April 1, 2012
Lesson Focus:
Everyone who listens to
Jesus knows the truth.
Lesson Scripture:
John 18:28-38
INTRODUCTION. In a world dominated by Satan, who himself was a liar and the father of lies (see John 8:44), there was and is a great need for truth. Among other reasons, Christ came into the world to testify to the truth. Such a commodity was lacking at the trials of Jesus, when He who knew no sin was falsely condemned and then taken to the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate. Before His civil trial before Pilate, Jesus faced three religious trials before the Jewish leadership. He was first taken to Annas, who was the former high priest (see John 18:12-13). However, he was very powerful and actually ran the show among the religious leaders. The second religious trial was an appearance before Caiaphas, who was the current high priest (see Matthew 26:57-68; Luke 22:54-62). Even though many of the scribes and elders of the Sanhedrin Council were there, a third trial was held before the full Sanhedrin as daylight approached (see Luke 22:66-71). Except for the third trial, the other two were illegal. The Sanhedrin Council quickly drummed up a verdict condemning Jesus of blasphemy because He claimed to be the Son of God.They actually reached the verdict during the night (see Matthew26:57,62-66;27:1)but announced it at dawn in order to make it look like a legal trial and verdict.
(John 18:28). Since any execution had to be approved by the Romans, following Jesus’ trial before the Sanhedrin, the text says “Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment: and it was early; and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the passover.”In order to get the approval to put Jesus to death, the people took Jesus to “the hall of judgement” which was Pilate’s residence and headquarters. It was also called the “Praetorium” (see (Mark 15:15-16).We are told that “it was early.”The Jewish Passover was that evening, so the Jewish leaders wanted Jesus to be killed before the Passover began.John also added that “they (the Jewish leaders) themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the passover.”These Jewish leaders who wanted Pilate to put Jesus to death refused to go into the “judgment hall” to keep from defiling themselves and not being able to eat the Passover meal.To be unclean meant that these men would have to refrain from worship and participation in any Jewish feasts until they were cleansed by the proper procedures stated in the law.
(vs. 29). This verse says “Pilate then went out unto them, and said, What accusation bring ye against this man?”Since the Jewish leaders refused to enter the judgment hall, Pilate went out to them. Roman law stated that no trial could be conducted unless specific charges were brought against the defendant.Therefore Pilate asked the Jews “What accusation bring ye against this man?”Pilate wanted to know what charges were being brought against Jesus.
(vs. 30). The Jewish leaders in this verse responded to Pilate: “They answered and said unto him, If he were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered him up unto thee.”Realizing that they didn’t have any charges that would stand up in a Roman trial, the Jews tried to evade the question by calling Jesus “a malefactor.” This was a general term for a criminal.The Sanhedrin had condemned Jesus with a charge of blasphemy but that wouldn’t matter in Roman law and the Jews knew that.So they simply said that if Jesus wasn’t a criminal they wouldn’t have brought him before Pilate. No doubt they originally thought Pilate would be on their side, but since he asked for a formal accusation they found themselves in a difficult position.
(vs. 31). Pilate’s reply to the Jews was “Take ye him, and judge him according to your law. The Jews therefore said unto him, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death.” Pilate no doubt knew that this case was going to be trouble for him so he tried to remove himself from it by commanding the Jews to “judge him according to your law.”The charges being brought against Jesus were religious in nature not civil, so Pilate tried to put the ball back in the Jews’ court.The Jews quickly put the case back into Pilate’s lap when they said,“It is not lawful for us to put any man to death.”They reminded Pilate that they didn’t have the legal authority to put a man to death.Now Pilate was faced with a major decision, because as the Roman governor of Judea, he was the only one who could give the order for an execution.
(vs. 32). John now states that all this was done so that the “saying of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spake, signifying what death he should die.” John was saying that since only the Roman governor could order an execution, this would lead to the fulfillment of Jesus’ “saying” or words given in Matthew 20:19: “And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again.” This verse could also refer to other Scriptures that prophesied Jesus would die by crucifixion. In other verses, Jesus spoke about His death as being lifted up (see John 3:14: 8:28; 18:32). The only method of execution that lifted a person up was crucifixion. The Jews’ method of execution traditionally was stoning.The Roman method was crucifixion.
(vs. 33). After the Jews advised Pilate that they didn’t have the authority to put anyone to death, John then writes, “Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews?” In Luke’s account, we are told that when the Jews brought Jesus before Pilate, they said that Jesus was against paying tribute to Caesar and also that He was Christ, a King (see Luke 23:1-2). No doubt, the Jews realized that accusing Jesus of being a King would be seen by the Romans as treason and a threat to their empire, thus forcing Pilate’s hand to sentence Jesus to death. After meeting with the crowd, Pilate went back into the judgment hall and asked Jesus, “Art thou the King of the Jews?” Pilate needed to get to the truth about the claim to be king just in case there was some kind of threat to Rome involved.
(vs. 34). In Matthew’s account Jesus gives an answer that John does not include. Matthew 27:11 says that Jesus’ first reply to Pilate was “Thou sayest” which meant “Yes, it is as you say.” Then according to John, Jesus answered Pilate’s original question “Art thou the King of the Jews” with “Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me?” Jesus was asking Pilate if that was his own idea or did someone else give it to him, like the Jews leaders.
(vs. 35). Pilate responded to Jesus’ question with a question, maybe in an attempt to be sarcastic. “Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done?” By answering “Am I a Jew?” Pilate was implying that since he was not a Jew he had no idea why all of this was happening to Jesus.But he did point out that he wasn’t the one who arrested Jesus but “Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me.” Pilate made it plain that Jesus’ own people brought Him before the governor. Since Pilate was not a Jew and really wasn’t sure why Jesus was brought before him, He asked Jesus “what hast thou done?” If there was any problem that would endanger Roman rule Pilate needed to know about it. He wanted to find out the truth about what was going on.
(vs. 36). When Pilate asked Jesus what had he done to be brought before him “Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.” By saying “My kingdom is not of this world” Jesus was admitting to being a king, but He was also letting Pilate know that He was not a political threat to Rome. Jesus went on to say that if His kingdom was merely an earthly kingdom like the Roman Empire, all those who serve Him (including His disciples) would fight to keep Him from being arrested by the Jewish religious leaders. Then Jesus said, “but now is my kingdom not from hence.” Jesus was saying that His servants hadn’t come to His defense because His kingdom was not an earthly kingdom.
(John 18:37). In response to Jesus’ answer about His kingdom, “Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.” Pilate made another attempt to get to the bottom of the problem of this trial and directly asked Jesus again, “Art thou a king then?” Jesus then affirmed it by saying “Thou sayest that I am a king” and went on to clarify His calling. Jesus declared that He was born into this world to “bear witness unto the truth” or to bring us the truth of God. Only those who are “of the truth” or on the side of truth will hear and understand what Jesus was saying. Note: Spiritual truth cannot be understood by those who are not part of God’s family. Spiritual truth can only be understood by those who are born again and walk under the Spirit’s guidance. Even some immature Christians cannot grasp the deeper truths of God’s teachings (see I Corinthians 3:1-4). Therefore, it should be the practice of every believer to continually grow in spiritual understanding. It’s interesting that Pilate ended His questioning of Jesus with the cynical remark “what is truth?” Unfortunately he didn’t wait for an answer, even though the answer was standing right in front of him (see John 14:6).
IV. Conclusion. People who want to know the real truth will follow the truth as expressed in Jesus. This week’s lesson has taught us that Jesus is the truth of God and that He bore witness to that truth. Our response should be to receive this truth that has come from God.
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