13 “And Pilate called together the chief priests and the rulers 14 and the people, and said unto them, Ye brought unto me this Man, as one that perverteth the people; and behold, I, having examined Him before you, found no fault in this Man touching those things whereof ye accuse Him; no, nor yet Herod; for he sent Him back unto us; and behold, nothing worthy of 16 death hath been done by Him. I will therefore chastise Him, 18 and release Him. But they cried out all together, saying, 19 Away with this Man, and release unto us Barabbas; one who for a certain insurrection made in the city, and for murder, 20 was cast into prison. And Pilate spake unto them again, desiring to release Jesus; but they shouted, saying, Crucify, 22 crucify Him. And he said unto them the third time, Why, what evil hath this Man done? I have found no cause of death in Him; I will therefore chastise Him and release Him. 23 But they were instant with loud voices, asking that He might 24 be crucified. And their voices prevailed. And Pilate gave sentence that what they asked for should be done.”
Golden Text: “I find no fault in this Man.” Luke 23:4.
SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.
(1) When Jesus was returned from Herod, what course did Pilate pursue? Verse 13. Note 1. (2) What did he now say to them concerning his judgment of the case? Verse 14. (3) By what means did he attempt to fortify his judgment? Verse 15. (4) What further decision did Pilate announce? Verse 16. Note 2. (5) What reply was made to this suggestion? Verse 18. Note 3. (6) For what crime had Barabbas been condemned? Verse 19. Note 4. (7) What did Pilate still desire to do? Verse 19. (8) What was their reply to his next appeal? Verse 21. (9) How did he again urge them to yield? Verse 22. Note 5. (10) What effect did his appeals have? Verse 23. What effect did the people's voice have upon the governor? Same verse. (11) What sentence did Pilate at last give? Verse 24. Note 6.
NOTES.
1. A most foolish act.—When a man begins to vacillate, everything he does makes matters worse. Knowing the temper of the multitude before he sent Jesus to Herod, it was a most unwise act to call them back when the Prisoner was returned to him uncondemned. Then was his opportunity to have dismissed the case, but instead he called together the noisy, unruly mob, making them a lawful assembly, and virtually taking them into his counsel.
2. Chastising.—To chastise meant to discipline, correct, chasten,—to teach one a lesson,—but Matthew, Mark, and John agree that in this case the chastening was by scourging. This was a cruel infliction, but it would spare the victim's life, and was suggested as a compromise with His enemies.
3. An Omission.—Verse 17 of the Common Version is in parenthesis, and is omitted in the Revised. It says, “For of necessity he must release one unto them at the feast.” The fact remains, however; for the custom is mentioned by all the other Gospel writers.
4. The inconsistency of the rulers is shown in their cry for the release of Barabbas, whose crime was practically the same as that which they charged against Jesus, while at their trials Barabbas was convicted and Jesus was declared innocent.
5. The governor's inconsistency is emphasized in his persistent appeal to the people for their consent to do his plain duty, and also in offering to cruelly scourge an innocent man just to appease their unreasoning wrath.
6. Double punishment.—So Jesus, after being declared innocent, not only received the unmerited torture and mockery by the soldiers of Herod and Pilate, but He was given the compromise scourging; and, after all, was handed over to his persecutors to be crucified. In such a cruel manner was His life sacrificed that our lives might be saved.
