Repeated phrase: "I find no basis for an accusation against him" 18:38, 19:4, 6. Pilate refused to crucify Jesus, and therefore, it sharpened the image that it was the responsibility of the Jews who put Jesus to death. And that was what Jesus said in v.11b, "Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of greater sin.”
Questions: (1) In v.1-3, why did Pilate flog Jesus and humiliate Him if he thought that Jesus was innocent?
(BKC) Pilate’s action, according to Luke (23:16), was another attempt at compromise. He hoped the crowd would be satisfied with a little blood.
(2) Why did the Jews want to kill Jesus?
In 11:47-50, the high priest explained that Jesus had to die otherwise the Romans would take back their rulership over their nation if Jesus started a revolution.
However, they did not really care about the danger of revolution because the Jews asked for Barabbas, the revolutionary v.40 to be released instead of Jesus.
(NET) [The word, revolutionary is used] to describe the revolutionaries or guerrilla fighters who, from mixed motives of nationalism and greed, kept the rural districts of Judea in constant turmoil. (BKC) The offer to release … Barabbas who was guilty of murder and insurrection showed poor judgment for a person responsible for Rome’s interests.
In other words, their reason for killing Jesus was Him being the Son of God 19:7. They were religious leaders, but they did not want God to be their God. They wanted to keep being the leader of the people, not pointing people to God.
Reflection: Do we want to draw people to ourselves and have everyone to love us? Or are we satisfied when we see people come to God?
Second, are we guilty of making excuses? The high priests made up a sound-good reason to kill Jesus, but it is not true. Do we make up good looking reasons just for people to listen to us?
Finally, is our "self" too important?
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