Today’s passage: Matthew 27:11-26
Helpful thoughts:
- The crime which the Sanhedrin accused Jesus of before Pilate was treason. They accused Jesus of trying to be King of the Jews.
- Remember, the crime they wanted to see him pay for was blasphemy; Calling Himself the Son of God.
- Pilate’s response to Jesus shows that he had little concern over Jesus’ attempt at a revolution. If Pilate viewed Jesus as a threat, he would not have offered to let Him go free.
- Pilate attempted to release Jesus.
- He never declared Him guilty.
- He tried to offer Barabbas as the other option for release thinking that Jesus would have been the easy choice.
- He even symbolically washed his hands after the decision was made in an attempt to show that he was not responsible.
- Ultimately, (In his mind) Pilate went forward with the crucifixion in order to prevent the Jews from breaking out into a riot.
Questions to consider:
- How did Jesus handle Himself in the midst of these events and the questioning?
- Who suggested crucifixion?
- What was the response of the Jewish people when Pilate asked for a specific crime worthy of crucifixion?
- Did the Jewish people try to avoid the charge of being responsible for Jesus’ crucifixion? What did they say?
- Why shouldn’t we be judgmental toward the Jews for this? What would you have done? What did Peter and the rest of the disciples do?