Luke 23:13-25

Wednesday Evening Bible Study

July 3, 2002

Introduction

Jesus is on trial. He is being accused by the Jewish leaders. They claim He should be put to death. He has stood before Pilate and Herod, but neither of them can see what Jesus has done to deserve death.

:13 And Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people,

when he had called together – sugkaleo – to call together, assemble; to call together to one’s self

The crowd is made up of some ordinary people, along with the chief priests and the rulers.

: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:

Ye have brought – prosphero – to bring to, lead to; one to a person who can heal him or is ready to show him some kindness, one to a person who is to judge him

one that perverteth – apostrepho – to turn away; to remove anything from anyone; to turn him away from allegiance to any one; tempt to defect

having examined – anakrino – examine or judge; to investigate, examine, enquire into, scrutinise, sift, question; specifically in a forensic sense of a judge to hold an investigation; to interrogate, examine the accused or witnesses

fault – aition – cause, fault

ye accuse – kategoreo – to accuse; before a judge: to make an accusation; of an extra-judicial accusation

:15 No, nor yet Herod: for I sent you to him; and, lo, nothing worthy of death is done unto him.

I sent – anapempo – to send up; to a higher place; to a person higher in office, authority, or power; to send back

worthy – axios – weighing, having weight, having the weight of another thing of like value, worth as much; befitting, congruous, corresponding to a thing

unto him – better, “by him”

Lesson

Jesus was innocent

Both Pilate and Herod understood that Jesus had not done anything worthy of death.

This was very important for our salvation.

If Jesus had done something worthy of death, then when He died, He would have been dying to pay for His own sins.

(Exo 12:5 KJV) Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats:

He had to be “without blemish”.

(2 Cor 5:21 KJV) For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

He had not known sin. This made Him worthy to take our place on the cross.

:16 I will therefore chastise him, and release him.

chastise – paideuo – to train children; to be instructed or taught or learn; to cause one to learn; to chastise; to chastise or castigate with words, to correct; of those who are moulding the character of others by reproof and admonition; to chastise with blows, to scourge; of a father punishing his son; of a judge ordering one to be scourged

release – apoluo – to set free; to let go, dismiss, (to detain no longer); a petitioner to whom liberty to depart is given by a decisive answer; to bid depart, send away; to let go free, release

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

of necessity – anagke – necessity, imposed either by the circumstances, or by law of duty regarding to one’s advantage, custom, argument

he must release – apoluo – to set free; to let go, dismiss, (to detain no longer); a petitioner to whom liberty to depart is given by a decisive answer; to bid depart, send away; to let go free, release

There was a custom at that time that the Roman governor was allowed to release one prisoner who was condemned to die. This was to help promote the Romans in the site of the people, so they would consider them to be merciful.

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

they cried out – anakrazo – to raise a cry from the depth of the throat, to cry out

all at once – pamplethei – with the whole multitude; all together, one and all

release – apoluo – to set free; to let go, dismiss, (to detain no longer); a petitioner to whom liberty to depart is given by a decisive answer; to bid depart, send away; to let go free, release

Barabbas – Barabbas – “son of a father or master”

A bandit (Jn. 18:40), arrested for homicidal political terrorism (Mk. 15:7; Lk. 23:18f.). Mark’s language could indicate a well-known incident, and the epithet ‘notable’ (Mt. 27:16, av) some reputation as a species of hero. ^[1]

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

sedition – stasis – a standing, station, state; an insurrection; strife, insurrection

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

willing – thelo – to will, have in mind, intend; to be resolved or determined, to purpose; to desire, to wish; to love; to like to do a thing, be fond of doing; to take delight in, have pleasure

If you were to ask Pilate what he really desired to do at this point, he would tell you that he wanted to release Jesus.

:21 But they cried, saying, Crucify him, crucify him.

crucify – stauroo – to stake, drive down stakes; to fortify with driven stakes, to palisade; to crucify

: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.

evil – kakos – of a bad nature; base, wrong, wicked; troublesome, injurious, pernicious, destructive, baneful

chastise – paideuo – to train children; to be instructed or taught or learn; to cause one to learn; to chastise; to chastise or castigate with words, to correct; of those who are moulding the character of others by reproof and admonition; to chastise with blows, to scourge; of a father punishing his son; of a judge ordering one to be scourged

let him go – apoluo – to set free; to let go, dismiss, (to detain no longer); a petitioner to whom liberty to depart is given by a decisive answer; to bid depart, send away; to let go free, release

: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.

were instant – epikeimai – to lie upon or over, rest upon, be laid or placed upon; metaph. of things, of the pressure of a violent tempest; of men, to press upon, to be urgent

They put the pressure on Pilate.

voices – phone – a sound, a tone; a voice; speech

loud – megas – great; predicated of rank, as belonging to; splendid, prepared on a grand scale, stately; great things

prevailed – katischuo – to be strong to another’s detriment, to prevail against; to be superior in strength; to overcome; to prevail

John tells us some more of the arguments the priests were using:

(John 19:12-16 KJV) And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar's friend: whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Caesar. {13} When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus forth, and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called the Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha. {14} And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King! {15} But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar. {16} Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away.

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

gave sentence – epikrino – to adjudge, approve by one’s decision, decree, give sentence

Lesson

Giving in to pressure.

If we’re not careful, we can allow ourselves to be pressured to be doing things we don’t want to do.

Illustration

I remember years ago when I served as an elder at another church. At this other church, every vote among the elders required a unanimous approval to carry. What ended up happening is that sometimes some of us would not vote the way we thought we should because we didn’t want the pressure of having been the “one bad guy” who scuttled some idea.

One of the toughest things our kids face today (as well as all of us) is peer pressure. The pressure is tremendous to dress like the other kids, to talk like the other kids, to act like the other kids.

When a person is confronted with the gospel, one of the toughest challenges they will face is to take a stand against their friends or family and follow Jesus. It’s a difficult thing to stand against your friends and go another direction.

Isn’t it an amazing thing how much pressure there was to not follow Jesus before you were a Christian? But was the pressure correct? Was it a good thing to follow Jesus?

Lesson

You can’t wash your hands of your decision

Sometimes we want to close our eyes and just pretend that there are no consequences to the decisions we make. Pilate was like that.

(Mat 27:17-26 KJV) Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ? {18} For he knew that for envy they had delivered him. {19} When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him. {20} But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus. {21} The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas. {22} Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified. {23} And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified. {24} When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it. {25} Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children. {26} Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.

Pilate thought he could be free from guilt by simply “washing his hands”. Yet he would face the rest of his life knowing that he had condemned an innocent person to death. He had condemned the King of the Universe to death.

Some people want to pretend that there are no consequences to saying “no” to Jesus. But you can’t wash your hands.

: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.

sedition – stasis – a standing, station, state; an insurrection; strife, insurrection

murder – phonos – murder, slaughter

they had desired – aiteo – to ask, beg, call for, crave, desire, require

he delivered – paradidomi – to give into the hands (of another); to give over into (one’s) power or use; to deliver to one something to keep, use, take care of, manage; to deliver up one to custody, to be judged, condemned, punished, scourged, tormented, put to death; to deliver up treacherously; by betrayal to cause one to be taken

their will – thelema – what one wishes or has determined shall be done; will, choice, inclination, desire, pleasure

Lesson

He took our place

In a way, Barrabas is a picture of each one of us.

Some see in Barrabas’ name, our own name. We’re all just “a son of a father”.

Each one of us has the condemnation of death on our lives. Each one of us has sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Each one of us is separated from God for our sins.

Jesus on the other hand was totally guiltless. He did not deserve to die.

Yet Jesus died, and we were set free.

Lesson

Jesus was scourged, we are healed

(Mat 27:26 KJV) Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.

This was typically done with a “cat-o-nine-tails”, which consisted of leather straps with bits and pieces of wood, stone, or metal embedded into the straps. It was designed to inflict pain and tear off your skin.

(Isa 53:5 KJV) But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

healed – rapha’ – to heal, make healthful. We often look at this simply in a spiritual sense, that God has healed us spiritually through Jesus, but it includes the physical as well. The Hebrew word is used primarily to speak of physical healing.

Lesson

We grow through chastisement

Jesus didn’t need to be chastised, He had done nothing wrong.

But we will find ourselves going through tough times, and God wants to use the tough times to help us grow.

(Heb 12:1-11 KJV) Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

We can often face tough times and frankly we just want to quit. But God wants us to finish our race.

{2} Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. {3} For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. {4} Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin. {5} And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:

I don’t know of anyone who likes to be “rebuked”. But when God has tough things to say to us, we need to pay attention to them. We need to be careful that we don’t just blow off the hard things that God wants to say.

{6} For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. {7} If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? {8} But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.

If you never go through hard times, perhaps it’s because you’re not God’s child.

{9} Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? {10} For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. {11} Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

We need to learn the lessons God has in our curriculum.

^[1]Wood, D. R. W. (1996). New Bible dictionary (3rd ed. /) (Page 122). Leicester, England; Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press.

Introduction

Jesus is on trial. He is being accused by the Jewish leaders. They claim He should be put to death. He has stood before Pilate and Herod, but neither of them can see what Jesus has done to deserve death.

:13 And Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people,

when he had called together – sugkaleo – to call together, assemble; to call together to one’s self

The crowd is made up of some ordinary people, along with the chief priests and the rulers.

: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:

Ye have brought – prosphero – to bring to, lead to; one to a person who can heal him or is ready to show him some kindness, one to a person who is to judge him

one that perverteth – apostrepho – to turn away; to remove anything from anyone; to turn him away from allegiance to any one; tempt to defect

having examined – anakrino – examine or judge; to investigate, examine, enquire into, scrutinise, sift, question; specifically in a forensic sense of a judge to hold an investigation; to interrogate, examine the accused or witnesses

fault – aition – cause, fault

ye accuse – kategoreo – to accuse; before a judge: to make an accusation; of an extra-judicial accusation

:15 No, nor yet Herod: for I sent you to him; and, lo, nothing worthy of death is done unto him.

I sent – anapempo – to send up; to a higher place; to a person higher in office, authority, or power; to send back

worthy – axios – weighing, having weight, having the weight of another thing of like value, worth as much; befitting, congruous, corresponding to a thing

unto him – better, “by him”

Lesson

Jesus was innocent

Both Pilate and Herod understood that Jesus had not done anything worthy of death.

This was very important for our salvation.

If Jesus had done something worthy of death, then when He died, He would have been dying to pay for His own sins.

(Exo 12:5 KJV) Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats:

He had to be “without blemish”.

(2 Cor 5:21 KJV) For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

He had not known sin. This made Him worthy to take our place on the cross.

:16 I will therefore chastise him, and release him.

release – apoluo – to set free; to let go, dismiss, (to detain no longer); a petitioner to whom liberty to depart is given by a decisive answer; to bid depart, send away; to let go free, release

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

of necessity – anagke – necessity, imposed either by the circumstances, or by law of duty regarding to one’s advantage, custom, argument

he must release – apoluo – to set free; to let go, dismiss, (to detain no longer); a petitioner to whom liberty to depart is given by a decisive answer; to bid depart, send away; to let go free, release

There was a custom at that time that the Roman governor was allowed to release one prisoner who was condemned to die. This was to help promote the Romans in the site of the people, so they would consider them to be merciful.

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

they cried out – anakrazo – to raise a cry from the depth of the throat, to cry out

all at once – pamplethei – with the whole multitude; all together, one and all

release – apoluo – to set free; to let go, dismiss, (to detain no longer); a petitioner to whom liberty to depart is given by a decisive answer; to bid depart, send away; to let go free, release

Barabbas – Barabbas – “son of a father or master”

A bandit (Jn. 18:40), arrested for homicidal political terrorism (Mk. 15:7; Lk. 23:18f.). Mark’s language could indicate a well-known incident, and the epithet ‘notable’ (Mt. 27:16, av) some reputation as a species of hero. [1]

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

sedition – stasis – a standing, station, state; an insurrection; strife, insurrection

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

willing – thelo – to will, have in mind, intend; to be resolved or determined, to purpose; to desire, to wish; to love; to like to do a thing, be fond of doing; to take delight in, have pleasure

If you were to ask Pilate what he really desired to do at this point, he would tell you that he wanted to release Jesus.

:21 But they cried, saying, Crucify him, crucify him.

crucify – stauroo – to stake, drive down stakes; to fortify with driven stakes, to palisade; to crucify

: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.

evil – kakos – of a bad nature; base, wrong, wicked; troublesome, injurious, pernicious, destructive, baneful

let him go – apoluo – to set free; to let go, dismiss, (to detain no longer); a petitioner to whom liberty to depart is given by a decisive answer; to bid depart, send away; to let go free, release

: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.

were instant – epikeimai – to lie upon or over, rest upon, be laid or placed upon; metaph. of things, of the pressure of a violent tempest; of men, to press upon, to be urgent

They put the pressure on Pilate.

voices – phone – a sound, a tone; a voice; speech

loud – megas – great; predicated of rank, as belonging to; splendid, prepared on a grand scale, stately; great things

prevailed – katischuo – to be strong to another’s detriment, to prevail against; to be superior in strength; to overcome; to prevail

John tells us some more of the arguments the priests were using:

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

gave sentence – epikrino – to adjudge, approve by one’s decision, decree, give sentence

Lesson

Giving in to pressure.

If we’re not careful, we can allow ourselves to be pressured to be doing things we don’t want to do.

Illustration

One of the toughest things our kids face today (as well as all of us) is peer pressure. The pressure is tremendous to dress like the other kids, to talk like the other kids, to act like the other kids.

When a person is confronted with the gospel, one of the toughest challenges they will face is to take a stand against their friends or family and follow Jesus. It’s a difficult thing to stand against your friends and go another direction.

Isn’t it an amazing thing how much pressure there was to not follow Jesus before you were a Christian? But was the pressure correct? Was it a good thing to follow Jesus?

Lesson

You can’t wash your hands of your decision

Sometimes we want to close our eyes and just pretend that there are no consequences to the decisions we make. Pilate was like that.

: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.

sedition – stasis – a standing, station, state; an insurrection; strife, insurrection

murder – phonos – murder, slaughter

they had desired – aiteo – to ask, beg, call for, crave, desire, require

their will – thelema – what one wishes or has determined shall be done; will, choice, inclination, desire, pleasure

Lesson

He took our place

In a way, Barrabas is a picture of each one of us.

Some see in Barrabas’ name, our own name. We’re all just “a son of a father”.

Each one of us has the condemnation of death on our lives. Each one of us has sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Each one of us is separated from God for our sins.

Jesus on the other hand was totally guiltless. He did not deserve to die.

Yet Jesus died, and we were set free.

Lesson

Jesus was scourged, we are healed

(Mat 27:26 KJV) Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.

A bandit (Jn. 18:40), arrested for homicidal political terrorism (Mk. 15:7; Lk. 23:18f.). Mark’s language could indicate a well-known incident, and the epithet ‘notable’ (Mt. 27:16, av) some reputation as a species of hero. ^[1]