Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers and the people, 14 and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined him in your presence and have found no basis for your charges against him. 15 Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us; as you can see, he has done nothing to deserve death. 16 Therefore, I will punish him and then release him.” 17 18 But the whole crowd shouted, “Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us!” 19 (Barabbas had been thrown into prison for an insurrection in the city, and for murder.) 20 Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate appealed to them again. 21 But they kept shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!” 22 For the third time he spoke to them: “Why? What crime has this man committed? I have found in him no grounds for the death penalty. Therefore I will have him punished and then release him.” 23 But with loud shouts they insistently demanded that he be crucified, and their shouts prevailed. 24 So Pilate decided to grant their demand. 25 He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, the one they asked for, and surrendered Jesus to their will (Luke 23:13-25).
Jesus now appears before Pilate a second time and he tried another tactic to get Jesus released and protect his own reputation (Mark 15:6-15; Matthew 27:15-26; Luke 23:13-25; John 18:39-19:16). He appealed to an established custom of giving amnesty to a prisoner during the Passover season. Pilate gave the crowd a choice between one of the worst guys that he could find, and Jesus. The other guy’s name was Barabbas and he was a noted murderer, criminal, and insurrectionist. Barabbas was probably a member of the Zealots, a Jewish revolutionary group, and he may have gained popularity for taking a stand against the Romans. But how could the crowd pick a criminal over Jesus?
When it comes to Jesus there is always a choice. We can choose him or choose to go our own way. How foolish it is to elevate the status of someone or something over and above our devotion to the Lord. We can be more devoted to a boyfriend or girlfriend than we are to Jesus, more devoted to our work, or hobbies, or even our spouse or children can take first place in our hearts. Let us choose Jesus today and every day. He is worthy of our devotion and praise.
Pilate also tried to get the sympathy of the crowd by having Jesus scourged. The idea was to punish him but not kill him! Roman scourging was a brutal act in and of itself. A Roman soldier would usually give the person 39 or more lashes, but it all depended on his mood.
In scourging, leather straps would be attached to a wooden handle and then they’d attach pieces of bone and metal to the end of it and bring the full weight of the whip across the victim’s body. The power of the blows would tear into the prisoner’s flesh and many people weren’t able to survive that painful ordeal. The whipping that Pilate initiated was totally unjust because Jesus was innocent. Evidently, Pilate hoped the scourging would satisfy the bloodthirsty throng. Looking at all the gospel accounts, the soldiers put a purple robe on his lacerated body and pressed a crown of thorns down upon his head. Again and again they struck him in the head with a staff and spit on him and slapped him in the face. Kneeling down before him they mocked him saying, “Hail, king of the Jews!”
When Pilate presented a battered, exhausted, and bleeding Jesus to the crowd, it seems that he was hoping for a merciful response. But the people continued to cry, “crucify him!” Eventually Pilate gave up hope, washed his took a basin of water and proclaimed, “I am innocent of the blood of this righteous man.” He then ordered Jesus to be crucified.
In the end, Pilate lacked the guts to stand up to the crowd and set Jesus free. Matthew records: “When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. ‘I am innocent of this man’s blood,’ he said. ‘It is your responsibility’” (Matthew 27:24).
It would be nice if Pilate’s sins (and ours) could be wiped away with a basin of water, but only the death of the one Pilate sentenced, only the shedding of Christ’s precious blood can wipe away our sins. Take a moment right now and give thanks to God for the sacrifice of Jesus which is powerful enough to provide a way of forgiveness for all.
Prayer
Forgive us, Lord, for elevating other people above you. We have loved the things of this world and too often have chosen them instead of you. We deserve your wrath, but you extended your kindness to us in Christ. We confess our sins today and receive the cleansing you provided at the cross.
Question
It’s horrifying to think that someone other than Jesus would be chosen by the crowd. What can you do today to celebrate the fact that Jesus took your place, dying for you on the cross?