The trial before Pilate

They therefore told Pilate, who had met them early in the morning in the courtyard of the Castle of Antonia adjoining the Temple, that Jesus was plotting against the Roman Emperor by setting himself up as a king.  This was what we call treason and was punished by death.  Pilate, however, knowing that they were lying and were jealous of Jesus, said he would let Jesus go free, but the chief priests were determined to stop this if they could.

The crowds shout for crucifixion

Now it happened that a great Jewish festival called the Passover started that day, in honour of which Pilate each year used to let out of prison a criminal chosen by the people.  While, therefore, Jesus was still before Pilate a big crowd came along to ask for a murderer called Barabbas.  At once Pilate, thinking he saw a way out, suggested releasing Jesus, but they wanted Barabbas and when Pilate asked them, “Then what should I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” the crowd, egged on by the chief priests, shouted back, “Let him be crucified!”, that is, nailed to a cross (NRSV, Matthew 27:22).

Jesus is flogged and mocked

Pilate, thinking that if he punished Jesus that would satisfy the crowd, sent him into the castle to be flogged by soldiers with a scourge, that is a whip with several thongs each of which was loaded with pieces of metal.

After they had flogged him, the soldiers then started to jeer at Jesus.  One of them flung his scarlet military cloak round Jesus and pushed a crown twisted from a thorn bush onto his head.  Then they all knelt before him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!”, and spat in his face (NRSV, Matthew 27:29,30). 

Jesus is condemned to death

When Jesus was brought again, still wearing the scarlet cloak and crown of thorns, Pilate showed him to the people saying, “Here is the man!”, hoping that they would think Jesus had now had enough.  But directly the chief priests saw Jesus, they began to shout out, “Crucify him!  Crucify him!” (NRSV, John 19:5,6).  Still Pilate would not give in.  But then the chief priests thought of a way to make him.

It was Pilate’s responsibility to maintain law and order and protect the interests of the Roman Emperor who at that time was Tiberius Caesar.  During the previous four years there had been occasions when Pilate’s behaviour had very nearly provoked serious disturbances. (3). It wouldn’t do at all for Pilate if a report went to the Emperor that he had been favouring someone claiming to be a king of Judea.  If that happened he’d be recalled to Rome to an uncertain fate.  The Jewish rulers knew that Pilate had this weak spot, and so they said to him, “If you release this man, you are no friend of the emperor.  Everyone who claims to be a king sets himself against the emperor” (NRSV, John 19:12).  Pilate then knew that he was beaten.  He was afraid that, if they told the Emperor that he was not loyal to him, the Emperor would not allow him to be governor any longer.  So Pilate, rather than lose his position, decided to give in.  At the same time the crowd was beginning to get out of hand, shouting “Crucify him!  Crucify him!”  Jesus was therefore handed over to the Roman soldiers to be crucified.