26

Mat 27:15  Now it was the governor's custom each year during the Passover celebration to release one prisoner to the crowd—anyone they wanted. Mat 27:16

Pilate thought he might have a way to release an innocent man but as you can read below that did not happen.

 This year there was a notorious prisoner, a man named Barabbas. Mat 27:17  As the crowds gathered before Pilate's house that morning, he asked them, "Which one do you want me to release to you—Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Messiah?" Mat 27:18  (He knew very well that the religious leaders had arrested Jesus out of envy.) Mat 27:19  Just then, as Pilate was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent him this message: "Leave that innocent man alone. I suffered through a terrible nightmare about Him last night." Mat 27:20  Meanwhile, the leading priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas to be released and for Jesus to be put to death. Mat 27:21  So the governor asked again, "Which of these two do you want me to release to you?" The crowd shouted back, "Barabbas!" Mat 27:22  Pilate responded, "Then what should I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah?" They shouted back, "Crucify Him!" Mat 27:23  "Why?" Pilate demanded. "What crime has He committed?" But the mob roared even louder, "Crucify Him!" Mat 27:24  Pilate saw that he wasn't getting anywhere and that a riot was developing. So he sent for a bowl of water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, "I am innocent of this man's blood. The responsibility is yours!" Mat 27:25  And all the people yelled back, "We will take responsibility for His death—we and our children!" Mat 27:26  So Pilate released Barabbas to them. He ordered Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip, then turned Him over to the Roman soldiers to be crucified.

 I thought a out inserting comments in the verses above but it should be read in its entirety. When I read these verse it is almost disbelief when you consider all that had be done. Pilate said not guilty, Herod Antipas said not guilty, Pilot's wife pleaded to let him go and yet the crowd continued. The not only continued and won they did so by releasing the worst of the worst Barabbas.  The only area in the bible he is mentioned is the Gospels. I wonder what happened to Barabbas, Pilot, and Pilot's wife. Once Jesus had risen they must have had misgivings.

Agape

Dave