Trial #5 & 6 of Jesus

Trial #5
Friday 6-7am


Jesus before Herod
Luke 23
⁶ On hearing this, Pilate asked if the man was a Galilean. ⁷ When he learned that Jesus was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time.

⁸ When Herod saw Jesus, he was greatly pleased, because for a long time he had been wanting to see him. From what he had heard about him, he hoped to see him perform a sign of some sort. ⁹ He plied him with many questions, but Jesus gave him no answer. ¹⁰ The chief priests and the teachers of the law were standing there, vehemently accusing him. ¹¹ Then Herod and his soldiers ridiculed and mocked him. Dressing him in an elegant robe, they sent him back to Pilate. ¹² That day Herod and Pilate became friends —before this they had been enemies.

Herod was a godless and superstitious man. Jesus was aware that he was evil and his ways sickened him. 

Herod was excited to meet Jesus , hoping to see some miracles, he was hoping he'd be able to see a magic show... Jesus didn't comply. Herod pressed for entertainment, wanting Jesus to perform miracles, but Jesus stood calmly not saying a word. [ When Jesus isn't saying a word, kinda a big deal....]

after while it became awkward, and Herod realized he didn't want to get mixed up with this - so he mocked Jesus, and having his soldiers pretend to worship him, Herod got a few laughs, but then sent Jesus back to Pilate.

Trial #6

Friday 7-8am

Back to Pilate.

This is Jesus' 6th and final trial. 

who knows how Pilate felt when he saw the Jewish leaders and the soldiers bringing Christ back - Probably not very happy though - Now he was caught in a dilemma - He knew Jesus was innocent - but knew that the Jews would complain to Caesar if he didn't act. Also people were beginning to wake up  and making their way through the courtyard. possibly 2,00-3,000 were now crowded on the palace grounds, curious to see Jesus on trial, and Pilate needed the situation to go away and fast.

John 23:

¹³ Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers and the people, ¹⁴ and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined him in your presence and have found no basis for your charges against him. ¹⁵ Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us; as you can see, he has done nothing to deserve death. ¹⁶ Therefore, I will punish him and then release him.” ^[17] [a]
18 But the whole crowd shouted, “Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us!” ¹⁹ (Barabbas had been thrown into prison for an insurrection in the city, and for murder.)




The Barabbas trick
- Passover was an especially volatile time in the city of Jerusalem. Every year, Jews from all over would gather and praise God for His deliverance from the Egyptians.


Pilate devised a plan- Each year the Romans would release a Jewish prisoner during Passover - a gesture of goodwill, So he used this as his advantage- He would give the people a choice between Jesus and a criminal named Barabbas  -- Barabbas was a bad guy - robber, murderer and just a terrible person.
Pilate thought that surely if you have Jesus on one side and Barabbas on the other, the crowd will choose to release  Barabbas ...


[Pilate changed up his leadership style... from one man ruling, to many people ruling... ]


Everything was ruined because of his wife.- Mrs. Pilate - during that morning she was awakened when Jesus was brought in the fist time, - She fell back to sleep, and had a bad nightmare - we don't know what exactly she dreamed but bottom line was : Please don't mess with Jesus, for He is a righteous man. I've suffered many things on account of this dream.


¹⁸ But the whole crowd shouted, “Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us!” ¹⁹ (Barabbas had been thrown into prison for an insurrection in the city, and for murder.)


the Jewish leaders must have said to the people "you want to show Pilate how much we hate them?-Pilate has become a Jesus lover, vote Barabbas"


at this point Pilate realizes that he is losing this shouting match. - He moves on to plan B: "sympathy of the crowd"-- Where basically he would take Jesus back inside, beat him, nearly to death, then maybe the people would feel sorry for Jesus, and then would want Jesus to go through.... 


"Pilate took Jesus and had Him flogged." (John 19:1) 


I will post on the next blog on the details of the flogging of Jesus. 
Thank you for you patience and for reading these posts :)