Matthew 27:11-26

Matthew 27:11-26

Pilate would be unknown to history were it not for the trial. The trial seems to be a less formal judicial event and more of a bargaining session in the marketplace. The charge on Pilate’s lips “King of the Jews” was obviously supplied by the accusing delegation. It was worded in such a way as to imply a political agenda. Jesus answered very little. Had he answered in detail about the nature of His kingdom Pilate may have released Him. The objective is not a declaration of guilt or innocence. The objective is to secure the means of death/sacrifice. This was not an accidental event but the plan of God’s redemption being worked out. Pilate is little more than an extra in this drama, a bureaucrat, a rubber stamp for the paperwork. Jesus amused him in silence. Perhaps he was accustomed to extreme pleas and arguments. Roman law did not condemn a man until he had had three opportunities to defend himself. Jesus marches relentlessly toward the cross.

The release of a prisoner is not seen elsewhere in Roman rule and may have been a local attempting to create goodwill. Barabbas may have also had the same name; Jesus. "Who is to be released, Jesus called Barabbas or Jesus called Christ?" The word notorious could be either good or bad. Barabbas could have been a terrorist or he could have been a sort of Robin Hood type. He had not yet been condemned because only the emperor could grant clemency to a condemned man. Barabbas may have been the ringleader of those who would die with Christ.

The place of Pilot's wife in the story is to show that the priestly delegation is without excuse. If a pagan, and a woman no less (remember in this culture it was doubted that women could reason), could see that Jesus was innocent, how could the Jewish leaders be so obtuse? Matthew has been emphasizing the loss of privileged position of the Jewish people. The elite of the Jewish high priests are here cast in a negative comparison to a pagan woman.

The mob asked that Barabbas be released and that Jesus be condemned. The crowd was not left to chance; while it was no doubt mixed, the priest’s agents had packed the mob with their agitators. There was fear of a riot erupting. Was the riot going to be an attack on the Romans or a fight within the crowd? Pilate takes the easy way out; he condemns Christ and washes his hands. This was a pointless ritual that neither exonerated him nor obtained innocence, but rather testified to his awareness of his guilt. The statement of, “His blood be on us and our children,” (by the way there is no verb in the Greek text) was not a curse but rather a boast. They felt that they had defended the people, the temple, and the traditions. The blood on the hands of Judas Maccabeus was not guilty blood but rather heroic. These people thought they were being heroes.

"Lord, keep me from pursuing the easy way out. Grant me the courage to follow Your will no matter the cost. AMEN"