Lesson 4573

 (Lesson 4573)(08-11-24) John 18-38 

   “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. Pilate then went out unto them, and said, What accusation bring ye against this man? They answered and said unto him, If he were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered him up unto thee. Then said Pilate unto them, 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: That the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spake, signifying what death he should die. Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews? Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me? Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done? 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. 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 saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all.” 

 

   In today’s quote, Jesus was brought before the high priest, as Peter waited outside in the courtyard where he denied knowing Jesus two more times, thereby fulfilling Jesus’ prophecy of Peter’s denial. Meanwhile, Jesus was questioned by the high priest about His disciples and teachings. Jesus responded that He had always spoken openly and asked why they were questioning Him. After that, Jesus was sent to Pilate, the Roman governor, because the Jewish leaders wanted Him executed but lacked the authority to kill Him on their own. Pilate then asked Jesus if He was the King of the Jews, to which Jesus responds that His kingdom is not of this world. Pilate, puzzled by Jesus’ response, questioned Him further but found no fault in Him. Pilate then offered to release Jesus, according to the custom of releasing a prisoner during Passover. However, the crowd chose to release Barabbas, a criminal, instead. ~