Pilate the governor heard the accusations of the “chief priests and elders” concerning Jesus, and he offered them the option between “Barabbas and Jesus” being released. The multitude chose “Barabbas” and wanted Jesus to be “crucified”. And though He tried to persuade them, Matthew the apostle wrote, “When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see you to it. Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children”, and in chapter twenty-seven and verse twenty-six of his book, Matthew wrote how Pilate, “released … Barabbas unto them” where we read:
Then released he Barabbas unto them:
and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.
The verse reads, “Then released he Barabbas unto them:” Matthew began words, “Then released he” which means “at that time and moment Pilate freed, dismissed and set free” “Barabbas” or “the captive robber whom the Jews begged Pilate to release instead of Christ whose name means son of a father or master” “unto them” which means “to the multitude”. Matthew shared how Pilate set “Barabbas” free to be among the crowd of people.
The verse continues, “and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.” Matthew added the words, “and when” or “and after the time” “he had scourged Jesus” which means “Pilate commanded that Jesus be whipped with a flagellum as a public punishment”, “he delivered” or “Pilate gave over, committed and committed treacherously” “him to be crucified” which means “Jesus to be driven down with stakes, palisade and hung upon a cross”. Matthew shared how Pilate had Jesus beaten as a “public punishment” before he gave up Jesus to be hung upon a cross.
When we think through Matthew's words in this verse, we see how Pilate obliged the multitude which included the religious leaders and the elders in Jerusalem. Though he had an opportunity to make different decision and “washed his hands” to remove his blame from the whole situation, he still allowed Jesus to be publicly beaten and sent him to be “crucified”. Jesus knew all these things would be His destiny, even as the prophet Isaiah said, “he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” (See Isaiah 53:5). God so loves people that He allowed His Son Jesus to receive the penalty and punishment that was due every person who has lived. Sin kept people separated from God, and when Jesus paid this price for them, everyone now has an opportunity to have a relationship with Him by believing and trusting in Jesus as their personal “Savior and Lord”.
Next time Matthew wrote how, “the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book
“Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the
marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the
Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms
Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County"
in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com
; http://www.barnesandnobles.com
; download to e-books, and find it locally at
www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
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