Peace with God

Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am languishing; heal me, O LORD, for my bones are troubled. (Psalm 6:2 ESV)

These words describe part of what Jesus endured as He was executed, hanging on the cross. When He was given to the Roman executioners, His physical torment began. They tortured Him to death. Roman executions began with the humiliation of scourging and ended with the beaten and broken body of the condemned hanging on a cross, exposed, until death. Pilate released a known criminal and Jesus, an innocent man, having never sinned, was murdered. “Then he released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, delivered him to be crucified” (Matthew 27:26 ESV; see Luke 23:25). 

Jesus knew what would happen to Him. On many occasions, He predicted His manner of death. “They will condemn him to death and deliver him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified” (Matthew 20:19 ESV). During His execution, Jesus was so physically battered and weakened from the scourging He could barely walk, let alone carry the beam to which they would attach Him with spikes. “As they went out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name. They compelled this man to carry his cross” (Matthew 27:32 ESV; see Mark 15:21, Luke 23:26). 

Jesus died on the cross, but the two crucified with Him remained alive. Passover was near, so the religious leaders asked the Romans to break the legs of the others so they would die before Passover. The Romans did not break Jesus’ legs. His bones, His limbs and body, was troubled, stressed by the turmoil of the experience, but not one of His bones were broken. “For these things took place that the Scripture might be fulfilled: ‘Not one of his bones will be broken’” (John 19:36 ESV; see Psalm 34:20). 

David’s words perfectly describe Jesus’ experience. His body was abused to the point of exhaustion and death. He had no strength left to live, which was the intent of the Roman executioners. His bones were disjointed. But more than the physical torment of His body, He faced the immediate presence of sin and its eternal consequences, which is separation from God. Jesus bore the brunt of our condemnation for sin, both physically and spiritually. Jesus did not remain separated from God. He fulfilled the just sentence for rebellion, and then was resurrected by God and brought into His presence. 

God showered His grace and mercy upon Jesus once His sacrifice accomplished the purpose of God. Gracious means to show favor and pity, to have mercy upon. Healmeans to make healthy and restore to wholeness from the sufferings and injuries inflicted. Jesus died. Jesus was raised from death. Jesus now sits at God’s right hand making intercession for those who are His. “Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2 ESV). 

Paul also declares our Intercessor has God’s ear.

“Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us”

(Roman s 8:33-34 ESV)

Isaiah, 700 years before the birth of Messiah, tells us the same.

“Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong, because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors” (Isaiah 53:12 ESV).Though physically assaulted and executed, Jesus’ death purchased peace with God for those called by God into His presence. God is gracious to Jesus and those who have taken refuge in Him.

Jesus Crucified

Jesus was led to a place called the Skull where he and two others were crucified. “When they came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull)” [Matthew 27:33; see Luke 23:33 ESV]. There are many reasons why this place was called the Skull, or Cranion, commonly known as Golgotha in Hebrew and Calvary in the Greek. All these words mean the skull. It was high place near the city where many people would pass and be forced to witness the cruel death of those sentenced by the Romans for whatever reason. Many people had died on this hill. Perhaps one of the reasons this placed was called the skull was because the heads of criminals were cut off after their death on the cross and left piled around as a witness. This is not farfetched though gruesome. Others have suggested the hill was in the shape of a skull though there are no documents which would validate this view. Legend suggests Adam’s skull was there though such a fanciful notion is dismissed outright as a subterfuge designed to cast doubt on the historical reality. Most likely the hill is named because it was a place of agony leading to death, where many had died and left on the cross until their bodies rotted and fell off.

Jesus has been tortured and is on the verge of dying. His body is traumatized and he is sinking into shock. Every inch of his body is bleeding, bruised, hurt. He has been beaten, scourged, mocked, spit upon, struck with sticks and whips and is not going to be nailed though his wrists and ankles to pieces of wood and exposed until his body dies. Never known for mercy or compassion these soldiers offer him a drink, drugged with myrrh, which is bitter. “They offered him wine to drink, mixed with gall, but when he tasted it, he would not drink it” [Matthew 27:34 ESV]. He was given vinegar, sour and rancid probably, mixed with bitter herbs. Don’t be deceived. This drink was not a drug meant to ease his pain but to prolong his life so he might experience the fullest measure of pain. Jesus was thirsty but refused this drink.

Crucified men were stripped of their cloths, a final, public indignity. It is a nice thought to suggest Jesus was modestly draped with something around his waist. There is no historical evidence suggesting this is true. Even the documents describing Jesus’ life and work tell us the Roman soldier “divided his garments among them by casting lots” [Matthew 27:35 ESV]. John’s documents give a better description of what happened. There were four soldiers in charge of Jesus. He wore five pieces of clothing. Remember, his cloths were soaked in his blood though he was not wearing them during his torture with the scourge. Each soldier got one of the pieces of cloths. They cast lots for the outer garment, his tunic, because they did not see any sense in ripping it into four pieces. “‘Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it shall be.’ This was to fulfill the Scripture which says, ‘They divided my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.” So the soldiers did these things'” [John 19:24 ESV; see John 19:23 also].

After crucifying him and dividing his clothes “they sat down and kept watch over him there” [Matthew 27:36 ESV]. Their job was to make sure he died. They would not leave until he was dead. Those crucified my live for days but those who nailed them to the cross did not leave. Should a man crucified escape, should anyone escape from the charge of a Roman soldier the soldier himself would take the man’s place. They crucified men, made sure they stayed on the cross and died on the cross because they were liable to die on a cross in their place should they escape. No one ever escaped from a cross.

With Jesus were two others. Three men were crucified that day in that place. They were criminals condemned to death. When they reached the place of execution they “crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left” [Luke 23:33 ESV]. We do not know who these men were but we can make a fair assumption. These men were associates of Barabbas, the notorious criminal released though guilty of murder so Jesus, innocent of any crime, would die. It was, in the minds of the Romans, just to crucify the leader of a group in the middle of the group. Barabbas was the leader of his group of murderers and those who advocated insurrection, rebellion against both Roman and Jewish authority. Jesus never committed the crimes done by Barabbas and his group. Yet, now, probably to the surprise of the men crucified with him, Jesus is made their leader.

Jesus did lead a group of men for over three years. None of them, with the possible exception of Simon the Zealot, committed any crime worthy of imprisonment or death. Yet, Simon may have been more zealous in the keeping of Jewish law and tradition than in overthrowing the Roman invaders. We do not know. We do know Jesus had done none of the crime he was accused of doing. All of those appointed by Jesus to follow him, his disciples, were ordinary men with nothing about them which would cause them to stand out. They were fishermen, a tax collector and other nondescript men. None had great education. Matthew, the tax collector, may have had wealth, but following Jesus meant sacrificing his wealth. Of the people who followed Jesus the only one who gained any kind of notoriety was Judas and only because he betrayed an innocent man for money who was then murdered by the men who gave Judas the money.

By placing Jesus between two criminals the Romans and the Jewish leaders were driving home their mockery of who Jesus is and denigrating his actions and words. Mocking Jesus does not reduce him to something he is not, nor subtract from the history of the man’s life, words and actions. Nor will mocking Jesus keep him in the grave. He died on that cross. Nothing we have seen suggests otherwise. Everything we have seen here is plausible with no reason to suggest it is a myth or untrue. Equaling true is the reality of his resurrection.

Third Time Before Pilate

This is the third time Pilate has seen Jesus during his “trial.” Before Pilate became involved the first time Jesus had been arrested by Caiaphas, the Chief Priest, and the temple guards. He had been taken to Annas’ house first then to Caiaphas house where he was condemned to death and beaten by the guards. This was at night. After sunrise he was taken to Pilate, who examined him and found him not guilty of doing anything wrong. Pilate proposed to have Jesus punished and released. Caiaphas’ mob demanded he be murdered. Pilate discovered Jesus was a Galilean and sent him to Herod who ridiculed Jesus and allowed his guards to beat him. Herod returned him to Pilate who told the mob even Herod had found Jesus not guilty. Jesus is standing before Pilate and the mob beaten and bruised, an innocent man condemned by a jealous, envious, group of religious leaders. This mob of religious leaders asks Pilate to release a notorious criminal, condemned to death, and have Jesus, who is innocent, crucified in his place.

Washing his hands of the decision Pilate turns Jesus over to his guards who prepare him for crucifixion. He was scourged, his body traumatized. He was mocked and ridiculed, each Roman soldier present in turn hitting him and spitting in his face. A crown of thorns was shoved down onto his head and a purple garment thrown over his torn and lacerated back. Then Pilate brought him back out to stand before the mob. “See, I am bringing him out to you that you may know that I find no guilt in him” [John 19:4 ESV]. Once again Pilate tells the mob Jesus is not guilty of any crime, had broken no Roman law and did not deserve death. He had suggested punishing Jesus and letting him go. “So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, ‘Behold the man'” [John 19:5 ESV]! What the crowd witnessed was a man punished by Roman soldiers trained in sadism. He did what he had proposed doing to a man who was innocent. Pilate could have easily at this time released Jesus and told the High Priest he would not be their executioner. Perhaps there was a vain hope in him the mob would see a beaten and broken man, ridiculed and mocked, bleeding from every part of his body and decided Jesus had suffered enough. He wanted them to let the man go.

Once a mob begins chanting a slogan or mantra, a phrase meant to excite the emotions and inhibit the intellect, it is almost impossible to stop them. This mob had been chanting “crucify him, crucify him” [John 19:6 ESV]! and would not be satisfied until the man they wanted murdered was near death hanging on a cross. John identifies the mob demanding Jesus’ murder. They were “the chief priests and the (temple guards) officers” [John 19:6 ESV]. These are the ones, as we have said, who were responsible before God for the spiritual welfare of the people. They taught the people God’s laws, enforced His justice and were the examples of godliness to the world. Now they were inciting a mob of their own people to throw away their responsibility, their leadership positions, their relationship with God to have a man murdered. Not just murdered but tortured to death.

Pilate continues to try to rid himself of this decision. He makes another telling statement, coming close to enforcing his decision but unwilling to impose his will upon those he governs. He knows the Jewish leaders cannot carry out an execution, though they have before and they will again. “Take him yourselves and crucify him, for I find no guilt in him” [John 19.6 ESV].

According to Jewish law Jesus’ crime of making himself equal to God was a capital crime. “We have a law, and according to that law he ought to die because he has made himself the Son of God” [John 19:7 ESV; see Matthew 26:63-65]. These people knew the Law and were referring to Leviticus. “Whoever blasphemes the name of the LORD shall surely be put to death. All the congregation shall stone him. The sojourner as well as the native, when he blasphemes the Name, shall be put to death” [Leviticus 24:16 ESV]. God’s judgment on such crimes was stoning not crucifixion. After the person is dead their body may be hung up for display but crucifixion or impaling as a means of execution was a thoroughly barbarian act and never alluded to in the Law of the Jews.

Pilate wants to release Jesus, after having him punished, which he has done, while the Jewish leaders want Jesus executed in a manner which inflicts the most pain effectively erasing the criminal’s humanity. It is ironic that the High Priest and the Jewish leaders refer to the Law in Leviticus 24:16 but ignore the verse following their excuse for the capital sentence. “Whoever takes a human life (unjustly) shall surely be put to death” [Leviticus 24:17 ESV].

Pilate has just heard a new accusation. This accusation has nothing to do with being a king, or inciting rebellion against Rome, or telling people to not pay taxes. Jesus is standing next to him, bleeding profusely, a crown of thorns jammed down onto his head, a purple garment spread over his lacerated shoulders. He is going into shock. Pilate knows he is an innocent man. Jesus has done nothing wrong. Nothing he has done has violated Roman law. Jesus’ supposed violation of Jewish law is of no concern to the Governor. Before him mills a mob of men consumed with hatred. His job is to protect the innocent from such a mob. So far he has not done his job. Now they accuse Jesus of claiming to be a god. “When Pilate heard this statement, he was even more afraid” [John 19:8 ESV]. Pilate is alarmed. He has lost control.

Scourged and Mocked

Even though Pilate symbolically “washes his hands” of the matter he must still approve the penalty and enforce the sentence. Listening to the mob shouting their demands he agrees, releasing a man guilty of crimes against Rome and sentencing to death a man who has, by his own words, done nothing worthy of death. “Then he released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, delivered him to be crucified” [Matthew 27:26 ESV]. Part of the death sentence imposed by Rome was scourging, being beaten with a multi-tailed whip imbedded with rocks and metal. Doing this had, for those in authority, a number of advantages. First, it took all of the struggle and fight out of the man condemned. Second, it provided a visual example to those under Rome’s authority to not do anything against Roman law or the will of those in authority. It imposed the maximum amount of suffering on the condemned who would then hang from a cross unable to do anything but survive for a short while. Disfiguring the man through flogging began the process of taking away their humanity and made it easier to kill them in such a horrendous manner.

But there was another, more insidious advantage to scourging. It gave the Roman soldiers an outlet for their anger toward the people they had conquered. It entertained them. Their minds and hearts had been trained by Rome, and their experiences only reinforced their training designed to teach and ingrain unforgiving brutality. Controlled by Rome meant they were not free to hurt and harm and maim and oppress, until they were released and given permission. Once released the full extent of their brutal training surfaced and moved into full action.

Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor’s headquarters, and they gathered the whole battalion before him. And they stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and twisting together a vine of thorns they put it on his head as a crown and put a reed in his right hand as a scepter. And kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” And they spit on him and took the reed and struck him on the head. And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him and led him away to crucify him. [Matthew 27:27-31 ESV; see also John 19:1-2 and Mark 15:16-19]

Notice the actions of the soldiers as described by these three documents. Obviously, there were soldiers present throughout the “trial” of Jesus, listening to Pilate ridicule the High Priest and goad them into hypocrisy. Perhaps, while Pilate was questioning Jesus alone the guard present had seen him roll his eyes at Jesus’ words, heard the sarcasm in his voice as he asked “what is truth?” and agreed to condemn an innocent man. Pilate may have glanced over at the guard, made eye contact, and given the impression he was talking to a lunatic. Maybe, I’m not sure without more evidence, the guard, always under control, forced himself to suppress his own laughter, seeing his authority make fun of everyone present, except the Roman guard. We do not know what went on between Pilate and those under his control. We do know he gave them permission, freed them from the constraints of discipline, and allowed them to fully vent their derision for the Jews on the person of Jesus.

Pilate had ridiculed Jesus for saying he was a king and mocked the mob for rejecting their king. So the soldiers mocked Jesus as a king. After flogging him, beating him to the point of mortal trauma, they, like Herod’s guards, heaped abuse on the man they viewed as non-human. Wanting to share the spectacle “they called together the whole battalion” [Mark 15:16 ESV] to participate. This was part of their training. Everyone learned the techniques of abuse and how to deliver maximum suffering and humility. With a stripped and bleeding back from the whip they clothed him in “purple” and placed on his head a “crown of thorns.” They gave him a scepter, a reed, then took it from him and beat him with it. They kneeled before him in mockery and cried out “Hail, King of the Jews!” while saluting him and giving him mock worship. They spit on him and struck him with their hands and the reed. As it is presented each soldier takes their turn. This was all done in the Governor’s quarters within hearing of all who lived there, including Pilate and his wife. We can only imagine the agony she endured having to listen to the abuse heaped upon a man she knew was innocent. We can only imagine the stone Pilate’s heart became as he watched and approved the slow torture and murder of a man he had determined innocent.

This is a savior? Jesus is a king? It will be hours before his murder is finished. Then he will be dead. Considering the methods used by Rome to kill people there was no possibility of Jesus escaping death or being resuscitated once the soldiers were done murdering him. All of the evidence points to his ultimate death. All of the evidence says he is alive.

Barabbas or Jesus?

Standing on the steps of the Praetorium with Jesus beside him and a crowd before him Pilate continues his taunting of the Jewish religious leaders. He has already determined Jesus has done nothing wrong. He has also probably decided Jesus is a lunatic. He has concluded the Chief Priest and his mob have delivered Jesus to him out of “envy” meaning they saw him as a threat to their power and control over the people. Pilate had Rome behind him. These conquered people had nothing but their traditions, rituals, ceremonies and feasts. It was Passover and even Pilate knew the significance of this feast. I image Pilate standing before the mob feeling disgust and revulsion toward all of them. He never cared about Jesus. He never cared about the High Priest or any in the mob.

Who was in the mob gathered before Pilate? Many in the mob were considered the religious leaders, teachers and lawyers (specializing in God’s written Law given to Moses in the Tanakh) of Judea. Other’s had been attracted to the proceedings out of morbid curiosity. They knew, having seen it before, what it meant for Pilate to stand where he was standing. Jesus was popular but there were not many, if there were any, in the crowd who approved of the man. “Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus” [Matthew 27:20 ESV]. Then, not many of them may have known the full extent of Barabbas’ crimes, either, even though he was “notorious.” Many in the crowd had been present since the early morning hours before sunrise, and had been in the courtyard of the High Priest. Most had been in the mob which arrested Jesus. If there were any in the crowd who sided with Jesus they were easily quieted and moved away.

Who knew of the notoriety of Barabbas and the influence of Jesus? Who knew of the criminal activities of Barabbas and the lawful activities of Jesus? Most of the mob did not know the backgrounds of either man facing Rome’s condemnation. Pilate knew, for he had examined Jesus. And the High Priest knew, for he, too had examined Jesus. Under Roman law Jesus was innocent and Barabbas was guilty. Under Mosaic Law Jesus was innocent and Barabbas was guilty. Pilate asks, probably with a smirk and a devious twinkle in his eye, “which of the two do you want me to release for you” [Matthew 27:21 ESV]? Here begins a quick exchange of questions about the innocence of Jesus and the answers of the crowd demanding his death. None of the questions are abnormal. All of them are asked in a way which reveals the hypocritical hearts and minds of the Chief Priest and the crowd he controls. When Pilate asked the question the response of the mob was not for the man declared innocent but for the man declared guilty.

“They said, ‘Barabbas'” [Matthew 27:21 ESV].

Immediately Pilate asks the next question. “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ” [Matthew 27.22 ESV]? Pilate’s question reveals his contempt for the religious leaders and the people they govern. He calls Jesus “the Christ” or “Messiah.” In Mark’s document the word’s Pilate uses are slightly different. “Then what shall I do with the man you call the King of the Jews” [Mark 15:12 ESV]? Mark’s perspective is not contradictory nor does it change the depth of hypocrisy shown by both Pilate and the mob. Jesus has already declared himself a king, whose kingdom is not of this world, to Pilate. Listening to this declaration suggested to Pilate Jesus is a lunatic. His advisors had probably told him the religious traditions of the people so he is aware of their desire to see “prophesy” fulfilled by the coming of a godly king who would throw off the shackles of the conquering nation. In this case, the conquering empire is Rome. Pilate ridicules the people by asking them if they want him to murder someone who is supposed to be their deliverer.

“They all said, ‘Let him be crucified'” [Matthew 27.22 ESV]!

Pilate is no longer talking to the High Priest or the religious leaders who want Jesus dead. He is watching the mob standing before him and watching those same people goad the crowd into responding to his questions. They are not thinking, have not seen the evidence, and cannot make a rationale decision about anything which has happened. Mobs don’t think; they follow the lead of those around who follow the lead of those in control. They simply pick up the chant, or rant, of those who are the loudest and most forceful. His next question has already been answered. Why he asks a mob this question only encourages them to respond emotionally. They have already shouted they want Jesus crucified. Pilate asks “why, what evil has he done” [Matthew 27:23 ESV]? Luke’s documents tells us this question is the third time Pilate has asked the people what they want and reiterates he has found nothing in the man deserving death. “A third time he said to them, “Why, what evil has he done? I have found in him no guilt deserving death. I will therefore punish and release him” [Luke 23:22 ESV]. Jesus has done no evil. He has broken no law. Pilate thinks he is crazy. Insane is no reason to crucify anyone. But, this is exactly what the High Priest who is controlling the crowd wants. Pilate against suggest he punish Jesus. They don’t want him punished. They want him dead.

“But they shouted all the more, ‘Let him be crucified'” [Matthew 27:23 ESV]!

Having already abandoned any pretext of being the decision maker in this case Pilate tries to absolve himself of the murder he is going to sanction. “So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, ‘I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves'” [Matthew 27:24 ESV]. Here is the man who makes up truth to fit his circumstance. He is the authority, the magistrate, the governor of the people. He is the one responsible for enforcing the law, for executing those who deserve death and freeing those who have done nothing wrong. His true nature comes to the surface in this single, damning statement. He is not going to stop the mob. “Then he released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, delivered him to be crucified” [Matthew 27:26 ESV]. No matter what anyone thinks Pilate is responsible for letting a notorious criminal go free and condemning to a horrible, agonizing death a man who is innocent. No matter what Pilate says about letting them murder Jesus he must still provide the Roman guards and executioners. They do not murder Jesus themselves. He not only sanctions Jesus’ murder but provides the means for him to die.

Matthew gives us a statement which is completely in keeping with any decision made by a mob. They are willing to take responsibility for the death of Jesus. Not only will they take responsibility but they will impose responsibility upon their families and children and whole nation. Guilt cannot be reasonably shifted to anyone who has not committed the crime. Ancient cultures, Israel included, did punish the children and families for the crimes of the father or leader. Even God shows how the rebellious and unrighteous acts of a leader impacts those led. For these people to ascribe guilt to those yet born is the height of unthinking arrogance and irresponsibility. “And all the people answered, ‘His blood be on us and on our children;” [Matthew 27:25 ESV]! All the people in this circumstance are those in the mob controlled by the High Priest, not all of the territory of Judea. Like all which has transpired to this point their statement is inspired, not by reasoned thinking and righteous feeling but crazed and out of control emotion.

And Pilate thinks Jesus is insane.

Barabbas and Claudia Porcus

After Herod returns Jesus to Pilate, the Governor is faced with the same dilemma. What is he supposed to do with this man hated by the Jewish religious leaders? Jesus said nothing to Herod. None of the accusations levied against Jesus were substantive and were, in fact, manufactured lies developed to excuse their anger and wish for Jesus’ death. Herod and his troop ridiculed Jesus but did not condemn him. Even they saw there was nothing the man had done worthy of condemnation. After Herod returned Jesus to Pilate the Governor called the High Priest and his mob back into Roman court.

“You brought me this man as one who was misleading the people. And after examining him before you, behold, I did not find this man guilty of any of your charges against him. Neither did Herod, for he sent him back to us. Look, nothing deserving death has been done by him. I will therefore punish and release him.” [Luke 23:14-16 ESV]

Pilate is concise in his pronouncements. You brought Jesus to me and charged him with “misleading the people.” Here, the word “misleading” means to turn away or pervert. Jesus was accused of turning the Jewish people away from the Religious leader’s interpretation and implementation of the Law of God and perverting their thinking toward the tradition and leadership of those accusing him. Pilate says nothing about taxes or Jesus’ royalty. He cares nothing about anyone who thinks they are a king and would try to influence people to not pay their taxes. Jesus had done neither. Had he advocated these positions Pilate would have already crushed him.

Pilate continues by stating the obvious. Jesus is not guilty of any crime. He and Herod, after examining Jesus have determined the accused has done nothing deserving death. Pilate moves from being a Governor disciplinarian to a parent disciplinarian. Since the High Priest and his mob can do nothing to stop Jesus Pilate takes over. He treats them, the Jewish leaders of a nation he despises, as children having a squabble with their friends and siblings. Jesus has done nothing wrong but Pilate is willing to “punish” Jesus just to put an end the fiasco playing out before him. Pilate uses the word chastise which is used for training a child, disciplining for instruction and meant to teach the child to not do what they have been doing. He offers to spank Jesus and then let him go.

Matthew’s documents speaks of two things happening which are unverifiable. However, there is no reason to question the veracity of the historical facts given in any of the four documents we are examining. First, he tells us about a custom. There are no other documents or sources which verify this custom, tells us who first implemented it or why it was done. Perhaps Pilate began doing this as a public relations measure to gain a better reputation among the people he was charged to govern. He hated them as much as they hated him. “Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the crowd any one prisoner whom they wanted” [Matthew 27:15 ESV]. Rome was known as a harsh conqueror in order to keep the peace. They would take prisoner any they thought usurping their authority. Again, Pilate did not think Jesus was a threat. During the feast, we do not know which feasts except Passover, the Governor was accustomed to release a prisoner. He would speak to the people gathered before him and actually give them what they wanted.

Pilate plays with the High Priest and the mob gathering around him. He considers Jesus a lunatic and sees how incensed he has made the religious leaders, which (I think) amuses him. He knows why the High Priest has brought Jesus to him. They were not squabbling children but grown men who hated Jesus influence of the people they were supposed to lead. “For he knew that it was out of envy that they had delivered him up” [Matthew 27:18 ESV]. They were jealous of Jesus’ power. He didn’t care about them, their power, nor Jesus or his power over the people. He was tired of the squabble but continued to play with them. He offers to release a notorious prisoner named Barabbas who caused great turmoil and truly lead people to fight against Rome and disrupt Pilate’s world. And they had then a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. So when they had gathered, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” [Matthew 27:16-17 ESV]

What a set up. Do you want to see what the Jewish leaders really think? Not just about Jesus, but God’s law, their authority, their interpretation of God’s law and the traditions they held, the people they were supposed to serve, their own consciences and moral integrity, and every other area of the thinking of their hearts. Pilate, moved by God, gave them a choice and their decision revealed exactly who they are. We will see their decision in the next post.

But, there is another incident which bears examining. Pilate’s wife tried to tell him to do the right thing. “Besides, while he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered much because of him today in a dream” [Matthew 27:19 ESV]. Matthew is the only document which relates this story. In the cultural literature there are no other stories where the wife of a leader warns her husband about anything because of a dream. More likely, by her own description, she had a nightmare. Pilate had been called out early and came, probably directly from bed. He may have known why and who was being brought before him, but there is little reason to suggest his wife knew. Her name was Claudia Porcula. Her warning was simple. Have nothing to do with this man. This can be taken in two ways. Either, because she calls him “righteous” which means “innocent” she was encouraging her husband to let him go or she was saying don’t make a judgment at all.

We do not know if she knew anything about Jesus. She probably did but had no opportunity to see him or listen to his words. She did know her husband and probably offered advice to him, though in private, often. That we know of her dream, or nightmare, was unusual. Women in this century, in the Roman Empire, had no voice in any activity or decision. Whether Jewish or Greek or Barbarian, women were not considered citizens, could not hold office, had not rank, never helped in the political decision making process, and were to keep quiet. However, the four documents of evidence of the life of Christ have many instances where woman play prominent roles. It is not unusual for these documents to elevate the position of woman. This is not true for any of the other cultural documents. Matthew including this incident lends relevance to his writing. This incident is so unusual, so out of the norm for historical writing, knowing it happened lends credence and support to the historical veracity of Pilate’s judgment and actions toward the Jewish religious leaders and Jesus.

Is there anything about the experiences of Jesus, Pilate, Herod, Pilate’s wife, Barabbas, the Jewish leaders and their mob which seem out of the ordinary?