The Gospel of John Lesson 82 (08-03-14) John 19:7-16

The Gospel of John Lesson 82 (08-03-14)

Lesson 82 – John 19:7-16

In John 19:6 we see Pilate, after sending Jesus to Herod, present Jesus to the mob which included Israel’s religious leaders. He, Pilate, presented Jesus to them in a humiliating fashion. Jn. 19:5 tells us that Pilate brought Jesus out as he had received Him back from King Herod, beat up by his men of war, wearing a purple robe, mocking Him and wearing the crown of thorns pressed onto His head and brow. Not a good site, definitely not the appearance of an up and coming king.

In doing this, Pilate had thought that he might encourage them to come to their senses, presenting Jesus to them as a nobody.  When seeing Jesus in this way he had hoped that they would realize that it was impossible for Jesus to be who He had claimed to be. Pilate came out to them, and, in presenting Jesus he said “Behold the man” in essence saying “behold as you can see for yourselves that Jesus is just a man”.

But, to no avail. They were determined. Jn. 19:6 tells us that when the chief priest and officers saw Jesus in this state they were in no way moved with pity or compassion, but instead reacted even more the opposite, crying out “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!”, crying out with emotion and intensity. This took Pilate somewhat by surprise. Frustrated by their response he told them to take Him and crucify Him themselves telling them that he found no fault in Him.

But, to this statement, that Pilate found no fault in Him, they had an issue. According to Roman standards or law there was found nothing that could be used to accuse Jesus of anything. Nothing…He was blameless. Not even something like illegal parking or jay walking.

But, this was not so with the Jews. They contended that they had a valid charge against Him, and, that it was a serious offense at that. In Jn. 19:7 they state their charge and the reason for their indignation telling Pilate that Jesus may not have broken or transgressed any of their laws that were worthy of being charged with anything, but according to their Law Jesus had committed a major offence, one that was unforgivable and worthy of death. He claimed to be Jehovah God. To the Jews this was a major offense…a capital offense.

Well, what they said got Pilate’s attention. In evaluating Jesus and this situation, Pilate knew that under normal circumstances that he could handle Jesus as the man being able to deal with anything that Jesus might possibly do to attempt to change His present circumstances. However, now he hears this major offense that they bring against Jesus that He had made public claims that He was God. This got Pilate’s attention.

The Romans believed in deities believing that they can rise up having seemingly above average power and ability coming in the form of a man and as such there is just no telling just what someone who is a god was capable of. This made Pilate uncomfortable with the present situation, v. 8. For the Jews their perspective was that someone coming as a man to be God was blasphemous. However, for the Romans they essentially did not believe in one God, and, when possibly in the presence of deity their perspective was to proceed with caution not underestimating the situation.

So, with Pilate feeling the need of some more input, trying to determine the situation, he enters back into judgment hall to ask Jesus some more questions. In doing so he asks Jesus directly the god question asking Him in v. 9 where He was from. In other words “are you from this world or from another?”

To this Jesus gives him no answer. And, as we have seen in the past this response of no response did not always set well with the one that was asking the questions. Just a note, it is interesting that Jesus’s response of no response, although having the effect of personally annoying or making angry the one that had asked the questions, at the same time it impressed the one asking the questions, marveling at the boldness and the confidence under the present circumstances of the One being silent. Most would be begging for mercy in situations such as this. Being silent in this situation was a death sentence.

However, Pilate being annoyed, and, like King Herod when he had interrogated Jesus, being moved with an attitude of ‘how could you remain silent and not answer a man in my position when asked a direct question?’, attempts to use the power of his position to persuade Jesus to talk, v. 10.

How foolish. For a moment Pilate forgot that he just might be in the presence of someone that might not be from this world and had made claims that He was God. Wow…the pride of man. Not that Pilate at this time actually believed that Jesus was a god, but he did not totally disbelieve it either. It tells us in v. 8 that this statement had made an impression on him, actually frightening him, and, that it made such an impression on him that he was moved with maybe a little more than curiosity to act upon the Jews statement of Jesus claiming to be God asking Jesus some questions that were not commonly asked in your normal inquisition.

So, in v. 9 Pilate asks Jesus where He is from which Jesus does not respond to. This in turn annoys Pilate and makes him somewhat angry. Pilate responds to Jesus’ silence with a statement that was intended to force Jesus to talk, intending to make Him answer his question, Pilate attempting to use the power of his position.

Well, Pilate’s statement moved Jesus to respond alright, but the response was not what Pilate had expected. Prior to Jesus response in v. 11, Pilate had assumed the perspective that he was in the authoritative position and that he was in charge. However, Jesus’ remark in v. 11 changed all of that. Jesus tells Pilate in essence that he, Pilate, was in reality just in a position, playing out a part, and, that it wasn’t because of the greatness of his ability that he had had the upper hand in this moment, but, that it was only because he was allowed to be in this position, that this situation was tempered with destiny. That he was here, right now, essentially carrying out a part that he has no control over.

Now this got Pilate’s attention. So much so, that, if he did not know before that he wanted nothing to do with this, he knew it now. And, v. 12 tells us that from this time on he would use all of his power and authority to free Jesus.

But, to no avail. He found out that with all the supposedly power and authority that his position was supposed to hold he found out in reality that he was powerless. He could do ‘nothing’. The Jews now, making their final move, cry out, placing the ace of spades on the table, in turn forcing Pilate to do what he does not want to do.

Don’t be fooled and find yourself feeling sorry for Pilate, thinking that he had no choice in the decision in this matter. Pilate’s only motivation and desire in this situation was not to protect Jesus in any way, but was only to protect and advance himself and his career. Mt. 27:24 tells us that right now, at this moment, things were potentially explosive. At any moment, if things were not handled right, what Pilate does not want to happen at any cost could become a reality. At this moment a potential riot was staring him in the face.

However, right now, at this moment, another dynamic was also at work inside of Pilate that he could not shake. Just moments ago Jesus had confronted Pilate with the reality of moral responsibility and the ‘truth’. And, also now, at this moment, he well knew that whatever decision he ended up making in this situation that he was responsible for it. At this moment, he knew that in some way he would be accountable for the decision that he was about to make.

A few hours ago Pilate had had no sense of what moral responsibility was. He only knew what he wanted and how or what he needed to do to get it. However, now, after his encounter and conversation with Jesus he knew that in some way that he would be responsible for this one, quite possible knowing for the first time in a long time that he, in reality, had always responsible for his actions.

Pilate wanted out, but, at this moment he was powerless to do anything about it. The Jews cried out ‘Crucify Him! Crucify Him!’, and, then as we said before, they laid down the ace of spades, telling him that if he did not act and do what they said that he would have to answer to Cesar in this matter.

The Jews had him. He had no option but to give them what they wanted. Vs. 13-4 tells us that when Pilate heard this statement from the Jews that he brought Jesus forth and took a seat in the judgment seat, it being now noon, and presented Jesus to the Jews saying to them, “Behold your King!”

It appeared that the Jews had the upper hand for the moment; however, in presenting Jesus to them as their King he at least could give them back a dig. In v. 15 we find that they were indeed annoyed with Pilate’s statement or dig, not just a little, and after hearing his comment they cried out all the more ‘Away with Him, crucify Him!”

Pilate responds to their cries saying, “Shall I crucify your King?” half bewildered and pressing the situation and their button a little bit more. The Jews in turn respond irrationally and purely on emotion tell Pilate that they have no king but Caesar. Following this comes the famous scene that has been retold throughout time since. Pilate washes his hands in front of them and turns his back on justice and delivers Jesus over to them to be crucified.