Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas to the Praetorium, and it was early morning. (John 18:28; Luke 23:1) And when they had bound Him, they led Him away and delivered Him to Pontius Pilate the governor. (Matthew 27:2; Mark 15:1)
First the Jews took Jesus before Caiaphas, the high priest in Jerusalem. Now, they were taking Him to Pontius Pilate, the governor of Judaea, at his Praetorium, the Roman general's tent in a camp. (read "Pontius Pilate") But they themselves did not go into the Praetorium, lest they should be defiled, but that they might eat the Passover. Pilate then went out to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this Man?” They answered and said to him, “If He were not an evildoer, we would not have delivered Him up to you.” (John 18:28-30) And they began to accuse Him, saying, “We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to pay taxes to Caesar, saying that He Himself is Christ, a King.” (Luke 23:2) Then Pilate said to them, “You take Him and judge Him according to your law.” Therefore the Jews said to him, “It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death,” that the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled which He spoke, signifying by what death He would die. (John 18:31-32)
Jesus rightly described the elders of the people, both chief priests and scribes, and Pharisees, when He said, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!" The high priest sentenced Him to death on the testimony of a few false witnesses. (see THE GOSPEL: Jesus Charged with Blasphemy by Blasphemers) Now, they accused Him of perverting the nation, and forbidding to pay taxes to Caesar. But surely they remembered clearly what He had told them: Then the Pharisees went and plotted how they might entangle Him in His talk. And they sent to Him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that You are true, and teach the way of God in truth; nor do You care about anyone, for You do not regard the person of men. Tell us, therefore, what do You think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, “Why do you test Me, you hypocrites? Show Me the tax money.” So they brought Him a denarius. And He said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this?” They said to Him, “Caesar’s.” And He said to them, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” (Matthew 22:15-21; see THE GOSPEL: Give Back to God, and Pay Taxes)
Not only did they condemn Him on the testimony of false witnesses, but they are now making false accusations against Him to Pilate. "What a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive." But how interesting that they did not go into the Praetorium, lest they should be defiled, but that they might eat the Passover. Jesus called them out on their duplicity before: Then the Pharisees and some of the scribes came together to Him, having come from Jerusalem. Now when they saw some of His disciples eat bread with defiled, that is, with unwashed hands, they found fault. For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands in a special way, holding the tradition of the elders. ... Then the Pharisees and scribes asked Him, “Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders,... He answered and said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ [Isaiah 29:13] For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men... He said to them, “All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition. (Mark 7:1-9; see THE GOSPEL: Traditions vs. Obedience)
Then Pilate entered the Praetorium again, called Jesus, and said to Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered him, “Are you speaking for yourself about this, or did others tell you this concerning Me?” Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered You to me. What have You done?” Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.” Pilate therefore said to Him, “Are You a king then?” Jesus answered, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?” (John 18:33-38)
What an honest and powerful question from Pilate, What is truth?” Jesus gave the answer many times before; Jesus said to him, “I am THE WAY, THE TRUTH, and THE LIFE. No one comes to the Father except through Me. (John 14:6) But only everyone who is of the truth hears His voice; "He who has ears to hear, let him hear!" There are many truths but only One Truth! If we want to know ...the Lord, the True God; He is the Living God and the Everlasting King (Jeremiah 10:10); if we want to know Him, we have to believe His Word, His Son, Christ Jesus. Now Jesus stood before the governor. And the governor asked Him, saying, “Are You the King of the Jews?” Jesus said to him, “It is as you say.” (Matthew 27:11; Mark 15:2; Luke 23:3) And the chief priests accused Him of many things, but He answered nothing. Then Pilate asked Him again, saying, “Do You answer nothing? See how many things they testify against You!” But Jesus still answered nothing, so that Pilate marveled. (Mark 15:3-5; Matthew 27:12-14)
Just as we studied in the previous lesson, when we've said all we have to say, stop! (see THE GOSPEL: Betrayal of Jesus Leads to Lawlessness and Death) When we're falsely accused and have made our defense, no more needs to be said, for God is the Judge of all! (Hebrews 12:23) Or if we're rightfully accused, and confess our sins and ask for forgiveness, whether man forgives or not, no more needs to be said; for If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (I John 1:9) So Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowd, “I find no fault in this Man.” (Luke 23:4; John 18:38) But they were the more fierce, saying, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee to this place.” When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked if the Man were a Galilean. And as soon as he knew that He belonged to Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time. (Luke 23:5-7) The elders and scribes sent Jesus to the high priest, Caiaphas, who sent Him to Pontius Pilate, who is now sending Him to Herod...
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