Today’s passage: John 19:1-16
Helpful thoughts:
- Verse 7 contains the real reason the Jews wanted Jesus crucified. Verse 12 contains the political argument that seemed to force Pilate’s hand.
- Jesus was crucified because He believed He was the Son of God, which He is.
- In order to affirm the Roman political motive, the Pharisees remarked, “We have no king but Caesar.”
- See 1 Samuel 10:18-19. It wasn’t the first time God had been rejected as King.
- Jesus was flogged before His sentencing as if a criminal to attempt to appease the people, but it wasn’t enough. Once He was sentenced to crucifixion He was scourged in a more severe manner.
- Jesus made it clear to Pontius Pilate, it was not Pilate who had the authority to crucify Him. Jesus was crucified on that day because it was God’s will. Pilate was serving God’s will.
Questions to consider:
- In a culture that believed in many deities, why do you think Pilate became increasingly nervous about the situation he was in? What different people would he have known he needed to please to maintain “peace” and his authority? What powers would he have wondered if he was messing with?
- Why did Jesus call Caiaphas’ and the Jewish leaders’ action of turning him over the “greater sin?”
- Why is verse 14 such a powerful verse? What day was it? What was the Passover for (Exodus 12:13)? How was Jesus introduced to the Jewish people? What is the right response for the reader when we realize who Jesus is and what He has done?