LUKE LESSON 56

    We will begin this lesson in Luke 23:1 "And the whole multitude of
them arose, and led him unto Pilate."

    The multitude is speaking of those of the Sanhedrin. These Jews
did not have the authority to kill Jesus, so they had to bring Jesus
before Pilate for pronouncing the death sentence. Of course, this
whole thing was against the law. Trial at night and crucifying the
accused the same day was really against the law.

    Luke 23:2 "And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this
[fellow] perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to
Caesar, saying that he himself is Christ a King."

    Of curse. Jesus had not said anything about giving tribute to
Caesar. This accusation was just to stir Pilate up so he would crucify
Jesus. Jesus had not even told them that He was Christ. They had said
that themselves. This whole trial was a set up. Very little truth was
told.

    Luke 23:3 "And Pilate asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the
Jews? And he answered him and said, Thou sayest [it]."

    Pilate, perhaps, had heard that this Jesus was believed to be the
King of the Jews, the Messiah. In the answer Jesus gave, Pilate knew
that Jesus was indeed the King. Jesus answered in such a way that they
could not accuse Him of saying that He was. In the other accounts of
this, some of the other writers go into detail explaining that Pilate
really did not want to kill Jesus. John was probably somewhere near
and heard these details. We know that Peter was near, as well.

    Luke 23:4 "Then said Pilate to the chief priests and [to] the
people, I find no fault in this man."

    There really was no evidence of any wrong doing on Jesus' part.
Pilate realized that this was a move caused by jealousy on the part of
these religious people who accused Jesus. This is a frame-up to get
rid of Jesus.

    Luke 23:5 "And they were the more fierce, saying, He stirreth up
the people, teaching throughout all Jewry, beginning from Galilee to
this place."

    This is the nearest thing to the truth they have told. The church
had gotten so stagnant that nothing was happening and here this Jesus
comes along and gets everyone excited about God. He brings hope where
there was no hope. People the church had turned down are becoming His
followers. He even heals people when there was no healing going on in
the church. Someone surely needed to stir up the people. In fact, we
could use a good stir in the church now before it completely dies.

    Luke 23:6 "When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked whether the man
were a Galilaean."
    Pilate quickly sees a chance to get off the hook. If this man is a
Galilaean, perhaps, this decision belongs to someone else.

    Luke 23:7 "And as soon as he knew that he belonged unto Herod's
jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who himself also was at Jerusalem
at that time."

    We see from this that Pilate really believed Jesus to be innocent,
but he did not want to stir up the Jews against him. He really did not
want the blood of this innocent man on his hands, especially since his
wife had dreamed about this very thing and told Pilate not to do this.
His fear of the people caused him not to release Jesus. He did not
want to condemn Him, either. He was pleased that He was in Herod's
jurisdiction; and since Herod was in Jerusalem, he just sent Him to
Herod to judge.

    Luke 23:8  "And when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad: for
he was desirous to see him of a long [season], because he had heard
many things of him; and he hoped to have seen some miracle done by
him."

    Herod's usual residence was Capernaum. and he had heard of the
mighty miracles that Jesus had done; but had never had an opportunity
to see a miracle. Herod was not interested in punishing Jesus.

    Luke 23:9 "Then he questioned with him in many words; but he
answered him nothing."

    Pilate, it appears, questioned Jesus at length, not to find fault,
but to take care of his curiosity. Jesus did not answer him.

    Luke 23:10 "And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently
accused him."

    The chief priests and scribes went right along when they carried
Jesus to Herod and they continued accusing Jesus.

    Luke 23:11 And Herod with his men of war set him at nought, and
mocked [him], and arrayed him in a gorgeous robe, and sent him again
to Pilate.

    Since Jesus didn't do a miracle in front of Herod, he decided
there must not be anything to the stories about the miracles. He and
his men made fun of Jesus, they even put a kingly robe upon Him, then
they sent Jesus back to Pilate.

    Luke 23:12  "And the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends
together: for before they were at enmity between themselves."

    We see here that Herod felt that Pilate had shown respect for him
by sending Jesus who was from his district to be judged by him. Herod
recognized Pilate's superiority when he returned Jesus to Pilate for
such a serious decision. This caused them to become friends.

    Luke 23:13  "And Pilate, when he had called together the chief
priests and the rulers and the people,"  Luke 23:14 "Said unto them,
Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perverteth the people:
and, behold, I, having examined [him] before you, have found no fault
in this man touching those things whereof ye accuse him:" Luke 23:15
"No, nor yet Herod: for I sent you to him; and, lo, nothing worthy of
death is done unto him." Luke 23:16 "I will therefore chastise him,
and release [him]."

    The very first thing that shows up in this is that even though
Pilate and Herod found Jesus to be completely innocent, they both
punished Him. Pilate. to please these people of the Sanhedrin says he
will chastise Him. If he is innocent, it is illegal to chastise Him.
These chief priests and rulers of the people will not be satisfied
with this, because they want to be rid of Jesus.

    Luke 23:17 "(For of necessity he must release one unto them at the
feast.)"

    It was the custom to release a prisoner (pardoned) at feast time.

    Luke 23:18 "And they cried out all at once, saying, Away with this
[man], and release unto us Barabbas:"

    Jealousy is one of the most cruel sins, because men do terrible
irrational things to innocent people. Barabbas was a menace to
society, a very evil man, and yet they chose him over the Lord of all
the earth.

    Luke 23:19 "(Who for a certain sedition made in the city, and for
murder, was cast into prison.)"

    You can easily see Barabbas deserved punishing. He had led a
revolt against the authorities. John calls him a robber; and here in
Luke, we see him called a murderer. In other words, he was a very evil
man.

    Luke 23:20 "Pilate therefore, willing to release Jesus, spake
again to them."

    Pilate wants to release Jesus. He knows Jesus is innocent of any
wrong doing. Once more, he tries to convince these people to release
Jesus.

    Luke 23:21 "But they cried, saying, Crucify [him], crucify him."

    Pilate by this time has washed his hands and said he was innocent
of taking this innocent man's blood. These religious people of the day
would not be hushed. They wanted to be rid of this Jesus.

    Luke 23:22 "And he said unto them the third time, Why, what evil
hath he done? I have found no cause of death in him: I will therefore
chastise him, and let [him] go."

    A ruler, or anyone who judges, should never allow a mob to make
his decision for him. He knows Jesus is innocent and he should not be
swayed by the mob. His fear of losing his high position is swaying his
better judgement.

    Luke 23:23 "And they were instant with loud voices, requiring that
he might be crucified. And the voices of them and of the chief priests
prevailed."

    Pilate gave in to these loud voices of these Jews. Public opinion
should never sway a judge. Pilate is afraid these Jews will cause
great trouble with his rule and might even overthrow him.

    Luke 23:24 "And Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they
required."

    We see mob rule here. Pilate, against his better judgement,
sentences Jesus to crucifixion. Pilate is not as guilty as these
Jewish Leaders. Nevertheless, he could have stopped this and he
didn't. He knew Jesus was innocent of wrong doing, yet he sentenced
Him anyway. He cannot plead innocence. What a terrible fate to stand
before Jesus on judgement day and know that you ordered the
crucifixion.

    Luke 23:25 "And he released unto them him that for sedition and
murder was cast into prison, whom they had desired; but he delivered
Jesus to their will."

    This is the most gross example of injustice ever in history. We
know that God will use this terrible injustice and bring the greatest
act of grace in all of history about at the crucifixion of His only
begotten Son.






















                           Luke 56 Questions

1.  When the multitude arose, where did they take Jesus?
2.  Who is this multitude?
3.  Why did they take Jesus to Pilate?
4.  What did they accuse Jesus of before Pilate?
5.  What question did Pilate ask Jesus?
6.  How did Jesus answer in verse 3?
7.  In verse 4. what statement did Pilate make to the people?
8.  Where did they say Jesus had preached?
9.  Why did Pilate believe where Jesus had preached would get him off
    the hook?
10. Who did Pilate send Jesus to?
11. Why was he glad to see Jesus?
12. When he questioned Jesus, how did Jesus answer?
13. Who went with Jesus and accused Him to Herod?
14. What did Herod and his men do to Jesus?
15. What two men were made friends?
16. When they brought Jesus back to Pilate, what did he tell the chief
    priests and rulers?
17. In verse 16, how was Pilate willing to punish this innocent man?
18. Verse 17 tells us of a custom. What was it?
19. Who did the priests and rulers ask to be released?
20. What was this one guilty of?
21. What did they want Pilate to do with Jesus?
22. How many times did Pilate go back and ask them to let him release
    Jesus?
23. Why didn't he release Jesus?
24. Whose wishes prevailed?
25. Who sentenced Jesus?
26. What rule do we see here?
27. What should a ruler do, instead of listening to a mob?
28. Do you feel Pilate will be counted innocent when he stands before
    Jesus on judgement day?