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Wednesday 25 February 2009

John 19:1-15

This is the final part of the "trial". We see Pilate as a rather weak man, supposedly in charge, but clearly not in control of events. The Jewish leaders are utterly cynical, willing to do and say anything to get Jesus crucified. Jesus, the one supposedly at the mercy of others, is the only one acting with honour and at peace about what is happening.

Initially Pilate has Jesus flogged. There were three types of whips used for flogging. Ranging from one that was fairly light (though no doubt still very painful), to the most severe one associated with crucifixions. It isn't clear which one was used here, but I would guess it would be the latter. Pilate seemed to be hoping that flogging Jesus would placate the crowd and allow him to free Jesus, so he might hope that using a whip associated with crucifixion might achieve this aim. The soldiers further mocked Jesus by putting a crown of thorns on Him and a purple robe.

Pilate presented Jesus to the crowds in this state, and declared that he could find no charge against Him. The Jewish leaders still demanded that He be crucified. Pilate still tried to worm his way out of this. He became very worried when the leaders said Jesus claimed to be the Son of God. Remember that the Romans believed in various "gods".

Pilate went to question Jesus again, and claimed to have power over Him. Jesus reminded Pilate that any power he had was his only because God had given it to him. He also says that the Jewish leaders are more guilty than he.

Pilate acted out of fear and tried to get Jesus freed. The Jewish leaders counteracted by claiming that Pilate would be seen as favouring someone who was setting himself up in opposition to Caesar. Pilate was even more afraid of Caesar, and so allowed Jesus to be crucified.

The chief priests statement that "we have no king but Caesar" is ironic since they despised the Roman occupation, and shows the lengths they were prepared to go to in order to achieve their aims.

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