His wife warned Pontius Pilate not have anything to do with the innocent man, Jesus. But before him was a crowd of chief priests and elders demanding the man’s death.
“You brought this man to me as one who incites the people to rebellion, and behold, having examined Him before you, I have found no guilt in this man regarding the charges which you make against Him. No, nor had Herod, for he sent Him back to us; and behold, nothing deserving death has been done by Him,” declared Pilate. (Luke 23:14-16)
“I will therefore punish Him and release Him.”
But the crowd would not hear of it. They wanted Jesus to die.
Everyone knew the tradition of releasing one prisoner at the time of Passover. Pontius Pilate gave them the choice. He would release either Barabbas or Jesus.
The chief priests and elders persuaded the crowd to ask for the release Barabbas and ask for the death of Jesus.
“Which of these two men do you want me to release?” asked Pilate.
“Barabbas,” they shouted.
“Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” he asked.
‘‘Let Him be crucified,” the crowd called out.
“Why, what evil had He done?” he asked.
“Crucify Him, crucify Him, crucify Him,” they screamed.
“Why, what evil has this man done? I have found in Him no guilt demanding death; I will therefore punish Him and release Him,” said Pilate.
But the crowd grew louder and louder demanding that Pilate crucify Jesus.
For the third time, Pilate told the crowd he would punish and release Jesus.
But the mob would not hear of it. They demanded Jesus be crucified. Pilate understood that the crowd was dangerously close to causing a riot.
Pilate took water and washing his hands in front of the mob and said,
“I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to that yourselves,” declared Pilate.
“His blood be on us and on our children!” responded the mob.
Pilate sent Jesus to be scourged.
Carla Killough McClafferty