Why Did Jesus Stand Before Pilate?
Bible Study Guide
(Verses 28-32) The Jewish leaders are very careful not to make any accusations against Jesus. They revealed their true wickedness by making every attempt to avoid violating their own laws. All the while, they were planning to hand Jesus over to the Romans for a Roman style execution.
All of these things happened to “fulfill what Jesus had said about the kind of death He was going to die.”
He was referring to what John recorded in chapter 12.
“And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” 33 He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die.” (John 12:32-33)
Jesus meant that He was going to be “lifted up” by way of the Roman crucifixion. Ever since that day, mankind has been drawn to the cross and what it means to the salvation of all who choose to put their faith and trust in Christ.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
This is the reason why Jesus found himself standing before Pilate.
They Loved Their Religion More Than They Loved Christ
The laws that the Jewish leaders followed held more weight than God who stood among them. They loved their religion too much to see God.
Isn’t this just the way of religion today. You join a religion and they place additional burdens you, as if what Christ did was not enough. Today’s religions place more emphasis on their rules, regulations, traditions, rituals and idols and have no regard for the true God.
I’m very familiar with this having spent a majority of my life in the Catholic church. They have no understanding or reverence for the one true God of the Bible. They worship the god their religion created which has no resemblance to the true God of creation.
Was Jesus a King?
(Verses 33-37) When Pilate asked Jesus this question, He was very clever in how He answered. If Pilate was asking as a Roman, then Jesus’ answer was no. He was not a Roman king.
If Pilate was asking as a Jew, then yes indeed, Jesus was sent into the world as the Messiah. Therefore, He was and is the King of the Jews.
In fact, Jesus was many Kings.
- King of the Jews (Matthew 2:2, 27:37; John 1:49)
- King of righteousness (Hebrews 7:2)
- King of peace (Hebrews 7:2)
- King over all the earth (Zechariah 14:4, 8, 9)
- King of glory (Psalm 24:9, 10)
- King of kings and Lord of lords (Revelation 17:14, 19:16)
If you look closely at the earthly life of Christ, we see His life bookended with declarations of His kingship.
At His birth, we see the Eastern Magi’s arriving in Jerusalem asking, “Where is the one born King of the Jews.” At His death, Pilate had placed on the cross above Jesus a sign that read “King of the Jews.”
Whether Pilate placed that sign there to spite the Jews or that He really believed that Jesus was the King of the Jews, the only thing that matters is the fact that Christ is indeed the King of the Jews.
When He soon returns, He’ll be the King of all, and called the King of kings and the Lord of Lords. Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus. Amen!
What is Truth?
(Verses 38-40) Jesus tells Pilate, “Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” Pilate responds with an interesting remark. He says, “What is truth?”
Pilate was obviously speaking from a pagan and worldly viewpoint. If he knew God and believed in Christ, he would understand like true Christians today that Jesus is the truth.
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)
Christ is also full of truth and grace.
“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
(John 1:14)
Pilate’s response gives us a glimpse into the world that we are living in today. Many people don’t know or understand the truth. It has become something that is relative to each individual. The world tells people, make up something and believe it and it’ll become the truth. When in fact, this is a lie.
This is why we see an inversion in our world today. An inversion of the truth. God spoke of this ages ago. Everything that’s good is now evil and everything that was evil is now good.
“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil,
who put darkness for light
and light for darkness,
who put bitter for sweet
and sweet for bitter.”
(Isaiah 5:20)
So, what is the truth? The truth is the man (Jesus) standing before Pilate. He is the truth. Pilate is the one who had no fear of God as He stood before him.
The fear of God is the beginning of all wisdom. Wisdom is knowing the truth about Jesus and His Father. Pilate had no truth in him even though the Truth was standing in front of him.
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