With Truth on trial, Pilate ruled against himself

January 27, 2003

LifeWay Explore the Bible Series for Feb. 9

With Truth on trial, Pilate ruled against himself
___ John 19:1-42
___By Robert Creech
___University Baptist Church-Clearlake, Houston
___Jesus' appearance before Pilate climaxes the theme John has been developing--"truth on trial."
___Jesus, the Truth (14:6), enters the world of humanity (1:14). Witnesses testify concerning him. John the Baptist (1:7, 8, 15, 19, 32, 34; 3:26; 5:31-34), the Father (5:37; 8:18), Jesus' works (5:36, 10:25), the Scriptures (5:39), the Spirit (15:26) and Moses (5:47) all contribute testimony.
___Ultimately, this evidence tends to lead the reader to life-giving faith in Jesus as the Christ (20:31). The reader assumes the role of judge. Having heard the testimony, the reader must render a verdict not on Jesus, however, but on himself (3:19-21).
___John narrates Jesus' trial before Pilate in seven carefully balanced scenes (18:28-19:16). The setting alternates between Pilate being outside with the Jewish leaders and inside the Praetorium with Jesus. Pilate moves between the two, attemp

ting to mediate a compromise.
___Neither Jesus nor the world will cooperate with him, however. Both make absolute demands, forcing Pilate to choose. Ironically, his decision will not be a verdict on Jesus, but on himself. Ultimately, he yields to the pressure of the world and crucifies Jesus.
___We examined the first three scenes last week (18:28-40). In 19:1-3, the fourth and central scene, Pilate commands soldiers to flog Jesus, hoping to satisfy the anger of the Jewish leaders. This attempt at compromise proves unsuccessful.
___Scene 5 (19:4-8) occurs outdoors, in the presence of the demanding crowd. Pilate presents Jesus to them--beaten, thorn-crowned and robed in purple. The crowd is not so easily pleased, however. They demand crucifixion. Two more times Pilate declares Jesus not guilty (vv. 4-5, cf. 18:38). Nevertheless, the Jewish leaders accuse Jesus of blasphemy, on grounds that he claims to be the Son of God. Frightened by this charge, Pilate takes Jesus inside for further inquiry.
___The sixth scene (19:9-11) presses the issue of Jesus' origin and identity. Pilate asks Jesus about where he is from, a recurring issue throughout this gospel. We know he has come from above, from God (3:2, 13, 31; 6:38, 46; 8:23, 42; 13:3; 16:27-28, 30; 17:8). His opponents struggle against that fact, however (7:27-29, 41-42; 8:14; 9:16, 29-30, 33). Pilate senses he is losing control of the situation, attempts to regain it, but cannot.
___Finally, in the seventh scene (19:12-16), Pilate must issue his decision. He continues to seek a way to release Jesus, but the crowds will not negotiate. Jewish leaders put political pressure on the Roman governor. In this climactic moment, Pilate brings Jesus out and takes his seat in the judge's chair. He is about to render a verdict against himself.
___When he sarcastically declares Jesus to be a king, the crowd commits blasphemy themselves, saying they have no king but Caesar (v. 15). They effectively declare that God no longer reigns over them (1 Samuel 8:7). John notes the significant temporal setting--the day of preparation of Passover week, the sixth hour, the time to slaughter the Passover Lamb. At that hour, Pilate delivers Jesus to his soldiers for crucifixion.
___John describes Jesus' crucifixion briefly (19:17-37). In two short statements, John relates Jesus' bearing his cross to Golgotha and the soldiers' performing the tortuous act of nailing him to a cross (19:17-18). Pilate orders soldiers to place a placard over Jesus' head, reading "the king of the Jews." Jewish leaders attempt to have him reword it, but Pilate now refuses to compromise with them (19:20-22).
___This passage focuses on Jesus' hour of death, not on the act of crucifixion. John records only a few significant details. Soldiers divide his garments, fulfilling the psalmist's words (John 19:23-24; Psalm 22:18). In an episode reminiscent of the first sign (2:1-11), Jesus declares that he is thirsty (19:28; 2:3), and soldiers offer him cheap wine (19:29; 2:10). The "mother of Jesus" is present only in this scene and that in Cana (19:25; 2:1). He addresses her again as "dear woman" (19:26; 2:4). John tells how from "that hour" the beloved disciple took her under his care (19:27; 2:4).
___Finally, gathering strength for his final words, Jesus declares, "It is finished" (19:30). On the surface, these words admit defeat. However, the reader is now accustomed to the ironic tone. This is Jesus' "hour of glory." He has been "lifted up," exalted (3:14; 12:32). The final words are a declaration of victory, not an admission of defeat. The prince of this world is overthrown (12:31).
___The chapter closes with the soldiers coming to break the legs of the three victims, hastening their deaths (19:31-34). Finding Jesus already dead, they puncture his side, producing a flow of blood and water. John continues to draw attention to the ways in which these events fulfill words of Scripture (Exodus 12:46; Numbers 9:12; Psalm 22:16-17; Zechariah 12:10).
___Part of the Christian gospel is that "he was buried" (1 Corinthians 15:4). John narrates that fact tersely (19:38-42). Joseph of Arimathea, a secret disciple (cf. 12:42), and Nicodemus (3:1-16; 7:50), obtain permission from Pilate to remove his body. They provide Jesus a royal burial, which he deserves.
___Questions for discussion
___ In what ways is the world an uncompromising force in human life? Where do you find yourself attempting to compromise with it?
___ What do you believe is the truth? What is the folly of attempting to compromise with the truth?

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