ARE YOU KING OF THE JEWS?

Passage: Matthew 27:11-26

Key verse: 11

NIV

Jesus Before Pilate(A)

11 Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”(B)

“You have said so,” Jesus replied.

12 When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer.(C) 13 Then Pilate asked him, “Don’t you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?”(D) 14 But Jesus made no reply,(E) not even to a single charge—to the great amazement of the governor.

15 Now it was the governor’s custom at the festival to release a prisoner(F) chosen by the crowd. 16 At that time they had a well-known prisoner whose name was Jesus[a] Barabbas. 17 So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you: Jesus Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Messiah?”(G) 18 For he knew it was out of self-interest that they had handed Jesus over to him.

19 While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat,(H) his wife sent him this message: “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent(I) man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream(J) because of him.”

20 But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed.(K)

21 “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” asked the governor.

“Barabbas,” they answered.

22 “What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called the Messiah?”(L) Pilate asked.

They all answered, “Crucify him!”

23 “Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate.

But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!”

24 When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar(M) was starting, he took water and washed his hands(N) in front of the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,”(O) he said. “It is your responsibility!”(P)

25 All the people answered, “His blood is on us and on our children!”(Q)

26 Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged,(R) and handed him over to be crucified.

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Footnotes
  1. Matthew 27:16 Many manuscripts do not have Jesus; also in verse 17.
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Jesus Before Pilate

11 (A)Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you (B)the King of the Jews?” Jesus said, (C)“You have said so.” 12 (D)But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he gave no answer. 13 Then Pilate said to him, (E)“Do you not hear how many things they testify against you?” 14 But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed.

The Crowd Chooses Barabbas

15 (F)Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the crowd any one prisoner whom they wanted. 16 And they had then a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. 17 So when they had gathered, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you: Barabbas, or (G)Jesus who is called Christ?” 18 For he knew that it was out (H)of envy that they had delivered him up. 19 Besides, while he was sitting on (I)the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, “Have nothing to do with (J)that righteous man, for I have suffered much because of him today (K)in a dream.” 20 Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to (L)ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. 21 The governor again said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.” 22 Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” (M)They all said, “Let him be crucified!” 23 And he said, “Why? (N)What evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified!”

Pilate Delivers Jesus to Be Crucified

24 So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that (O)a riot was beginning, he took water and (P)washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of (Q)this man's blood;[a] (R)see to it yourselves.” 25 And all the people answered, (S)“His blood be on us and (T)on our children!” 26 Then he released for them Barabbas, and having (U)scourged[b] Jesus, delivered him to be crucified.

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Footnotes
  1. Matthew 27:24 Some manuscripts this righteous blood, or this righteous man's blood
  2. Matthew 27:26 A Roman judicial penalty, consisting of a severe beating with a multi-lashed whip containing embedded pieces of bone and metal
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. 'Yes, it is as you say' (11-14)

Pilate had the power to set Jesus free or to order his execution. If Jesus claimed to be a king, he would be accused of a capital crime. But when Pilate asked him if he were king of the Jews, he said, 'Yes.' To Pilate's amazement, he said nothing in his own defense. Jesus' kingdom is not of this world. His rule is in the hearts of men. His rule brings peace.

2. Pilate washed his hands (15-26)

Pilate knew that Jesus was innocent of any crime, and that the religious leaders had handed him over out of envy. He tried to find a way both to release Jesus and satisfy the crowd, but the chief priests had done their work well, and the crowd shouted, 'Crucify him!' Pilate finally gave up. He thought he could wash innocent blood off his hands and put the responsibility on others. Jesus' blood is indeed on all sinners because he died for us. His blood is on me; by his blood I am saved.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, you are my King because you bought me with your blood.

One Word: Jesus shed his blood for me