MPV Commentary

Jesus before Pilate--Scourged--Treated with Other Insults and Mockeries.

Pilate took Jesus and scourged him in an attempt to appease the crowd (Mark 15:15). The soldiers led Him away into the palace, calling out the entire cohort to participate in a mock coronation ceremony.

The soldiers fashioned a crown of thorns and placed it on His head as a mockery of a royal crown. They also put a purple robe on Him, symbolizing imperial power, after first stripping Him of His own outer garment (Matthew 27:28). A reed was placed in His right hand, mocking the regal scepter, and they bowed their knees before Him (Matthew 27:29).

The soldiers then said, "Hail, King of the Jews!" in a derisive tone, used when approaching emperors. They spat on Him and struck Him on the head with the reed (Matthew 27:30). These actions are best left unspoken.

Pilate went out again and announced, "Behold, I bring him forth to you," so that you may see for yourselves that I find no fault in him (John 19:4-5). By scourging Him and allowing the soldiers to mock Him, Pilate had gone as far as he could to appease their demands.

Jesus emerged from the judgment hall wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, "Behold the man!" This statement may have been a genuine expression of pity, but it has become a famous phrase in Christendom, symbolizing admiration for Jesus' suffering.

When the chief priests saw Him, they cried out again, demanding that He be crucified (Mark 15:14). Pilate told them to take Him and crucify Him, since he found no fault in Him. However, this only shifted the responsibility from himself to the crowd.

The Jews responded by citing their own law, claiming that Jesus should die because He made Himself out to be the Son of God (John 5:18; John 8:59). They were trying to deflect attention from Pilate's role in condemning Him.

Pilate was increasingly afraid, particularly after hearing this claim. He went back into the judgment hall and asked Jesus, "Where are you from?" This question was not about His mission but rather His personal origin (John 19:9).

Jesus remained silent, having already said enough. Pilate's inquiry was a weak attempt to deflect his own guilt.

Pilate then asked Jesus if He knew that he had the power to crucify Him or release Him. However, Jesus replied that Pilate's authority came not from himself but from above (John 19:11). The one who delivered Jesus into Pilate's hands had greater sin, as they had more knowledge and opportunity.

From this point on, Pilate sought to release Jesus, but the Jews cried out in protest. They threatened to report him to Caesar if he released Jesus, implying that he would lose favor with the Roman emperor (John 19:12). This was a treacherous move by the Jewish leaders, who were willing to sacrifice their own interests for the sake of destroying Jesus.

Pilate brought Jesus forth and sat down on the judgment seat in a place called the Pavement, also known as Gabbatha. It was the day before the Jewish Sabbath, around nine A.M., when he said to the Jews, "Behold your King!" This statement was an ironic jab at them, but it only fueled their demand for Jesus' crucifixion.

The crowd responded by saying, "We have no king but Caesar" (John 19:15). Pilate then handed Jesus over to be crucified, fulfilling the Jewish leaders' demands.