Musings From the Gospel of John – Number 55

The Scripture verses covered in this post are from John 19:4-11 NASB which reads as follows:

“And then Pilate came out again and said to them, “See, I am bringing Him out to you so that you will know that I find no grounds at all for charges in His case.” Jesus then came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. And Pilate said to them, “Behold, the Man!” So when the chief priests and the officers saw Him, they shouted, saying, “Crucify, crucify!” Pilate said to them, “Take Him yourselves and crucify Him; for I find no grounds for charges in His case!” The Jews answered him, “We have a law, and by that law He ought to die, because He made Himself out to be the Son of God!”

Therefore when Pilate heard this statement, he was even more afraid; and he entered the Praetorium again and said to Jesus, “Where are You from?” But Jesus gave him no answer. So Pilate said to Him, “Are you not speaking to me? Do You not know that I have authority to release You, and I have authority to crucify You?” Jesus answered him, “You would have no authority over Me at all, if it had not been given to you from above; for this reason the one who handed Me over to you has the greater sin.”

What is about to take place and has now begun, is spoken of in the Old Testament. In the previous post in this series, which you can view here, a number of Old Testament Scriptures are quoted which speak of the Suffering Servant of God. I would ask you to read the previous post again, because it encompasses the reality of what was and is unfolding now. 

Sometimes we do not comprehend the reality of Jesus, the Son of God, being sent to us, in the flesh. If we could reach out and touch His arm or look into His eyes, we might get a glimpse of what is unfolding. “In the flesh” means in a body like yours and mine. Jesus is not just a figure that we read about, He is in fact, the Son of the living God, walking among us. God with us, in the flesh, in a body like yours and mine. The reality of this needs to be absorbed into our being. 

Pilate lets the attending Jews know that he does not agree with their demands and displays Jesus to them, wearing a crown of thorns and a purple (color of royalty) robe. This is mockery, plain and simple. Pilate says to them “Behold the man.” A true king is not mocked like this, but rather he is given honour and respect. But the Jews are not to be persuaded to change their demand. “Crucify Him!” remains the cry of the Chief Priests and Officers. Pilate reiterates again that he does not see any valid reason to have Jesus killed and tells them to crucify themselves. Of course, they cannot do this, because only the designated Roman authority in this area, has the right to sanction death. And then the Chief Priests and Officers focus in on the reason for their demand. “We have a law, and by that law He ought to die, because He made Himself out to be the Son of God!” For a good overview of the claims of Jesus being equal with God, click here. And even though some had wanted to make Jesus their King, (Matthew 21:1-4 NASB and Zechariah 9:9 NASB refers), this is NOT the reasoning behind their demand for Jesus’ death. It is precisely because of WHO Jesus said He was, the Son of God, one with the Father. John 10:30-33 NASB refers. In the minds of the Jews, this was blasphemy (Leviticus 24:16 NASB refers: “Moreover, the one who blasphemes the name of the Lord must be put to death; all the congregation shall certainly stone him. The stranger as well as the native, when he blasphemes the Name, shall be put to death.”)

John 19:8-11 NASB reads as follows:
“Therefore when Pilate heard this statement, he was even more afraid;  and he entered the Praetorium again and said to Jesus, “Where are You from?” But Jesus gave him no answer. So Pilate said to Him, “Are you not speaking to me? Do You not know that I have authority to release You, and I have authority to crucify You?” Jesus answered him, “You would have no authority over Me at all, if it had not been given to you from above; for this reason the one who handed Me over to you has the greater sin.”

So why was Pilate afraid? Political overtones. Uprisings among those under one’s authority were not looked upon with favour by Rome. Pilate would want to avoid this, if at all possible.

Pilate takes Jesus aside to his personal quarters and one can sense the desperation in Pilate, by the recorded transcribed words we have been given. I can’t help but see Pilate questioning where Jesus truly came from, not from a geographical perspective, but beyond that. But Jesus doesn’t answer. Isaiah 53:7 NASB refers. Pilate tries to shed some light on the gravity of the situation to Jesus, by explaining to Him the power that he holds. But Jesus clarifies the reality of the gravity of the situation, by letting Pilate know who really has the power, and to whom it has been given. And then Jesus further assigns a degree of greater sin, towards those who have seen and heard and should know, but have determined to sacrifice Him, for their own betterment and also of the people. John 18:4 NASB refers.

More to follow.

Worthy is the Lamb! Blessings!