The Gospel of John Lesson 79 (07-13-14) John 18:28-31

The Gospel of John Lesson 79 (07-13-14)

Lesson 79 – John 18:28-31

Please read John 18:28-40, Matthew 27:2, 11-26, Mark 15:1-15 and Luke 23:1-24

Having gotten the verdict that they had desired before the Sanhedrin Caiaphas and the high council now take Jesus to Pilate to be sentenced. When Jesus was before the Jewish high council they had had a trial, but there was no intention of seeking justice. We find in Matthew’s Gospel, Mt. 26:59-61, that the high priest and council had looked for witnesses that they could use to convict Jesus, but in doing so they were not seeking honest testimony. Mathew tells us that they had sought false testimony. Can you imagine…the leaders of Israel…religious leaders at that? So, they willingly and knowingly used unjust means to perform another injustice in putting Jesus to death. (Mt. 23:23)

It tells us in Mathew 26 that even in looking for false testimony against Jesus that although many came forward there were none that gave the level of testimony that they could use to convict Jesus, being able to put Him to death. Matthew tells us in Mt. 26:60-1 that after much to do, that they had finally gotten two witnesses to come forward and testify against Him concerning Jesus’ statement about destroying the temple and rebuilding it in three days. Jesus had made that statement in reference to His death and restoring the temple, His body, meaning rising from the dead in three days. But, they were not interested in what Jesus meant concerning what He had said. All they were looking for was something that they could use to pass the judgment on Jesus that they were seeking.

Having finally gotten something that they could use against Jesus, false or not, they press the issue with Jesus further questioning Him concerning this acquisition. At first Jesus replied nothing, Mt. 26:63. But, then the high priest brought God the Father into the discussion asking Jesus to pretty much swear by God if there was any truth to what these witnesses had said.

For most, to swear by God just meant to be honest. It was something to be said to make one think twice before they make a reply. But, for Jesus to swear by the Living God was sacred. It was a vow, one not to be stated or entered into lightly. He knew the reality and seriousness of making a statement under such conditions. Of course, Jesus always made replies and statements knowing that He was making these statements in the presence of the Living God. He would never lie. His conversation and replies were always completely truthful. They had no need to make such a statement to Him.

But, from their perspective they saw Jesus as a deceiver of the people and in saying this they were warning Him, using what they perceived as their authority and false assumption concerning their connection to God, to make Jesus give a reply clear enough and straightforward enough that they could use it against Him. They had backed Jesus into a corner so to speak. They knew that if He gave them a clear straightforward reply to this that to them, according to their law, they would have what they were looking for, having grounds to sentence Him to death.

Again, in the past, Jesus’ reply, although answering or addressing their question, would not be the reply that they were looking for. In the past He would answer them honestly of course, but in doing so He would not give them what they were looking for. Most often He would answer their question with a question or statement that would turn the tables back on them.

But, not this time. Jesus knew that this was His time to obey the Father and go to the Cross. This time He gives them what they wanted and in v. 64 of Matthew 26 Jesus makes a clear statement that He will be seated in God’s throne with the Father and gives them a warning that they should heed this statement because He will eventually come back to them in judgment. It is significant that He tells them that He will be seated and on God’s throne. They understood that this meant King and Victor. It was not the current position that they saw Him in.

However, now they had what they were looking for. Jesus had now made a definite statement with witnesses present. Now they had something to use to pass the sentence of death upon Him according to their law. Now having the proof that they were looking for they could proceed.

But, just one thing, they could not, or, at least would not, carry out that sentence themselves. While Israel was in captivity it was not at all a common practice to put someone to death even if they had offended the law. This situation was tricky. Although Jesus was indeed God and had not, in reality, offended the Jewish Law, they did not recognize Him as such and because of this passed judgment on Him that He was an offender of the Law in the worst way. If the charge had been true, blasphemy would have been punishable by death according to the Law. However, in carrying out this sentence, there was a problem. They were captors and under Roman rule they could not act on their law without permission.

But, for the Jewish leaders this was convenient. They knew that they had passed judgment on Jesus with a trumped up charge and although they would be as guilty as anyone else involved, they rationalized that passing Jesus off to the Romans to do the dirty work would distance them from the act of putting Jesus to death unjustly. Later, caught in the moment, arguing with Pilate about carrying out Jesus’ sentence, they would be forced to renege on their position telling Pilate that they would take responsibility if he would pass sentence on Jesus to be crucified, Matt 27:24-5.

So now, early in the morning, following the trial and sentencing of Jesus by Caiaphas and the religious leaders escort Jesus bound to Pilate with the intent of getting Pilate to carry out their judgment. Remember it is early in the morning. It is assumed quite early. In all likelihood Pilate would have still been in bed, that is, if it was a night that he would have happened to be able to sleep.

We must remember that Pilate was in a difficult and very stressful position. It was a no win position. He was stuck in a position sandwiched between two groups of people as a governor with the impossible job of keeping balance, perspective and peace. Balance because he was in an authoritative position between two opposing powers. Perspective because he was a Roman and as such was in the position of carrying out the will of the ruling government. And peace because as Roman governor it was his job to keep the peace at all costs. The Roman higher ups were not fond of any form of uprisings or social disturbances. In Mt. 27:23 ESV Matthew tells us that the situation was extremely tense, on the verge of a riot. Any such incident that caught the attention of the upper ruling class would not have been to Pilate’s advantage. It was a difficult position, probably one that quite frequently cost him a good night’s sleep.

It appears from the Gospel accounts that there must have been a rather large crowd accompanying Jesus to Pilate. It seems in all likelihood that the crowd was growing as time passed even this early in the morning. At any rate they were not a quiet situation. It was a demanding crowd, and, they were really not concerned about Pilate getting the right amount of sleep.

So Pilate being summoned to the judgment hall early in the morning was in all likelihood wondering what all of the ruckus was. It is possible that he already knew that this proceeding was already in the works possibly being forewarned by his soldiers who were keeping watch over Jerusalem. At any rate, it is a little sketchy as to the setting at this time, but it appears that Pilate enters the judgment hall and sees Jesus wondering why He is there.

It is unclear who escorted Jesus into the judgment hall. John tells us in v. 28 of John 18 that although Jesus was taken to the hall of judgment, presumably entering the judgment hall, that the high priest and the other religious leaders that were with him would not go into the judgment hall because in doing so they would be defiled and would not be able to observe and eat the Passover. This was an interesting perspective. They did not want to offend the Law in going into the judgment hall and yet they already offended the Law, specifically one of the Ten Commandments, in bringing in false witnesses to testify against Jesus.

So, Pilate entering the judgment hall and sees Jesus while hearing the commotion outside. Jesus in all probability did not saying too much at this time. The Scriptures tell us that He was silent a good bit of the time when questioned. We are not told if Pilate is told anything in the judgment hall, he now leaves the hall and goes out to the mob to try and gain some perspective on the matter, Jn. 18:28-9. Complicated situation.

But, Pilate by this time had already figured out the whole situation and what was going down. It tells us in both Matthew’s and Mark’s Gospels that Pilate had already figured out that their charge was trumped up and was really motivated by jealousy and envy more than substance or fact, Mt. 27:18, Mk. 15:10.

However, when Pilate questions them they give an interesting response. Their response is like a kid that wants something, but does not want you to know the real reason behind their request. They tell him in essence in v. 30 of John 18, “Don’t you trust us? Why would you even ask us such a ridiculous question? If He wasn’t guilty would we have even brought Him here and bothered you so early in the morning?”

To that Pilate responded in v. 31 telling them that he did not want any part of this circus trial and in doing so gives them something that he thought would at least appease them. In v. 31 he tells them to go and take Him and judge Jesus according to their Law. Pilate knew that Jesus did not do anything worthy of the charge, but in doing this some would say that at this point that Pilate has already become directly involved and become their accomplice. He was handing an innocent man over to an angry mob to do with what they wish.