Jesus died and was buried

 

19v31-21v25)   The Deity of Christ demonstrated in resurrection

Chapter 19v31-37       Jesus is dead

Chapter 19v38-42       Jesus is buried

Chapter 20v1-13         Jesus rises from the dead

Chapter 20v14-21v25 Jesus appears to many    

 

Flowing from the finished work of Christ, what follows in the remainder of the gospel are the four cardinal aspects of the gospel as described by Paul in 1^st Corinthians 15v1-10:

Ø Christ died     Chapter 19v31-37

Ø Christ was buried   Chapter 19v38-42

Ø Christ was raised from the dead   Chapter 20v1-13

Ø Christ appeared to many   Chapter 20v13-21v25

 

He died   31-37)  “The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain up on the cross on the Sabbath day, ( for that Sabbath was an high day) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.  Then came the soldiers, and break the legs of the first and of the other, which was crucified with Him.  But when they came to Jesus, and saw that He was dead already, they break not his legs, but one of the soldiers with a spear pierced His side and forthwith came thereout blood and water.  And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true; and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe.  For these things were done that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of Him shall not be broken (Exodus 12v46; Numbers 9v12; Psalm 34v20.)  And again another scripture that says they shall look upon Him whom they pierced” (Zechariah 12v10 ).

All this goes to the credibility of the gospel.  It was necessary to emphasise that Jesus actually died, because later many have challenged this in order to deny the resurrection.  This is what John is establishing here, Christ actually died, he was witness, and this was written that the readers might believe.  In typical style the Jews approached Pilate to remove the bodies from the crosses.  Crucifixion, being a slow death, often left the victims alive for some time.  Pilate, in order to appease the Jews on their holy day, ordered the bodies to be taken down.  The narrative that they broke the legs of the two malefactors, but Jesus was dead already, was to establish the fact Christ was dead.  Then they pierced His side, just to make sure and there flowed from the wound blood and water.  The significance of the blood and water, is simply the testimony that He was actually dead.  John attests this that this is what he saw.   Medically, blood does not separate from water in the human system until circulation stops.  This is further evidence that Jesus actually died-a fact disputed by infidels.  John emphasises he was witness to all these things, and this is for our faith, the main point of the writing being “that ye might believe”.  Without doubt, Jesus died and this is the first stage in the certainty of the gospel.  All this was a fulfilment of scripture, as predicted He actually died.

 

He was buried    38-42)  “And after this Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore and took the body of Jesus.  And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about 100 pound weight.  Then took they the body of Jesus and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury.  Now, in the place where He was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new sepulchre wherein never man was laid.   There laid they Jesus therefore, because of the Jews preparation day, for the sepulchre, was nigh at hand.”

The whole point of this narrative is absolute credibility, to underpin the faith of believers.  What happens to a dead body? It is buried; Christ was buried for He was dead.  He was buried with loving hands by men of high standing in Israel.  Joseph was a rich man, fulfilling the prophecy “He was with the rich in His death”-Isaiah 53v9, only the rich owned a private sepulchre; then came Nicodemus, a high ranking member of the ruling class of Israel.  Note that he is identified as the same man who came to Jesus by night-no stone is unturned to give credence to the whole story.  He brought expensive spices for the burial, and the extent of this was measured-100 pound weight.  This was a very lavish provision by Nicodemus, and a gift of love to one he had grown to trust.  As much as God allowed men to brutally maltreat His Son in crucifixion, He ensured that only loving, tender hands tended His dead body.

The Old Testament reveals the care that was to be taken with the remains of the sacrifices, which details were fulfilled in the burial of Christ.  The ashes of sacrifice were to be placed “in a clean place”, according to Leviticus 4v12, 6v11; Numbers 19v9-10.  Additionally in Numbers 4v13, they were to be covered with a purple cloth, referring to dignity.  Jesus was laid in a new sepulchre with dignity, and so the type was fulfilled.  The ashes were ceremonially mixed with clean water to cleanse the unclean in association with the holy temple service.  Hebrews 9v13 speaks of “…the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh.”  A clean place, unsullied by corruption; a place apart, separate from the traffic of life; covered in purple, dignity in death.  All these are symbolic of the importance of His burial.  Never again did unclean hands touch Him; never again did unclean eyes see Him.  Never again would unclean lips mock Him visibly.  His death saves me, His burial separates me from an unclean world.  The hymnwriter got it right-“Living He loved me, dying He saved me; buried He carried my sins far away…”.  The three days of burial is symbolic of separation from the world, as a study of the three days in scripture will reveal.  Shortly He will rise again, beyond anything of this world in a new life that He shares with the faithful.  There in that new tomb, His body lay, awaiting the day of resurrection.  Clean men, with clean hands and loving hearts, laid Him to rest in a new tomb, from whence He will rise in newness of life.

 

The triumph of Calvary

 Adoration by faithful women

23-24)  “Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took His garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part, and also His coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout.  They said therefore among themselves, let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled which said, “They parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture did they cast lots.  These things therefore the soldiers did.”

Here we learn that four soldiers were allocated to each crucifixion, ensuring the desired outcome.  We also learn it was the practice that they dispose of the clothing as they wished.  This was the ultimate dishonour, and it is stated as a fulfilment of scripture-Psalm 22v18.  The detail of the crucifixion was written around 1000B.C. long before crucifixion was invented!  This is awesome foreknowledge.  Interesting these soldiers who effected this brutal death, were concerned for a piece of material not to spoil it.  The irony of this is breathtaking-they could destroy human life, but preserve a garment!  The whole thing was a fulfilment, and the united atrocity by men of different ranks, was unwittingly fulfilling scripture.  This is a major theme in this gospel-13v18, 17v12, 19v24, 19v28, 19v36.  The vicious and heartless acts of men were predicted with absolute accuracy.  No one but God could have orchestrated this, that down to the last small detail the scriptures were exonerated.  Scholars have estimated there are about 2500 specific prophecies in the bible, about 2000 0f which have already been fulfilled.  In the last week of His life no less than 25 predictions were enacted precisely as they had been given.  In this book which I have entitled “That you might believe”, this underlines the credibility and credit-worthiness of Jesus and the word of God.  We can be sure that the 500 or so prophecies yet to happen will also be fulfilled.  This book is credible, Jesus is credible, it is worthy of our acceptance.

25-27)  “Now there stood by the cross of Jesus, His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, He saith unto His mother, Woman, behold thy son; then said He to the disciple, behold thy mother.  And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.”

In the midst of treachery and atrocity, we have unwavering loyalty from the women, who, in the face of public condemnation, took their stand with Jesus-they stood by the cross of Jesus.  They identified themselves with Him in His shame and suffering, they publicly declared their loyalty, not fearing the ire of their countrymen or the brutal might of Rome.  This is in contrast to Judas, who stood with those who arrested Jesus-Chapter 18v5; contrasted also with Peter who stood apart warming himself with the protagonists-chapter 18v16 and 25.  In the narrative of the crucifixion, and all around it, the women are depicted to be the most spiritual and the most loyal.  Four women are mentioned; His mother, His mother’s sister, who was Salome the mother of James and John, Mary the wife of Cleopas (Luke 24v18), and Mary Magdalene.  There were four soldiers assigned to His punishment, and there were four women who stood with Jesus.  In an act of defiance and disgust, in contrast to the four soldiers, these were the four soldiers of Christ who stood resolute in the face of indecent treachery.  Silent in their stand, they are highlighted forever in scripture, as those who stood with Him in His hours of deepest woe.  During the depths of suffering at the hands of cruel men, these women stood firm.  For His part, Jesus, as He bore the agony of crucifixion, had the presence of mind to cater for His widowed mother, whose soul was pierced by her son’s agony, by arranging for her keep while He was gone, and He asked John to take His mother home.  He probably did this to spare the women the sorrow of the hours of darkness, during which God made Him a sacrifice for sin.  John omits the darkness, possibly because he had left with the women to prepare a lodging for Jesus’ mother.  He omits it also for he is focused on the accomplishments of the cross rather than the agony, which we see perfectly illustrated in the next verses.

28-30)  “After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith I thirst. Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a sponge with vinegar and put it upon hyssop and put it to His mouth.  When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, He said, it is finished.  And He bowed His head, and gave up the ghost”

We have just witnessed the remarkable devotion of the women; now we see the unparalleled devotion of Christ to the Father.  The narrative begins, “Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished”-that is the work of redemption was complete; the demands of Deity were satisfied; mankind can now be reconciled to God.  Every stroke that was necessary to enable God to save men and women had now fallen.  Divine righteousness had been established; full payment for human sin had been made.  Was this enough? No, not for Jesus, there was another matter that needed to be done.  There was one solitary scripture as yet unfulfilled, and He would not rest until it was done.  It was the prediction of Psalm 22v15 and 69v21.  Previously, He had rejected the pain-numbing liquid that was used to reduce the pain threshold and prolong the punishment-Matthew 27v34 and Mark 15v23.  Now, some hours later, He calls for drink for two reasons-a) His mouth was so parched, He could not have cried the victorious cry; and b) the last scripture concerning His death must be fulfilled.  Having satisfied on the cross the demands of Deity, He must fulfil every scripture for this was the will of God.  In deep suffering and agony, having survived the trauma of Calvary, He was so dedicated to the Father, He would not proclaim “finished” until the scriptures were fulfilled. 

When this was done, He uttered with a loud voice, the triumphant cry “FINISHED!”-teleo, whose expanded Greek translation was in common use in everyday life; so that all would understand the powerful proclamation, e’er He dismissed His spirit.  He did not die, He laid down His life by commanding His human spirit to depart.  The word comes from the sport of archery, and refers to the arrow hitting the bullseye.  In John 13v1, it is used to describe Jesus’ love for His own, “He loved them to the end”-to the uttermost.  Tetalestai was in common use as follows:

·      In business and commerce, for the completion of a transaction-PAID IN FULL

·      In the ARTS, to denote the finishing touches to a masterpiece, whether of a painting or a statue.

·      In the military, following a war effort, the proclamation- MISSION ACCOMPLISHED.

·      In the judiciary, the declaration by the presiding judge that a prison tariff had been completed.

·      In Religion, on the Day of Atonement the declaration by the High Priest that the nation was free from Divine judgment for another year.

·      In religious protocol, when a worshipper was debarred from the temple through illness or transgression, the priest on inspection pronounced they were clean, and able to participate once again.

The significance of this, therefore, is profound and far reaching, and is expounded in the New Testament, particularly in the letter to Hebrews.  The concepts of ransom, remission, regeneration, redemption, reconciliation, sanctification, glorification-all of which are a direct result of the completed work of Christ, are endemic in scripture, and must be fully understood to be a possibility for everyone, only by faith in His word.  This glorious declaration from His own lips on the cross, proclaims to all who believe, a perfect work done which needs no embellishment, and which is decisive for our salvation.  When a bill is paid in full, there is no more to be paid; when a masterpiece is complete it needs nothing to be added; when a mission is fully accomplished there is no more conflict, etc. etc.  The cross of Christ was not a tragedy, it was a Divine triumph, that has secured for mankind a perfect salvation. 

He, bearing His cross went forth

 

Abdication by vascillating Pilate  

 

16-18)  “Then delivered he Him therefore unto them to be crucified.  And they took Jesus and led Him away.  And He, bearing His cross, went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha; where they crucified Him, and two others with Him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst.”

 

Scripture repeats this word “delivered” to underline the guilt of humanity: This is a strong word which is variously described as follows from the Blue Letter bible:

to give into the hands (of another)

to give over into (one's) power or use

to deliver to one something to keep, use, take care of, manage

to deliver up one to custody, to be judged, condemned, punished, scourged, tormented, put to death

to deliver up treacherously

by betrayal to cause one to be taken

Strong’s Definitions παραδίδωμι paradídōmi, par-ad-id'-o-mee; from G3844 and G1325; to surrender, i.e. yield up, entrust, transmit:—betray, bring forth, cast, commit, deliver up , give (over, up), hazard, put in prison, recommend.

 

Judas delivered Him to the arresting officers-Matthew 26v45; Mark 14v10.  The word used-betrayed is the same word.  This was treachery.

The rulers of Israel delivered Him to Pilate, the Roman governor-Matthew 27v2; Mark 15v1; John 18v35.

Pilate delivered Him to the soldiers to be crucified-Matthew 27v26; Luke 23v25; John 19v16.

The people delivered Him, when Pilate was determined to let Him go-Acts 3v13.

 

However the reality is revealed by both Peter and Paul-Acts 2v23, where a different word (surrendered) is used; and Romans 8v32.  This proclaims the passion of it, the heart-wrenching decision of God to surrender His Son to a cruel death.  It is made clear that it was God who delivered Him.  Without that determining power, they could have had nothing against Him.  The truth is “Him being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain.”  There is to be no mitigation of the guilt of humanity, save that which the grace of Almighty God determines.  He was crucified only because God decreed that was the way to save the world.  There was no resistance from Jesus, He “went forth, bearing His cross…”.  On His bruised back, He bore Himself the heavy burden, that would be the instrument of His cruel death.  In His crucifixion, He was placed between two criminals, who were suffering for their own sins.

19-22)  “And Pilate wrote a title and put it on the cross.  And the writing was, Jesus of Nazareth the king of the Jews.  This title then read many of the Jews, for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city.  And it was written in Hebrew and Greek and Latin. Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate, Write not the king of the Jews, but that he said, I am the king of the Jews.  Pilate answered, what I have written, I have written.”

Pilate was convinced that Jesus was innocent, and that he convicted Jesus to placate the Jewish mob.  Three times over he declared “I find no fault in Him”-John 18v38; 19v4; 19v6.  In Matthew 27v18, it was said “Pilate knew that for envy they had delivered Him”.  He knew that Jesus was no ordinary person, which is why he persisted to call Him king, and was why he posted the message on the cross of Jesus proclaiming Him as king.  Not only did he decree the writing but it was translated in three major languages of the time, in Hebrew, and in Greek, and in Latin.  This was to ensure the maximum publicity for the vast crowds milling Jerusalem at the Passover.  The cross on which Jesus was crucified was near the entrance to the city, and many read the superscription.  It was common to put a plaque on crosses to declare the sins of the one crucified.  Against Jesus no sin was declared, just His proper identification-Jesus of Nazareth, the king of the Jews.  This annoyed the religious rulers, who demanded they alter it.  Pilate refused, saying the writing would remain.  God ensured that His Son, who was treated so shamefully, was honoured, even as He hung on the cross.

Treachery in Judaism

 

Abandonment by treacherous Jews      v4-15

4-5)  “Pilate therefore went forth again and saith unto them, behold, I bring him forth to you that you may know that I find no fault in Him.  Then came Jesus forth wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe.  And Pilate saith unto them, behold the man!”

It seems that Pilate, still convinced of His innocence, tried the sympathy tactic, thinking that when they saw the suffering of Jesus they would change their mind.  He repeats that he found no fault in Him.  He brought Him before them, and said, look at this poor fellow, hasn’t this man suffered enough? A man without any charge against Him that could stand scrutiny; a good man who had only done good in the community; a man so hurt in body, He was at the end of human strength, after the scourging.  Surely they would have compassion, surely they would accept the verdict of the governor who found no fault in Him.

6-7)  “When the Chief Priests therefore and Officers saw Him, they cried out, saying, crucify him, crucify him.  Pilate saith unto them, take ye Him and crucify Him, for I find no fault in Him. The Jews answered him, we have a law, and by our law He ought to die for He made Himself the Son of God.”

The Chief Priests and Officers, showed no emotion and with callous hearts continued to demand capital punishment.  Priests are supposed to compassionate, representing people before God in an understanding way-refer Hebrews 5v1-3, which is a summary of their work, apart from their ongoing public duties.  This becomes very significant in light of this shocking incident; “For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins.  Who can have compassion on the ignorant and on them that are out of the way for that he himself also his compassed with infirmity.  And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins.”  By this callous cry for crucifixion they disgraced their office, when they continued to press a foreign ruler to kill one of their own.  Very cleverly, they raised the issue of blasphemy, which deserved death.  This was contrary to what they said in chapter 18v31 when they claimed they had no power to put anyone to death.  They clearly had the power to put to death those who broke the law, they wanted Pilate to do it for them.  This whole scenario is devoid of logic, and was a set-up of convenience to rid themselves of Jesus that very day. 

8-10)  “When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he was the more afraid; and went again into the judgment hall and saith unto Jesus, Whence art thou? but Jesus gave him no answer. Then said Pilate unto him, speakest thou not unto me?  Knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee and have power to release thee?

Pilate however was worried about this charge because the Caesars themselves considered themselves to be descendants of Deity, this aspect did concern him and he inquired more of Jesus.  He said, who are you, where are you from?  Jesus remained silent, for He had nothing to answer for.  Who He was and whence He had come was a question of unbelief and He said nothing.  Pilate was indignant, don’t you know who I am, your life is in my hands?  This from the man who, until now, had declared publicly three times that there was no cause of death in Him. 

11)  “Jesus answered, thou couldest have no power at all against me except it were given thee from above.   Therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.

There is no escaping the power of this, as Jesus retorts, the only power you have against me is what God will give you.  You exceed your moral authority, and this is sin, but the one who delivered me to thee has the greater sin.  This whole charade is sinful, but there is one worse than you.  He did not say “them that delivered me, He said “him that delivered me”, obviously the High Priest.  He was the one who concocted this, He delivered me, the others were only following orders.  In the clamour for high position in public life, those who indulge should reflect that they will be held responsible for the sins of their followers.  High privilege brings high responsibility.  This was a withering take-down of public leaders.

12-15)  “And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him, but the Jews cried out saying, if thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar’s friend.  Whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Caesar.  When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus forth and sat down on the judgment seat, in a place that is called the Pavement, but in the Hebrew Gabbatha. And it was the preparation of the Passover, and about the 6th hour; and he saith unto the Jews, behold. Your king!  But they cried out, away with Him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, shall I crucify your king? The chief priests answered. We have no king, but Caesar”

The final deciding factor, when Pilate, the Roman governor sat down on the judgment seat to accede to the demands of the people.  The crunch came when the Jews raised the question of loyalty to Caesar, which found a definitive response in Pilate, for he was sworn to revere the Caesar, and the Jews knew it.  Pilate continued to retort, that Jesus was their king, and are you asking me to kill Him.  The ultimate treachery came when the chief priests uttered these words which were contrary to the entire ethos of every Jew, the acknowledgement that the occupying authority of Rome in their precious land was now accepted.  In condemning Jesus they condemned the whole nation, whose land was theirs by Divine appointment.  In their hatred for Jesus they ceded their right to the land.  By confessing Caesar as their king, they surrendered their right to privilege.  In the process, they chose Barabbas, a robber, over the benefactor, Jesus.  Israel reached their lowest depth at this moment.  They were given a choice, they chose injustice, they chose evil, their religion was now dead, their ritual now worthless.  It had been for a long time, but this was the death knell.

 

In the story of the crucifixion we have the three G’s-Gethsemane, where the olives were crushed, the place of greatest mental agony; Gabbatha the elevated, paved ridge, of the hall of judgment, where the greatest injustice was perpetrated by the Roman empire in concert with the Jews; next Golgotha, the place of the demonstration of Divine love to all mankind, in the face of evil.  God’s answer to the world’s atrocity was to declare forgiveness.

 

Roman brutality

 

Chapter 19v1-37    Christ condemned

·      19v1-3      Abuse by the soldiers

·      19v4-15    Abandonment by the Jews

·      19v16-24  Abdication by Pilate

·      19v25-27  Adoration by faithful women

·      19v28-37  Allegiance in His burial

 

The prophecy from Psalm 69v4 comes to mind when reading this chapter, concerning His tormentors, “They that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of mine head: they that would destroy me, being mine enemies, wrongfully, are mighty: then I restored that which I took not away.”

From Isaiah 50v5-7  concerning His own mentality in the situation, “…I was not rebellious, neither turned away back.  I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting.  For the Lord God will help me: therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face as a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed.”

In silent, majestic dignity, He bore all that they heaped upon Him.  With reverence, we tabulate the atrocities committed, and borne patiently by the One who came to save us. 

Abuse by the soldiers         v1-3    “Then Pilate therefore took Jesus and scourged Him.  And the soldiers plaited a crown of thorns and put it on His head, and they put on Him a purple robe, and said, Hail! king of the Jews! and they smote Him with their hands.”

The use of crucifixion as a means of capital punishment, was invented by the Thracians, a particularly savage people, whom the Romans feared; they adopted this method to instil fear among those over whom they ruled, and had added their own brand of cruelty to the already cruel procedure.

Crown of thorns    This was symbolic of the mocking which followed the scourging; first creating bodily torture, then mental distress by mocking the victim.  There had been much discussion of Him as a king, so they gave Him a crown made from the twigs of a thorn tree.  In their mock humour, they did not realise how apt this was, for thorns are symbolic of the curse (Genesis 3v18) which is why Jesus died.  He was there to remove the curse, by taking all the sorrow of the world on His head. Unwittingly they were fulfilling the work planned by God by taking the thorns to the cross!  Comparisons with the other gospel records portray their callous cruelty-not content with taunting Him with a mock crown, they used reeds to imbed the sharp thorns into His scalp.  It was a shocking display of brutality.

A purple robe     A robe in mock obeisance to a supposed king, yet how fitting it was, for purple is the colour of royalty; although the soldiers had fun in mind, yet they had to place the inscription on the cross declaring Him to be king, an assertion which Pilate refused to alter when asked by the Jewish hierarchy.

Smote Him with their hands         The abuse was not only verbal but violent.  He was buffeted with the fists of cruel men, who delighted to use their power for self-gratification.  They were simply acting in a way that pleased their overlords, whose agenda was brute force to quell the rebellion.

 

 

The worst of humanity

 

Assessment by Pilate       28-40)  “Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas unto the Hall of judgment; and it was early.  And they, themselves went not  into the Judgment Hall lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the Passover.  Pilate then went out unto them and said, what accusation bring ye against this man? They answered and said unto him, if He were not a malefactor we would not have delivered Him up unto thee. Then said Pilate unto them, take ye Him and judge Him according to your law. The Jews therefore said unto him, it is not lawful for us to put any man to death; that he saying of Jesus may be fulfilled when He spake, signifying what death he should die.  Then Pilate entered into the judgment all again and called Jesus, and said unto Him, art thou the king of the Jews? Jesus answered him, sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me? Pilate answered am I a Jew?  Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me, what asked thou done? Jesus answered, my Kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight that I should not be delivered to the Jews.  But now is my Kingdom not from hence.  Pilate therefore, said unto Him, art thou a king then? Jesus answered, thou sayest that I am a king.  To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world that I should bear witness unto the truth; everyone that is of the truth heareth my voice.  Then Pilate saith unto Him, what is truth? And when he had said this, he went out, again unto the Jews and saith to them, I find in Him no fault at all. But ye have a custom that I should release unto you one at the Passover.  Will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews? Then cried they all again, saying, not this man but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber.”

The above incidents are a character study in human behaviour.  We see humanity at its worst when confronted with the pure holiness of Jesus.  The ultimate question asked is “What is truth?”, and every player in this drama is found wanting before the majesty of heaven.  We can best look at this section by tabulating the flaws exposed in each person or group of persons.  Here is the greatest example of the accused turning accuser; the condemned becoming the judge; the persecuted becoming the prosecutor

Caiaphas the high priest.   Unable to bring any charge against Jesus, he sent Him to the Roman governor Pilate with whom he was in concert.  They could have charged Him with breaking the Sabbath, and imposed capital punishment, but they could not be seen to be stoning Him on the feast day.  When challenged by Pilate to judge Him by their law, they lied, saying it was not lawful for them to put any one to death.  This was not true, and was an excuse to rid themselves of Jesus before the festival of Passover was in full swing.  They were passing the buck on to the Roman authority.  They brought Him to the door of the Hall of judgment, declining to enter lest they be defiled as they wanted to partake of the Passover.  What breathtaking hypocrisy is this, that places a premium on ritual with a heart full of evil intentions.  By their evil manipulation, they were already defiled, and there was worse to come.  Another evidence of their moral bankruptcy was the self-righteous assertion that they would not have brought Jesus to Pilate if He were not a malefactor.  They had nothing on Him, He was an innocent man, yet they persisted to prosecute Him.  This is religion at its worst, using ritual procedure as a cover for injustice. 

Pontius Pilate the Roman Governor        Rudely awakened  early in the morning, the Governor seemed irritable, and not quite himself as he went to and fro between the accused and His accusers.  This situation was a dilemma for him as he was answerable to the Caesar, especially if, as seemed likely, there could be a possible public uproar, something that had been in the air for some time now.  Pilate was desperate to resolve this situation quickly, as Jerusalem was milling with people at the Feast of Passover.  Any breakdown in public order would reflect on him, so he had to use all possible means to avert trouble.  When justice is squeezed between religious fervour and political expediency, the only casualty is justice itself, for all parties had self-interest motivations.  He goes through a number of ploys to resolve the situation: v31 “Judge Him according to your law”-putting it back to the Jews; v33 “Are you the king of the Jews then?”-who are you, in your own words; as he searches for answers, perhaps setting a trap for Jesus; v34  Jesus turns it to say, are you saying it for yourself, in your own understanding or are you just quoting gossip; v35  Pilate to Jesus-your own people, indeed the religious hierarchy have delivered you to me.  What have you done?  Never is the case where a public prosecutor will rely on what the accused says!; v36 Jesus to Pilate-I have a kingdom, but it is not of this world, otherwise my servants would fight.  If this were my kingdom, no one could have delivered me to you; v37  Pilate-since you have a kingdom, are you some kind of king?; v37  Jesus-since you are asking who I am, I will tell you.  “To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into this world, that I should bear witness unto the truth.  Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.”  Having stated He had a kingdom out of this world, He says He came from out of this world to tell the world the truth.  Only those who are of the truth, hear my voice.  This was a withering take-down of the Roman Governor, and of all others who did not listen to Him. The roles were reversed, Pilate was now in the dock!; v38 Pilate’s only response to this, was to appeal to universal confusion, saying, What is truth?  If there is no truth, then anything goes, which is what happened, as he turns from Jesus and accedes to mob rule.  No charge was brought against the man before him, yet he gave the howling mob the choice, thus placing the burden of judgment on them.  He covered the injustice by offering the Roman provision of grace of freeing one notable prisoner as a gesture of good will.  The Jewish mob chose Barabbas, a robber.  Pilate accepted their decision and condemned an  innocent man without charge, a man of whom he said “I find in Him no fault”.  This was surely the greatest travesty of justice ever perpetrated by the greatest power on earth, in concert with the Jewish leaders, and the baying street mob, none of whom had any desire for the truth.  They had only malicious intent to rid themselves of one who made them feel uncomfortable.  Thus it was, and thus it will ever be, in a world where truth is conspicuous by its absence.  The only one who came through this mock trial with any dignity was Jesus, all the rest had sullied their souls.  Yet Jesus was the one whom they crucified, as the next chapter will detail, and we watch in rapt wonder at the dignity of the man who suffered such injustice at human hands, because He had come to tell the world the truth.  This truth was embodied in the majestic dignity of the man of Calvary, who silently suffered their abuse to reveal the heart of God to man.

 

Caiaphas the imposter high priest    19-27)  “The high priest asked Jesus of His disciples and of His doctrine.  Jesus answered him. I spoke openly to the world, I ever taught in the synagogue and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing. Why asketh thou me?  Ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them; behold, they know what I said.  And when He had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, answerest thou the high priest so?  Jesus answered him, if I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil, but if well, why smites thou me?  Now Annas had sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest.  And Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. They said therefore unto him Art thou not also one of his disciples?  He denied it, and said, I am not.  One of the servants of the high priest, being his kinsman, whose ear Peter cut off said, did not I see thee in the garden with Him? Then Peter denied again and immediately the cock the crew.”

Caiaphas was not appointed by God, and he had no moral authority over Jesus, but Jesus ignored this fact and answered directly.  He did not receive the same courtesy in return but He answered in such a way they could not gainsay Him.  He could point to His very public teaching which was known by all, and their response was to attempt to violently silence Him.  It was Annas the former high priest who sent Jesus to Caiaphas.  Meanwhile Peter, remained outside, warming himself by the fire.  He was challenged a second and third time, and still he denied, even when recognised by a kinsman of the man whom Peter had injured.  Other records show that he denied vehemently with oaths and curses.  The cock crowed, and Jesus warning to Peter was fulfilled.  How many imposters are there like Caiaphas, who masquerade as spokesmen for God, when in fact they speak for themselves.  Jesus made it clear that those who speak for God, speak the truth of God which is in the public domain.  The Lord said there were false prophets claiming to speak for Him, but He did not send them-Jeremiah 27v15; Ezekiel 13v2-7, and many others.  Caiaphas joined a long line of spiritual frauds, who are also proliferating in the present day.  Do not be fooled by religious garb or sanctimonious words.  The only test is doctrine which is in line with the Divinely revealed word.

Where do we stand?

 

Arraignment before the authorities     v12-27

This important narrative focuses on the main players as we would expect-Annas/Caiaphas/Simon Peter/Pilate, all concerning Jesus

12-14)  “Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus and bound Him, and led Him away to Annas first, for he was father-in-law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year.”

The effrontery of Annas the deposed high priest.  In humble submission to the will of His Father, Jesus offered no resistance as they bound Him, to parade Him before the religious authorities.  This alone was a sham, for in strict terms Caiaphas had no claim to high priestly office, which was given only by descent of birth to the sons, not the sons-in-law of officiating high priests.  Legend has it that Annas, being high priest, had fallen out of favour with Rome, and appointed his son-in law, in his place, so that he could still have a say in proceedings.  This arrangement immediately rendered this court illegitimate.  Nevertheless they continued, having the effrontery to question the credentials of Jesus.   They had no legal right, and no moral right to stand in judgment of anyone, least of all Jesus who was blameless, and had nothing to answer these impostors.  Nevertheless, Jesus did not question his right to sit in judgment of Him, simply answered the false charges as they arose.

The courage and confusion of Simon Peter    15-18) “And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple: that disciple was known unto the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest.  But Peter stood at the door without: then went out that other disciple which was known unto the high priest, and spake unto her that kept the door, and brought in Peter.  Then said the damsel that kept the door unto Peter, art thou not one of this man’s disciples?  He saith I am not.  And the servants and officers stood there, who had made fire of coals: for it was cold; and they warmed themselves: and Peter stood with them and warmed himself.”   

Once again Simon Peter took the lead, and if there be any criticism in our mind of him, we should remember what courage it took him to even follow, as the Lord had said “let them go”.  The situation was serious, a matter of life and death, and what would we have done?  Another disciple, not named, went with Peter, and it was probably the likes of Nicodemus or Joseph of Arimathea, who were both well known in high circles.  This disciple was known to the high priest and was able to gain access to the palace, and had Peter invited in.  However Peter never made it inside for he was cornered by the female keeper of the door who said he was one of the disciple.  Peter’s outright and abrupt denial, saw him standing with the enemies of the Lord, warming himself by the fire in the cold of night.  The significant phrase is “Peter stood with them”.  In verse 5 we read “And Judas also which betrayed Him stood with them”.  Now Peter stands with the same people, not in malicious betrayal, but in fearful disloyalty.  All this contrasts with the women in chapter 19v25 “Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleopas, and Mary Magdalene.”  Where do we stand?  Judas stood with the oppressors in betrayal; Peter stood with the servants in denial; the women stood with Jesus in devotion.  How many times have we stood in the company of unbelievers and denied our Lord?  Peter’s human frailties were apparent but his courage was not in question.