Welcome and thank you for taking a bible break to test your knowledge of God's word. This week's question:

The word of our Lord reveals the mystery that was hidden for so long, "He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things upon the earth. In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the council of His will, to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ should be to the praise of His glory." (Ephesians 1:9-12). Yes, the fullness of the times was due and the Messiah came into the world among the players on the stage called earth where also were men such as King Agrippa, King Herod, Caiaphas, Annas, John the Baptist, the magi, the Sadducees, the Pharisees, the Roman empire, and of course, Pilate.

That brings us to our question, "Does Pilate believe the charges against Jesus?". When Jesus is arrested in the garden of Gethsemane, "Judas then, having received the Roman cohort, and officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, came with lanterns and torches and weapons." (John 18:3), (remember a Roman cohort is about 500 men who are well armed). Jesus asks who they seek, and when they answer, "Jesus the Nazarene." and Jesus answers, "I am He.", then they draw back,no doubt in fear, and all fall to the ground. (John 18:4-6) Expecting trouble I would guess.

After being taken to Caiaphas' place to find guilt through false charges (Matthew 26:59),He is brought before Pilate in the Praetorium. When Pilate asked them on what charges they bring against Him they say, "'If this Man were not an evildoer, we would not have delivered Him up to you.' Pilate therefore said to them, 'Take Him yourselves, and judge Him according to your law.' The Jews said to him, 'We are not permitted to put anyone to death,' that the word of Jesus might be fulfilled, which He spoke, signifying by what kind of death He was about to die." (John 18:30-32).

Therefore, Jesus was set to die by crucifixion upon the cross at the hands of Roman empire at the request of the Jewish authorities. Then more charges by them followed, "And they began to accuse Him saying, We found this man misleading our nation and forbidding to pay taxes to Caesar, and saying that He Himself is Christ, a King.' And Pilate asked Him, saying, 'Are you the King of the Jews?' And He answered him and said, 'It is as you say.'" (Luke 23:2-3).

As is the custom, Pilate believes he has a way of saving Jesus from the cross as they have a custom on this feast to give them a choice between two men for freedom to one, believing they would choose Jesus over the murderer and thief, Barabbas (John 18:39-40), "When therefore they were gathered together, Pilate said to them, 'Whom do you want me to release for you? Barrabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?' For he knew that because of envy they had delivered Him up." (Matthew 27:17-18).

So there we have the answer to our question as Pilate knows it is out of envy that they want him put away, and even is quite amazed when Jesus does not answer the charges brought against Him so that Pilate was amazed (Matthew 27:12-14). Even Pilate's wife asks that he have nothing to do with Jesus as she had a distressing dream because of Him (Matthew 27:19). When Pilate sees that a riot is about to take place he washes his hands and says, "I am innocent of this Man's blood; see to that yourselves.' And all the people answered and said, 'His blood be on us and on our children!' Then he released Barabbas for them; but Jesus he scourged and delivered over to be crucified." (Matthew 27:24-26).

Interestingly enough, when Pilate delivers Jesus to them and says, "Behold the Man!" and that, "Take Him yourselves for I find no guilt within Him." they say to him, "We have a law and by that law He ought to die because He made Himself out to be the Son of God.' When Pilate therefore heard this statement he was the more afraid;" (John 19:5-8)

Pilate did recognize not only the innocence of Jesus but something more to this Man! Well, maybe not enough to become a disciple, but he was straightforward to a point with His accusers. And the rest, so to say is history as Jesus suffered the humiliation of the cross so that we may not loose heart as that perfect example of obedience, even unto death (Hebrews 12:2-3 & 5:8-9; Philippians 2:5-18)!