You Have Said So

Luke 22:63-23:25

Key Verse 23:3

“So Pilate asked Jesus, “Are you the king of the Jews?” “You have said so,” Jesus replied.”

Introduction

There is a saying, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” It means that sticks and stones may hurt me badly but something that you say cannot hurt me. Often times we are can speak negatively of someone like presidential nominee, Donald Trump, and think that it is fine as long as we do not use physical violence. But this is not true, for words can hurt far more than physical violence which may break bones but heal over 6 weeks. Jesus endured the worst of both physical and verbal abuse, being both mocked and beaten. Why? Jesus brings peace and healing to our souls through His sufferings. Let's accept Jesus’ grace and decide to follow Jesus through this study.

1. Read verses 22:63-71. How was Jesus treated by the guards? (63-65) Who cross-examined Jesus at daybreak? (66) What question was Jesus asked and how did he respond? (67-69) How did Jesus reveal His identity? (70) What did the chief priests and teachers of the law conclude about Jesus? (71)

1-1, Read verses 22:63-71.

The men who were guarding Jesus began mocking and beating him. 64 They blindfolded him and demanded, “Prophesy! Who hit you?” 65 And they said many other insulting things to him. 66 At daybreak the council of the elders of the people, both the chief priests and the teachers of the law, met together, and Jesus was led before them. 67 “If you are the Messiah,” they said, “tell us.” Jesus answered, “If I tell you, you will not believe me, 68 and if I asked you, you would not answer.69 But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God.” 70 They all asked, “Are you then the Son of God?” He replied, “You say that I am.” 71 Then they said, “Why do we need any more testimony? We have heard it from his own lips.”

1-2, How was Jesus treated by the guards? (63-65)

The men who were guarding Jesus began mocking and beating him. 64 They blindfolded him and demanded, “Prophesy! Who hit you?” 65 And they said many other insulting things to him.

• Jesus was taken to the house of the high priest and held overnight.

• During that time the men guarding Jesus began mocking and beating him.

Isaiah 53:1-3 reads,

Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? 2 He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. 3 He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.

• They blindfolded Jesus and took turns hitting him. Then they said, "Prophesy! Who hit you."

• To them, it was a game, like a sport. They were cruelly indulging their sinful nature at the expense of an innocent man.

• Jesus had done nothing wrong. Such injustice and torture would offend any man's dignity.

1-3, Who cross-examined Jesus at daybreak? (66)

At daybreak the council of the elders of the people, both the chief priests and the teachers of the law, met together, and Jesus was led before them.

• Jesus spent the night being mistreated by the guards. He had no chance to eat or sleep. He must have been exhausted from the constant beating.

• Before Jesus came to the home of Caiaphas, the official high priest, He was led to the home of Annas, who was the ex-high priest and the "power behind the throne" of the high priest (John 18:12-14, John 19-23).

• Then at daybreak, Jesus was led to the home of Caiaphas, the sitting high priest. (Matthew 26:57-68)

• The Sanhedrin, the governing body of Israel, must have convened in an emergency session for his trial. These were the leading men of Israel.

• They should have been the conscience of the nation. They should have upheld truth and justice. But they were determined to condemn an innocent man.

• They were motivated by jealousy and desperation to maintain their power. They had fallen under the influence of Satan to carry out his scheme.

• The Sanhedrin was composed of the chief priests and teachers of the law--the Sadducees and Pharisees.

• According to Jewish law, all criminal trials must begin and end by daylight. The only decisions made in the official meeting place were valid.

• Only an acquittal could be issued on the day of trial; guilty verdicts had to wait one night to allow for feelings of mercy to rise.

• All evidence had to be guaranteed by two witnesses, who were separately examined and could not have contact with each other.

• A trial always began by bringing forth evidence for the innocence of the accused, before the evidence of guilt was offered; this was not the practice here at all. What they did to Jesus was illegal!

1-4, What question was Jesus asked and how did he respond? (67-69)

“If you are the Messiah,” they said, “tell us.” Jesus answered, “If I tell you, you will not believe me, 68 and if I asked you, you would not answer. 69 But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God.”

• They said, "If you are the Messiah, tell us." Jesus had already demonstrated that he was the Christ.

• Jesus answered, “If I tell you, you will not believe me, and if I asked you, you would not answer.”

• Then Jesus declared God's truth to them boldly. "But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God."

• Jesus called himself "the Son of Man." This referred to the prophecy of Daniel 7:13-14.

"In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed."

1-5, How did Jesus reveal His identity? (70)

They all asked, “Are you then the Son of God?” He replied, “You say that I am.”

• Jesus is this Son of Man. In the most oppressive situation, Jesus identified himself clearly and declared his final victory over all the enemies of God.

• This Jesus establishes the kingdom of God in perfect justice, peace and righteousness. This Jesus will reign over all as King of kings and Lord of lords.

1-6, What did the chief priests and teachers of the law conclude about Jesus? (71)

Then they said, “Why do we need any more testimony? We have heard it from his own lips.”

• They should have considered Jesus’ claim seriously. But they ignored His message. They ignored the evidence.

• They concluded and branded Jesus as a blasphemer. And on this basis, they condemned Jesus as guilty and deserving of death.

2. Read verses 23:1-5. How did the whole assembly accuse Jesus before Pilate? (1, 2) What did Pilate ask Jesus and how did Jesus answer? (3) What did Pilate conclude about the charges brought against Jesus? (4) How was Jesus accused of stirring up a rebellion against Rome? (5)

2-1, Read verses 23:1-5.

Then the whole assembly rose and led him off to Pilate. 2 And they began to accuse him, saying, “We have found this man subverting our nation. He opposes payment of taxes to Caesar and claims to be Messiah, a king.” 3 So Pilate asked Jesus, “Are you the king of the Jews?” “You have said so,” Jesus replied. 4 Then Pilate announced to the chief priests and the crowd, “I find no basis for a charge against this man.” 5 But they insisted, “He stirs up the people all over Judea by his teaching. He started in Galilee and has come all the way here.”

2-2, How did the whole assembly accuse Jesus before Pilate? (1, 2)

Then the whole assembly rose and led him off to Pilate. 2 And they began to accuse him, saying, “We have found this man subverting our nation. He opposes payment of taxes to Caesar and claims to be Messiah, a king.”

• The Jewish leaders wanted to put Jesus to death. But they had no authority to execute criminals.

• This power was held by the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate. So they brought Jesus before Pilate.

• The charge of blasphemy would not be serious to him, so they blatantly twisted it to make Jesus seem like a political threat to Caesar in 3 ways.

- That Jesus was a revolutionary to pervert the nation.

- That Jesus incited the people not to pay their taxes to Caesar.

- That Jesus claimed to be a king in opposition to Caesar.

2-3, What did Pilate ask Jesus and how did Jesus answer? (3)

So Pilate asked Jesus, “Are you the king of the Jews?” “You have said so,” Jesus replied.

• Jesus told the truth, for he is the king of the Jews. Jesus was ready to die for the will of God.

2-4, What did Pilate conclude about the charges brought against Jesus? (4)

Then Pilate announced to the chief priests and the crowd, “I find no basis for a charge against this man.”

• But Pilate perceived that Jesus was no threat to Caesar. He announced, "I find no basis for a charge against this man"

• That should have been the end of the matter. Pilate, as the Roman governor, should have released Jesus.

2-5, How was Jesus accused of stirring up a rebellion against Rome? (5)

But they insisted, “He stirs up the people all over Judea by his teaching. He started in Galilee and has come all the way here.”

• Jewish leaders began to press him by claiming that Jesus was a dangerous man from Galilee who stirred up people all over Judea.

3. Read verses 23:6-12. How did Pilate attempt to evade responsibility? (6, 7) How did Herod and the religious leaders treat Jesus? (8-11) How did Jesus respond? Why might Pilate and Herod become friends? (12)

3-1, Read verses 23:6-12.

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.

3-2, How did Pilate attempt to evade responsibility? (6, 7)

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

• When Pilate heard this, he sensed a chance to avoid dealing with Jesus' case, by passing it off to Herod, for Herod had jurisdiction in Galilee.

3-3, How did Herod and the religious leaders treat Jesus? (8-11)

3-4, How did Jesus respond?

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.

• Herod had no interest in justice; he just wanted to be entertained.

• Jesus saw right through this wretched, shallow man, and has nothing to say to Him.

• This Herod Antipas murdered John the Baptist and considered Jesus to be a miracle worker for his own entertainment.

• He desperately wanted to be a king, but later he was exiled by Caligula and stripped of his robe, title and lost everything. He died miserably.

• Even when others vehemently accused Him, Jesus had nothing to say to Herod.

3-4, Why might Pilate and Herod become friends? (12)

That day Herod and Pilate became friends—before this they had been enemies.

• They found no common ground except their opposition to Jesus.

4. Read verses 23:13-25. How did Pilate try to release Jesus? (13-16) What did the crowd's demand? (18, 19) Why did Pilate finally surrender Jesus to the will of the crowd? (20-25) What can we learn from Jesus who was falsely accused?

4-1, Read verses 23:13-25.

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]

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.)

20 Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate appealed to them again. 21 But they kept shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!”

22 For the third time he spoke to them: “Why? What crime has this man committed? I have found in him no grounds for the death penalty. Therefore I will have him punished and then release him.”

23 But with loud shouts they insistently demanded that he be crucified, and their shouts prevailed. 24 So Pilate decided to grant their demand. 25 He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, the one they asked for, and surrendered Jesus to their will.

4-2, How did Pilate try to release Jesus? (13-16)

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.”

• Pilate made a second proclamation to the Jewish leaders: there was no basis for the charges against Jesus.

• Pilate was still willing to have an innocent man beaten almost to death to satisfy the bloodthirsty Jewish leaders.

• The victim of a Roman scourging was tied against a post, and struck with a whip that had bits of glass, sharp rock, and metal tied to the end of leather cords.

• The whip would be struck at the top and dragged down the back, until the victim's entire back was a bloody, open wound. Many people died just from this scourging.

4-3, What did the crowd's demand? (18, 19)

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.)

• Barabbas is an insurrectionist. He‘s a radical revolutionary who is going to overthrow the government and re-establish the independence of the nation.

• His very name is so suggestive—Barabbas. It‘s from the word ―bar‖ meaning ―son‖ and ―abba‖ meaning ―father.

• His name literally means ―son of the father. And it is appropriate that the real Son of the Father, Jesus of Nazareth, gave His life as a substitute for this man called ―son of the father.

• Barabbas is representative of all for whom the death of Jesus proves to be a substitute.

• For if we understand the Gospels at all, all of us, like Barabbas, are headed on death row.

• But Jesus comes to die in our place and to take our punishment and to be our substitute.

• So Barabbas, at the trial of Jesus, represents all for whom Jesus will be a substitute.

4-4, Why did Pilate finally surrender Jesus to the will of the crowd? (20-25)

20 Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate appealed to them again. 21 But they kept shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!”

22 For the third time he spoke to them: “Why? What crime has this man committed? I have found in him no grounds for the death penalty. Therefore I will have him punished and then release him.”

23 But with loud shouts they insistently demanded that he be crucified, and their shouts prevailed. 24 So Pilate decided to grant their demand. 25 He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, the one they asked for, and surrendered Jesus to their will.

• For the third time Pilate proclaimed Jesus' innocence: "I have found in him no grounds for the death penalty."

• When the shouts of the crowd prevailed, Pilate finally handed Jesus over to be crucified.

• In this event, we see that Pilate failed to administer justice. It is a warning that political compromise fails in spiritual battle.

• The only way to win in spiritual battle is to stand on the side of truth.

• This crowd shouted, “Hosanna” to Jesus just a few days before. How could the crowd turn so quickly against Jesus?

• Probably many of them were probably disappointed that this Messiah didn't do just as they wanted a Messiah to do.

• Many people tend to tear down the very heroes they have built up; we see this in our culture today.

4-5, What can we learn from Jesus who was falsely accused?

• Jesus was innocent. Yet, despite his innocence, he was condemned to be crucified. Why? Jesus was condemned in order to satisfy God's justice.

• This condemnation is what we deserve for our sins, sins of laziness, lustful desires, idolatry, or greed.

• Innocent Jesus took it in our places. This was illustrated through Barabbas. He was a violent man who was condemned to die for his crimes.

• But innocent Jesus took his place of condemnation. Barabbas went free.

Romans 8:1 reads,

"Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus...."

Isaiah 53:7 reads,

“He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.”

Conclusion

In this passage we have learned the meaning of Jesus' wounds and his trial and condemnation. It was for each of us, for the sins of the religious leaders, Pilate, Herod, Barabbas, or the crowd could be in us. Thankfully Jesus becomes the substitute. We are healed and set free by the grace of Jesus Christ. According to history, Pilate was supposed to be on trial due to his misadministration complaints. But Tiberius who called him for trial passed away. His court case became obscure. The Egyptian church suggested that Pilate and His wife, Procula went to Egypt and became genuine Christians. The Coptic recognizes both Pilate and Procula as saints, and if you want to celebrate their saint day, Pilate‘s is on June 25th and Procula‘s is on October 27th. Jesus died for any sinner with hope. Isn’t that a better way to end the story? It still happens here and now. Praise Jesus!

One Word: Saint Pilate, Why Not?