Jesus Is Delivered To Pilate

Jesus’ Life: Chapter 18 – The Passion And Death Of Jesus

Time: Good Friday: – Approx. 5.00 – 6.00am

The Sanhedrin, with Caiaphas as their High Priest, condemned Jesus to death for blasphemy – claiming he was the Son of God. So, the chief priests and Jewish elders met to decide how best to proceed with the sentence.

Under Roman regulations, the Sanhedrin was precluded from carrying out a death sentence and from the perspective of Jewish Law, it was illegal to pronounce judgement on the same day as a trial. Yet, Jesus’ sentence and trial had taken place on the same day and they wanted Jesus executed! To circumvent these issues, the chief priests and elders opted to hurry Jesus before the Roman Tribunal, get their sentence confirmed under Roman Law by Pilate and seek the most horrendous means of death for Jesus, crucifixion.

But there was another problem! The charge of blasphemy was not an offence against Roman Law. So, they then agreed to a new fixed charge of, “Perverting the nation, and of forbidding to give tribute to Caesar”. (Luke 23:2) On these political charges, they hoped Pilate would be compelled to convict Jesus and impose a sentence of crucifixion.

Overburdened with hatred and a perverse passion, a multitude of chief priests, scribes and elders had Jesus tied up and led to Pilate, the Roman Governor. (Matthew 27:1-2, Mark 15:1, Luke 23:1, John 18:28)