THE WHOLE MULTITUDE LED HIM TO PILATE. Here the accusations continued and were extremely exaggerated. Their words reek of mass hysteria. The very thing they longed for, and expected their Messiah to accomplish, was to be free from Roman rule and have their own kingdom, led by the Messiah. Now, they accuse Him of insurrection and tax evasion. Jesus responded to Pilates question as to whether or not He was King of the Jews by saying; YOU said it. This was an answer of confession, for He was and is the Messiah. Lk. 22:2-3
THE RULING OF A WISE MAN. I FIND NO FAULT IN HIM. The sinless, man without guile. Pilate proclaimed him guiltless of breaking any law, once again condemning their ungodly desires and deeds. Lk. 23:4 This only stirred them to a deeper and more determined effort to find Jesus guilty. A door of opportunity was opened to Pilate to rid himself of the problem when they mentioned that Jesus had started His ministry in Galilee. Lk. 23:5-7 He then sent them to Herod, for that was his jurisdiction and he was in Jerusalem at that time.
HEROD WAS GLAD TO SEE JESUS. Not to hear the Word of life but hoping to see him perform a miracle. Fulfilling the prophetic utterance of Isaiah, as a sheep before her shearers is dumb. He did not answer the questions of Herod. Isa. 53:7 The chief priest and scribes violently and vehemently continued their accusations. In their rage against Him there were no limits to which they would not go. Lk. 23:10 The guards of the court of Herod treated Him with contempt, ridiculed and scoffed at Him. The attitudes displayed and the actions taken are found in the prophecies of the Old Testament. Scorned and despised. Ps. 22:6 Reproached, shamed and dishonored. Ps. 69:19 Despised of men abhorred of the nation. Isa. 49:7 They dressed Him in a bright and gorgeous apparel. Then sent Him back to Pilate. Amazingly, these two men, Herod and Pilate who had been enemies, were reconciled and became friends. They had found common ground by refusing to condemn an innocent man just to satisfy the anger and injustice of the Sanhedren. They may well have rejoiced in the religious conflict that was occurring.
JESUS BEFORE PILATE A SECOND TIME
DEEP ROOTED ETERNAL REMORSE. Judas had followed the events that had transpired after his betrayal of Christ. When he saw that the innocent one was condemned he was filled with remorse and sought to return the reward of his wickedness to the chief priests. Mt. 27:3 With the cry of a soul lost in the judgments of eternity separated from all that is just and right, he confessed that he had sinned. It is not a cry for forgiveness, he had long since crossed that line. It was an admission of guilt and the betrayal of innocent blood. This was further evidence of the wrong and injustice of the religious leaders of that day. Surely they spoke with scorn and contempt against both Judas and Jesus. That is not our affair you bear the responsibility. The reward of betrayal was to be of no benefit to him, for he cast down the thirty pieces of silver and went and hanged himself. Mt. 27:4-5
WARPED JUSTICE. The Roman authorities were well aware of the innocence of the Lord Jesus. They gave every opportunity for the religious mob to alter their thinking. Of all the accusations brought against Jesus Pilate witnessed to the people that this was an innocent man. Pilate could find absolutely no fault relating to their accusations. Likewise, Herod could not find a violation of any law, let alone the Law of God. His accusers were the one violating the Law. Nothing worthy of death can be attributed to Him. Lk. 23:14-15 Despite the multiplicity of accusations brought by the religious leaders Jesus did not respond. Causing Pilate to be utterly amazed at Him. Mt. 27:13- 14
A PRISONER TO BE RELEASED AT PASSOVER. Would it be Jesus the guiltless, falsely maligned Son of God. Or Barabbas {son of a father}. A man was all ready condemned and serving his sentence as a robber. Jn. 18:40 He is listed also as an insurrectionist and a murderer. Mk.15:7 It is stated that he was a notable prisoner, one who was well known to the all the people of the city. Mt. 27:16 Every opportunity was given to them to make the proper choice and free the blameless Jesus. Pilate fully comprehended the wicked attitude and nature of the crowd. He knew very well that the religious bigots were reacting out of envy and jealousy. Mt. 27:18 The governor was convinced of the absolute faultless character that was demonstrated by Christ. His wife was the recipient of a dream that moved her greatly. She sent and warned Pilate not to judge the Lord Jesus. She too was convinced of His sinless and untainted life for she had a strong emotional dream concerning Him. She called Jesus a just and an innocent man. Mt. 27:19 Every turn of event is shouting out, He is not guilty of any wrong doing, whatsoever. Only the blind leaders of the blind could not comprehend how wrong they were and how right He was. What a maelstrom of rage and religious injustice they demonstrated, in their actions and their words.***