PONTIUS PILATE.
“- - - Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices.” (Luke 13:1).
And that was not his only atrocity. He was appointed procurator of Judea in AD 26 a position which gave him absolute power (except over Roman citizens). The appointment was not one many Romans wanted, involving responsibility for one of the empire’s difficult outlying trouble spots.
Caesar had promised the Jewish people that their religion would not be offended by forced idol worship. When, however, the proud young aristocrat arrived he promptly set up images of Caesar, triggering threatened riots which he intended to put down with a massacre. When thousands showed their willingness to die rather than accept the idols, he had to back down. He remained insensitive and harsh, an efficient ruler maybe but not a diplomatic one.
Why then was he so anxious to release Jesus? It may seem out of character, but there are three possible reasons and the probability is that it was a combination of them all.
First there was pride - in Roman justice and in his own status. He disliked being manipulated.
Second there was his wife’s dream. Romans took dreams seriously as omens. Romans varied as to how seriously they took their wives, but Pilate’s wife was Claudia Procula, grand-daughter of Caesar Augustus and a VIP in Roman society.
Thirdly, and this seems predominant, there was the impact of Jesus’ own personality.
Pilate had never met Him but had probably heard plenty of rumours. They were about the same age. Suddenly Pilate is confronted by a man who does not fit any pattern he knows. His quiet dignity is worthy of a Roman Patrician but there is more than quiet dignity. There is an inner strength which surpasses anything Pilate has known.
Down the ages plenty of bad characters have been shaken and stirred when encountering Christ or those in whom His Spirit resides. The reaction may sometimes lead to a complete turnaround - as it had for Matthew. Others merely feel its temporary effects and are moved but not changed. Either way, however, the effect is felt.
Pilate was expected to give a quick ratification. Instead, he retried the case, found Jesus not guilty and then had to fight a battle of wits with Caiaphas.
Altogether he made seven attempts to release Jesus:
1 He simply announced His acquittal and release.
2 He sent Him to Herod.
3 He offered to have Him whipped instead of executed.
4 He offered them the choice of Jesus or Barabbas as a Passover Amnesty.
5 He actually sent Him for whipping and brought Him back to show to the mob, hoping they would be satisfied.
6 He told the Chief Priests to do it themselves - knowing they could not.
7 He tried oratory to plead with the mob.
And when all failed he gave way.
The following dramatisation is pieced together from the four Gospels.
* * *
PILATE
What charge do you bring against this man?
CAIAPHAS
Your Excellency, He is already convicted or we would not have troubled you.
PILATE
Right. Deal with Him under your law.
CAIAPHAS
We need your sanction for the death penalty.
PILATE
Then you must tell me the charges.
CAIAPHAS
Well, er, we have convicted Him of, er, corrupting the people.
PILATE
A bit vague.
CAIAPHAS
Forbidding to give tribute to Caesar.
PILATE
Are you asking me to believe that your Supreme Court took the trouble to try one of your own citizens on a charge of forbidding Caesar’s tribute?
CAIAPHAS
It was incidental to the other charges Your Excellency.
PILATE
(sarcastically) Indeed.
CAIAPHAS
And claiming to be Messiah, a king.
(Pilate takes Jesus to inside his house behind balcony)
PILATE
Well, are you the king of the Jews?
JESUS
Do you really want to know, or is this what others have said?
PILATE
Am I a Jew? Your own rulers have charged you. What have you done?
JESUS
My kingdom is not one of this world’s kingdoms. If it were, my servants would be fighting now. But that is not where my kingdom comes from.
PILATE
So you are a king then?
JESUS
Yes I am a king. I was born into this world for this purpose - to show the Truth. People who belong to Truth will hear me.
PILATE
What is Truth? (pause)
All right you have answered the charge. Kings from a spiritual realm are no rivals to Caesar.
(Pilate returns to balcony, leaving Jesus with Centurion.)
I find nothing wrong with this man.
CAIAPHAS
He has been a trouble maker Sir, stirring up the people all over Judea, and before that in Galilee.
PILATE
(eagerly) Galilee - He is a Galilean then?.
CAIAPHAS
Yes Your Excellency.
PILATE (relieved)
Then the case is under Herod’s jurisdiction and Herod is here today in Jerusalem. Take Him to Herod. (sits)
(Centurion takes Jesus behind screen. Caiaphas follows.)
NARRATOR
Herod was pleased. He had wanted to see Jesus for a long time and hoped to see a miracle. But to all his questioning Jesus gave no answer at all. The chief priests brought their charges. Herod and his guards mocked Jesus and dressed Him up in a purple robe, symbol of royalty.
(re-enter Caiaphas, Jesus & Centurion)
Then Herod sent Him back to Pilate, with no decision made.
PILATE (standing front)
Look you brought this man to me as a trouble maker, but I found nothing wrong with Him. Now Herod has heard your charges and not convicted Him either.
I’ll have Him whipped if you like, but that is all.
CAIAPHAS
No! Crucify Him
CROWD
Crucify Him! Crucify Him. You can’t let Him go. He’s an enemy. He’s a blasphemer. Away with Him.
PILATE Silence!
(Caiaphas remains outside looking triumphant.
Pilate takes Jesus aside while narrator is speaking.)
NARRATOR
Caiaphas and his colleagues had taken the precaution of gathering a crowd of their own supporters, mixed perhaps with spectators come to watch the executions. This mob was not the voice of the Jewish people any more than the overnight court had been that of Jewish justice.
The common people whom the chief priests feared were still at home. It was Passover time. Another hour or two and they might have discovered what was happening. That was the deadline Caiaphas had been working against all night and nearly missed.
(Pilate leaves Jesus with Centurion, returns to balcony)
PILATE
Listen I always release one prisoner at Passover time. Suppose I release Jesus. Or would you rather have Barabbas who’s in for murder.
CAIAPHAS
Barabbas.
CROWD
Barabbas. Give us Barabbas.
NARRATOR
Pilate kept trying to persuade them. He had realised by now that this case had been brought out of personal jealousy. Also his wife had sent him a message.
Voice of PILATE’S WIFE
Don’t get involved with this innocent man. I’ve suffered a terrible nightmare about Him.
NARRATOR
But the chief priests and their party kept on stirring up the mob to shout for Barabbas.
PILATE
What shall I do with Jesus who is called Messiah?
CAIAPHAS
Crucify Him
CROWD
Crucify Him! Crucify Him. Away with Him.
PILATE
Why what crime has He committed?
CROWD
Crucify Him! Crucify Him. Away with Him.
PILATE (washes his hands)
I am innocent of the blood of this man. It’s your affair.
NARRATOR
Then he released Barabbas and sent Jesus to be whipped.
(Centurion takes Jesus behind screen , Pilate sits. Caiaphas remains standing)
The soldiers took Him to the barracks for whipping. The whole platoon gathered round and made fun of Him, dressed Him in the purple robe, platted a crown of thorns and put it on His head. Some of them knelt to Him in mock obeisance, others beat Him with a reed, others spat in His face. Then Pilate called for Him to be sent back again.
(enter Centurion bringing Jesus)
He brought Him out onto the balcony in front of the people.
PILATE
Look at the man.
CAIAPHAS
Crucify Him
CROWD
Crucify Him
PILATE
Why don’t you do it yourselves, I find no fault in Him.
NARRATOR
He knew they could not take him up on this and still face their public, or function as priests.
CAIAPHAS
By our law He must die because He claimed to be the Son of God.
NARRATOR
Suddenly Pilate was really frightened.
(Pilate takes Jesus into house)
PILATE (agitated)
You heard that latest charge, calling yourself the Son of God, what is it all about? Who are you? Where did you come from? (pause) you are not answering (pause) Don’t you realise I have authority to crucify or release you?
JESUS
You have no authority over me. Only what is given you from above. The one who brought me to you has the greater sin.
PILATE (pacing up and down)
He’s trying to spare me guilt. Son of God. Son of the gods - no they only have one god, Son of Jehovah. Could it be true. He’s right not to tell me, I couldn’t bear it. But He must be released. Where’s that Caiaphas.
(Pilate returns to balcony)
Look I know you want this innocent man out of the way but I’m not going to do it for you.
CAIAPHAS
If you release Him you are not Caesar’s friend.
PILATE
What!
CAIAPHAS
Any one who makes himself a king speaks against Caesar. If you release Him you could be in very serious trouble.
PILATE
Bring Him out onto the balcony again.
(Centurion brings Jesus)
Look people, here is your King.
CAIAPHAS
Crucify Him.
PILATE (to Caiaphas) I’m not asking you.
(stepping forward, hands out towards audience)
I am asking you. What will you do with Jesus, Messiah, King?
(Caiaphas signs to crowd, mouths “Crucify Him”)
CROWD
Crucify Him.
PILATE
Shall I crucify your king?
CAIAPHAS
We have no king but Caesar.
CROWD (echo)
We have no king but Caesar.
PILATE
No king but Caesar - ye gods.
All right then, crucify Him.