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LUKE - Christ, the Savior of the World
A Bible Study Course on the Gospel of Christ according to Luke

PART 6 - THE REPORT OF CHRIST'S SUFFERINGS, DEATH, AND RESURRECTION (Luke 22 - 24)

10. Jesus in the Civil Trial Before Pilate and Herod (Luke 23:01-25)


LUKE 23:01-05
1 Then the whole multitude of them arose and led Him to Pilate. 2 And they began to accuse Him, saying, “We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to pay taxes to Caesar, saying that He Himself is Christ, a King.” 3 Then Pilate asked Him, saying, “Are You the King of the Jews?” He answered him and said, “It is as you say.” 4 So Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowd, “I find no fault in this Man.” 5 But they were the more fierce, saying, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee to this place.”

The Romans had absolute mastery over Palestine and all the Mediterranean at the time of Jesus. They had as the imperial power the right to condemn to death. From the first moment, Pilate was cautious when the leaders of the people came to him with their complaint against Jesus, that he was hostile to the Roman government. By this indictment they intended to destroy him, and to ingratiate themselves with Pilate. They called Jesus a rebel, corrupter, and opposer who stirred up the people not to give tribute to Caesar. This statement was a false accusation, for Jesus wisely commanded to render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s (Luke 20:25). Finally, the high council pointed out that the young man of Nazareth called himself a King sent from God to set up a worldly kingdom centered in Jerusalem.

Pilate knew that the Jews eagerly awaited a Messiah, and he had frequently condemned rebels claiming to be the expected Christ. The procurator turned from the Jews and addressed Jesus directly. He asked him not as Christ, but, “Are you the King of the Jews?” And Jesus answered this brief question saying, “Yes, it is as you say.” His Father had sent him to reconcile the lost nation, but it did not want reconciliation, but remained corrupt and hardhearted, refused its King and plotted to kill him violently.

Christ wanted to set up the kingdom of love and truth without a sword, army or tax. Then the Roman procurator felt that Jesus was no threat to the Romans. He gazed at the meek King, knowing that such a King would not harm Rome, but he was not aware that at a future date the Roman state would submit to the King Jesus Christ and worship him. Pilate confirmed openly at the first session that Jesus of Nazareth was innocent, for he had not disturbed the public peace by his preaching. His problem was religious, and not political.

But those who complained against him and the mobs insisted on their claim that Jesus stirred up the people, and spread his teaching both in Galilee and Judea. Jesus’ adversaries sought to prove with this charge that Jesus was not satisfied only with stirring up trouble in the cities, but also went to villages, and preached to the poor in the country.


LUKE 23:06-12
6 When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked if the Man were a Galilean. 7 And as soon as he knew that He belonged to Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time. 8 Now when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceedingly glad; for he had desired for a long time to see Him, because he had heard many things about Him, and he hoped to see some miracle done by Him. 9 Then he questioned Him with many words, by He answered him nothing. 10 And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused Him. 11 Then Herod, with his men of war, treated Him with contempt and mocked Him, arrayed Him in a gorgeous robe, and sent Him back to Pilate. 12 That very day Pilate and Herod became friends with each other, for previously they had been at enmity with each other.

The province of Galilee, the boyhood home of Jesus Christ, submitted to King Herod’s authority. Pilate sent the accused to Herod, the Romans’ agent, testifying thereby that Jesus did not deserve death, but under the jurisdiction of Herod Antipas, who was not entitled to condemn to death.

This adulterous king who killed John the Baptist, and lived in ease and immorality, sought many times to employ Jesus and hoped to see him perform some miracles. Now Jesus had an unequalled opportunity to free himself through this meeting, if he had only submitted to this fox. The king asked him many questions, with flattering language. But Jesus kept silent, and did not answer the adulterous murderer. His silence signified condemnation. Woe to him who will not hear the word of God, for God’s silence is as expressive as his speech. Jesus condemned the superficial curiosity of Herod with his glorious silence, revealing his divine glory. This was the wonderful miracle which Jesus presented to the king, contrary to what the latter had expected.

Then Herod enraged, and filled with extreme anger, treated Jesus with contempt and mocked him. He dressed him in a gorgeous robe, as a mock king, and sent him back in this dress on foot to the governor. Pilate immediately understood the significance. The strange thing is that that submissive acknowledgement of Roman authority in sending the prisoner to Pilate brought the governor and the king to a better understanding of each that they became mutual friends. They both laughed at the professing zealous Jews and at the unarmed, foolish King Christ. Even today, we may observe the same strangeness: how contradictory parties, religions, and beliefs that quarrel with one another yet can unite against Christ, for he who is not with him is against him, led by the power of darkness.

PRAYER: O Lord, you are my King. I worship to you and submit to your commands. You are meek loving, and pardoning. Please make me meek, patient, and a good-hearted servant that I may become worthy of your kingdom, spreading it in spite of mockery and persecution for the glory of your unique name.

QUESTION 137: Why did Pilate and Herod become friends?

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