John 19:1-12 CSB
Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. [2] The soldiers also twisted together a crown of thorns, put it on his head, and clothed him in a purple robe. [3] And they kept coming up to him and saying, "Hail, king of the Jews!" and were slapping his face. [4] Pilate went outside again and said to them, "Look, I'm bringing him out to you to let you know I find no grounds for charging him." [5] Then Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, "Here is the man!" [6] When the chief priests and the temple servants saw him, they shouted, "Crucify! Crucify!" Pilate responded, "Take him and crucify him yourselves, since I find no grounds for charging him." [7] "We have a law," the Jews replied to him, "and according to that law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God." [8] When Pilate heard this statement, he was more afraid than ever. [9] He went back into the headquarters and asked Jesus, "Where are you from?" But Jesus did not give him an answer. [10] So Pilate said to him, "Do you refuse to speak to me? Don't you know that I have the authority to release you and the authority to crucify you?" [11] "You would have no authority over me at all," Jesus answered him, "if it hadn't been given you from above. This is why the one who handed me over to you has the greater sin." [12] From that moment Pilate kept trying to release him. But the Jews shouted, "If you release this man, you are not Caesar's friend. Anyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar!"
No Authority
Greek fables call many men demi-gods and sons of gods. The Romans believed this more than others; their gods were many and carried the morals of humans—greater in power, but not in holiness. Because of this, superstitions ran rampant in Roman culture. At first, Pilate was simply placating the crowd. Perhaps they would be satisfied if his soldiers flogged this man who claimed to be a king. To be flogged was more than just a beating; many died while tied to a post or the ground. The whip, or flagrum, consisted of a short wooden handle and several long leather strips, each containing weighted lead balls or jagged pieces of bone and metal. The whip would dig into the flesh and tear away strips of muscle, exposing underlying tissue and even bone. Yet, as Isaiah 53:5 says, “But he was pierced because of our rebellion, crushed because of our iniquities; punishment for our peace was on him, and we are healed by his wounds.”
By His wounds, we have been healed.
Pilate could not find a charge. He brought Jesus out, beaten to the point of death, hoping the sight would satisfy their bloodlust so he could release Him. The crowd refused; they wanted the crucifixion. We are told in other gospels that Pilate’s wife had suffered in dreams about Jesus and warned him to have nothing to do with “that righteous man.” Then came the words that pricked Pilate’s ears: “He made himself the Son of God.”
Pilate stops everything. Jesus is taken for private questioning again. “Where are you from?” No answer. Pilate’s fear continues to grow. He tries to exert his worldly position: “I have the power to release you.” Jesus is honest with Pilate, reminding him of the “Long View” of sovereignty: “You would have no authority over me at all if it hadn’t been given you from above.” Pilate is terrified. He tries everything to placate the crowd, but in the end, the mob wins.
We have this same choice today. When the crowd yells that it is okay to do this or that—when the world decides to turn its back on Christ—will we stand with Him and take the brunt of the world’s hate? Will we find the politically expedient way of turning Christ over by staying quiet and smoothing over the crowd? We might even be tempted to water down Jesus’ words to make them more acceptable. Pilate gave in to the mob, and the Savior of the world was sent to be crucified.
Reflection Questions
- Pilate was “more afraid than ever” when he realized who Jesus might be, yet he still gave in to the crowd. When have you felt the pressure of the “mob” (friends, coworkers, or social media) to stay silent about your faith?
- Jesus told Pilate his power was only “given from above.” How does it change your anxiety about world leaders or difficult bosses when you remember that all earthly authority is temporary and secondary to God’s?
- Isaiah says the “punishment for our peace” was on Him. Looking at the description of the flogging, how does the physical cost Jesus paid deepen your understanding of the “peace” you now have with God?
Prayer
Father,
We stand in awe of a Savior who took the stripes of the flagrum so that we could be healed. Forgive us for the times we have been like Pilate—valuing our own position or the approval of the crowd more than the Truth standing right in front of us. Give us the courage to stand with You when the world shouts “Crucify.” Thank You for the peace that was bought at such a high price.
Amen.
