“A JOURNEY THROUGH THE GOSPEL OF JOHN” ST. JOHN 19:1-11

Christ’s Trial Before Pilate –  Part II

In the dramatic confrontation of Christ with Pilate, it was established that Pilate had affirmed on numerous occasions that he “found no fault with Christ” (Luke 23:4, 14; St. John 18:38, 19:4, 6).  Pilate even endeavored to induce the Jews to release Jesus; however, the Jews vehemently desired Barabbas’ release instead of Christ’s (St. John 18:39-40).  Yet, in spite of all Pilate’s vacillating and indecisive moves in the pre-sentencing of Christ, God had decreed that Pilate should sentence His beloved Son to death, for no one could thwart the mighty purpose of God Almighty.

We must remember that the scripture affirmed that “Christ was delivered up by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God” (Acts 2:23).  Oh yes, it was definitely God’s will for His Son to die, and be delivered into the hands of vile men, for Acts 4:27-28 says – “Both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, for to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.”  Again, Christ had to be sentenced by the vacillating and timid Pilate, because the eternal counsel of Deity had ordained it.

In St. John 19:1, we are informed that our Lord is being humiliated and mistreated in a vicious way.  When a victim is scourged, his body is beaten and inflicted with severe pain that often the sufferer died before the crucifixion.  Pilate, the governor of Judea, thought that if he chastised Jesus severely, the Jews’ wrath would be placated and Pilate would be relieved from sentencing Christ, for Luke 23:16 says – “I will therefore chastise Him, and release Him.”  However, Pilate’s wretched plan did not work!

Not only was our Saviour scourged severely in verse 1, but in verses 2 and 3, He was mocked and smitten by the cruel hands of the Roman soldiers.  Having interviewed Christ privately, Pilate reaffirmed to the Jews in verse 4 that “he found no fault in Him.”

In a effort to appease the wrath of the Jewish people, Pilate appeals to the Jews’ pity, for Jesus, who had been severely beaten, is brought before the people (v. 5).  However, Pilate’s scheme of placating the Jews’ hatred of Christ failed greatly, for the chief priests and officers upon looking at Christ, said – “Crucify Him, Crucify Him” (v. 6).  In verse 7, we see the murderous insistence of the Jewish leaders in wanting Christ to receive the death sentence.  In light of verse 7, however, in verse 8, Pilate was greatly alarmed after hearing the Jewish leaders’ declaration that Christ “made Himself the Son of God.”  Thus, the Jewish leaders affirmed that Christ was guilty of death according to their law (Leviticus 24:16).

The question raised by Pilate in verse 9 – “Whence art thou?” indicated that the governor was indeed perplexed and puzzled, for Christ responded to his question with complete silence.  Our Lord did not owe Pilate a reply, for Pilate had every opportunity to vindicate the Saviour; but, instead of being moved by his conscience, Pilate gave into the vile hatred of the Jewish leaders.  It is indeed a mockery of justice for Pilate to affirm in verse 10 that he had the power to release Christ, yet he will be the agent to condemn Christ to die!  With marvelous majestic dignity, our Lord finally replied in a sublime way by saying – “Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above” (v. 11).  By replying to Pilate, Christ affirmed that Pilate had no power; in reality, his power was delegated by the Father, for Christ’s Father had absolute power!  May God Bless!