Now that they had him in their hands, they would lose no time till they had him upon the cross, but denied themselves their natural rest, to push on this matter. See how much their heart was upon it, and how violent they were in the prosecution. Two things are here observed concerning the prosecution:- (1.) Their policy and industry in the prosecution: It was early some think about two or three in the morning, others about five or six, when most people were in their beds and so there would be the less danger of opposition from the people that were for Christ while, at the same time, they had their agents about, to call those together whom they could influence to cry out against him. Thus many are more afraid of the scandal of a bad action than of the sin of it. It was an invidious thing to put one to death that had done so much good in the world, and therefore they were willing to throw the odium upon the Roman government, to make that the less acceptable to the people, and save themselves from the reproach. That he might be put to death with less reproach to them. This therefore they harped upon, Crucify him. The death of the cross, which the Romans commonly used, being of all deaths the most ignominious, they were desirous by it to put an indelible mark of infamy upon him, and so to sink his reputation for ever. That he might be put to death with more reproach to himself. If they could engage the Roman government in the matter, which the people stood in awe of, there would be little danger of an uproar. That he might be put to death the more safely. Thus he was treated as a malefactor, being made sin for us. That he might be put to death the more legally and regularly, according to the present constitution of their government, since they became a province of the empire not stoned in a popular tumult, as Stephen, but put to death with the present formalities of justice. Being resolved on his death, they took this course, 1. We have here an account of Christ's arraignment before Pilate, the Roman governor, in the prætorium (a Latin word made Greek), the prætor's house, or hall of judgment thither they hurried him, to get him condemned in the Roman court, and executed by the Roman power. 39 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? 40 Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. 38 Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. 37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. 33 Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews? 34 Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me? 35 Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done? 36 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. The Jews therefore said unto him, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death: 32 That the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spake, signifying what death he should die. 31 Then said Pilate unto them, Take ye him, and judge him according to your law. 29 Pilate then went out unto them, and said, What accusation bring ye against this man? 30 They answered and said unto him, If he were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered him up unto thee. 28 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. Joh 18:34 | MHC | STEP | Christ in the Judgment-Hall Christ Arraigned before Pilate.
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