WilliamBarclay'sDailyStudy

Bible
John18
Verses140
Chapter18
THEARRESTINTHEGARDEN(John18:111)
18:111WhenJesushadsaidthesethingshewentoutwithhis
disciplesacrosstheKedronValleytoaplacewheretherewasa
garden,intowhichheandhisdisciplesenteredandJudas,his
betrayer,knewtheplaceforJesusoftenmetwithhisdisciples
there.SoJudastookacompanyofsoldiers,togetherwith
officersfromthechiefpriestsandPharisees,andwentthere
withlanternsandtorchesandweapons.Jesusknewthethings
whichweregoingtohappentohim,sohecameoutandsaid:
"Whoareyoulookingfor?"Theyanswered:"Jesusof
Nazareth."Jesussaidtothem:"Iamhe."AndJudas,his
betrayer,stoodtherewiththem.Whenhesaidtothem:"Iam
he,"theysteppedbackandfellontheground.SoJesusagain
askedthem:"Whoareyoulookingfor?"Theysaid:"Jesusof
Nazareth."Jesussaid:"ItoldyouthatIamhe.IfitisIfor
whomyouarelooking,letthesego,sothatthewordwhich
scripturesaidmaybefulfilledIhavelostnoneofthosewhom
yougaveme."NowSimonPeterhadaswordandhedrewit
andhestruckthehighpriest'sservantandcutoffhisrightear.
Theservant'snamewasMalchus.JesussaidtoPeter:"Put
yourswordinitssheath.ShallInotdrinkthecupwhichmy
Fathergaveme?"
WhenthelastmealwasfinishedandwhenJesus'talkandprayerwithhisdisciples
wereended,heandhisfriendslefttheupperroom.TheywereboundfortheGarden
ofGethsemane.Theywouldleavebythegate,godownthesteepvalleyandcross
thechannelofthebrookKedron.Thereasymbolicthingmusthavehappened.All
thePassoverlambswerekilledintheTemple,andthebloodofthelambswas
pouredonthealtarasanofferingtoGod.Thenumberoflambsslainforthe
Passoverwasimmense.Ononeoccasion,thirtyyearslaterthanthetimeofJesus,
acensuswastakenandthenumberwas256,000.WemayimaginewhattheTemple
courtswerelikewhenthebloodofalltheselambswasdashedontothealtar.From
thealtartherewasachanneldowntothebrookKedron,andthroughthatchannelthe
bloodofthePassoverlambsdrainedaway.WhenJesuscrossedthebrookKedronit
wouldstillberedwiththebloodofthelambswhichhadbeensacrificedandashe
didso,thethoughtofhisownsacrificewouldsurelybevividinhismind.
HavingcrossedthechanneloftheKedron,theycametotheMountofOlives.Onits
slopeslaythelittlegardenofGethsemane,whichmeanstheoilpress,thepress
wheretheoilwasextractedfromtheoliveswhichgrewonthehill.Manywelltodo
peoplehadtheirprivategardensthere.SpaceinJerusalemwastoolimitedfor
privategardens,foritwasbuiltonthetopofahill.Furtherstherewereceremonial
prohibitionswhichforbadetheuseofmanureonthesoilofthesacredcity.Thatwas
whythewealthypeoplehadtheirprivategardensoutsidethecityontheslopesof
themountofOlives.

Theyshowpilgrimstothisdayalittlegardenonthehillside.Itislovinglytendedby
theFranciscanfriars,andinitthereareeightoldolivetreesofsuchgirththatthey
seem,asH.V.Mortonsays,morelikerocksthantrees.Theyareveryolditis
knownthattheygobacktoatimebeforetheMoslemconquestofPalestine.itis
scarcelypossiblethattheygobacktothetimeofJesushimselfbutcertainlythe
littlepathscrisscrossingtheMountofOlivesweretroddenbythefeetofJesus.
SotothisgardenJesuswent.SomewealthycitizenananonymousfriendofJesus
whosenamewillneverbeknownmusthavegivenhimthekeyofthegateandthe
righttouseitwhenhewasinJerusalem.OftenJesusandhisdiscipleshadgone
thereforpeaceandquiet.JudasknewthathewouldfindJesusthereanditwas
therethathehaddecideditwouldbeeasiesttoengineerthearrest.
ThereissomethingastonishingabouttheforcewhichcameouttoarrestJesus.
Johnsaidthattherewasacompanyofsoldiers,togetherwithofficersfromthechief
priestsandPharisees.TheofficerswouldbetheTemplepolice.TheTemple
authoritieshadakindofprivatepoliceforcetokeepgoodorder,andtheSanhedrin
hiditspoliceofficerstocarryoutitsdecrees.Theofficers,therefore,werethe
Jewishpoliceforce.ButtherewasabandofRomansoldierstheretoo.Thewordis
speira(Greek#4686).Nowthatword,ifitiscorrectlyused,canhavethree
meanings.ItistheGreekwordforaRomancohortandacohorthad600men.Ifit
wasacohortofauxiliarysoldiers,aspeira(Greek#4686)had1,000men240
cavalryand760infantry.Sometimes,muchmorerarely,thewordisusedforthe
detachmentofmencalledamaniplewhichwasmadeupof200men.
Evenifwetakethiswordtomeanthesmallestforce,themaniple,whatan
expeditiontosendoutagainstanunarmedGalilaeancarpenter!AtthePassovertime
therewerealwaysextrasoldiersinJerusalem,quarteredintheTowerofAntonia
whichoverlookedtheTemple,andmenwouldbeavailable.Butwhatacomplimentto
thepowerofJesus!Whentheauthoritiesdecidedtoarresthim,theysentwhatwas
almostanarmytodoit.
THEARRESTINTHEGARDEN(John18:111continued)
FewscenesinscripturesoshowusthequalitiesofJesusasdoesthearrestin
thegarden.
(i)Itshowsushiscourage.AtPassovertimeitwasfunmoonandthenightwas
almostlikedaylight.YettheenemiesofJesushadcomewithlampsandtorches.
Why?Theydidnotneedthemtoseetheway.Theymusthavethoughtthatthey
wouldhavetosearchamongthetreesandinthehillsidenooksandcranniestofind
Jesus.Sofarfromhiding,whentheyarrived,Jesussteppedout."Whoareyou
lookingfor?"hedemanded."JesusofNazareth,"theysaid.Backcametheanswer:
"Iamhe."Themantheyhadthoughttheywouldhavetosearchforasheskulkedin
thetreesandthecaveswasstandingbeforethemwithgloriousdefiance.Hereisthe
courageofthemanwhowillfacethingsout.DuringtheSpanishCivilWaracitywas
besieged.Thereweresomewhowishedtosurrender,butaleaderarose."Itis
better,"hesaid,"todieonourfeetthantoliveonourknees."
(ii)Itshowsushisauthority.Therehewas,onesingle,lonely,unarmedfigure
theretheywere,hundredsofthem,armedandequipped.Yetfacetofacewithhim,
theyretreatedandfelltotheground.ThereflowedfromJesusanauthoritywhichin
allhislonelinessmadehimstrongerthanthemightofhisenemies.
(iii)ItshowsusthatJesuschosetodie.Hereagainitisclearthathecouldhave
escapeddeathifhehadsowished.Hecouldhavewalkedthroughthemandgone
hisway.Buthedidnot.Heevenhelpedhisenemiestoarresthim.Hechosetodie.
(iv)Itshowshisprotectivelove.Itwasnotforhimselfthathetookthoughtit
wasforhisfriends."HereIam,"hesaid."ItisIwhomyouwant.Takeme,andlet
themgo."AmongthemanyimmortalstoriesoftheSecondWorldWarthatofAlfred
Sadd,missionaryofTarrawa,standsout.WhentheJapanesecametohisisland,he
waslinedupwithtwentyothermen,mostlyNewZealandsoldierswhohadbeenpart
ofthegarrison.TheJapaneselaidaUnionJackonthegroundandorderedSaddto
walkoverit.Heapproachedtheflagand,ashecametoit,heturnedofftotheright.
Theyorderedhimagaintotrampleonitthistimeheturnedofftotheleft.Thethird

timehewascompelledtogouptotheflagandhegathereditinhisarmsandkissed
it.WhentheJapanesetookthemallouttobeshot,manyweresoyoungthatthey
wereheavyhearted,butAlfredSaddcheeredthemup.Theystoodinaline,heinthe
middle,butpresentlyhewentoutandstoodinfrontofthemandspokewordsof
cheer.Whenhehadfinished,hewentbackbutstillstoodalittleinfrontofthem,so
thathewouldbethefirsttodie.AlfredSaddthoughtmoreofothers'troublesthanhis
own.Jesus'protectinglovesurroundedhisdiscipleseveninGethsemane.
(v)Itshowshisutterobedience."ShallInotdrink,"hesaid,"thecupthatGod
hasgivenmetodrink?"ThiswasGod'swill,andthatwasenough.Jesuswas
himselffaithfuluntodeath.
Thereisafigureinthisstorytowhomwemustdojustice,andthatisPeter.He,
oneman,drewhisswordagainsthundreds.AsMacaulayhadit:
Howcanmandiebetter
Thanfacingfearfulodds?
Peterwassoontodenyhismaster,butatthatmomenthewaspreparedtotakeon
hundredsallaloneforthesakeofChrist.Wemaytalkofthecowardiceandthe
failureofPeterbutwemustneverforgetthesublimecourageofthismoment.
JESUSBEFOREANNAS(John18:1214John18:1924)
18:1214,1924Thecompanyofsoldiersandtheircommander
andtheofficersoftheJewstookJesus,andboundhim,andled
himfirstofalltoAnnas.HewasthefatherinlawofCaiaphas
whowasHighPriestinthatyear.ItwasCaiaphaswhohad
advisedtheJewsthatitwasbetterthatonemanshoulddiefor
thepeople....TheHighPriestquestionedJesusabouthis
disciplesandabouthisteaching.Jesusansweredhim:"Ispoke
openlyintheworld.Itaughtatalltimesinthesynagogueandin
theprecinctsoftheTemple,wherealltheJewsassemble,andI
spokenothinginsecret.Whydoyouaskmequestions?Ask
thosewhoheardmewhatIsaidtothem.See!Theseknowwhat
Ihavesaid."Whenhehadsaidthesethings,oneoftheofficers
whowasstandingby,dealtJesusablow."Doyouanswerthe
HighPriestlikethis?"hesaid.Jesusanswered:"IfIhave
spokenill,produceevidenceabouttheillifIhavespokenwell,
whydoyoustrikeme?"SoAnnassenthimboundtoCaiaphas
theHighPriest.
Forthesakeofkeepingthenarrativecontinuouswetaketogetherthetwopassages
whichdealwiththetrialbeforeAnnasandwewilldothesamewiththetwo
passageswhichdealwiththetragedyofPeter.
OnlyJohntellsusthatJesuswasbroughtfirstofalltoAnnas.Annaswasa
notoriouscharacter.Edersheimwritesofhim:"Nofigureisbetterknownin
contemporaryJewishhistorythanthatofAnnasnopersondeemedmorefortunate
orsuccessful,butnonealsomoregenerallyexecratedthanthelateHighPriest."
AnnaswasthepowerbehindthethroneinJerusalem.HehimselfhadbeenHigh
PriestfromA.D.6to15.Fourofhissonshadalsoheldthehighpriesthoodand
Caiaphaswashissoninlaw.Thatveryfactisitselfsuggestiveandilluminating.
Therehadbeenatime,whentheJewswerefree,whentheHighPriesthadheld
officeforlifebutwhentheRomangovernorscame,theofficebecameamatterfor
contentionandintrigueandbriberyandcorruption.Itnowwenttothegreatest
sycophantandthehighestbidder,tothemanwhowasmostwillingtotoetheline
withtheRomangovernor.TheHighPriestwasthearchcollaborator,themanwho
broughtcomfortandeaseandprestigeandpowernotwithbribesonlybutwithclose
cooperationwithhiscountry'smasters.ThefamilyofAnnaswasimmenselyrich
andonebyonetheyhadintriguedandbribedtheirwayintooffice,whileAnnas
remainedthepowerbehinditall.
EventhewayinwhichAnnasmadehismoneywasmostprobablydisgraceful.Inthe
CourtoftheGentilestherewerethesellersofvictimsforthesacrifices,thosesellers

whomJesushaddrivenout.Theywerenottraderstheywereextortioners.Every
victimofferedintheTemplehadtobewithoutspotandblemish.Therewere
inspectorstoseethatitwasso.IfavictimwasboughtoutsidetheTempleitwas
certainthataflawwouldbefound.Theworshipperwasthendirectedtobuyatthe
Templeboothswherethevictimshadalreadybeenexaminedandwheretherewas
noriskofrejection.Thatwouldhavebeenconvenientandhelpfulbutforonething.
OutsidetheTempleapairofdovescouldcostaslittleas4penceinsidetheycould
costasmuchas75pence.Thewholebusinesswassheerexploitationandthe
shopswheretheTemplevictimsweresoldwerecalledTheBazaarsofAnnas.They
werethepropertyofthefamilyofAnnasitwasbytheexploitationofthe
worshippers,bytradingonthesacredsacrificesthatAnnashadamassedafortune.
TheJewsthemselveshatedthehouseholdofAnnas.Thereisapassageinthe
Talmudwhichsays:"WoetothehouseofAnnas!Woetotheirserpent'shiss!They
areHighPrieststheirsonsarekeepersofthetreasurytheirsonsinlaware
guardiansoftheTempleandtheirservantsbeatthepeoplewithstaves."Annasand
hishouseholdwerenotorious.
NowwecanseewhyAnnasarrangedthatJesusshouldbebroughtfirsttohim.
JesuswasthemanwhohadattackedAnnas'vestedinteresthehadclearedthe
TempleofthesellersofvictimsandhadhitAnnaswhereithurtinhispocket.
AnnaswantedtobethefirsttogloatoverthecaptureofthisdisturbingGalilaean.
TheexaminationbeforeAnnaswasamockeryofjustice.Itwasanessential
regulationoftheJewishlawthataprisonermustbeaskednoquestionwhichwould
incriminatehim.Maimonides,thegreatJewishmedievalscholar,laysitdown:"Our
truelawdoesnotinflictthepenaltyofdeathuponasinnerbyhisownconfession."
AnnasviolatedtheprinciplesofJewishjusticewhenhequestionedJesus.Itwas
preciselyofthisthatJesusremindedhim.Jesussaid:"Don'taskmequestions.Ask
thosewhoheardme."Hewas,ineffect,saying:"Takeyourevidenceaboutmein
theproperandlegalway.Examineyourwitnesses,whichyouhaveeveryrighttodo
stopexaminingme,whichyouhavenorighttodo."WhenJesussaidthat,oneofthe
officershithimaslapacrosstheface.Hesaid,ineffect,"Areyoutryingtoteachthe
HighPriesthowtoconductatrial?"Jesus'answerwas:"IfIhavesaidortaught
anythingillegal,witnessesshouldbecalled.Ihaveonlystatedthelaw.Whyhitme
forthat?"
Jesusneverhadanyhopeofjustice.TheselfinterestofAnnasandhiscolleagues
hadbeentouchedandJesuswascondemnedbeforehewastried.Whenamanis
engagedonanevilway,hisonlydesireistoeliminateanyonewhoopposeshim.If
hecannotdoitbyfairmeans,heiscompelledtoresorttofoul.
THEHEROANDTHECOWARD(John18:1518John18:2527)
18:1518,2527SimonPeterwasfollowingJesuswithanother
disciple.ThatdisciplewasknowntotheHighPriest,andhe
wentinwithJesusintothecourtyardoftheHighPriest'shouse.
Peterwasstandingatthedooroutside.Theotherdisciple,who
wasknowntotheHighPriestcameoutandspoketothedoor
keeper,andbroughtPeterin.Themaidservant,whokeptthe
door,saidtoPeter:"Youarenotoneofthisman'sdisciples,are
you?"Hesaid:"Iamnot."Theservantsandtheofficersstood
besideacharcoalbraziertheyhadkindled,becauseitwascold,
andtheywerewarmingthemselvesandPetertoowasstanding
withthemwarminghimself...SimonPeterwasstanding
warminghimself.Theysaidtohim:"Surelyyoutooareoneof
hisdisciples?"Hedeniedit,andsaid:"Iamnot."Oneofthe
servantsoftheHighPriest,arelationofthemanwhoseear
Peterhadcutoff,said:"DidInotseeyouinthegardenwith
him?"AgainPeterdeniedit,andimmediatelycockcrow
sounded.
WhentheotherdisciplesforsookJesusandfled,Peterrefusedtodoso.Hefollowed
Jesus,evenafterhisarrest,becausehecouldnottearhimselfaway.Sohecameto
thehouseofCaiaphas,theHighPriestandhewasinthecompanyofanother
disciplewhohadtherightofentrytothehouse,becausehewasknowntotheHigh
Priest.

Therehavebeenmanyspeculationsaboutwhothisotherdisciplewas.Somehave
thoughtthathewassimplysomeunknowndisciplewhosenamewecanneverknow.
SomehaveconnectedhimwitheitherNicodemusorJosephofArimathaeawhowere
bothmembersoftheSanhedrin,andmustbothhaveknowntheHighPriestwell.
OneveryinterestingsuggestionisthathewasJudasIscariot.Judasmusthavehad
muchcomingandgoingtoarrangethebetrayalandwouldbewellknownbothtothe
maidservantwhoansweredthedoorandtotheHighPriesthimself.Theonething
thatseemstoinvalidatethistheoryisthat,afterthesceneinthegarden,Judas'part
inthebetrayalmusthavebeenquiteclearanditisalmostincrediblethatPeter
wouldhavehadanythingmoretodowithhim.Thetraditionalviewisthatthe
unnameddisciplewasJohnhimselfandthetraditionissostrongthatitisdifficultto
setitaside.Thequestionbecomes,inthatcase,HowcouldJohnfromGalileebe
known,apparentlyintimately,totheHighPriest?
Twosuggestionshavebeenmadetoexplainthis.
(a)InlaterdaysamancalledPolycrateswroteabouttheFourthGospel.Henever
doubtedthatJohnwrotethegospelandthathewasthebeloveddisciple,buthe
saysaverycuriousthingabouthim.HesaysthatJohnwasbybirthapriest,and
thatheworethepetalos,whichwasthenarrowgoldband,orziz,inscribedwiththe
words,"HolinessuntotheLord."whichtheHighPriestworeuponhisforehead.Ifthat
wereso,JohnwouldbeactuallyoftheHighPriest'skinbutitisdifficulttobelieve
thathecouldbeofthepriestlyline,forthegospelssoclearlyshowhimasa
Galilaeanfisherman.
(b)Thesecondexplanationiseasiertoaccept.ItisclearthatJohn'sfatherhada
veryflourishingfishingbusinessbecausehecouldaffordtoemployhiredservants
(Mark1:20).OneofthegreatGalilaeanindustrieswassaltfish.Freshfishwasa
greatluxurybecausetherewasnowayoftransportingfishinsuchawaythatit
wouldremainfresh.Ontheotherhand,saltfishwasastaplearticleofdiet.Ithas
beensupposedthatJohn'sfatherwasinthesaltfishtrade,andthatheactually
suppliedthehouseholdoftheHighPriest.Ifthatwereso,Johnwouldbewellknown
totheHighPriestandtohisservants,becauseoftenitwouldbehewhowouldbring
thesupplies.Thereissomekindofsupportinlegendforthistheory.H.V.Morton
tellsusofvisitinginthebackstreetsofJerusalemalittlebuildingwhichwas
presentlyanArabcoffeehouse.Initwerecertainstonesandarcheswhichoncehad
beenpartofaveryearlyChristianchurch,believedtohavestoodonthesiteofa
housewhichbelongedtoZebedee,John'sfather.Thefamily,sotheFranciscans
believe,werefishmerchantsinGalileewithabranchofficeinJerusalemand
suppliedthehouseholdofCaiaphastheHighPriestwithsaltfish,whichwaswhy
JohnhadentryintotheHighPriest'shouse.
Howeverthesethingsmaybe,PeterwasbroughtintothecourtyardoftheHigh
Priest'shouseandtherehethreetimesdeniedhisLord.
Thereisthisveryinterestingthing.JesushadsaidthatPeterwoulddenyhimthree
timesbeforethecockcrew.Therearedifficultiesaboutthat.AccordingtoJewish
rituallaw,itwasnotlawfultokeepcocksintheholycity,althoughwecannotbe
surewhetherthatlawwaskeptornot.Further,itisneverpossibletobesurethata
cockwillcrow.ButtheRomanshadacertainmilitarypractice.Thenightwasdivided
intofourwatches6p.m.to9p.m.,9p.m.to12midnight,12midnightto3a.m.,and
3a.m.to6a.m.Afterthethirdwatchtheguardwaschangedandtomarkthe
changingoftheguardtherewasatrumpetcallat3a.m.Thattrumpetcallwascalled
inlatingalliciniumandinGreekalektorophonia,whichbothmeancockcrow.Itmay
wellbethatJesussaidtoPeter:"Beforethetrumpetsoundsthecockcrowyouwill
denymethreetimes."EveryoneinJerusalemmusthaveknownthattrumpetcallat
3a.m.WhensoundedthroughthecitythatnightPeterremembered.
THEHEROANDTHECOWARD(John18:1518John18:2527continued)
SointhecourtyardoftheHighPriest'shousePeterdeniedhisLord.Nomanhas
everbeensounjustlytreatedasPeterbypreachersandcommentators.Alwayswhat
isstressedishisfailureandhisshame.Butthereareotherthingswemust
remember.
(i)Wemustrememberthatalltheotherdisciples,exceptJohn,ifheistheunnamed

disciple,hadforsakenJesusandfled.ThinkwhatPeterhaddone.Healonedrewhis
swordagainstfearfuloddsinthegardenhealonefollowedouttoseetheend.The
firstthingtorememberaboutPeterisnothisfailure,butthecouragewhichkepthim
neartoJesuswheneveryoneelsehadrunaway.Hisfailurecouldhavehappened
onlytoamanofsuperlativecourage.True,hefailedbuthefailedinasituation
whichnoneoftheotherdisciplesevendaredtoface.Hefailed,notbecausehewas
acoward,butbecausehewasbrave.
(ii)WemustrememberhowmuchPeterlovedJesus.Theothershadabandoned
JesusPeteralonestoodbyhim.HelovedJesussomuchthathecouldnotleave
him.True,hefailedbuthefailedincircumstanceswhichonlyafaithfulloverof
Jesuswouldeverhaveencountered.
(iii)WemustrememberhowPeterredeemedhimself.Thingscouldnothavebeen
easyforhim.Thestoryofhisdenialwouldsoongetabout,forpeoplelovea
malicioustale.Itmaywellbe,aslegendhasit,thatpeopleimitatedthecrowofthe
cockwhenhepassed.ButPeterhadthecourageandthetenacityofpurposeto
redeemhimself,tostartfromfailureandattaintogreatness.
TheessenceofthematterwasthatitwastherealPeterwhoprotestedhisloyaltyin
theupperroomitwastherealPeterwhodrewhislonelyswordinthemoonlightof
thegardenitwastherealPeterwhofollowedJesus,becausehecouldnotallowhis
LordtogoaloneitwasnottherealPeterwhocrackedbeneaththetensionand
deniedhisLord.AndthatisjustwhatJesuscouldsee.Atremendousthingabout
Jesusisthatbeneathallourfailuresheseestherealman.Heunderstands.He
lovesusinspiteofwhatwedobecausehelovesus,notforwhatweare,butwhat
wehaveitinustobe.TheforgivingloveofJesusissogreatthatheseesourreal
personality,notinourfaithfulness,butinourloyalty,notinourdefeatbysin,butin
ourteachingaftergoodness,evenwhenwearedefeated.
JESUSANDPILATE(John18:2840John19:116)
18:2840TheybroughtJesusfromCaiaphastothegovernor's
headquarters.Itwasearlyinthemorningandtheythemselves
didnotenterintotheheadquarters,incasetheyshouldbe
defiledbuttheywishedtoavoiddefilementbecausethey
wishedtoeatthePassover.SoPilatecameouttothemand
said:"Whatchargedoyoubringagainstthisman?"They
answeredhim:"Ifhehadnotbeenanevildoer,wewouldnot
havehandedhimovertoyou."Pilatesaidtothem:"Youtake
him,andjudgehimaccordingtoyourlaws."TheJewssaidto
Pilate:"Itisnotpermittedtoustoputanyonetodeath."This
happenedthattheremightbefulfilledthewordofJesus,which
hespokeinindicationofthekindofdeathhewasgoingtodie.
SoPilatewentagainintohisheadquarters,andcalledJesus,
andsaidtohim:"AreyoutheKingoftheJews?"Jesus
answered:"Areyousayingthisbecauseyouhavediscoveredit
yourself?.Ordidotherstellittoyouaboutme?"Pilate
answered:"AmIaJew?Yourowncountrymenandthechief
priestshandedyouovertome.Whathaveyoudone?"Jesus
answered:"Mykingdomisnotofthisworld.Ifmykingdomwas
ofthisworld,myservantswouldhavefoughttopreventme
beinghandedovertotheJews.But,asitis,mykingdomdoes
nothaveitssourcehere."SoPilatesaidtohim:"Soyouarea
kingthen?"Jesussaid:"ItisyouwhoaresayingthatIama
king.ThereasonwhyIwasbornandcameintotheworldisthat
Ishouldbearwitnesstothetruth.Everyonewhoisofthetruth
hearsmyvoice.""Whatistruth?"Pilatesaidtohim.
Whenhehadsaidthis,heagainwentouttotheJewsandsaid
tothem:"Ifindnofaultinhim.YouhaveacustomthatIshould
releaseonepersontoyouatthePassovertime.Doyouwish
metoreleasetheKingoftheJewsforyou?"Theyshouted:
"Notthisman,butBarabbas."AndBarabbaswasabrigand.
ThenPilatetookJesusandscourgedhimandthesoldiers

plaitedacrownofthorns,andputitonhishead.Andtheyputa
purplerobeonhimandtheykeptcomingtohimandsaying:
"Hail!KingoftheJews!"Andtheydealthimrepeatedblows.
Pilatecameoutagainandsaidtothem:"See!Ibringhimoutto
you,becauseIwantyoutoknowthatIfindnofaultinhim."So
Jesuscameout,wearingthecrownofthornsandthepurple
robe.AndPilatesaidtothem:"See!TheMan!"So,whenthe
chiefpriestsandofficerssawhim,theyshouted:"Crucifyhim!
Crucifyhim!"Pilatesaidtothem:"Youtake.him,andcrucify
him!ForIfindnofaultinhim."TheJewsansweredhim:"We
havealaw,andbythatlawheoughttodie,becausehemade
himselfouttobetheSonofGod."WhenPilateheardthis
saying,hewasstillmorealarmed.
Hewentintohisheadquartersagain,andsaidtoJesus:"Where
doyoucomefrom?"Jesusgavehimnoanswer.Pilatesaidto
him:"Doyourefusetospeaktome?AreyounotawarethatI
haveauthoritytoreleaseyou,andauthoritytocrucifyyou?"
Jesusansweredhim:"Youwouldhavenoauthorityagainstme
whatsoever,unlessithadbeengiventoyoufromabove.Thatis
whyhewhobetrayedmetoyouisguiltyofthegreatersin."
FromthismomentPilatetriedeverywaytoreleasehimbutthe
Jewskeptinsistentlyshouting:"Ifyoureleasethisman,youare
notCaesar'sfriend.Everymanwhomakeshimselfakingisan
opponentofCaesar."SowhenPilateheardthesewords,he
broughtJesusout.Hetookhisseatonhisjudgmentseat,inthe
placethatiscalledthePavementinHebrew,Gabbatha.Itwas
thedayofthepreparationforthePassover.Itwasabouttwelve
o'clockmidday.HesaidtotheJews:"See!Yourking!"They
shouted:"Awaywithhim!Awaywithhim!Crucifyhim!"Pilate
saidtothem:"ShallIcrucifyyourking?"Thechiefpriests
answered:"WehavenokingbutCaesar."Thenhehandedhim
overtothemtobecrucified.
ThisisthemostdramaticaccountofthetrialofJesusintheNewTestament,andto
havecutitintosmallsectionswouldhavebeentolosethedrama.Ithastoberead
asonebutnowthatwehavereaditasone,weshalltakeseveraldaystostudyit.
Thedramaofthispassageliesintheclashandinterplayofpersonalities.Itwill
thereforebebesttostudyit,notsectionbysection,butinthelightoftheactors
withinit.
WebeginbylookingattheJews.InthetimeofJesustheJewsweresubjecttothe
Romans.TheRomansallowedthemagooddealofselfgovernment,buttheyhad
nottherighttocarryoutthedeathpenalty.Theiusgladii,asitwascalled,theright
ofthesword,belongedonlytotheRomans.AstheTalmudrecords:"Fortyyears
beforethedestructionoftheTemple,judgmentinmattersoflifeanddeathwastaken
awayfromIsrael."ThefirstRomangovernorofPalestinewasnamedCoponius,and
Josephus,tellingofhisappointmentasgovernor,saysthathewassentas
procurator"havingthepoweroflifeanddeathputintohishandsbyCaesar."
(Josephus,WarsoftheJews,2,8,1).Josephusalsotellsofacertainpriestcalled
Ananuswhodeterminedtoexecutecertainofhisenemies.Jewsofmoreprudent
mindprotestedagainsthisdecisiononthegroundsthathehadnorighteithertotake
itorcarryitout.Ananuswasnotallowedtocarryhisdecisionintopracticeandwas
deposedfromofficeforeventhinkingofdoingso.(Josephus,Antiquitiesofthe
Jews,20,9,1).Itistruethatsometimes,as,forinstance,inthecaseofStephen,
theJewsdidtakethelawintotheirownhandsbutlegallytheyhadnorighttoinflict
thedeathpenaltyonanyone.ThatwaswhytheyhadtobringJesustoPilatebefore
hecouldbecrucified.
IftheJewshadthemselvesbeenabletocarryoutthedeathpenalty,itwouldhave
beenbystoning.TheLawlaysitdown:"Andhewhoblasphemesthenameofthe
Lord,shallbeputtodeath,allthecongregationshallstonehim"(Leviticus24:16).in
suchacasethewitnesseswhosewordprovedthecrimehadtobethefirsttofling
thestones."Thehandofthewitnessesshallbefirstagainsthimtoputhimtodeath,
andafterwardthehandofallthepeople"(Deuteronomy17:7).Thatisthepointof

John18:32.Thatversesaysthatallthiswashappeningthattheremightbefulfilled
thewordofJesusinindicationofthekindofdeathhewasgoingtodie.Hehadsaid
thatwhenhewasliftedup,thatis,whenhewascrucified,hewoulddrawallmento
him(John12:32).IfthatprophecyofJesuswastobefulfilled,hemustbecrucified,
notstonedandtherefore,evenapartfromthefactthatRomanlawwouldnotallow
theJewstocarryoutthedeathpenalty,JesushadtodieaRomandeath,because
hehadtobeliftedup.
TheJewsfromstarttofinishwereseekingtousePilatefortheirpurposes.They
couldnotkillJesusthemselves,sotheyweredeterminedthattheRomanswouldkill
himforthem.
JESUSANDPILATEJEWS(John18:2840John19:116continued)
ButthereweremorethingsabouttheJewsthanthat.
(i)TheybeganbyhatingJesusbuttheyfinishedinaveryhysteriaofhatred,howling
likewolves,withfacestwistedinbitterness:"Crucifyhim!Crucifyhim!"Intheend
theyreachedsuchaninsanityofhatredthattheywereimpervioustoreasonandto
mercyandeventotheclaimsofcommonhumanity.Nothinginthisworldwarpsa
man'sjudgmentashatreddoes.Onceamanallowshimselftohate,hecanneither
thinknorseestraight,norlistenwithoutdistortion.Hatredisaterriblethingbecause
ittakesaman'ssensesaway.
(ii)ThehatredoftheJewsmadethemloseallsenseofproportion.Theywereso
carefulofceremonialandritualcleannessthattheywouldnotenterPilate's
headquarters,andyettheywerebusydoingeverythingpossibletocrucifytheSonof
God.ToeatthePassover,aJewhadtobeabsolutelyceremoniallyclean.Now,if
theyhadgoneintoPilate'sheadquarters,theywouldhaveincurreduncleannessina
doubleway.First,thescriballawsaid:"ThedwellingplacesofGentilesareunclean."
Second,thePassoverwastheFeastofUnleavenedBread.Partofthepreparation
foritwasaceremonialsearchforleaven,andthebanishingofeveryparticleof
leavenfromeveryhousebecauseitwasthesymbolofevil.TogointoPilate's
headquarterswouldhavebeentogointoaplacewhereleavenmightbefoundand
togointosuchaplacewhenthePassoverwasbeingpreparedwastorenderoneself
unclean.ButeveniftheJewshadenteredaGentilehousewhichcontainedleaven,
theywouldhavebeenuncleanonlyuntilevening.Thentheywouldhavehadto
undergoceremonialbathingafterwhichtheywouldhavebeenclean.
NowseewhattheJewsweredoing.Theywerecarryingoutthedetailsofthe
ceremoniallawwithmeticulouscareandatthesametimetheywerehoundingtothe
CrosstheSonofGod.Thatisjustthekindofthingthatmenarealwaysliabletodo.
Manyachurchmemberfussesaboutthesheeresttrifles,andbreaksGod'slawof
loveandofforgivenessandofserviceeveryday.Thereisevenmanyachurchin
whichthedetailsofvestments,furnishings,ritual,ceremonialareattendedtowith
themostdetailedcare,andwherethespiritofloveandfellowshipareconspicuous
onlybytheirabsence.Oneofthemosttragicthingsintheworldishowthehuman
mindcanloseitssenseofproportionanditsabilitytoputfirstthingsfirst.
(ii)TheJewsdidnothesitatetotwisttheirchargeagainstJesus.Intheirownprivate
examinationthechargetheyhadformulatedwasoneofblasphemy(Matthew26:65).
TheyknewwellthatPilatewouldnotproceedonachargelikethat.Hewouldhave
saiditwastheirownprivatereligiousquarrelandtheycouldsettleisastheyliked
withoutcomingtohim.IntheendwhattheJewsproducedwasachargeofrebellion
andpoliticalinsurrection.TheyaccusedJesusofclaimingtobeaking,although
theyknewthattheiraccusationwasalie.Hatredisaterriblethinganddoesnot
hesitatetotwistthetruth.
(iv)InordertocompassthedeathofJesustheJewsdeniedeveryprinciplethey
had.Themostastonishingthingtheysaidthatdaywas:"Wehavenokingbut
Caesar."Samuel'swordtothepeoplewasthatGodalonewastheirking(1Samuel
12:12).WhenthecrownwasofferedtoGideon,hisanswerwas:"Iwillnotruleover
you,andmysonwillnotruleoveryou:theLordwillruleoveryou"(8:23).Whenthe
RomanshadfirstcomeintoPalestine,theyhadtakenacensusinordertoarrange
thenormaltaxationtowhichsubjectpeoplewereliable.Andtherehadbeenthemost
bloodyrebellion,becausetheJewsinsistedthatGodalonewastheirking,andto

himalonetheywouldpaytribute.WhentheJewishleadersaid:"Wehavenokingbut
Caesar."itwasthemostastonishingvoltefaceinhistory.Theverystatementmust
havetakenPilate'sbreathaway,andhemusthavelookedattheminhalf
bewildered,halfcynicalamusement.TheJewswerepreparedtoabandonevery
principletheyhadinordertoeliminateJesus.
Itisaterriblepicture.ThehatredoftheJewsturnedthemintoamaddenedmobof
shrieking,frenziedfanatics.Intheirhatredtheyforgotallmercy,allsenseof
proportion,alljustice,alltheirprinciples,evenGod.Neverinhistorywastheinsanity
ofhatredsovividlyshown.
JESUSANDPILATEPILATE'SHISTORY(John18:2840John19:116
continued)
NowweturntothesecondpersonalityinthisstoryPilate.Throughoutthetrialhis
conductiswellnighincomprehensible.Itisabundantlyclear,itcouldnotbeclearer,
thatPilateknewthatthechargesoftheJewswereaseriesoflies,thatheknewthat
Jesuswascompletelyinnocent,thathewasdeeplyimpressedwithhim,andthathe
didnotwishtocondemnhimtodeathandyethedid.First,hetriedtorefusetodeal
withthecasethenhetriedtoreleaseJesusonthegroundsthatatthePassovera
criminalwasalwaysreleasedthenhetriedtocompromisebyscourgingJesusthen
hemadealastappeal.Butherefusedallthroughtoputhisfootdownandtellthe
Jewsthathewouldhavenothingtodowiththeirevilmachinations.Wewillnever
evenbegintounderstandPilateunlessweunderstandhishistory,whichissetout
foruspartlyinthewritingsofJosephusandpartlyinthewritingsofPhilo.
TounderstandthepartthatPilateplayedinthisdramawemustgobackalongway.
Tobeginwith,whatwasaRomangovernordoinginJudaeaatall?
In4B.C.HerodtheGreatdied.HehadbeenkingofthewholeofPalestine.Forall
hisfaultshewasinmanywaysagoodking,andhehadbeenveryfriendlywiththe
Romans.Inhiswillhedivideduphiskingdombetweenthreeofhissons.Antipas
receivedGalileeandPeraeaPhilipreceivedBatanea,AuranitisandTrachonitis,the
wildunpopulatedregionsofthenortheastandArchelaus,whoatthetimewasonly
eighteenyearsold,receivedIdumaea,JudaeaandSamaria.TheRomansapproved
thisdistributionofthekingdom,andratifiedit.
AntipasandPhilipgovernedquietlyandwellbutArchelausgovernedwithsuch
extortionandtyrannythattheJewsthemselvesrequestedtheRomanstoremove
him,andtoappointagovernor.Thelikelihoodisthattheyexpectedtobe
incorporatedintothelargeprovinceofSyriaandhadthatbeenso,theprovincewas
solargethattheywouldveryprobablyhavebeenleftprettymuchtocarryonthe
waytheywere.AllRomanprovincesweredividedintotwoclasses.Thosewhich
requiredtroopsstationedinthemwereinthedirectcontroloftheEmperorandwere
imperialprovincesthosewhichdidnotrequiretroopsbutwerepeacefulandtrouble
free,wereinthedirectcontrolofthesenateandweresenatorialprovinces.
Palestinewasobviouslyatroubledlanditneededtroopsandthereforeitwasinthe
controloftheEmperor.Reallygreatprovincesweregovernedeitherbyaproconsul
oralegateSyriawaslikethat.Smallerprovincesofthesecondclass,were
governedbyaprocurator.Hewasinfullcontrolofthemilitaryandjudicial
administrationoftheprovince.Hevisitedeverypartoftheprovinceatleastoncea
yearandheardcasesandcomplaints.Hesuperintendedtheingatheringoftaxesbut
hadnoauthoritytoincreasethem.Hewaspaidasalaryfromthetreasuryandwas
strictlyforbiddentoaccepteitherpresentsorbribesand,ifheexceededhisduties,
thepeopleofhisprovincehadpowertoreporthimtotheEmperor.
ItwasaprocuratorthatAugustusappointedtocontroltheaffairsofPalestine,and
thefirstonetookoverinA.D.6.PilatetookoverinA.D.26andremainedinoffice
untilA.D.35.Palestinewasaprovincebristlingwithproblems,onewhichrequireda
firmandastrongandawisehand.WedonotknowPilate'sprevioushistory,butwe
doknowthathemusthavehadthereputationofbeingagoodadministratororhe
wouldneverhavebeengiventheresponsiblepositionofgoverningPalestine.Ithad
tobekeptinorder,for,asaglanceatthemapwillshow,itwasthebridgebetween
EgyptandSyria.

ButasgovernorPilatewasafailure.Heseemedtobeginwithacompletecontempt
andacompletelackofsympathyfortheJews.Threefamous,orinfamous,incidents
markedhiscareer.
ThefirstoccurredonhisfirstvisittoJerusalem.Jerusalemwasnotthecapitalofthe
provinceitsheadquarterswereatCaesarea.Buttheprocuratorpaidmanyvisitsto
Jerusalem,and,whenhedid,hestayedintheoldpalaceoftheHerodsinthewest
partofthecity.WhenhecametoJerusalem,healwayscamewithadetachmentof
soldiers.Thesoldiershadtheirstandardsandonthetopofthestandardtherewasa
littlebustinmetalofthereigningEmperor.TheEmperorwasregardedasagod,and
totheJewthatlittlebustonthestandardswasagravenimage.
AllpreviousRomangovernors,indeferencetothereligiousscruplesoftheJews,
hadremovedthatimagebeforetheyenteredthecity.Pilaterefusedtodoso.The
Jewsbesoughthimtodoso.Pilatewasadamanthewouldnotpandertothe
superstitionsoftheJews.HewentbacktoCaesarea.TheJewsfollowedhim.They
doggedhisfootstepsforfivedays.Theywerehumble,butdeterminedintheir
requests.Finallyhetoldthemtomeethimintheamphitheatre.Hesurroundedthem
witharmedsoldiers,andinformedthemthatiftheydidnotstoptheirrequeststhey
wouldbekilledthereandthen.TheJewsbaredtheirnecksandbadethesoldiers
strike.NotevenPilatecouldmassacredefencelessmenlikethat.Hewasbeaten
andcompelledtoagreethattheimagesshouldthereafterberemovedfromthe
standards.ThatwashowPilatebegan,anditwasabadbeginning.
Thesecondincidentwasthis.TheJerusalemwatersupplywasinadequate.Pilate
determinedtobuildanewaqueduct.Wherewasthemoneytocomefrom?Heraided
theTempletreasurywhichcontainedmillions.ItisveryunlikelythatPilatetook
moneythatwasdepositedforthesacrificesandtheTempleservice.Muchmore
likely,hetookmoneywhichwasentitledKorban,andwhichcamefromsources
whichmadeitimpossibletouseforsacredpurposes.Hisaqueductwasmuch
neededitwasaworthyandagreatundertakingthewatersupplywouldevenbeof
greatbenefittotheTemplewhichneededmuchcleansingwithitscontinual
sacrifices.Butthepeopleresentedittheyriotedandsurgedthroughthestreets.
Pilatemingledhissoldierswiththeminplainclothes,withconcealedweapons.Ata
givensignaltheyattackedthemobandmanyaJewwasclubbedorstabbedto
death.OnceagainPilatewasunpopularandhewasrenderedliabletobereportedto
theEmperor.
ThethirdincidentturnedoutevenworseforPilate.Aswehaveseen,whenhewasin
Jerusalem,hestayedintheancientpalaceoftheHerods.Hehadcertainshields
madeandonthemhehadinscribedthenameofTiberiustheEmperor.These
shieldswerewhatisknownasvotiveshieldstheyweredevotedtothehonourand
thememoryoftheEmperor.NowtheEmperorwasregardedasagodsoherewas
thenameofastrangegodinscribedanddisplayedforreverenceintheholycity.The
peoplewereenragedthegreatestmen,evenhisclosestsupporters,besoughtPilate
toremovethem.Herefused.TheJewsreportedthemattertoTiberiustheEmperor,
andheorderedPilatetoremovethem.
ItisrelevanttonotehowPilateendedup.ThislastincidenthappenedafterJesus
hadbeencrucified,intheyearA.D.35.TherewasarevoltinSamaria.Itwasnot
veryseriousbutPilatecrusheditwithsadisticferocityandaplethoraofexecutions.
TheSamaritanshadalwaysbeenregardedasloyalcitizensofRomeandthelegate
ofSyriaintervened.TiberiusorderedPilatebacktoRome.Whenhewasontheway,
Tiberiusdiedsofarasweknow,Pilatenevercametojudgmentandfromthat
momenthevanishesfromhistory.
ItisclearwhyPilateactedashedid.TheJewsblackmailedhimintocrucifying
Jesus.Theysaid:"Ifyouletthismango,youarenotCaesar'sfriend."Thiswas,in
effect:"Yourrecordisnottoogoodyouwerereportedoncebeforeifyoudonot
giveusourway,wewillreportyouagaintotheEmperor,andyouwillbedismissed."
OnthatdayinJerusalem,Pilate'spastroseupandhauntedhim.Hewas
blackmailedintoassentingtothedeathofChrist,becausehispreviousmistakeshad
madeitimpossibleforhimbothtodefytheJewsandtokeephispost.Somehow
onecannothelpbeingsorryforPilate.Hewantedtodotherightthingbuthehadnot
thecouragetodefytheJewsanddoit.HecrucifiedJesusinordertokeephisjob.

JESUSANDPILATEPILATE'SCONDUCT(John18:2840John19:116
continued)
WehaveseenPilate'shistoryletusnowlookathisconductduringhistrialof
Jesus.HedidnotwishtocondemnJesus,becauseheknewthathewasinnocent
andyethewascaughtinthemeshofhisownpast.
(i)Pilatebeganbytryingtoputtheresponsibilityontosomeoneelse.Hesaidtothe
Jews:"Youtakethismanandjudgehimaccordingtoyourlaws."Hetriedtoevade
theresponsibilityofdealingwithJesusbutthatispreciselywhatnoonecando.No
onecandealwithJesusforuswemustdealwithhimourselves.
(ii)Pilatewentontotrytofindawayofescapefromtheentanglementinwhichhe
foundhimself.HetriedtousethecustomofreleasingaprisoneratthePassoverin
ordertoengineerthereleaseofJesus.HetriedtoevadedealingdirectlywithJesus
himselfbutagainthatispreciselywhatnoonecando.Thereisnoescapefroma
personaldecisioninregardtoJesuswemustourselvesdecidewhatwewilldowith
him,accepthimorrejecthim.
(iii)Pilatewentontoseewhatcompromisecoulddo.HeorderedJesustobe
scourged.ItmusthavebeeninPilate'smindthatascourgingmightsatisfy,orat
leastblunttheedgeof,Jewishhostility.Hefeltthathemightavoidhavingtogive
theverdictofthecrossbygivingtheverdictofscourging.Onceagain,thatiswhat
nomancando.NomancancompromisewithJesusnomancanservetwo
masters.WeareeitherforJesusoragainsthim.
(iv)Pilatewentontotrywhatappealcoulddo.HeledJesusoutbrokenbythe
scourgingandshowedhimtothepeople.Heaskedthem:"ShallIcrucifyyourking?"
Hetriedtoswingthebalancebythisappealtoemotionandtopity.Butnomancan
hopethatappealtootherscantaketheplaceofhisownpersonaldecisionandit
wasPilate'splacetomakehisowndecision.Nomancanevadeapersonalverdict
andapersonaldecisioninregardtoJesusChrist.
IntheendPilateadmitteddefeat.HeabandonedJesustothemob,becausehehad
notthecouragetotaketherightdecisionandtodotherightthing.
ButtherearestillmoresidelightshereonthecharacterofPilate.
(i)ThereisahintofPilate'singrainedattitudeofcontempt.heaskedJesusifhewas
aking.Jesusaskedwhetherheaskedthisonthebasisofwhathehimselfhad
discovered,oronthebasisofinformationindirectlyreceived.Pilate'sanswerwas:
"AmIaJew?HowdoyouexpectmetoknowanythingaboutJewishaffairs?"He
wastooproudtoinvolvehimselfinwhatheregardedasJewishsquabblesand
superstitions.Andthatpridewasexactlywhatmadehimabadgovernor.Noonecan
governapeopleifhemakesnoattempttounderstandthemandtoenterintotheir
thoughtsandminds.
(ii)ThereisakindofsuperstitiouscuriosityaboutPilate.Hewishedtoknowwhence
JesuscameanditwasmorethanJesus'nativeplacethathewasthinkingof.When
heheardthatJesushadclaimedtobetheSonofGod,hewasstillmoredisturbed.
Pilatewassuperstitiousratherthanreligious,fearingthattheremightbesomething
init.HewasafraidtocometoadecisioninJesus'favourbecauseoftheJewshe
wasequallyafraidtocometoadecisionagainsthim,becausehehadthelurking
suspicionthatGodmightbeinthis.
(iii)ButattheheartofPilatewasawistfullonging.WhenJesussaidthathehad
cometowitnesstothetruth,Pilate'sanswerwas:"Whatistruth?"Therearemany
waysinwhichamanmightaskthatquestion.Hemightaskitincynicaland
sardonichumour.BaconimmortalizedPilate'sanswer,whenhewrote:"Whatis
truth?saidjestingPilateandwouldnotstayforananswer."Butitwasnotincynical
humourthatPilateaskedthisquestionnorwasitthequestionofamanwhodidnot
care.Herewasthechinkinhisarmour.Heaskedthequestionwistfullyandwearily.
Pilatebythisworld'sstandardswasasuccessfulman.Hehadcomealmosttothe
topoftheRomancivilservicehewasgovernorgeneralofaRomanprovincebut
therewassomethingmissing.Hereinthepresenceofthissimple,disturbinghated

Galilaean,Pilatefeltthatforhimthetruthwasstillamysteryandthatnowhehad
gothimselfintoasituationwheretherewasnochancetolearnit.Itmaybehe
jested,butitwasthejestofdespair.PhilipGibbssomewheretellsoflisteningtoa
debatebetweenT.S.Eliot,MargaretIrwin,C.DayLewisandotherdistinguished
peopleonthesubject,"Isthislifeworthliving?""True,theyjested,"hesaid,"but
theyjestedlikejestersknockingatthedoorofdeath."
Pilatewaslikethat.IntohislifetherecameJesus,andsuddenlyhesawwhathe
hadmissed.Thatdayhemighthavefoundallthathehadmissedbuthehadnotthe
couragetodefytheworldinspiteofhispast,andtotakehisstandwithChristanda
futurewhichwasglorious.
JESUSANDPILATEJESUS(John18:2840John19:116continued)
WehavethoughtofthepictureofthecrowdinthistrialofJesusandwehave
thoughtofthepictureofPilate.Nowwemustcometothecentralcharacterinthe
dramaJesushimself.Heisdepictedbeforeuswithaseriesofmasterstrokes.
(i)Firstandforemost,noonecanreadthisstorywithoutseeingthesheer
majestyofJesus.Thereisnosensethatheisontrial.Whenamanfaceshim,itis
notJesuswhoisontrialitistheman.PilatemayhavetreatedmanyJewishthings
witharrogantcontempt,buthedidnotsotreatJesus.Wecannothelpfeelingthatit
isJesuswhoisincontrolandPilatewhoisbewilderedandflounderinginasituation
whichhecannotunderstand.ThemajestyofJesusnevershonemoreradiantlythan
inthehourwhenhewasontrialbeforemen.
(ii)Jesusspeakswithutterdirectnesstousofhiskingdomitisnot,hesays,of
thisearth.TheatmosphereinJerusalemwasalwaysexplosiveduringthePassover
itwassheerdynamite.TheRomanswellknewthat,andduringthePassovertime
theyalwaysdraftedextratroopsintoJerusalem.ButPilateneveratanytimehad
morethanthreethousandmenunderhiscommand.SomewouldbeinCaesarea,his
headquarterssomewouldbeongarrisondutyinSamariatherecannotreallyhave
beenmorethanafewhundredondutyinJerusalem.IfJesushadwishedtoraisethe
standardofrebellionandtofightitout,hecouldhavedoneiteasilyenough.Buthe
makesitquiteclearthatheclaimstobeakingandequallyclearthathiskingdomis
notbasedonforcebutisakingdomintheheartsofmen.Hewouldneverdenythat
heaimedatconquest,butitwastheconquestoflove.
(iii)Jesustellsuswhyhecameintotheworld.Hecametowitnesstothetruth
hecametotellmenthetruthaboutGod,thetruthaboutthemselves,andthetruth
aboutlife.AsEmersonhadit:
"Whenhalfgodsgo,
Thegodsarrive."
Thedaysofguessingsandgropingsandhalftruthsweregone.Hecametotellmen
thetruth.Thatisoneofthegreatreasonswhywemusteitheracceptorrefuse
Christ.Thereisnohalfwayhouseaboutthetruth.Amaneitheracceptsit,orrejects
itandChrististhetruth.
(iv)WeseethephysicalcourageofJesus.Pilatehadhimscourged.Whenaman
wasscourgedhewastiedtoawhippingpostinsuchawaythathisbackwasfully
exposed.Thelashwasalongleathernthong,studdedatintervalswithpelletsoflead
andsharpenedpiecesofbone.Itliterallytoreaman'sbackintostrips.Fewremained
consciousthroughouttheordealsomediedandmanywentravingmad.Jesus
stoodthat.Andafterit,Pilateledhimouttothecrowdandsaid:"See!Theman!"
HereisoneofJohn'sdoublemeanings.ItmusthavebeenPilate'sfirstintentionto
awakenthepityoftheJews."Look!"hesaid."Lookatthispoor,bruised,bleeding
creature!Lookatthiswretchedness!Canyoupossiblywishtohoundacreaturelike
thistoanutterlyunnecessarydeath?"Butwecanalmosthearthetoneofhisvoice
changeashesaysit,andseethewonderdawninhiseyes.Andinsteadofsayingit
halfcontemptuously,toawakenpity,hesaysitwithanadmirationthatwillnotbe
repressed.ThewordthatPilateusedisho(Greek#3588)anthropos(Greek#444),
whichisthenormalGreekforahumanbeingbutnotsolongafterwardstheGreek
thinkerswereusingthatverytermfortheheavenlyman,theidealman,thepattern

ofmanhood.ItisalwaystruethatwhateverelsewesayordonotsayaboutJesus,
hissheerheroismiswithoutparallel.Hereindeedisaman.
JESUSANDPILATETHETRIAL(John18:2840John19:116continued)
(v)OnceagainweseehereinthetrialofJesusthespontaneousnessofhisdeath
andthesupremecontrolofGod.PilatewarnedJesusthathehadpowertorelease
himortocrucifyhim.JesusansweredthatPilatehadnopoweratall,exceptwhat
hadbeengivenhimbyGod.ThecrucifixionofJesusnever,frombeginningtoend,
readslikethestoryofamancaughtupinaninexorablewebofcircumstancesover
whichhehadnocontrolitneverreadslikethestoryofamanwhowashoundedto
hisdeathitisthestoryofamanwhoselastdayswereatriumphantprocession
towardsthegoaloftheCross.
(vi)AndherealsoistheterriblepictureofthesilenceofJesus.Therewasatime
whenhehadnoanswertogivetoPilate.TherewereothertimeswhenJesuswas
silent.HewassilentbeforetheHighPriest(Matthew26:63Mark14:61).Hewas
silentbeforeHerod(Luke23:9).Hewassilentwhenthechargesagainsthimwere
madetoPilatebytheJewishauthorities(Matthew27:14Mark15:5).Wehave
sometimestheexperience,whentalkingtootherpeople,offindingthatargumentand
discussionarenolongerpossible,becauseweandtheyhavenocommonground.It
isalmostasifwespokeanotherlanguage.Thathappenswhenmendoinfactspeak
anothermentalandspirituallanguage.ItisaterribledaywhenJesusissilenttoa
man.Therecanbenothingmoreterriblethanforaman'smindtobesoshutbyhis
prideandhisselfwill,thatthereisnothingJesuscansaytohimthatwillmakeany
difference.
(vii)Finally,itisjustpossiblethatinthistrialscenethereisastrange,dramatic
climax,whichisamagnificentexampleofJohn'sdramaticirony.
ThescenecomestoanendbysayingthatPilatebroughtJesusoutaswehave
translatedit,andastheKingJamesVersionandRevisedStandardtranslateit,
PilatecameouttotheplacethatwascalledthePavementofGabbathawhichmay
meanthetessellatedpavementofmarblemosaicandsatuponthejudgmentseat.
Thiswasthebema(Greek#968),onwhichthemagistratesattogivehisofficial
decisions.Nowtheverbfortositiskathizein(Greek#2523),andthatmaybeeither
intransitiveortransitiveitmaymeaneithertositdownoneself,ortoseatanother.
JustpossiblyitmeansherethatPilatewithonelastmockinggesturebroughtJesus
out,cladintheterriblefineryoftheoldpurplerobeandwithhisforeheadgirtwiththe
crownofthornsandthedropsofbloodthethornshadwakened,andsethiminthe
judgmentseat,andwithawaveofhishandsaid:"AmItocrucifyyourking?"The
apocryphalGospelofPetersaysthatinthemockery,theysetJesusontheseatof
judgmentandsaid:"Judgejustly,KingofIsrael."JustinMartyrtoosaysthat"they
setJesusonthejudgmentseat,andsaid,'Givejudgmentforus'."Itmaybethat
PilatejestinglycaricaturedJesusasjudge.Ifthatisso,whatdramaticironyisthere.
ThatwhichwasamockerywasthetruthandonedaythosewhohadmockedJesus
asjudgewouldmeethimasjudgeandwouldremember.
Sointhisdramatictrialsceneweseetheimmutablemajesty,theundaunted
courageandthesereneacceptanceoftheCrossofJesus.Neverwashesoregalas
whenmendidtheirworsttohumiliatehim.
JESUSANDPILATETHESOLDIERS(John18:2840John19:116continued)
WehavelookedatthemainpersonalitiesinthetrialofJesustheJewswiththeir
hatred,Pilatewithhishauntingpast,andJesusintheserenityofhisregalmajesty.
Butcertainotherpeoplewereontheoutskirtsofthescene.
(i)Therewerethesoldiers.WhenJesuswasgivenintotheirhandstobescourged,
theyamusedthemselveswiththeircrudehorseplay.Hewasaking?Wellthen,let
himhavearobeandcrown.Sotheyputanoldpurplerobeonhimandacrownof
thornsroundhisbrowandtheyslappedhimontheface.Theywereplayingagame
thatancientpeoplecommonlyplayed.PhiloinhisworkOnFlaccustellsofavery
similarthingthatthemobatAlexandriadid."TherewasamadmannamedCarabas,
afflictednotwiththesavageandbeastlikesortofmadnessforthisformis
undisguisablebothforsufferersandbystandersbutwiththequietandmilderkind.

Heusedtospendhisdaysandnightsnakedinthestreets,shelteringfromneither
heatnorfrost,aplaythingofchildrenandidlelads.Theyjoinedindrivingthewretch
tothegymnasium,and,settinghimaloftsothathecouldbeseenbyeveryone,they
flattenedastripofbarkforafilletandputitonhishead,andwrappedafloorrug
roundhisbodyforamantle,andforsceptresomeonecatchingsightofasmallpiece
ofthenativepapyrusthathadbeenthrownontheroadhandedittohim.Andwhen
hehadassumedtheinsigniaofkingshipasintheatricalmimes,andhadbeen
arrayedinthecharacterofking,youngmenbearingstaffsontheirshoulderstook
theirstanceoneithersideinplaceofspearmen,mimiclancers.Thenothers
approached,someasiftogreethim,othersasthoughtopleadtheircauses,others
asthoughtopetitionhimaboutpublicmatters.Thenfromthesurroundingmultitudes
rangforthanoutlandishshoutof'Marin,'thenamebywhichitissaidthatkingsare
calledinSyria."ItisapoignantthingthatthesoldierstreatedJesusasaribald
crowdmighttreatanidiotboy.
AndyetofallthepeopleinvolvedinthetrialofJesus,thesoldierswereleastto
blame,fortheydidnotknowwhattheyweredoing.Mostlikelytheyhadcomeup
fromCaesareaanddidnotknowwhatitwasallabout.Jesustothemwasonlya
chancecriminal.
HereisanotherexampleofthedramaticironyofJohn.Thesoldiersmadea
caricatureofJesusasking,whileinactualfacthewastheonlyking.Beneaththe
jesttherewaseternaltruth.
JESUSANDPILATEBARABBAS(John18:2840John19:116continued)
(ii)LastofalltherewasBarabbaswhoseepisodeJohntellsverybrieflyindeed.Of
thecustomoffreeingaprisoneratPassoverweknownothingmorethanthegospels
tellus.TheothergospelstosomeextentfilloutJohn'sbriefpictureandwhenweput
allourinformationtogetherwefindthatBarabbaswasanotableprisoner,abrigand,
whohadtakenpartinacertaininsurrectioninthecityandhadcommittedmurder
(Matthew27:1526Mark15:615Luke23:1725Acts3:14).
ThenameBarabbasisinteresting.Therearetwopossibilitiesastoitsderivation.It
maybecompoundedofBarAbbawhichwouldmean"sonofthefather,"oritmaybe
compoundedofBarRabban,whichwouldmean"sonoftheRabbi."Itisnot
impossiblethatBarabbaswasthesonofsomeRabbi,ascionofsomenoblefamily
whohadgonewronganditmaywellbethat,criminalthoughhewas,hewaspopular
withthepeopleasakindofRobinHoodcharacter.Itiscertainlytruethatwemust
notthinkofBarabbasasasneakthief,orapettypilferer,oraburglar.Hewasa
lestes(Greek#3027),whichmeansabrigand.Eitherhewasoneofthewarrior
brigandswhoinfestedtheJerichoroad,thekindofmanintowhosehandsthe
travellerintheparablefellor,perhapsevenmoreprobable,hewasoneofthe
ZealotswhohadsworntoridPalestineoftheRomans,evenifitmeantacareerof
murder,robbery,assassinationandcrime.Barabbaswasnopettycriminal.Amanof
violencehemightbe,buthisviolencewasthekindwhichmightwellhavearomance
andaglamouraboutitandmakehimthepopularheroofthecrowdandthedespair
ofthelawatoneandthesametime.
ThereisastillmoreinterestingthingaboutBarabbas.Itisasecondnameandthere
musthavebeenafirstname,justas,forinstance,PeterhadbeenSimonbarJonah,
SimonthesonofJonah.NowtherearecertainancientGreekmanuscripts,and
certainSyrianandArmeniantranslationsoftheNewTestamentwhichactuallygive
thenameofBarabbasasJesus.Thatisbynomeansimpossible,becauseinthose
daysJesuswasacommonname,beingtheGreekformofJoshua.Ifso,thechoice
ofthecrowdwasevenmoredramatic,fortheywereshouting:"NotJesusthe
Nazarene,butJesusBarabbas."
Thechoiceofthemobhasbeentheeternalchoice.Barabbaswasthemanofforce
andblood,themanwhochosetoreachhisendbyviolentmeans.Jesuswasthe
manofloveandofgentleness,whosekingdomwasintheheartsofmen.Itisthe
tragicfactofhistorythatallthroughtheagesmenhavechosenthewayofBarabbas
andrefusedthewayofJesus.
WhathappenedtoBarabbasnomanknowsbutJohnOxenhaminoneofhisbooks
hasanimaginarypictureofhim.AtfirstBarabbascouldthinkofnothingbuthis

freedomthenhebegantolookatthemanwhohaddiedthathemightlive.
SomethingaboutJesusfascinatedhimandhefollowedhimouttoseetheend.As
hesawJesusbearinghisCross,onethoughtburnedintohismind:"Ishouldhave
beencarryingthatCross,nothe.Hesavedme!"AndashesawJesushangingon
Calvary,theonlythingofwhichhecouldthinkwas:"Ishouldhavebeenhanging
there,nothe.Hesavedme!"Itmaybeso,oritmaynotbesobutcertainly
BarabbaswasoneofthesinnersJesusdiedtosave.
Barclay'sDailyStudyBible(NT)
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BibliographyInformation
Barclay,William."Commentaryonjohn18"."WilliamBarclay'sDailyStudyBible".
"http://www.studylight.org/commentaries/dsb/print.cgi?bk=42&ch=18&vs=1".1956
1959.
20012015,StudyLight.org
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