* The Events of The Passion Week. Not all activities are listed.
Friday (Six days before Passover meal.)
-Jesus arrives in Bethany, just east of Jerusalem (John 11:54-12:1).
-Mary, the sister of Lazarus and Martha, anoints Jesus' feet at a banquet (John 12:2-11).
Saturday (Sabbath. Started at dusk on Friday.)
-Though it is not recorded, Jesus left Bethany and returned to Ephraim near the Jordan River. (John 11:54-57)
Sunday (Now called Palm Sunday. 1st day of the Passion Week.)
-Jesus heals blind men while approaching Jericho (Matthew 20:29-34; Mark 10:46-52; Luke 18:34-43).
-Jesus eats at Zacchaeus house in Jericho (Luke 19:1-10).
-Jesus continues onto Jerusalem (Mark 10:52; Luke 19:28).
-Jesus's triumphal entry into Jerusalem. (Matthew 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-10; Luke 19:29-40; John 12:12-19).
-Jesus's weeps for Jerusalem (Luke 19:41-44).
-Jesus looked at the Temple at dusk. Then, left to spend the night at Bethany (Mark 11:11).
Monday (10th day of the Hebrew month Abib ends at dusk.)
-Jesus curses the fig tree (Matthew 21:18-19; Mark 11:12-14).
-Jesus cleanses the Temple courts (Matthew 21:12-13; Mark 11:15-17).
-Jesus healed and taught until dusk. Then, left to spend the night at Bethany (Matthew 21:14-17; Mark 11:18-19).
Tuesday (11th day of the Hebrew month Abib ends at dusk.)
-Jesus explains the withered fig tree to his disciples (Matthew 21:20-22; Mark 11:20-26).
-Jesus's authority questioned (Matthew 21:23-27; Mark 11:27-33; Luke 20:1-8).
-Jesus teaches in the temple (Matthew 21:28-22:46; Mark 12:1-44; Luke 20:9-21:4; John 12:20-50).
-Jesus wept over Jerusalem's leader's unbelief and rejecting him as their King (Matthew 23:1-39).
-Jesus anointed at Bethany (Matthew 26:6-13; Mark 13:3-9; John 12:2-11).
Wednesday (12th day of the Hebrew month Abib ends at dusk.)
-No details about what Jesus did except Luke 21:37-38 which says he taught every day in the Temple.
-The Jews plot to kill Jesus (Matthew 26:14-16; Mark 14:10-11; Luke 22:3-6).
Thursday (13th day of the Hebrew month Abib ends at dusk.)
-The Passover meal begins at dusk, the start of the 14th of the month Abib (see below notes).
-Jesus and the disciples eat Passover meal, now known as the Last Supper. (Matthew 26:17-29; Mark 14:12-25; Luke 22:7-20; John 13:1-18).
-Jesus comforts the disciples and prays in the upper room. Then they leave Jerusalem (John 14:1-16:33).
-Jesus prays at Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives. (Matthew 26:26-46; Mark 14:32-42; Luke 22:40-46).
Friday (14th day of the Hebrew month Abib ends at dusk. Now known as Good Friday.)
-According Hebrew time Jesus is arrested and tried during the night to daylight. (Matthew 26:47-27:26; Mark 14:43-15:15; Luke 22:47-23:25; John 18:2-19:16)
-The Jewish leaders turn Jesus over to Pilate at dawn. Pilate questions Jesus then sends him to Herod, who sends Jesus back to Pilate (Matthew 27:11-31; Mark 15:1-20; Luke 23:1-25; John 18:28-19:15).
-Jesus's crucifixion starts at 3:00pm. He dies just before sunset. (Matthew 27:27-56; Mark 15:16-41; Luke 23:26-49; John 19:17-30)
-Jesus is quickly buried at dusk just before Hebrew day end. (Matthew 27:57-66; Mark 15:42-47; Luke 23:50-56; John 19:31-42)
Saturday (Sabbath. 15th day of the Hebrew month Abib ends at dusk. The seven day Feast of Unleavened Bread begins).
-Jesus' body is in the tomb. He appears in Sheol and accompanies the saints previously dead to heaven.
Sunday (Abib 16; day of First Fruits Sheaf Wave) See Resurrection chart below.
-Jesus's morning resurrection and appearing to the women. (Mark 16:9-11; John 20:11-18)
-Jesus appeared to the two on the road. (Mark 16:12-13; Luke 24:13-35)
-Jesus appeared to ten apostles (no Thomas or Judas) in the evening. (Mark 16:14; Luke 24:36-43; John 20:19-25)
Saturday (Sabbath)
-Jesus appears to Thomas and the rest of the apostles. (John 20:26-31)
A week later
-Jesus talks and eats with seven disciples by the Sea of Galilee. (John 21:1-25)
Forty days since his resurrection.
-Jesus ascends to his Father in heaven from the Mount of Olives. (Matthew 28:15-20; Mark 18:19-20; Luke 24:44-53; Acts 1:1-11)
* Hebrew days start at sunset/twilight and goes thru the night till the next day's sunset.
* Passover always starts at twilight on the 14th day of the month (Leviticus 23:5), not the same day of the week every year. Therefore, Passover starting on Thursday is rare. Passover usually starts on another day of the week. Passover starting on a Thursday the year Jesus was crucified. This timing made it possible for Jesus to fulfill the feasts associated with the Passover.
1st) Jesus was crucified on Friday (still Passover) and died before sunset that same day.
2nd) Jesus was in the tomb during the Sabbath (Saturday) rest. The Sabbath that Jesus was buried was also the beginning of the seven day Feast of Unleavened Bread (Exodus 12:15-20, 23:15; Deuteronomy 16:16). The Feast of Unleavened Bread is always on the first Sabbath after Passover.
3rd) Jesus rose on Sunday, the third day since his death. That Sunday was also the day of the First Fruit Sheaf Wave (Leviticus 23:9-15; Exodus 23:16, 19, 34:22). The first fruit (barley harvest) of the land was waved before the Lord. Jesus' resurrected as the first fruit (Acts 26:23; 1 Corinthians 15:4, 20, 23).
All three feasts were thus fulfilled by Jesus and this could have only happened that particular year, the year Passover started Thursday night.
* The Hebrew calendar considered an event lasting for an entire day even though it was only a few hours or even minutes long. Therefore, Jesus died and was buried at the end of the Hebrew day (twilight) on Friday and he is considered to have been buried that day too. The same can be stated for Sunday, the day he rose from the dead. Even though he was in the grave for a few moments after dawn before he rose, he is considered to be in grave Sunday and rise from it on Sunday.
I. Jesus Before Soldiers (22:63-65)
>1. Why would the guards mock and beat Jesus? (63)
* Luke 22:63 "The men who were guarding Jesus began mocking and beating him."
* "The men who were guarding Jesus" -They were probably the same who arrested him. Yet, since it had been several hours since his arrest, some might have been new. They were temple guards and perhaps Herodian guards. Roman soldiers most likely were not there unless they noticed the large group of temple guards and religious leaders leaving the city.
* Also in Matthew 27:27-31, Mark 15:16-20, and John 19:1-5. Collectively, they add more details than Luke.
* "began mocking and beating him." -The Greek verb for "mocking" is "empaizo" (a transliteration) meaning to "jeer" and "deride". The Greek verb for "beating" is "dero" (a transliteration) meaning to "flay", by implicattion to "scourge" and "thrash". The KJV used the outdated word "smote".
* They were bored.
* Their hearts we cold to people's suffering.
* This and the following verses are placed by Matthew and Mark before the relation of Peter's denial perhaps indicating this was a continual act by those responsible for people in custody.
>What does their words show about their understanding? (64)
* Luke 22:64-65 "They blindfolded him and demanded, "Prophesy! Who hit you? And they said many other insulting things to him."
* "They blindfolded him" -The Greek verb for "blindfolded is "perikalypto" (a transliteration) meaning to "cover" (all around) and "overlay" the face.
* "Prophesy! Who hit you?" -They knew why Jesus was there. Some if not all must have heard of his teaching in the temple for the past week and perhaps even longer.
* "insulting things" -The Greek verb for "insulting things" is "blasphemeo" (a transliteration) meaning to "blaspheme" and "speak evil". It comes from "blasphemos" which is translated "vilify, "defame", "rail on", and "speak evil".
* Jewish law permitted public flogging of a condemned person; it did not permit the treatment described here-mocking and beating-certainly not before a person had been proved guilty in a trial. Jewish law meticulously guarded the rights of the accused and erred on the side of mercy in official decisions; thus the behavior described here would have revolted the Pharisees and other pietists. (Bible Background Commentary - The IVP Bible Background Commentary - New Testament)
>What does this show about man's nature? (65)
* Luke 22:65 "And they said many other insulting things to him."
* Need a New Heart.
The guards were likely the same ones who were present when he was arrested. They were not identified by the gospel writers, but most likely consisted of temple guards. They were given the authority to arrest Jesus, who had not been charged with a crime. Their cruelty to a man who had not been found guilty reveals the heart of mankind. The human heart has a tendency to use the authority given to it to harm others.
The Stanford Prison Study conducted in 1971 illustrates that people's behavior is strongly influenced by the social roles they are assigned and the situations they are placed in. Specifically, the study demonstrated how quickly individuals can conform to assigned roles, even when those roles involve negative or authoritarian behaviors. The study highlights the power of situational factors in shaping behavior, often overshadowing individual personality traits. A person's heart can grow cold and cruel when they are given authority over others.
Psalm 143:2 states, "Do not bring your servant into judgment, for no one living is righteous before you." Romans 3:10 states, "There is no one righteous, not even one." Jeremiah 17:9 states, "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?"
Jesus did not resist his arrest and did not stop the cruelty of the guards so he could solve the human heart's problem. Since it could not be cured, he endures suffering so that anyone who would accept him could be given a new heart. Ezekiel 11:19 and 36:26 states, "I will give them a new undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh."
Listen to the above comments on Luke 22:63-65.
II. Jesus Before Religious Leaders (22:66-71)
* The engraving titled "Jesus Tried Before Annas and Caiaphas" is from "Biblia, das ist DJe gantze H. Schrifft Alten und Newen Testaments, Deutsch / D. Martjin Luthers ; Mit dem Anhang des dritten und vierdten Buchs Esra, Wie auch dritten der Maccabeer ... vor wenig Jahren von der Theologischen Facultät zu Wittenberg wie aus Herrn D. Jacobi Welleri, Weiland Churfürstl. Sächs. Ober-Hoff-Predigers vorhergesetzter Vorrede an den Christlichen Leser zur gnüge erhellet, von neuem übersehen und darauff in gross Quart gedruckt, Nun aber durch GOttes Gnade zum erstenmahl in diss bequeme leserliche Format treulich nachgedrucktet und eingerihtet. Auch durchgehends mit eingedruckten grossen alle durch einen Kunstreichen Maler gantz neu gezeichneten und von berühmtesten Künstl. gestochenen Kupfern gezieret"
Luther, Martin, 1483-1546
The attendant scripture is John 18.
Courtesy of the Digital Image Archive, Pitts Theology Library, Candler School of Theology, Emory University: http://www.pitts.emory.edu.
>2. What did the Jewish council ask Jesus? (66-67a)
* Luke 22:66-67a "At daybreak the council of the elders of the people, both the chief priests and teachers of the law, met together, and Jesus was led before them. 'If you are the Christ,' they said, 'tell us.'"
* Matthew 26:62b-67 and Mark 14:60b-65 record this exchange. However, before these verses they added more to the account that Luke does not. John 18:24 says Annas, the disposed high priest sent Jesus to Caiaphas the high priest, but does not include his exchange with Jesus.
* "At daybreak" -Officially, they had to wait until daybreak to meet. The verdict from the Sanhedrin to have Jesus crucified via the Romans was shortly after daybreak. Then they had to wait until Pilate's political office opened. This was sometime after daybreak. So Jesus was placed under guard until then.
* "the council of the elders of the people," -Matthew and Mark says, "the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin" (Matthew 26:59; Mark 14:55). The Sanhedrin were the Jewish councils, or supreme council of the nation, which had subordinate to it smaller tribunals (Matthew 5:21-22) in the cities of Palestine (Matthew 10:17; Mark 13:9). The apostles and elders at Jerusalem met in a similar church assembly according to Acts 15 concerning the Gentiles being circumcised and required to obey the law of Moses.
* "both the chief priests" -They consisted of Sadducees who were in charge of worship at the temple in Jerusalem. To be a chief priest meant they were head of the Levite sect. Men where born into the Levite sect.
* "teachers of the law" -Jewish scholars of the day, professionally trained in the development, teaching and application of the Mosaic Law. Their authority was strictly human and traditional. "Teachers of the law" appears in 426 verses and "Teacher of the Law" appears in 77 verses in New Testament. The latter appears in 3 verses in the Old Testament. Ezra is the only person to be called a teacher of Law of God in the Old Testament around 458 B.C (Ezra 7:6, 12, 21). No one else is called a Teacher of the Law in the Old Testament. His book with Nehemiah's book were chronically the last historical books in the Old Testament. So, it can be assumed that the group called "the teachers of the law" were formally established during the captivity in Babylon. Before that period, the prophets (Elijah seems to have established a school) and some priests taught the Bible formally. It must not be forgotten that the majority of teaching was in Jewish homes.
* "met together" -The two groups did not agree on a lot of topics and issues. However, the core belief and teachings were whole heartily agreed upon. For them to meet to discuss a topic meant it was of great important to those core belief and teachings.
* "If you are the Christ, tell us." -The previous questions, most Jesus did not answer (Matthew 26:57-63a; Mark 14:53-61a; John 18:12-14, 19-24), would not get a death sentence.
"Christ" from Greek and "Messiah" from Hebrew mean the same thing, "Anointed by God".
Jesus did not need to answer the first set of questions legally which Matthew and Mark records, but Luke does not. The first question in verse 67 Jesus did answer, but not as they expected. Luke split the two questions (67, 70) with Jesus' answer to the first question in verses 67b-69, where Matthew and Mark do not include Jesus' answer to the first question. The second question Jesus legally had to answer because the high priest said, "I charge you under oath by the living God..." according to Matthew 26:63.
>Why?
* This claim if true, it would mean great change, if they accepted it. If this proved to be false, which is what they believed, it would be death to the one who claimed it, for it was blasphemy. A problem with their court was they had already reached a conclusion, Jesus was not the Messiah, and therefore, must be put to death.
>How did Jesus answer? (67b-69)
* Luke 22:67b-69 "Jesus answered, "If I tell you, you will not believe me, and if I asked you, you would not answer. But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God."
* "If I tell you, you will not believe me" -Jesus publicly claimed what was already obvious.
* "if I asked you, you would not answer" -Something they had already shown.
* "But from now on" -The crucial answer comes in verse 69. Jesus "from now on" would be manifest as the exalted Lord, who is seated with authority at the side of God. The allusion to being seated at the right hand repeats the allusion to Psalm 110, a passage to which Luke would return in Acts 2:30-36. Messiahship means lordship, that is, authority over God's plan and salvation. No judgment the leadership makes can prevent that from happening. In fact, ironically and unwittingly they help bring this authority to pass. Jesus was on trial, it seems; but, in fact, He was the Judge. (Holman Concise Bible Commentary)
* "the Son of Man" -Jesus used this often to refer to himself. It was testimony to his human nature. Most, if all of them would have heard Jesus refer to himself this way before.
* "will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God." -The highest seat of authority under God the Father, the Mighty God. 1 Corinthians 15:27-28 states, "For he "has put everything under his feet." Now when it says that "everything" has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ. When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all." Hebrew 2:8-9 says something similar.
* "mighty God" -"Mighty" is the noun "dynamis" in the original Greek (a transliteration). "God" in the original Greek is the noun "Theos".
>When ask if he was the Son of God how did Jesus respond?
* Luke 22:70 "They all asked, "Are you then the Son of God?" He replied, "You are right in saying I am."
* "Are you then" -This phrase is the reason Jesus answer as he did. In order. "Ei" is a Greek verb (a transliteration). "Sy" is a Greek pronoun. "Oun" is a Greek particle, the reason Jesus answered as he did. The high priest's question was in the form of a statement.
* 'the Son of God" -They tried to get what they wanted, a confession of deity or equally deity, another way. The asked the second question, a slight deviation of the first.
* "You are right in saying I am."
* Jesus Passed the Test.
Jesus was arrested in the middle of the night and brought first to Annas, the high priest according to the Law given through Moses. The Romans deposed him for political reasons, ensuring he was unable to lead the Sanhedrin (3:2; John 11:49-50, 18:13-14, 19, 22, 24; Acts 4:5-6). After questioning Jesus, Annas sent him, still bound, to Caiaphas, his son-in-law and the Roman-appointed high priest. Caiaphas conducted an illegal trial according to the Law given through Moses, before the Sanhedrin. The trial was illegal because it was Passover and still night (66, John 18:24).
Both high priests were thus unfit to be high priests, for they violated many God given laws during the questioning and trial. This was no problem for Jesus became a high priest in the order of Melchizedek (Hebrews 5:1-10). As high priest, Jesus would offer himself up as the lamb of God, without defect for the sins of the people (John 1:29, 36; Revelation 5:6, 7:17, 19:9). The lamb must be examined to ensure it was pure before it was sacrificed according to the Law (Exodus 12:5; Leviticus 1:3, 10, 3:1, 6-7, 17:5). So, Jesus was examined and found without fault (Matthew 26:60; Mark 14:55).
Desperate to find a reason to kill Jesus, the religious leaders finally demanded, "If you are the Christ, that is, the Messiah, tell us" (67). Funny, because only a few months earlier, he had already publicly told them in the temple he was, and they were ready to stone him back then (John 10:24-33). So, when they asked it again secretly with no crowd present, Jesus answered, "If I tell you, you will not believe me, and if I asked you, you would not answer. But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God" (66-69).
Frustrated, all the religious leaders finally asked in their belief the capital punishable question, "Are you then the Son of God?" Jesus did not fail to confess, "You are right in saying I am." And with the true confession, Jesus offered himself up as the lamb of God for my sins and the sins of all who believe in him. Praise be to the lamb of God.
Listen to the above comments on Luke 22:66-71.
>How did the elders respond?
* Luke 22:71 "Then they said, 'Why do we need any more testimony? We have heard it from his own lips.'"
* "Why do we need any more testimony?" -The testimonials, the gospel writers make it clear, did not hold up anyway because the testimonies did not agree. The Mosaic law makes it clear that two witnesses must agree. (Numbers 35:30; Deuteronomy 17:6, 19:15) False testimony is a violation of one of the ten commandments (Exodus 20:15; Deuteronomy 5:20) Giving false testimony found upon investigation meant the one giving it was to undergo the same sentence he accused someone of (Deuteronomy 19:16-21). This is where Jesus quoted, "...life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth..." when he taught about forgiving someone who offends us.
* "We have heard it from his own lips." -They correctly deduced that Jesus words was equating himself as God the Father. But that would only be an offense if it was wrong. In Jesus' case, it was correct and not blasphemy.
* Written law needed proper evaluation, perspective, and application to be good. If they were not true, then the result was injustice as in Jesus' case.
III. Jesus Before the Civil Leaders (23:1-12)
>3. Why did the religious leaders lead Jesus to Pilate?
* Luke 23:1 "Then the whole assembly rose and led him off to Pilate."
* Matthew 27:1, 2, 11-14, Mark 15:1-5, and John 18:28-38 also records the trial before Pilate.
* "the whole assembly" -Luke defines this in verse 22:66. See notes above.
* "lead him off to Pilate" -They wanted Jesus dead. Roman law did not allow this. They would attempt to convince Pilate to crucify Jesus. They would succeed.
* seems most probable that the chief priests, elders, scribes, and captains of the temple, together with their servants, dependents, and other persons hired for the purpose, made up the multitude mentioned here. The common people were generally favourers of Christ; and for this reason the Jewish rulers caused him to be apprehended in the night, and in the absence of the people, Luke 22:6, and it was now but just the break of day, Luke 22:66. (Adam Clarke's Commentary)
* Roman officials met the public only from sunrise to noon.
>What were their charges against him?
* Luke 23:2 "And they began to accuse him, saying, "We have found this man subverting our nation. He opposes payment of taxes to Caesar and claims to be Christ, a king."
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>How did Jesus answer Pilate?
* Luke 23:3 "So Pilate asked Jesus, "Are you the king of the Jews?" "Yes, it is as you say," Jesus replied."
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>Through his answer what did Jesus affirm about his kingship and his kingdom?
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>4. Even though Jesus just stated a crime legally punishable by death what did Pilate tell the religious leader?
* Luke 23:4 "Then Pilate announced to the chief priests and the crowd, "I find no basis for a charge against this man."
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* You Said So.
By our words we will be judged. Words come from the heart. Words are the fruit that reveals if our tree is rotting at the core and roots. If the core is hollow and infested with termites and/or the roots are dying, then our fruit will be sour. No one will pick and eat them. They fall to the ground, rot, and disappear from memory.
The whole assembly of religious leaders lied. Pilate's words were politically motivated, not based on truth and justice. Jesus's words were, "Yes, it is as you say." By the Pilate's and the religious leaders words they were revealed to be rotting. Soon they will be cut down and the stumps burned. Jesus did not fail to state the truth and after suffering and dying Jesus rose from the dead, ascended to heaven, and was placed at the right hand of God the Father.
"I will judge you by your own words, you wicked servant!" (Luke 19:22) "For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned." (Matthew 12:37)
Listen to the above comments on Luke 23:1-4.
>Why?
* Political Poison.
Pilate deduced Jesus was not a threat to the Romans. "I find no basis for a charge against this man," he told the accusers. Jesus' teachings were no threat to the Roman Empire. The fact that many followed a Jewish Rabbi did not violate Roman law. Nor did it indicate that he was inciting a rebellion.
An accusation was made. Pilate examined the accused. His reply to Pilate proved sufficient to demonstrate that Jesus was innocent of any crime against Roman law. The accused did not answer to anything the religious leaders were saying (Matthew 15:4-5; Mark 27:12-14). Thus, the accused revealed their hearts to Pilate (Mark 15:5). Pilate deduced the real reason Jesus was being accused (Matthew 27:12-14). The religious leaders were jealous and afraid they would lose their position (Matthew 27:18; Acts 17:5).
At this point, Pilate should have, by law and ethics, released Jesus. Yet, he did not. Why? He was more interested in persuading the religious leaders that Jesus was innocent. When that was not working, he still kept Jesus in custody. Why? What is this sin of selfish injustice?
Pilate is not the only person who knows someone is innocent and yet keeps them in custody with the threat of punishment and even death. Pilate is not the only person who lets another suffer and be persecuted for no righteous reason.
Matthew Henry, a famous British minister and Bible commentator in the late 15th and early 16th century, wrote, "He proposes to release him, if they will but consent to it. He ought to have done it without asking leave of them, 'Let justice have its course, though the heavens should be desolated'. But the fear of man brings many into this snare, that, whereas justice should take place, though heaven and earth come together, they will do an unjust thing, against their consciences, rather than pull an old house about their ears. Pilate declares him innocent, and therefore has a mind to release him; yet, to please the people, he does not." Will I sacrifice another so I will be accepted by another? Do I drink political poison?
Listen to the above comments on Luke 23:5-7.
>Why couldn't he pronounce the verdict according to his conviction? (5)
* Luke 23:5 "But they insisted, "He stirs up the people all over Judea by his teaching. He started in Galilee and has come all the way here."
* ""But they insisted"
* "He stirs up the people"
* "all over Judea" -NIV test note states this can be translated "over the land of the Jews". This is defined in their next statement, "He started in Galilee..." Galilee was a separate state than Judea.
* "...and has come all the way here." -Meaning Judea, especially the city of Jerusalem, the capital and center of worship to all Jews.
>5. Why was Jesus sent to Herod?
* Luke 23:6-7 "On hearing this, Pilate asked if the man was a Galilean. When he learned that Jesus was under Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time."
* "Pilate asked if the man was a Galilean" -The city of Nazareth, in which Christ had continued till he was thirty years of age, and that of Capernaum, in which he principally resided the last years of his life, were both in Lower Galilee, of which Herod Antipas was tetrarch. (Adam Clarke's Commentary)
* Herod Antipas would be in Jerusalem for the feast and was probably staying at the old Hasmonean (Maccabean) palace. Pilate had the authority to try Jesus if he had committed a crime in Pilate's area of jurisdiction; but sometimes the right of extradition was allowed, and Antipas might thus be free to try Jesus for a crime committed in Galilee. By refusing jurisdiction, Pilate could take the matter off his own hands. (Bible Background Commentary - New Testament)
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>Why was Herod pleased with seeing Jesus?
* Luke 23:8 "When Herod saw Jesus, he was greatly pleased, because for a long time he had been wanting to see him. From what he had heard about him, he hoped to see him perform some miracle."
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>How did he treat Jesus? (9-11)
* Luke 23:9-11 "He plied him with many questions, but Jesus gave him no answer. The chief priests and the teachers of the law were standing there, vehemently accusing him. Then Herod and his soldiers ridiculed and mocked him. Dressing him in an elegant robe, they sent him back to Pilate."
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>How does this reveal his superficiality?
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>6. What did this event bring about between political rivals? (12)
* Luke 23:12 "That day Herod and Pilate became friends--before this they had been enemies."
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* A Funeral Circus.
Herod in one ring, layering questions on questions while trying to entice a miracle. The chief priests and the teachers of the Mosaic law became a pack of mad dogs jumping through flaming hoops in another ring. Soldiers, like evil clowns playing dress-up-the-joker in a third ring. Silent Jesus, the focus of their dark crafts. Depravity sinks deep into a dark pit when given power over the light.
"The wicked return to the grave, all the nations that forget God." (Psalm 9:17) "In his pride the wicked does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God." (Psalm 10:4) "Evil will slay the wicked; the foes of the righteous will be condemned. The LORD redeems his servants; no one will be condemned who takes refuge in him." (Psalm 34:21-22) "The wicked plot against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them; but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he knows their day is coming." (Psalm 37:12-13)
"This man was handed over to you by God's set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him." (Acts 2:23-24) "The man who does not work for salvation, but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness." (Romans 4:5)
>Even though Pilate, Herod and the Jewish leadership had different backgrounds, what did they have in common?
* Dealing with the Jewish leadership which was full of all the evil people do in God's name and often labeled for the greater good of the people and our religion.
* No society nor religion who would sacrifice another through the hands of excuses will survive, thus all have fallen for all have been and are guilty.
* The decision of two civil leaders was the same, Jesus was innocent of the charges. This proves beyond a shadow of doubt that Jesus did not die for his own sin, but the sins of others.
* Justice was absent, both in the request and in the failure of the leaders to carry out their impression. Passively and actively, the responsibility for Jesus' death widens. Everyone, whether actively or passively, shares in the responsibility of Jesus' death (Acts 4:24-28). (Holman Concise Bible Commentary)
IV. Jesus Before Civilians (23:13-25)
>7. What was Pilate's judgment concerning Jesus, being guilty or not guilty? (4, 13-15, 22)
* Luke 23:13-15 "Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers and the people, 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. Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us; as you can see, he has done nothing to deserve death."
* Luke 23:22 "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."
* Before sending Jesus to Herod, Pilate said in Luke 23:4, "Then Pilate announced to the chief priests and the crowd, 'I find no basis for a charge against this man.'"
* No excuse will be presentable on the day of judgement.
>Why couldn't he pronounce the verdict according to his conviction?
* Luke 23:16-17 "Therefore, I will punish him and then release him."
* Pilate thought this would pacify the religious leaders emotions. Seeing a scourged, beaten bloody man shocks that compels compassion from normal human beings with warm hearts.
* The religious leaders were not moved toward compassion by Jesus' condition after the punishment. This reveals so much about their hearts, very hard and cold.
>8. How did he try to compromise with the Jews?
* Luke 23:18-22 "With one voice they cried out, "Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us!" (Barabbas had been thrown into prison for an insurrection in the city, and for murder.) Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate appealed to them again. But they kept shouting, "Crucify him! Crucify him!" 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."
* "With one voice they cried out" -I have always wondered how they were able to do this. The conclusion is they all believed it fervently.
* "Barabbas" -"Barabbas" means "son of abba (daddy)". All four gospel record Pilate granting the desire of the religious leader to receive Barabbas so Jesus could be crucified.
* According to Origen of Alexandria, a church scholar (185-253), supported by a relatively small number of late manuscripts at Matthew 27:16, Barabbas was named "Jesus Barabbas." Though not well attested, the reading is possible. If it is correct, Pilate's question to the crowd in Matthew 27:17 would have added poignancy. He would have been asking, "Which one do you want me to release to you: 'Save us, son of abba, or Save us, anointed one.'"
* "For the third time he spoke to them" -Since Jesus' return from Herod.
* "Why? What crime has this man committed?" -They did not answer this, because Jesus did not break Roman law.
>What was Pilate's final decision?
* Luke 23:23-25 "But with loud shouts they insistently demanded that he be crucified, and their shouts prevailed. So Pilate decided to grant their demand. 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."
* "But with loud shouts they insistently demanded that he be crucified" -Blood thirst. They hated Jesus with so much passion. Near riot stage. Insistently implies that Pilate did not make his decision right away. Time elapsed and the longer he waited the more the religious leaders passion grew.
* "their shouts prevailed" -They convinced Pilate, the Roman governor to crucify Jesus.
* "So Pilate decided to grant their demand" -Pilate failed his test. He went against his conciseness, the part of us that tells us the difference between right and wrong. Even Pilate's wife told him the right thing to do. But he did not do it. Jesus would had died with or without Pilate's decision. God's will would have been fulfilled as was promised so many times by God. Humans have the gift of choice, choice to love him by following his will spoke to us in words and the Spirit, which we fail at so many times.
* "the one they asked for" -The religious leaders ignored someone who truly broke the law of Moses over an innocent man. Corruption at its greatest, yet practiced every day from Adam till today.
>What does this show about him?
* Inevitable?
Is something ever impossible to avoid or prevent from happening? I cannot stop the sun from shining or the rain from falling. Nor can I stop another from making a foolish and evil decision, though I can try. However, my question is, can I stop what seems to be an inevitable travesty?
Could Pilate have prevented a crime from being committed while maintaining civil peace? "I find no basis for a charge against this man" (4). "I have found no basis for your charges against him." (14b) Pilate appealed to them again (20). But they kept shouting, "Crucify him! Crucify him!" (21). "For the third time since Jesus returned from Herod, Pilate spoke to them: "...I have found in him no grounds for the death penalty." (22) He sincerely tried to stop them.
Pilate believed that if he released Jesus, the fervor in the court would turn into a riot and even a revolt, and thus, he would be derelict of his duty. Would he? I place myself in his situation, a pagan who, like most Romans, prided themself on their sense of justice and civil rule. Imagine being in his situation. What could I do to let an innocent live and go free, and keep civil peace with the religious authority, so consumed with violence? It seemed that either way I decided would bring a bad result.
Is there ever a way to avoid the inevitable? "If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it." (Genesis 4:7)
>9. Had Jesus ever broke either Roman or God's law?
* No. When the high priest and members of the Sanhedrin examined him they could find no basis for any religious crime. Same for Pilate and Herod. He was without flow to religion and society. Jesus was the perfect man.
>Even though questioned and tested many times by the religious leaders had they found any?
* No.
>How does their words to Pilate reveal their heart?
* Luke 23:2 "And they began to accuse him, saying, "We have found this man subverting our nation. He opposes payment of taxes to Caesar and claims to be Christ, a king.""
* Luke 23:5 But they insisted, "He stirs up the people all over Judea by his teaching. He started in Galilee and has come all the way here."
* Luke 23:18-19 "With one voice they cried out, "Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us!" (Barabbas had been thrown into prison for an insurrection in the city, and for murder.)"
* Luke 23:21 But they kept shouting, "Crucify him! Crucify him!"
* Luke 23:23 "But with loud shouts they insistently demanded that he be crucified, and their shouts prevailed."
* Heart Weight.
Moments of critical decisions measure the heart. The heart of Israel's religious establishment was found wanting for they decided to kill the awaited Messiah (1, 21, 23). Now, Pilate and Herod's hearts were on trial. It appeared Jesus was on trial. In reality, God was weighing their hearts. The judges were being examined. The moment of critical decision had come.
Three proverbs come to mind when reviewing Herod and Pilate. "All a man's ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart." (Proverbs 21:2) "If you say, 'But we knew nothing about this,' does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay each person according to what he has done?" (Proverbs 24:12) And finally, "The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil." (Proverbs 15:28)
Pilate and Herod knew Jesus had done nothing warranting any punishment, let alone crucifixion (4, 14-15; Matthew 27:19, 24). According to Roman law, which they took great pride in, crucifixion was only for someone found guilty of treason and insurrection. Pilate knew Jesus did neither, and that the Jews brought Jesus to him only because of religious jealousy (Matthew 27:18; Mark 15:15; John 18:31, 38). In the end, Pilate gave in to the religious elite, and Herod did not set Jesus free.
