Handed Over And Led Away

WHEN Pilate, moved by the quiet dignity of the tortured Jesus, again tries to release him, the chief priests become even angrier. They are determined to let nothing interfere with their wicked purpose. So they renew their shouting: "Impale him! Impale him!" "Take him yourselves and impale him," Pilate responds. (Contrary to their earlier claims, the Jews may have authority to execute criminals for religious offenses that are of sufficient gravity.) Then, for at least the fifth time, Pilate declares Jesus innocent, saying: "I do not find any fault in him."

The Jews, seeing that their political charges have failed to produce results, fall back on their religious charge of blasphemy used hours earlier at Jesus' trial before the Sanhedrin. "We have a law," they say, "and according to the law he ought to die, because he made himself God's Son." This charge is new to Pilate, and it causes him to become more fearful. By now he realizes that Jesus is no ordinary man, even as his wife's dream and Jesus' remarkable strength of personality indicate. but "God's Son?" Pilate knows that Jesus is from Galilee. Yet, could he possibly have lived before? Taking him back into the palace again, Pilate asks: "Where are you from?"

Jesus remains silent. Earlier he had told Pilate that his is a king but that his Kingdom is no part of this world. No further explanation now would serve a useful purpose. However, Pilate's pride is hurt by the refusal to answer, and he flares up at Jesus with the words: "Are you not speaking to me? Do you not know I have authority to release you and I have authority to impale you?" "You would have no authority at all against me unless it had been granted to you from above," Jesus responds respectfully. He is referring to the grant by God of authority to human rulers to administer earthly affairs. Jesus adds: "This is why the man that handed me over to you has greater sin." Indeed the high priest Caiaphas and his accomplices had Judas Iscariot all bear heavier responsibility than Pilate for the unjust treatment of Jesus.

Impressed even more by Jesus and fearful that Jesus may have a divine origin, Pilate renews his efforts to release him. The Jews, however, rebuff Pilate. They repeat their political charge, craftily threatening: "If you release this man, you are not a friend of Caesar. Every man making himself a king speaks against Caesar." Despite the dire implications, Pilate brings Jesus outside once more. "See, Your King! He appeals yet again. "Take him away! Take him away! Impale him!" Shall I impale your king? Pilate asks in desperation. The Jews have chafed under the rule of the Romans. Indeed, they despise Rome's domination! Yet, hypocritically, the chief priests say: "We have no king but Caesar."

Next time: Conclusion of Handed Over And Led Away

The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived, 1991