Judging Jesus

Judging Jesus

Matthew 27:11-14, NLT

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.” 12But when the leading priests and the elders made their accusations against him, Jesus remained silent. 13“Don’t you hear all these charges they are bringing against you?” Pilate demanded. 14But Jesus made no response to any of the charges, much to the governor’s surprise.

John 18:29-31, NLT

So Pilate, the governor, went out to them and asked, “What is your charge against this man?” 30“We wouldn’t have handed him over to you if he weren’t a criminal!” they retorted. 31“Then take him away and judge him by your own law,” Pilate told them. “Only the Romans are permitted to execute someone,” the Jewish leaders replied.

Luke 23:13-16, NLT

Then Pilate called together the leading priests and other religious leaders, along with the people, 14and he announced his verdict. “You brought this man to me, accusing him of leading a revolt. I have examined him thoroughly on this point in your presence and find him innocent. . . . 15Nothing this man has done calls for the death penalty. 16So I will have him flogged, and then I will release him.”

Setting the Scene

The Romans had taken away the Jews’ right to inflict capital punishment; Jesus had to be sentenced by a Roman official. So the Jewish leaders brought him to Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor for the regions of Samaria and Judea (from AD 26 to 36). Because of the large crowds in the city for the Passover festival, Pilate and his soldiers had come to Jerusalem to keep the peace. He was staying at his headquarters, called the Praetorium. Pilate was a harsh governor who intensely disliked the Jews. Although the Jewish religious leaders felt antagonistic toward Pilate, they had no other way to get rid of Jesus than to go to him. So early Friday morning they brought before him a man whom they accused of treason against the hated Romans!

Because the charge was treason, Pilate asked Jesus directly if he claimed to be “the king of the Jews.” Jesus did claim to be a king, but he wasn’t claiming kingship that would threaten Pilate, Caesar, or the Roman Empire. The religious leaders were trying to build a case on this political twist, but what Jesus said and how he said it alerted Pilate to the discrepancy between indictment and reality. He must have sensed the Jewish leaders’ jealousy of Jesus. Pilate certainly had seen or heard about Jesus’ glorious entry into Jerusalem a few days earlier, so he understood the motives of these religious leaders. Pilate could sense that the Sanhedrin’s case was weak and could see that the man standing before him was unlikely to lead a revolt against Rome. Pilate’s reluctance to prosecute Jesus, however, was undoubtedly due more to his contempt for the Jews than for any particular consideration of Jesus.

Pilate’s low regard for the Jewish leadership sank even lower as their frenzied testimony continued. Pilate knew the charges were preposterous, and he expected Jesus to defend himself against the false accusations. Roman law required listing the charges against a person, and hearing the person’s defense and eyewitness testimony. Then the judge would retire with his advisers, consider the evidence, and render the verdict, which would be carried out immediately.

Yet Jesus “made no response.” Pilate was surprised that Jesus, facing the death penalty, would not defend himself because if Jesus did not answer, Pilate would have to judge him guilty. Pilate wanted to release Jesus, but he was under pressure from Rome to keep peace in his territory. The last thing Pilate needed was a rebellion over this quiet, seemingly insignificant man.

Pilate said he would punish Jesus and release him. He probably hoped that flogging Jesus would appease the crowd—that they would pity Jesus and let him go.

Getting Personal

When Jesus stood before Pilate, what do you think Pilate saws in Jesus’ eyes? Imagine standing there—what do you see in Jesus’ eyes?

What are some of the judgments people today render about Jesus? Why do they think they have the right to do so?

When recently have you taken Jesus for granted or made an assumption about him? How should seeing Jesus as he really is—Savior and Judge—affect how you live?

Pilate thought he held full power over Jesus as judge, jury, and executioner, and that Jesus was a hopeless, helpless victim of petty Jewish religious conflicts.

But we know Jesus is God and could have triumphed in an instant. And we know that much more was playing out in Pilate’s court, a drama with eternal significance. Yet people, even believers, still judge Jesus, expressing condescending opinions about his identity and what he can and cannot do. In reality, Jesus is the judge—and he will judge.

Talking to God

Ask God to make you sensitive about speaking for God or holding too strong an opinion that you claim is his. Being wise and discerning is important, but we are not judges. Ask him to help you leave all judging to him, the ultimate Judge.