PILATE'S ATTEMPTED COMPROMISE FAILS

Passage: Luke 23:13-25

Key verse: 25

NIV

13 Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers and the people, 14 and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined him in your presence and have found no basis for your charges against him.(A) 15 Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us; as you can see, he has done nothing to deserve death. 16 Therefore, I will punish him(B) and then release him.” [17] [a]

18 But the whole crowd shouted, “Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us!”(C) 19 (Barabbas had been thrown into prison for an insurrection in the city, and for murder.)

20 Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate appealed to them again. 21 But they kept shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!”

22 For the third time he spoke to them: “Why? What crime has this man committed? I have found in him no grounds for the death penalty. Therefore I will have him punished and then release him.”(D)

23 But with loud shouts they insistently demanded that he be crucified, and their shouts prevailed. 24 So Pilate decided to grant their demand. 25 He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, the one they asked for, and surrendered Jesus to their will.

Read full chapter
Footnotes
  1. Luke 23:17 Some manuscripts include here words similar to Matt. 27:15 and Mark 15:6.
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

13 Pilate then called together the chief priests and (A)the rulers and the people, 14 and said to them, “You brought me this man (B)as one who was misleading the people. And (C)after examining him before you, behold, I (D)did not find this man guilty of any of your charges against him. 15 Neither did Herod, for (E)he sent him back to us. Look, nothing deserving death has been done by him. 16 (F)I will therefore punish and release him.”[a]

Pilate Delivers Jesus to Be Crucified

18 (G)But they all cried out together, (H)“Away with this man, and release to us Barabbas”— 19 a man who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection started in the city and (I)for murder. 20 Pilate addressed them once more, desiring to release Jesus, 21 but they kept shouting, “Crucify, crucify him!” 22 A third time he said to them, “Why? (J)What evil has he done? (K)I have found in him no guilt deserving death. (L)I will therefore punish and release him.” 23 But they were urgent, demanding with loud cries that he should be crucified. And their voices prevailed. 24 So Pilate decided that their demand should be granted. 25 He released the man who had been thrown into prison (M)for insurrection and murder, for whom they asked, (N)but he delivered Jesus over to their will.

Read full chapter
Footnotes
  1. Luke 23:16 Here, or after verse 19, some manuscripts add verse 17: Now he was obliged to release one man to them at the festival
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. No basis for charges (13-22)

Pilate examined Jesus in the presence of his accusers and found that their charges had no basis. Then, in order to save himself, he chose the way of compromise. To appease the religious leaders, he offered to punish Jesus anyway, then release him. This was unjust. If Jesus were innocent, he should be released without punishment--because of his innocence, not because of the custom of releasing one prisoner.

2. Handed over to their will (23-25)

The mob, incited by the chief priests, shouted, 'Crucify him.' They shouted until their will prevailed. Pilate gave in and decided to release a murderer and crucify an innocent man. There is no compromise before the cross. Jesus died in the place of a criminal. He died in my place, and in the place of all sinful people.

Prayer: Lord, I criticize Pilate, but how often I make small compromises. Jesus died for my sins. Lord, forgive me and cleanse me by his blood.

One Word: Jesus died for sinners