One of the questions we often ask is, “Why? Why did the religious authorities have such blood lust when it came to Jesus? Why did Pilate go along with them, even when he knew their charges weren’t legitimate?”
Three Motives:
• The Religious Motive
To the religious elite, Jesus was a “religious fanatic” attracting too big a following. He was a source of embarrassment to the religious leaders of that era. His influence caused many to begin questioning the teachings + hierarchy of the system they had worked so hard to establish + maintain.
• The Economic Motive
On two occasions (John 2:11-12; Matthew 21:17-23), Jesus had overturned the tables of the moneychangers in the temple. Some feared that Jesus might further upset the commercialization going on. Money talks + it screamed to the religious leaders, “This guy has to go!”
• The Political Motive
When Jesus answered Pilate’s question, “Are you the King of the Jews?” by saying, “You’ve said it” (Matthew 27:11-14; Mark 15:2; Luke 23:3-4; John 18:33-37), that alone, was grounds for execution.
Rome punished not only those who incited rebellion against Rome, but the leaders of the people, as well. In some respects, the Jewish leaders + Roman governor were held hostage to the obedience of the people to the Roman state. If this revolutionary named Jesus got out of hand, it could be their backs plastered to a cross or their heads on a platter.
Jesus was considered by the Jewish authorities to be a menace, not only to their economic + religious situation but also to the political welfare of the Jewish State, which was dominated by Rome. It was to the political advantage of both Jewish + Roman leaders that Jesus die.
After finding no evidence to proceed with capital punishment, Pilate proposed Jesus’ release. He even appealed to something called paschal amnesty. This was a tradition that allowed the people to make a choice as to which prisoner Pilate would release at Passover.
The choice Pilate offered came down to two: one, a known criminal + murderer named Barabbas; the other, Jesus. Prompted by the religious leaders, the crowd demanded the release of Barabbas + the execution of Jesus.
Pilate continued to insist on Jesus’ innocence.
Pilate was a consummate politician. He wanted to set Jesus free.
But the moment he made the decision to do it, someone in the crowd shouted, “If you release this man, you are no ‘friend of Caesar.’ Anyone who declares himself a king is a rebel against Caesar” (John 19:12 NLT).
This was basically a form of blackmail! The religious leaders were reminding Pilate that it could ruin his career if he pardoned Jesus. Pilate’s immediate superior had been executed just months prior on charges of treason + disloyalty.
A footnote in John 19:12 of The Passion Translation indicates that the term “friend of Caesar” was an honorary title given to the ruling wealthy class of Romans who had access to the court of the emperor. Michael Card says, “friend of Caesar” was actually a formal title for the governor.
Pilate’s position was a political appointment given because he was a member of an elite, wealthy, Roman ruling class. When the religious leaders shouted, “If you let this man go, you’re no friend of Caesar,” they were, in effect, threatening to inform Rome that Pilate was allowing treason to co-exist in Caesar’s empire. One false move + Pilate’s appointment could be canceled, his career finished + he could actually be executed.[1]
Michael Card writes, “Whoever shouted this out knew that Pilate was on a slippery political slope. When Pilate heard it, he abandoned his defense of Jesus,”[2] + handed him over to be crucified (Luke 23:24-25).
Interestingly enough, Pilate was ultimately removed from office in A.D. 37 for excessive cruelty to the Jews. It’s believed that he committed suicide on his final journey to Rome. According to tradition, his wife, Claudia Porcula (Matthew 27:19), became a believer + later came to be revered as a saint in the Greek Orthodox Church.[3]
Today’s Verse: So Pilate sentenced Jesus to die as they demanded. 25 As they had requested, he released Barabbas, the man in prison for insurrection + murder. But he turned Jesus over to them to do as they wished. —Luke 23:24-25 NLT
Today’s Prompt: Have you ever succumbed to peer pressure?
Today’s Gratitude: I am grateful Jesus is the King + Ruler of my life.
Today’s Prayer: Father, may I never forget all that Jesus endured for me. Help me to live a life surrendered to His authority + sovereignty in my life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
[1] Footnote in The Passion Translation of John 19:12. Footnote also references P. Barnett, Jesus + the Rise of Early Christianity: A History of New Testament Times, Illinois: InterVarsity, 1999, p. 147
[2] Michael Card, A Violent Grace, page 57-58.
[3] Michael Card, A Violent Grace, page 58.