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Charges Against Jesus - Matt 27
Charges Against Jesus - Matt 27
How do the Jewish leaders get Pilate, the Roman official, to crucify Jesus?
They cannot bring this about with their own religious complaints about Jesus and His teaching for Pilate couldn’t care less about such matters. Instead, they bring up the idea of Him proclaiming Himself ‘King of the Jews’ and thus is the leader of a ‘rebellion against Rome and the Emperor’. Such rebellion, if true, was punishable by crucifixion. Hence Pilate’s question – are you King of the Jews? (Matt. 27:11). Then the official charge that was made against Him was put over his head on the cross: “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews” (Matt. 27:37). Yet, it seems evident that Pilate saw through all of this. First, he saw that they brought their charges out of jealousy and not out of any civil loyalty to Rome (Matt. 27:18). Second, as per Roman law, Pilate said several times; “I find no case against Him” (John 18:38 NASB95; cp. Jn 19:4, 6, 21, 22).
But, claiming to be ‘king of the Jews’ was not really that big of a deal to the Jewish leaders! It carried little weight and, with the ‘status’ of Jesus it probably was laughable to them. So, they attempted to bring many different charges, but could not prove them. In the end, the High Priest asks: “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?” To this, Jesus bluntly answers “I am”. (Mark 14:61-62).
That did it! He has now blasphemed God (Mark 16:64). With that they proceed to have him crucified. When it appears that Pilate would circumvent their plans by having Jesus released, they not only opt to have Barabbas released instead, but begin to foment a riot over Jesus! We will never know how far they were prepared to take such a riot for Pilate caved in!
The bigger issue is whether Jesus’ claim to be the Son of God was true or not! That he CLAIMED such is really undeniable according to the record that we have. Even while on the cross, the opposition challenges Him claiming that “he said “I am God’s Son” (Matt. 27:43).
Son of God? They said NO! The Angels said “YES” (Luke 1:35), as did the demons (Mark 3:11), the miracles that Jesus performed (John 20:30-31), the apostles (Matt. 14:33), God the Father on several occasions (Matt. 17:5), and His resurrection from the dead (Rom. 1:4). The debate continues, but now YOU have a say so in it. What do you say about this charge? Then, IF you agree that He is the Son of God, are you living in harmony with such a claim?
Hugh DeLong
