Home Page

Mt. 27:19, While Pilate was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, saying, ‘Have nothing to do with that just Man, for I have suffered many things today in a dream because of Him.’

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jesus emphatically declared: “My Kingdom is not of this world, if My Kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews, but now My Kingdom is not from here.  [It has no such origin, source, or political aspirations.]”

(Continued from)                          ©  COPYRIGHT NOW UNBANNED PUBLICATIONS 

Pilate was actually saying, “Your truth, my truth, their truth…  When it comes to spiritual matters, we all think we have all truth.  Of course, we can’t all really have the truth, but because truth is relevant to what everyone chooses to believe.  It is, therefore, silly to debate the notion of ‘what is truth.’” 

Pontius Pilate, the Prefect of Caesar, also missed the vital point that Jesus was not bringing “a truth” to this world like all the other so-called “divine” christs (anointed ones,) kings, priests and prophets before and after Him.  Jesus Is, Was, and Always Will Be God Himself, The Highest and Only Truth in the whole universe that He Himself had created.  This debate was not about human opinion, or about  human perceptions of truth.  This was Pontius Pilate, the Hebrew Sanhedrin, and the entire Hebrew nation, personally facing off with The Truth, Jesus Himself, the Creator God of the whole universe, (Jn. 14:6; Col. 2:9; Heb. 1:1-14.)      

 

PONTIUS PILATE’S TERRIBLE PREDICAMENT  

Pilate knew intuitively, and also according to the advise his wife sent him, that Jesus was innocent of the charges of political insurrection against Caesar, (Jn. 16:8-14.) 

Therefore, Pilate launched another attempt to save Jesus’ life, (Jn. 16-18-19.)

He went out to the waiting crowds and said out loud, “I find no fault in Him at all.  But you have a custom that I should release a prisoner to you, [accused of, or already convicted for political crimes against Caesar,] at the Passover.  Do you therefore want me to release to you Barabbas, [“a notorious prisoner,”] or  Jesus Who is called Christ, the King of the Hebrews?” (Mt. 27:16.) 

The Sanhedrin and their chief priests and elders took time out to “persuade the multitudes that they should ask for Barabbas to be released and for Jesus to be crucified,”  (Mt. 27:15-27.) 

It is believed that Barabbas was a Zealot, connected to the Hebrew Maccabean revolt.  Barabbas, as the two prisoners that were sentenced to death with Jesus on Golgotha, was not a mere ‘robber’ as some Bible translations say.  At the time of Jesus’ arrest, Barabbas was already imprisoned for political activism and other crimes against the Roman Empire.  It is clear that Barabbas was a well-known political figure among both Romans and Hebrews, the Sanhedrin, chief priests and elders. 

Thus, when Pilate convened the hearing, the crowds, deceived by “the [religious] lamb with the two horns and the speech of a [political] dragon,” (Rev. 13,) loudly and insistently demanded Barabbas’ release. 

“No!” The brainwashed crowds screamed hysterically, violently bearing down on Pilate’s restraining forces, “Not this Man, but Barabbas!  [We want Barabbas!  We want Barabbas!]” 

Then Pilot asked displeased, “What then do you want me to do with Him Whom you call the King of the Hebrews?” (Mark 15:9.) 

“Crucify Him!  Crucify Jesus!  Away with Him!” the crowds chanted thunderously until Pilate nodded his head, acknowledging that he had taken note of their protests.  

“I have spoken,” Pilate declared when the crowds calmed down.  Then, turning decidedly to his soldiers, he commanded, “Take the Prisoner and scourge Him,” (Jn. 19:1-2.)  

Scourging was usually connected to the excruciating death penalty of crucifixion, but in this case, scourging was the penalty Pilate had commanded, excluding the crucifixion. 

The Hebrews knew the final verdict could turn either way now, and they must have waited breathlessly in expectation of the final outcome. 

 

After mocking Jesus a second time since Herod got hold of Him, the soldiers finally returned to Pilate’s Praetorium, dragging the week, bleeding, terribly bruised, scourged Jesus.  They had also “twisted a crown of thorns” and pushed it into His head, while they continually “struck Him in His face;” laughing mockingly, “Hail, King of the Hebrews!”  (Jn. 19:2.) 

That Jesus was still alive and conscious after the scouring, was a miracle in itself.  No one knows how many stripes Jesus received; it could have been 40, or 140!  Roman scourging knew no bounds. 

Jesus was again wearing the blood-soaked robe of mockery, which Herod’s soldiers had put on Him.  The Man Jesus Christ must have been in excruciating pain; dehydrated, his face nearly beaten to a pulp, and tired to the bone.  His limbs had to be stiff with the numerous open gashes and other physical abuse He was receiving hours upon hours on end. 

After a short, shocked hesitation when he saw Jesus, “Pilate went out again” onto the public platform of the Praetorium.  He must have introduced Jesus to the crowds by beckoning with his hand and shouting, “Behold, I am bringing Him out to you that you may know that I find no fault in Him!” (Jn. 19:4.) 

With this, the soldiers brutally pushed the tortured Man out onto the platform to face the murderous crowds.  Jesus must have been blinded by the blood streaming from His thorn-pierced brow and the swelling on His face from the numerous blows He had to endure.  Yet, He feebly stumbled to meet His people, His blood slowly oozing from His battered body onto the marble floor. 

It is logic that a short, shocked, deafening silence fell upon the crowd when they saw the badly beaten, bleeding Man. The chosen, Old Testament/Covenant, Hebrew nation was facing their most decisive moment in all of history. 

 

Landlocked in the valley of decision, the Hebrew nation had to finally choose between the Spiritual Kingdom of their meek Savior, and the brutal Kingdom-Now theology of Satan, disguised as the religious, military king of this world, (Jn. 5:19.) 

Then Pilate proclaimed loudly, supposedly waving his arm towards Jesus, “Behold the Man!”  [“See what He has already endured!  One can hardly look at Him!  He does not even resemble a human being anymore!  You have “despised and rejected Him!  He is a Man of sorrow and acquainted with grief!  He is stricken, smitten, afflicted, and wounded!”  Don’t you think this is enough?  Now be reasonable; be humane – let the Man go!]”  - Isa. 53:1-6.

It is difficult to imagine the brute power, which the spirit of religion exerts over its followers.  It is impossible to understand how a few secret agents and deceptive priests could influence an entire nation; how they could completely strip them of their fear of God – their love for God and His Truth - of common sense, of compassion, of all human decency - and still cloak themselves with the stately forms and norms of their ritual, temple religion. 

Even while the Hebrew nation was ‘beholding’ their stricken Savior; knowing very well that He is completely innocent, they had no compassion for Him.  Instead of conviction for this horrendous crime they were committing against their God, the stony hand of the satanic Kingdom-Now religion had their hearts in its unrelenting grip. 

Like one, mighty entity, the people all roared together in discontent, “Crucify Him!  Crucify Him!  Crucify Him! Crucify Him!”

 

Pilate suddenly lost his temper, and shifting all the blame onto them, he bellowed, “You take Him then!  Judge Him according to your law and crucify Him,] for [listen to what I am saying:] I find no fault in Him!” (Jn. 18:31.) 

Perhaps Pilate still hoped that Jesus’ national recognition, which He had enjoyed only recently, would save Him.  However, the crowds were infuriated beyond reason, and completely under the blinding influence of the Sanhedrin, who wanted only to display, dishonor, and murder Him; proving that He is no king at all. 

“It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death,” the Sanhedrin answered shrewdly, (Jn. 18:31.)  This was a blatant lie.  Death by stoning was their usual practice.  However, their law did not allow the barbaric, pagan humiliation and torturous death of conquered kings as exacted by the Roman cross.  So, the Sanhedrin was pushing Pilate to execute Jesus according to Roman law.  They forced to have their ultimate Kingdom-Now victory over the Eternal, Heavenly King of the Hebrew nation and of all the earth. 

Some people believe that the Sanhedrin merely shifted their blame to Pilate, fearing they would have the mob on them if they touched the favorite of the Hebrew nation.  However, the whole context of Scripture states that they despotically infuriated the multitudes to demand Jesus’ death on a Roman cross. 

Pilate reminded them, “How dare you say such a thing?  [I allow you, the Sanhedrin, to govern the Hebrews according to your own laws; you even have your own police force.]  You do have the authority to put a person to death for a capital offense according to your own law!  Why don’t you put Him to death, then?”  (Jn. 19:1-16.) 

Yes, we have a law,” they admitted. “And according to our law He ought to die, because He made Himself the Son of God.”

“When Pilate heard that [Jesus was the Son of God,] he was the more afraid, and went again into [his chambers, called Jesus again,] and asked Him,’ “Where are You from? [From which spiritual plane have you descended?]”  (Jn. 19:9.) 

[Paraphrasing.] Jesus kept quiet, but He could have looked knowingly at him through bloodshot eyes.  Therefore,  Pilate, thinking deeply, might have scratched his head and continued, “You say you are the Son of God, but You don’t seem to be the Roman god Mars, the son of Jupiter, (Zeus in Greek mythology,) the most important commander of war…”  Shaking his finger thoughtfully at Jesus, he might have continued, “But you have done great signs and wonders…  Perhaps you are Mercury, Jupiter’s messenger son.  Or maybe even Jupiter himself; master of the gods…]”  (Jn. 19:9.) 

Still, the scourged Jesus gave him no answer.

Pilate then threateningly leaned closer to Jesus, lowering his voice menacingly, “Are You not speaking to me?  Do You not know that I have power to crucify You, and power to release You?  [Stop making a fool of me in front of my court and your Hebrew nation and answer me!]”  (Jn. 19:10-13.) 

Then Jesus, with blood from His brow caking on His face; His bruised and swollen lips cracking from thirst,  hoarsely answered, “You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above.  Therefore the one who delivered Me to you has the greater sin.” 

Pilate, the judge of this Roman court, suddenly stood accused in the Court of heaven, for Jesus could just as well have been saying, “You know in your heart that I Am the Christ, and that I came from heaven.  God has granted you, as the Prefect of Caesar, the power to release Me, but you have succumbed to the threats of these religious leaders.  The Sanhedrin is pushing you into committing this heinous crimen against Me - against God Himself.  They are steering you towards an awful abuse of your political power.  I am not acquitting you of your sin, but I tell you, the sin of the Sanhedrin and the Hebrew people is greater, as you are a pagan; your mind has been darkened because you know not the Father, therefore you know not Me.  However, I Am the Christ, the Scriptures prophesied everything about Me, and everyone have seen the miracles that testify of Me.  And so, they have absolutely no excuse to reject Me; humiliate Me, torture Me beyond reason, and crucify Me.” 

Jesus was not pleading for His life; He was appealing to Pilate’s conscience.  He had revealed Himself to Pilate as the Spiritual Christ, and “God desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.  For there is One God and One Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus…” (1 Tim. 2:4-5; Jn. 18:36.) 

Pilate did not miss Jesus’ admonition, for “from then on, Pilate [more earnestly] sought to release Him.”  “He took kindly to Jesus’ rebuke, and, though Christ found fault with him, he still continued to find no fault in Christ, but desired and endeavored to release Him.” – [Spirit Filled Bible]  (Jn. 19:12.) 

 

Pilate went out on the platform once more, stood before the waiting multitudes, and announced again, “I find this man not guilty [of the charge of treason against the Roman Empire!  He is not a political rebel…]”

But the Jews interrupted Pilate, “more furious than ever,” and threatened loudly, “If you let this man go, you are not Caesar’s friend.  Whoever makes himself a king speaks against Caesar…”  (Jn. 19:12-16.) 

The Sanhedrin did not have any concern for Caesar or for the rule of Caesar, who so heavy-handedly oppressed the Hebrews.  This pretended allegiance to Caesar was just to cover their manipulation and lies to get Jesus crucified. 

[Paraphrased.] More than this, they tried to frighten Pilate into submission by saying, “If you do not submit to us and crucify Him, we will cause such a riot that Caesar will have to send more troops to put down this revolt. 

(Continue)