Pilate knew Jesus had done nothing wrong and the charges were false, but that the leaders had handed Him over out of envy and malice. That envy was the jealousy of the chief priests, elders and rulers toward His influence, authority, mighty works, righteous life and faithful rebukes, fearing He would draw the people away and expose their corruption. Though convinced He was innocent and just, Pilate failed to use his authority to protect Him, and instead declared Him faultless yet handed Him to scourging and crucifixion. Set beside Barabbas the guilty robber and murderer, Jesus was rejected by a people led by the priests, and in demanding Barabbas they chose Satan personified before Christ. That judgment-hall choice between Christ the Truth and Satan the first rebel foreshadows the closing crisis of earth's history, and the same decision between Christ and Barabbas stands before everyone today.
Envy Before Pilate
Pilate knew the leaders had handed Jesus over to him because of envy and malice, not because Jesus had done wrong or because the charges against him were true. He recognized envy as the motive behind their delivery of Jesus for judgment, and had evidence the accusations were false. He declared Jesus faultless, innocent and just, yet the hatred of the chief priests drove them to press for death despite that innocence.
The envy was that of the chief priests, elders and rulers, who were jealous of His influence and authority. They feared He would draw the people away from them and become king, and they hated Him because His mighty works, righteous life and faithful rebukes exposed their corruption. That envy grew because of His mighty works until they desired His death, arranged false testimony, and worked even through betrayal by one of His own followers to bring Him into their hands for crucifixion. They then stirred the mob to act on that same envy, so the later rejection and cry for crucifixion repeated the pattern of leaders moving a deceived people to reject Jesus.
Herod as well as Pilate recognized that malice and envy had caused the accusation and condemnation of an innocent man. Both rulers knew it from acquaintance with the character of the accusers. Pilate recognized envy as the sole motive behind the handing over, and Herod likewise saw that malice and envy had produced the charge.
The verse belongs to Jesus appearing before Pilate after the Sanhedrin had condemned Him and brought Him to have the sentence confirmed and executed. There officials pressed with murderous hatred to have Pilate confirm their sentence. It was the setting in which Jesus was condemned, reviled by the crowd, and rejected by people whose worldly ambitions had been disappointed. It shows Jesus and His faithfulness standing against powerful people acting for evil, when the Jewish priests and rulers forced the Roman governor to do their will.
Pilate had evidence the charges were false and declared He found no fault in Him. Jesus’ calm silence under accusation strengthened that conviction of innocence. Pilate knew Jesus was true and innocent, and knew that even bound and under accusation His power was the power of God and not of a common man, leaving his soul in terrible conflict. He wrongly hoped that scourging Him would satisfy hatred and move the crowd to pity.
The sinless one, full of goodness, mercy, truth and holiness, was set side by side with Barabbas, a notable, guilty thief, robber and murderer. The people, instructed by the priests and rabbis and moved by the rulers, chose Barabbas instead of the innocent, pure and holy Prince of Heaven, and demanded that Jesus be crucified. To that maddened throng demanding death Pilate declared he found no fault in Christ, while angels witnessed men putting Christ to open shame as they called for the release of a robber and murderer.
Pilate's Failure to Act
Matthew 27:18 means Pilate saw through the trial to its real motive, that envy had moved the chief priests and elders to hand Jesus over, not any truth in the charges against Him. He recognized that envy, knew Jesus was innocent and true and had done nothing wrong, yet that knowledge did not excuse him. He failed to use his official authority and appointed power to do justice, to act on what he knew, and to protect Christ.
His soul was in terrible conflict because he dared not give Jesus up to that maddened power and sought to save Him. He knew that even bound and under accusation the power in Jesus was not that of a common man but of God. Flattering himself that the contrast between innocence and guilt would be so convincing that the people would choose Jesus of Nazareth, he fell back on the pagan and unjust festival custom of freeing one condemned prisoner at the great national feast, setting the innocent Christ side by side with the notable, guilty Barabbas. Their hatred still pressed for death despite that innocence, and he wrongly hoped that scourging Jesus would satisfy them and move the crowd to pity.
He declared Jesus innocent, faultless and just, yet condemned Him and handed Him to a maddened throng demanding His death to be scourged and crucified. His taking water and washing his hands before the multitude and saying he was innocent of the blood of this just person did not make him guiltless, but was a farce and a cowardly deed that left terrible guilt on his convicted conscience. By refusing the warning from the Lord and refusing to exercise his office to administer justice and protect Christ, he made himself responsible for the condemnation, the cruel scourging, and the insults offered before any wrong was proved, and accountable for His death. Angels witnessed it all as men put Christ to open shame, taking Him with wicked hands to humiliate, mock, revile and crucify Him while Satan stood at the head of the abusers and led the cruel mob.
Choosing Christ or Barabbas
Instructed by the priests and rabbis, the people rejected Jesus and demanded that He be crucified, choosing Barabbas, a guilty robber and murderer, instead of the innocent Jesus. Satan led those who rejected the light to make that choice, standing at the head of those who reviled and abused the Saviour and leading the cruel mob, with the hoarse cry to crucify Him coming from men inspired by him. Angels witnessed men putting Christ to open shame as they demanded His death and called for the release of Barabbas, showing what humanity will do when not under the control of the Spirit of God and standing under the black banner of the powers of darkness.
Barabbas placed beside Jesus represented Satan personified, so the roaring demand to release Barabbas was choosing Satan before Christ and exalting Satan. That same exaltation of Satan happens on every such occasion when the choice is repeated. The judgment-hall scene symbolizes the closing crisis of earth's history, when people will choose Christ, the Truth, or Satan, the first rebel, liar, and murderer. Rejecting the message of mercy concerning God's commandments and the faith of Jesus means rejecting Christ and identifying with Satan and those who are disloyal.
Rejecting the light presented in Christ is rejecting Him as God's messenger and the only provision for cleansing from sin. Rejecting light and grieving God's Spirit leaves people open to the prince of darkness. The later rejection of Christ and choice of Barabbas repeats the pattern of the chief priests and elders handing Jesus over to Pilate from envy, with people moved by deception rejecting Jesus and crying for His crucifixion. Their hatred of Christ continued after His crucifixion, even as they heard the apostles boldly proclaim that the One they had rejected and killed was the Son of God and Prince of Life.
This rejection reveals the spirit of man and what such ones will give themselves to in the great crisis before us, in scenes of cruelty whose details the disciples could not have comprehended. His self-denial, great humiliation, rejection, suffering in Gethsemane, in the judgment hall, condemnation, and scourging are to be contemplated for this lesson. It calls for greater faith and prayer for increased faith to stand the test and trial to come. Jesus knew beforehand the trying ordeal of betrayal, agony in Gethsemane, condemnation in the judgment hall, humiliation, and crucifixion. He knew who among His followers were unbelieving and of weak faith, and knew the multitude who had hailed Him as king would turn to hiss at Him and revile Him, with the cruel jeering crowd crying crucify Him.
He therefore brought a testing crisis while still present to comfort and strengthen His chosen, so the faint-hearted would be sifted beforehand and the faithful would not be overwhelmed with surprise, fear, and disappointment when professed friends turned from Him in His trouble. The trial lays out two distinct parties, Christ and the rabble led by the apostate rulers who moved the crowd to cry for Barabbas and to cry crucify Him. The same decision now stands before everyone, to stand with Christ or with the apostate side, with solemn responsibility and account to God for encouraging transgression by example. The same choice between Barabbas and Christ, the Son of God who made the world and all things therein, is being made now in the world today, with the cries for Barabbas and to crucify Christ repeated, so that each person individually by his course of action is demonstrating whom he is choosing. Choosing Christ means living as Christ.
Pilate knew Jesus had done nothing wrong and the charges were false, but that the leaders had handed Him over out of envy and malice. That envy was the jealousy of the chief priests, elders and rulers toward His influence, authority, mighty works, righteous life and faithful rebukes, fearing He would draw the people away and expose their corruption. Though convinced He was innocent and just, Pilate failed to use his authority to protect Him, and instead declared Him faultless yet handed Him to scourging and crucifixion. Set beside Barabbas the guilty robber and murderer, Jesus was rejected by a people led by the priests, and in demanding Barabbas they chose Satan personified before Christ. That judgment-hall choice between Christ the Truth and Satan the first rebel foreshadows the closing crisis of earth's history, and the same decision between Christ and Barabbas stands before everyone today.
Envy Before Pilate
Pilate knew the leaders had handed Jesus over to him because of envy and malice, not because Jesus had done wrong or because the charges against him were true. He recognized envy as the motive behind their delivery of Jesus for judgment, and had evidence the accusations were false. He declared Jesus faultless, innocent and just, yet the hatred of the chief priests drove them to press for death despite that innocence.
The envy was that of the chief priests, elders and rulers, who were jealous of His influence and authority. They feared He would draw the people away from them and become king, and they hated Him because His mighty works, righteous life and faithful rebukes exposed their corruption. That envy grew because of His mighty works until they desired His death, arranged false testimony, and worked even through betrayal by one of His own followers to bring Him into their hands for crucifixion. They then stirred the mob to act on that same envy, so the later rejection and cry for crucifixion repeated the pattern of leaders moving a deceived people to reject Jesus.
Herod as well as Pilate recognized that malice and envy had caused the accusation and condemnation of an innocent man. Both rulers knew it from acquaintance with the character of the accusers. Pilate recognized envy as the sole motive behind the handing over, and Herod likewise saw that malice and envy had produced the charge.
The verse belongs to Jesus appearing before Pilate after the Sanhedrin had condemned Him and brought Him to have the sentence confirmed and executed. There officials pressed with murderous hatred to have Pilate confirm their sentence. It was the setting in which Jesus was condemned, reviled by the crowd, and rejected by people whose worldly ambitions had been disappointed. It shows Jesus and His faithfulness standing against powerful people acting for evil, when the Jewish priests and rulers forced the Roman governor to do their will.
Pilate had evidence the charges were false and declared He found no fault in Him. Jesus’ calm silence under accusation strengthened that conviction of innocence. Pilate knew Jesus was true and innocent, and knew that even bound and under accusation His power was the power of God and not of a common man, leaving his soul in terrible conflict. He wrongly hoped that scourging Him would satisfy hatred and move the crowd to pity.
The sinless one, full of goodness, mercy, truth and holiness, was set side by side with Barabbas, a notable, guilty thief, robber and murderer. The people, instructed by the priests and rabbis and moved by the rulers, chose Barabbas instead of the innocent, pure and holy Prince of Heaven, and demanded that Jesus be crucified. To that maddened throng demanding death Pilate declared he found no fault in Christ, while angels witnessed men putting Christ to open shame as they called for the release of a robber and murderer.
Pilate's Failure to Act
Matthew 27:18 means Pilate saw through the trial to its real motive, that envy had moved the chief priests and elders to hand Jesus over, not any truth in the charges against Him. He recognized that envy, knew Jesus was innocent and true and had done nothing wrong, yet that knowledge did not excuse him. He failed to use his official authority and appointed power to do justice, to act on what he knew, and to protect Christ.
His soul was in terrible conflict because he dared not give Jesus up to that maddened power and sought to save Him. He knew that even bound and under accusation the power in Jesus was not that of a common man but of God. Flattering himself that the contrast between innocence and guilt would be so convincing that the people would choose Jesus of Nazareth, he fell back on the pagan and unjust festival custom of freeing one condemned prisoner at the great national feast, setting the innocent Christ side by side with the notable, guilty Barabbas. Their hatred still pressed for death despite that innocence, and he wrongly hoped that scourging Jesus would satisfy them and move the crowd to pity.
He declared Jesus innocent, faultless and just, yet condemned Him and handed Him to a maddened throng demanding His death to be scourged and crucified. His taking water and washing his hands before the multitude and saying he was innocent of the blood of this just person did not make him guiltless, but was a farce and a cowardly deed that left terrible guilt on his convicted conscience. By refusing the warning from the Lord and refusing to exercise his office to administer justice and protect Christ, he made himself responsible for the condemnation, the cruel scourging, and the insults offered before any wrong was proved, and accountable for His death. Angels witnessed it all as men put Christ to open shame, taking Him with wicked hands to humiliate, mock, revile and crucify Him while Satan stood at the head of the abusers and led the cruel mob.
Choosing Christ or Barabbas
Instructed by the priests and rabbis, the people rejected Jesus and demanded that He be crucified, choosing Barabbas, a guilty robber and murderer, instead of the innocent Jesus. Satan led those who rejected the light to make that choice, standing at the head of those who reviled and abused the Saviour and leading the cruel mob, with the hoarse cry to crucify Him coming from men inspired by him. Angels witnessed men putting Christ to open shame as they demanded His death and called for the release of Barabbas, showing what humanity will do when not under the control of the Spirit of God and standing under the black banner of the powers of darkness.
Barabbas placed beside Jesus represented Satan personified, so the roaring demand to release Barabbas was choosing Satan before Christ and exalting Satan. That same exaltation of Satan happens on every such occasion when the choice is repeated. The judgment-hall scene symbolizes the closing crisis of earth's history, when people will choose Christ, the Truth, or Satan, the first rebel, liar, and murderer. Rejecting the message of mercy concerning God's commandments and the faith of Jesus means rejecting Christ and identifying with Satan and those who are disloyal.
Rejecting the light presented in Christ is rejecting Him as God's messenger and the only provision for cleansing from sin. Rejecting light and grieving God's Spirit leaves people open to the prince of darkness. The later rejection of Christ and choice of Barabbas repeats the pattern of the chief priests and elders handing Jesus over to Pilate from envy, with people moved by deception rejecting Jesus and crying for His crucifixion. Their hatred of Christ continued after His crucifixion, even as they heard the apostles boldly proclaim that the One they had rejected and killed was the Son of God and Prince of Life.
This rejection reveals the spirit of man and what such ones will give themselves to in the great crisis before us, in scenes of cruelty whose details the disciples could not have comprehended. His self-denial, great humiliation, rejection, suffering in Gethsemane, in the judgment hall, condemnation, and scourging are to be contemplated for this lesson. It calls for greater faith and prayer for increased faith to stand the test and trial to come. Jesus knew beforehand the trying ordeal of betrayal, agony in Gethsemane, condemnation in the judgment hall, humiliation, and crucifixion. He knew who among His followers were unbelieving and of weak faith, and knew the multitude who had hailed Him as king would turn to hiss at Him and revile Him, with the cruel jeering crowd crying crucify Him.
He therefore brought a testing crisis while still present to comfort and strengthen His chosen, so the faint-hearted would be sifted beforehand and the faithful would not be overwhelmed with surprise, fear, and disappointment when professed friends turned from Him in His trouble. The trial lays out two distinct parties, Christ and the rabble led by the apostate rulers who moved the crowd to cry for Barabbas and to cry crucify Him. The same decision now stands before everyone, to stand with Christ or with the apostate side, with solemn responsibility and account to God for encouraging transgression by example. The same choice between Barabbas and Christ, the Son of God who made the world and all things therein, is being made now in the world today, with the cries for Barabbas and to crucify Christ repeated, so that each person individually by his course of action is demonstrating whom he is choosing. Choosing Christ means living as Christ.