Christ before the Roman authority (Matt. 27:11-31) - JSS2 Christian Religious Studies Lesson Note

Instead of the former religious charge of blasphemy for which the highest Jewish court the Sanhedrin had condemned him they now brought three new political charges against him knowing fully that Pilate was more interested in politics than religious charges. The new charges were as follow:

1. That Jesus was a seditious agitator perverting the nation.

2. That Jesus was inciting people not to pay tax.

3. That he claims to be a king, thereby overthrowing Caesar.

Pilate tried Jesus and found him innocent of all the charges made against him. He saw that the council hated Jesus and wanted him to die. Therefore he did his best to save Jesus. Pilate’s wife told him not to have anything to do with the death of Christ having told him the dream she had.

There was a custom of releasing a prisoner at the feast of the Passover. Pilate asked the people whether the people whether he should release Jesus or a prisoner called Barabbas. This Barabbas was a troublemaker and Pilate thought the people would ask for the release of Jesus. But the chief priest persuaded the people to have Barabbas released. When Pilate asked what evil Jesus had done, they replied that he should be crucified. Again Pilate asked what evil Jesus had done, but they shouted the more: “Crucify him.”

Pilate wash his hands and have Barabbas released to them. Having flogged Jesus, they led him off to be crucified.