Mat 27:11 Meanwhile Jesus was brought before the Governor, and the latter put the question, "Are you the King of the Jews?" "I am their King," He answered.
Mat 27:12 When however the High Priests and the Elders kept bringing their charges against Him, He said not a word in reply.
Mat 27:13 "Do you not hear," asked Pilate, "what a mass of evidence they are bringing against you?"
Mat 27:14 But He made no reply to a single accusation, so that the Governor was greatly astonished.
Mat 27:15 "Now it was the Governor's custom at the Festival to release some one prisoner, whomsoever the populace desired;
Mat 27:16 and at this time they had a notorious prisoner called Barabbas.
Mat 27:17 So when they were now assembled Pilate appealed to them. "Whom shall I release to you," he said, "Barabbas, or Jesus the so-called Christ?"
Mat 27:18 For he knew that it was from envious hatred that Jesus had been brought before him.
Mat 27:19 While he was sitting on the tribunal a message came to him from his wife. "Have nothing to do with that innocent man," she said, "for during the night I have suffered terribly in a dream through him."
Mat 27:20 The High Priests, however, and the Elders urged the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to demand the death of Jesus.
Mat 27:21 So when the Governor a second time asked them, "Which of the two shall I release to you?" --they cried, "Barabbas!"
Mat 27:22 "What then," said Pilate, "shall I do with Jesus, the so-called Christ?" With one voice they shouted, "Let him be crucified!"
Mat 27:23 "Why, what crime has he committed?" asked Pilate. But they kept on furiously shouting, "Let him be crucified!"
Mat 27:24 So when he saw that he could gain nothing, but that on the contrary there was a riot threatening, he called for water and washed his hands in sight of them all, saying, "I am not responsible for this murder: you must answer for it."
Mat 27:25 "His blood," replied all the people, "be on us and on our children!"
Mat 27:26 Then he released Barabbas to them, but Jesus he ordered to be scourged, and gave Him up to be crucified.
Introduction.
Matthew’s account of the Trial before Pilate shows that the Jews were not permitted to put someone to death under their own jurisdiction. The Roman Governor was the one to determine whether or not Jesus was to be prosecuted. Pilate did not seem to think that Jesus was guilty. Actually, he believed that they had handed him over out of envy. Jesus was too popular.
The Jews mount unrelenting pressure to bring about Jesus’ crucifixion.
Pilate attempted to try and free Jesus by releasing a prisoner at Passover. But they wanted Barabbas, a Murder who was a terrorist and not Jesus.
Even though his wife warned him to have nothing to do with this innocent man, .he was a man pleaser and surrendered to their wishes.
Comments.
Mat 27:11 Meanwhile Jesus was brought before the Governor, and the latter put the question, "Are you the King of the Jews?" "I am their King," He answered.
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| Jesus before Pontius Pilate the Roman Governor |
Notes
Pilate had been sent to Judea by the Emperor Tiberius to be the Governor. He was the Roman authority. Here is Jesus, the Messiah, standing bound before a human governor.
"Are you the King of the Jews?" "I am their King," He answered.
“Are YOU the King of the Jews?” You is emphatic. Clearly one sight of Jesus was enough for this experienced governor to tell that this man was was no terrorist, no leader of a revolt that was aimed at overthrowing the Romans. He would have known that Jesus had no wealth, no soldiers a preposterous position for anyone claiming to be a king. L.M. p. 699
You are saying it” shows that He was indeed a King but king of the Kingdom of God. L.M. p. 700
Jesus had no intention of opposing the Romans and He was threat to their rule.
The Bible Illustrator suggests: In speaking of the character and conduct of Pilate, we desire to bring him before you, as far as possible, as a man. He has won a terrible pre-eminence among the sons of Adam. Every child is taught to say that its Lord was crucified “under Pontius Pilate.” It is a mistake to suppose that these instruments of our Lord’s sufferings were men of astounding depravity. Pilate was not of this class. He was a reluctant agent in these events. He was induced simply by expediency. Indifference to religion can issue in deeds as unpardonable as utter violation of its spirit. Again and again, on a narrower stage, has been acted over that scene of criminal irresolution, resisted impulses, and weak concession to the fear of man
Mat 27:12 When however the High Priests and the Elders kept bringing their charges against Him, He said not a word in reply.
Notes
Jesus never answered their charges against Him.
The Jews kept on accusing Him. Matthew does not outline the charges but leaves the readers to work out the fact that Jesus admitted that he was the Messiah. see 26:63-64 Jesus remained silent undeterred about the matters they were raising. He did not try to defend Himself.
When he was accused ... - To wit, of perverting the nation, and of forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, Luk_23:2, Luk_23:5. Probably this was done in a tumultuous manner and in every variety of form.
He answered nothing - He was conscious of his innocence. He knew that they could not prove these charges. They offered no testimony to prove them, and, in conscious innocence, he was silent. Barnes Notes.
Mat 27:13 "Do you not hear," asked Pilate, "what a mass of evidence they are bringing against you?"
Mat 27:14 But He made no reply to a single accusation, so that the Governor was greatly astonished.
Notes
The trial of Christ is a part of His humiliation; He who shall judge the nations stands to be judged of another. He who is “life” expects the sentence of death. The Eternal Word keeps silence.B.I.
Marvelled greatly - Wondered exceedingly, or was much surprised. He was probably more surprised that he bore this so meekly, and did not return railing for railing, than that he did not set up a defense. The latter was unnecessary - the former was unusual. The governor was not accustomed to see it, and was therefore greatly amazed. Barnes
Mat 27:15 "Now it was the Governor's custom at the Festival to release some one prisoner, whomsoever the populace desired;
Notes
So the choice was with the crowd. They chose the prisoner they desired.
From what this custom arose, or by whom it was introduced, is not known. It was probably adopted to secure popularity among the Jews, and to render the government of the Romans less odious. Any little indulgence granted to the Jews during the heavy oppression of the Romans would serve to conciliate their favor, and to keep the nation from sedition. It might happen often that when persons were arraigned before the Romans on charge of sedition, some special favorite of the people, or some leader, might be among the number. It is evident that if they had the privilege of recovering such a person, it would serve much to allay their feelings, and make tolerable the yoke under which they groaned. Barnes
Mat 27:16 and at this time they had a notorious prisoner called Barabbas.
Notes.
a notorious prisoner called Barabbas.
He was notorious, or notable. L.M. p. 700 This literally means “a mark”. He was a marked man because he had led an insurrection and was a murderer. Cp Andronicus and Junia Romans 16:7. notable among the Apostles.
I. It illustrates the evasion of personal responsibility. We always admire courage in the abstract. Look at the position of Pilate! “I must sentence, gentlemen, you choose the culprit.” We may be doing this same thing. How often we allow others to determine our duty. “If my wife would be religious I would.” “Will you go if I will?” Alone you must die and give an account to God.
II. The controlling power of prejudice over moral approbation. They were to forget all the munificence of Jesus because He outraged their prejudices.
III. The choice of Barabbas in the end exalts the eternal principles which underlie the government of God. The eternal plan of God is carried out in the death of Jesus.
IV. The attitude of Barabbas. Suppose he had refused release on the ground that it was not possible for him to live by the death of another. Some reject the substitution of Christ for themselves. (R. Jeffery, D. D.)
Mat 27:17 So when they were now assembled Pilate appealed to them. "Whom shall I release to you," he said, "Barabbas, or Jesus the so-called Christ?"
Mat 27:18 For he knew that it was from envious hatred that Jesus had been brought before him.
Notes
it was from envious hatred that Jesus had been brought before him.
This was envy at his popularity.
He drew away the people from them. This Pilate understood, probably, from his knowledge of the pride and ambition of the rulers, and from the fact that no danger could arise from a person that appeared like Jesus. If Pilate knew this, he was bound to release him himself. As a governor and judge, he was under obligation to protect the innocent, and should, in spite of all the opposition of the Jews, at once have set him at liberty. But the Scriptures could not then have been fulfilled. It was necessary, in order that an atonement should be made. that Jesus should be condemned to die. At the same time. it shows the wisdom of the overruling providence of God, that he was condemned by a man who was satisfied of his innocence, and who proclaimed before his accusers his “full belief” that there was no fault in him. Barnes
Mat 27:19 While he was sitting on the tribunal a message came to him from his wife. "Have nothing to do with that innocent man," she said, "for during the night I have suffered terribly in a dream through him."
Notes
When he was set down on the judgment-seat - Literally, “While he was sitting.” This message was probably received when he had resumed his place on the judgment-seat, after Jesus had been sent to Herod.
See the notes at Mat_27:14.
His wife sent unto him - The reason why she sent to him is immediately stated - that she had a dream respecting him. We know nothing more of her. We do not know whether she had ever seen the Saviour herself, but it would seem that she was apprised of what was taking place, and probably anticipated that the affair-would involve her husband in trouble.
Have thou nothing to do ... - That is, do not condemn him. Perhaps she was afraid that the vengeance of heaven would follow her husband and family if he condemned the innocent.
That just man - The word “just,” here, has the sense of “innocent,” or not guilty. She might have been satisfied of his innocence from other sources as well as from the dream.
I have suffered many things ... - Dreams were considered as indications of the divine will, and among the Romans and Greeks, as well as the Jews, great reliance was placed on them. Her mind was probably agitated with the subject. She was satisfied of the innocence of Jesus; and, knowing that the Jews would make every effort to secure his condemnation, it was not unnatural that her mind should be excited during her sleep, perhaps with a frightful prospect of the judgments that would descend on the family of Pilate if Jesus was condemned. She therefore sent to him to secure, if possible, his release.
This day - It was now early in the morning. The Jewish “day” began at sunset, and she employed the usual language of the Jews respecting time. The dream was, in fact, in the night.
Mat 27:20 The High Priests, however, and the Elders urged the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to demand the death of Jesus.
Notes
The rulers, therefore, in order to secure the condemnation of Jesus, urged on the people to demand Barabbas. The people were greatly under the influence of the priests. Galileans among the citizens of Jerusalem were held in contempt. The priests turned the pretensions of Jesus into ridicule. Hence, in a popular tumult, among a flexible and changing multitude, they easily excited those who, but a little before, had cried Hosanna, to cry, Crucify him. Barnes
Mat 27:21 So when the Governor a second time asked them, "Which of the two shall I release to you?" --they cried, "Barabbas!"
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| The Murderer Barabbas or the Christ? |
Notes
Now the Governor asks the crowd for their choice.
They made no hesitation. they chose Barabbas, the murderer and terrorist, instead of Jesus the Man of Compassion and Love for humanity.
Mat 27:22 "What then," said Pilate, "shall I do with Jesus, the so-called Christ?" With one voice they shouted, "Let him be crucified!"
Notes
Now Pilate asks them what they wanted done with Jesus who is the so-called Messiah.
They Cried, “Let him be crucified.” The mob knew the consequences of their decision. They were clamouring for the blood of this just man. They followed what their leaders wanted instead of following the suggestion of the foreign governor.
Mat 27:23 "Why, what crime has he committed?" asked Pilate. But they kept on furiously shouting, "Let him be crucified!"
Notes
"Why, what crime has he committed?" asked Pilate..
Pilate tries to divert them showing the injustice of what they were asking. This was a very serious punishment for real convicted criminals. As far as Pilate was concerned Jesus was innocent and had nothing wrong. No crime could be demonstrated by His accusers. What Injustice Jesus suffered.
Mat 27:24 So when he saw that he could gain nothing, but that on the contrary there was a riot threatening, he called for water and washed his hands in sight of them all, saying, "I am not responsible for this murder: you must answer for it."
Notes
So when he saw that the mob passions were so high, and he saw no way around that. To oppose their demands would have stirred up a rebellion. He did not really care and the outcome was all the same to him, so he yielded to their demands.
he called for water and washed his hands in sight of them all, saying, "I am not responsible for this murder: you must answer for it."
Notes
I am innocent of the blood of this just man….
The washing of his hands was a gesture to try to indicate his innocence. He did not wish to be held responsible for this murder.
Mat 27:25 "His blood," replied all the people, "be on us and on our children!"
Notes
The mob accepted the responsibility. “The responsibility is our and our childrens!!”
How could they call down on their children the consequences of an unjust death.
They had shouted demanding for Barabbas to be released and for Jesus to be Crucified.
Mat 27:26 Then he released Barabbas to them, but Jesus he ordered to be scourged, and gave Him up to be crucified.
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| Jesus Scourged by the Roman Soldiers |
Notes
Jesus he ordered to be scourged, and gave Him up to be crucified.
scourge: to whip or lash, especially for the infliction of punishment or torture.
dictionary.reference.com
Strong’s G5417 φραγελλόω phragelloō frag-el-lo'-o
From a presumed equivalent of the Latin flagellum; to whip, that is, lash as a public punishment: - scourge.
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