John 18:28–40
Sunday Morning Bible Study
February 16, 1997
Introduction
We continue our look at the last day of Jesus’ earthly life.
:28-40 Jesus before Pilate
:28 Then led they Jesus
This is a group of chief priests, a delegation from the Sanhedrin bringing charges before Pilate.
:28 the hall of judgment
praitorion
–the palace where Pilate lived and conducted business while in Jerusalem.:28 it was early
They came at daybreak (Mat. 27:1)
John didn’t record it, but Jesus has already had His trial before the Sanhedrin, and found guilty of "blasphemy", claiming to be God.
:28 lest they should be defiled
The priests stay outside on the doorstep because they consider Pilate, a Gentile, to be unclean, and his house to be unclean.
They didn’t want to be disqualified from participating in the Passover, by being unclean.
:29 Pilate then went out unto them,
I wonder what kinds of things were going through Pilate’s head at this time?
Is he wondering what those crazy Jews are up to now?
To think that he, the governor of Judea must come out to them, and that they consider him unclean?
:30 malefactor
kakopoios
- an evil doer, malefactor:31 It is not lawful for us to put any man to death
In the Jewish law, there was provision for certain crimes to be punishable by death.
And certainly, if Jesus was indeed guilty of blasphemy, then He would be punished by death.
But historically, somewhere around 30 AD, the Roman government took away the Jews ability to pronounce and carry out death sentences.
Of course, it’s not that they didn’t still do it, just not officially.
In the case of Stephen (Acts 7), Stephen was brought up before the Sanhedrin, but before any verdict was given, the crowd was so enraged at Stephen, that they rose up, carried him outside, and stoned him to death.
But here, in the case of Jesus, it is technically correct that they do not have the authority to pronounce a death sentence.
But it also seems that they want to make an example of Jesus, and have Him die the horrible, painful, shameful death of a common criminal with Roman crucifixion.
Perhaps they want to make it clear to the Roman government that they are willing to turn in any traitor to the Roman government, like a person claiming to be a king.
:32 fulfilled, which he spake, signifying what death
As we find out, even the mode of death had already been determined by God.
The Jewish execution was by stoning,
But the prophecies concerning Messiah’s death didn’t fit a death by stoning.
The prophecies indicated:
When Jesus was on the cross, he cried out, "My God, My God, why …", the first line of the Psalm, a way of telling people to look at that Psalm.
(Psa 22:14-16 KJV) I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels. {15} My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death. {16} For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have enclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.
(Psa 34:20 KJV) He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken.
This might not be an easy accomplishment is a person was stoned.
(John 3:14-15 KJV) And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: {15} That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
When you look at this, you realize that He couldn’t have been put to death by stoning, He had to be crucified.
Lesson:
It’s a sign.
The word for "signifying" is the Greek word semaino, the same root word used in:
(John 20:30-31 KJV) And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: {31} But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
John’s whole book is written around the "signs" that show us who Jesus is.
And this is one of them.
Some say that Jesus was just a guy who came along, researched the prophecies about the Messiah and then fulfilled them.
But this was something out of His control, humanly speaking.
He had no control over the Sanhedrin to turn Him over to the Romans, rather than just stoning Him.
When are you going to realize the truth about Jesus?
:34 Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me?
In other words, "Did you, Pilate, come up with this idea, or did you get this idea from the Sanhedrin?"
:35 Am I a Jew?
In other words, it’s pretty obvious that Pilate has had an accusation from the chief priests.
:35 chief priests have delivered thee unto me:
John doesn’t record it, but here’s what the Sanhedrin told Pilate about Jesus.
(Luke 23:2 KJV) 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.
:35 what hast thou done?
It’s kind of the idea of "come on, what have you really done?"
This question kind of has me wondering if Pilate doesn’t realize full well the treachery and deceit of the current Jewish leaders.
:36 My kingdom is not of this world:
The accusations that the Jews were bringing all had to do with being a traitor against the Roman empire.
But Jesus is making it clear that His kingdom isn’t a threat to these Romans.
Lesson:
Is your kingdom in this world?
It seems to me that there are only two things in this room that will last forever:
And yet we spend so much time trying to build up our little financial empires, or to create the perfect dream house, or to get that awesome car.
Perhaps we’ve forgotten where we’re headed.
Illustration:
Have you ever packed your suitcase for a trip, but guessed wrong on the weather?
You pack too many jackets, when what you really need are T-shirts.
Make sure you’re ready for the life ahead, the one that lasts a LONG, LONG Time!
Jesus told a story:
Luke 12:16-21 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: 17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? 18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. 20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? 21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.
:36 then would my servants fight
There would have been more bloodshed than one servant getting his ear cut off.
His servants would be out in the streets causing a riot.
:37 Art thou a king then?
Pilate’s been listening, and it kind of sounds as if this guy might be some sort of a king.
:37 Thou sayest that I am a king.
The phrase "Thou sayest" is kind of like saying "You said it!" or, in other words, "YES"
You could translate this, "You said it, that I am a king".
You could even translate it, "You said it because I am a king"
:37 To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world
Jesus came to earth for this very reason, to bear witness to the truth.
:37 that I should bear witness unto the truth
Jesus’ own teachings were filled with "truth"
The "verily, verily" statements.
What does "verily, verily" mean?
In the Greek, it’s "amen, amen".
"amen" means "surely, truly, of a truth"
It’s saying, "What I’m going to say is certainly the truth …"
Twenty five times in the Gospel of John, Jesus starts a statement with "verily, verily".
Jesus’ teachings were filled with truth.
:37 Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.
If you are a person whose life is firmly grounded in the reality of truth, then you will hear Jesus.
Lesson #1:
The importance of the truth
You can’t talk about Jesus and not talk about truth.
Joh 1:17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
Jesus said that you can’t even know God without grasping the truth.
John 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
One of the dangers we have as Christians is to "compartmentalize" the concept of "truth".
We look at Scriptures that talk about truth, and limit it to mean the "truth of the gospel".
But when it comes to the rest of our lives, we somehow seem to think that "truth" isn’t important.
God wants truth in every aspect of our life.
Truth is simply the opposite of dishonesty.
2Cor 4: 2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.
Lesson #2:
Truth opens your ears
Jesus said if you were "of the truth" then you would hear His voice.
Some of you have been wondering why you haven’t been hearing from the Lord lately.
One question to ask is, "Am I being truthful?"
Truth is the key to maturity.
Eph 4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
You aren’t going to grow up until you accept the truth.
Joh 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
This is what AA has discovered, and one of the first things you need to do in their program is to admit that you have a problem.
You have to stop lying to yourself about the way things are.
1. The truth about your sin.
You need help.
1John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
Joh 8:34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.
2. The truth about obedience.
Sometimes we get to thinking that it’s not all that important that I obey.
1Jo 2:4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
3. The truth that eternal life is found in Jesus.
Joh 6:47 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.
Joh 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
"Well", you say, "that’s all good and true, but I’m doing just fine without all this truth stuff."
You’re on dangerous grounds for the future.
Those who do not love the truth will be deceived in a time not too far in the future, the coming great tribulation.
2 Th 2:8-12
And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: {9} Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, {10} And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. {11} And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: {12} That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.:38 What is truth?
A classic question.
But it’s really hard to understand just what Pilate means by it.
1. Some look at this as if Pilate is getting philosophical.
This was one of the great philosophical questions of the day.
Like the person who thinks that truth is just relative, depending upon your situation.
2. Some have suggested he was kind of joking around with Jesus, "yeah right, truth, tell me all about it …"
3. Some have suggested that Pilate really wanted to know the truth, except he never waits to hear the answer.
:38 I find in him no fault at all.
Technically, Pilate should have released Jesus then and there.
:39 ye have a custom, that I should release unto you one at the passover:
Apparently there was some sort of agreement between the Roman government and Jews, that one prisoner would be released each year at the Passover.
:39 will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews?
It seems as if Pilate wants Jesus released, but he doesn’t have much strength about his convictions.
He seems to want to make it easy for the Jews to say, "Yeah, you’re right, He’s really a nice guy …"
Matthew records that he gives them a choice of who he’s willing to release:
(Mat 27:17 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?
Barabbas
= "son of a father or master"Luke tells us about Barabbas:
(Luke 23:19 KJV) (Who for a certain sedition made in the city, and for murder, was cast into prison.)
:40 Not this man, but Barabbas.
Pilate’s idea seems to backfire on him.
The crowd asks for the wrong person.
Here was a man worthy of death, suddenly being released, and another man, an innocent man, take his place on a Roman cross.
This is what the gospel is all about.
This is what Jesus came for.
Lesson:
Will Jesus take your place?
In a way, Barabbas is a picture of all of us.
The Bible says we’ve all sinned.
(Rom 3:23 KJV) For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
The Bible says we’re all worthy of death.
(Rom 6:23 KJV) For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Will you open your heart to the free gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ?