Swartzentrover.com | Fahling - A Harmony of the Gospels - Chapter 34

A Harmony of the Gospels

By Adam Fahling

Chapter 34

Part XXXIV. Friday of Passion Week. "Suffered Under Pontius Pilate"
April 7, 30 A.D. or 783 A.U.C.
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Table Of Contents Matthew Mark Luke John Other
269. Jesus Brought Before Pontius Pilate. Mt 27:2   Mk 15:1b  Lk 23:1   Jn 18:28a
 
270. Remorse and Suicide of Judas. Mt 27:3-10      
 (Acts 1:18-19)
271. Jesus before Pilate, The First Time. Mt 27:11-14 Mk 15:2-5  Lk 23:2-5 Jn 18:28b-38
 
272. Jesus before Herod Antipas.     Lk 23:6-12    

273. Jesus before Pilate, the Second Time.

Mt 27:15-31a Mk 15:6-20a  Lk 23:13-25 Jn 18:39-40; 19:1-15  

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269. Jesus Brought Before Pontius Pilate. Friday Morning.
(
Mt 27:2, Mk 15:1b, Lk 23:1, Jn 18:28a)
Mt 27:2

2and they bound him, and led him away, and delivered him up to Pontius Pilate, the governor.

Mk 15:1b

1Immediately in the morning the chief priests, with the elders and scribes, and the whole council, held a consultation, and bound Jesus, and carried him away, and delivered him up to Pilate.

Lk 23:1

1The whole company of them rose up and brought him before Pilate.

Jn 18:28a

28They led Jesus therefore from Caiaphas into the Praetorium. It was early, and they themselves didn’t enter into the Praetorium, that they might not be defiled, but might eat the Passover.

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270. Remorse and Suicide of Judas.
(Mt 27:3-10, Acts 1:18-19)
Mt 27:3-10

3Then Judas, who betrayed him, when he saw that Jesus was condemned, felt remorse, and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, 4saying, “I have sinned in that I betrayed innocent blood.”

But they said, “What is that to us? You see to it.”

5He threw down the pieces of silver in the sanctuary, and departed. He went away and hanged himself. 6The chief priests took the pieces of silver, and said, “It’s not lawful to put them into the treasury, since it is the price of blood.” 7They took counsel, and bought the potter’s field with them, to bury strangers in. 8Therefore that field was called “The Field of Blood” to this day. 9Then that which was spoken through Jeremiah[1] the prophet was fulfilled, saying,

“They took the thirty pieces of silver,

the price of him upon whom a price had been set,

whom some of the children of Israel priced,

10and they gave them for the potter’s field,

as the Lord commanded me.”[2]


[1]27:9 some manuscripts omit “Jeremiah”

[2]27:10 Zechariah 11:12-13; Jeremiah 19:1-13; 32:6-9

[Acts 1:18-19]

18Now this man obtained a field with the reward for his wickedness, and falling headlong, his body burst open, and all his intestines gushed out. 19It became known to everyone who lived in Jerusalem that in their language that field was called ‘Akeldama,’ that is, ‘The field of blood.’

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271. Jesus before Pilate, The First Time. Early Friday Morning..
(Mt 27:11-14, Mk 15:2-5, Lk 23:2-5, Jn 18:28b-38)

i. "Judge Him According to your Law"

Jn 18:28b-32

28They led Jesus therefore from Caiaphas into the Praetorium. It was early, and they themselves didn’t enter into the Praetorium, that they might not be defiled, but might eat the Passover. a 29Pilate therefore went out to them, and said, “What accusation do you bring against this man?”

30They answered him, “If this man weren’t an evildoer, we wouldn’t have delivered him up to you.”

31Pilate therefore said to them, “Take him yourselves, and judge him according to your law.”

Therefore the Jews said to him, “It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death,” 32that the word of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spoke, signifying by what kind of death he should die.

ii. The Charges against Jesus

Lk 23:2

2They began to accuse him, saying, “We found this man perverting the nation, forbidding paying taxes to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ, a king.”

iii.The King of Truth

Mt 27:11 

11Now Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, “Are you the King of the Jews?”

Jesus said to him, “So you say.”

 Mk 15:2  

2Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?”

He answered, “So you say.”

 Lk 23:3

3Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?”

He answered him, “So you say.”

 Jn 18:33-38a

33Pilate therefore entered again into the Praetorium, called Jesus, and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?”

34Jesus answered him, “Do you say this by yourself, or did others tell you about me?”

35Pilate answered, “I’m not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests delivered you to me. What have you done?”

36Jesus answered, “My Kingdom is not of this world. If my Kingdom were of this world, then my servants would fight, that I wouldn’t be delivered to the Jews. But now my Kingdom is not from here.”

37Pilate therefore said to him, “Are you a king then?”

Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this reason I have been born, and for this reason I have come into the world, that I should testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”

38Pilate said to him, “What is truth?”

When he had said this, he went out again to the Jews, and said to them, “I find no basis for a charge against him.

iv. "I Find in Him No Fault at All"

Lk 23:4 

4Pilate said to the chief priests and the multitudes, “I find no basis for a charge against this man.”

Jn 18:38b

38Pilate said to him, “What is truth?”

When he had said this, he went out again to the Jews, and said to them, “I find no basis for a charge against him.

v. Jesus Is Silent Against Accusations

Mt 27:12-14 

12When he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing. 13Then Pilate said to him, “Don’t you hear how many things they testify against you?”

14He gave him no answer, not even one word, so that the governor marveled greatly.

Mk 15:3-5

3The chief priests accused him of many things. 4Pilate again asked him, “Have you no answer? See how many things they testify against you!”

5But Jesus made no further answer, so that Pilate marveled.

vi. "He Stirreth Up the People-Beginning from Galilee"

Lk 23:5

5But they insisted, saying, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee even to this place.”

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272. Jesus before Herod Antipas. Friday Morning.
(
Lk 23:6-12)
Lk 23:6-12

6But when Pilate heard Galilee mentioned, he asked if the man was a Galilean. 7When he found out that he was in Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem during those days.

8Now when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceedingly glad, for he had wanted to see him for a long time, because he had heard many things about him. He hoped to see some miracle done by him. 9He questioned him with many words, but he gave no answers. 10The chief priests and the scribes stood, vehemently accusing him. 11Herod with his soldiers humiliated him and mocked him. Dressing him in luxurious clothing, they sent him back to Pilate. 12Herod and Pilate became friends with each other that very day, for before that they were enemies with each other.

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273. Jesus before Pilate, the Second Time. Friday Morning.
(
Mt 27:15-31a, Mk 15:6-20a, Lk 23:13-25, Jn 18:39-40; 19:1-15)
i. Jesus Returned To Pilate
Lk 23:13-16

13Pilate called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, 14and said to them, “You brought this man to me as one that perverts the people, and see, I have examined him before you, and found no basis for a charge against this man concerning those things of which you accuse him. 15Neither has Herod, for I sent you to him, and see, nothing worthy of death has been done by him. 16I will therefore chastise him and release him.”

ii. "Jesus or Barabbas?"
Mt 27:15-18

15Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release to the multitude one prisoner, whom they desired. 16They had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas. 17When therefore they were gathered together, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus, who is called Christ?” 18For he knew that because of envy they had delivered him up.

Mk 15:6-10

6Now at the feast he used to release to them one prisoner, whom they asked of him. 7There was one called Barabbas, bound with those who had made insurrection, men who in the insurrection had committed murder. 8The multitude, crying aloud, began to ask him to do as he always did for them. 9Pilate answered them, saying, “Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” 10For he perceived that for envy the chief priests had delivered him up.

Jn 18:39

39But you have a custom, that I should release someone to you at the Passover. Therefore do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?”

iii. The Message from Pilate's Wife
Mt 27:19

19While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, saying, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.”

iv. Barabbas is Chosen
Mt 27:20-21

20Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the multitudes to ask for Barabbas, and destroy Jesus. 21But the governor answered them, “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?”

They said, “Barabbas!”

Mk 15:11

11But the chief priests stirred up the multitude, that he should release Barabbas to them instead.

Lk 23:17-19

17Now he had to release one prisoner to them at the feast. 18But they all cried out together, saying, “Away with this man! Release to us Barabbas!”—19one who was thrown into prison for a certain revolt in the city, and for murder.

Jn 18:40

40Then they all shouted again, saying, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a robber.

v. "What Shall I Do, then, With Jesus"
Mt 27:22-23

22Pilate said to them, “What then shall I do to Jesus, who is called Christ?”

They all said to him, “Let him be crucified!”

23But the governor said, “Why? What evil has he done?”

But they cried out exceedingly, saying, “Let him be crucified!”

Mk 15:12-14

12Pilate again asked them, “What then should I do to him whom you call the King of the Jews?”

13They cried out again, “Crucify him!”

14Pilate said to them, “Why, what evil has he done?”

But they cried out exceedingly, “Crucify him!”

Lk 23:20-23

20Then Pilate spoke to them again, wanting to release Jesus, 21but they shouted, saying, “Crucify! Crucify him!”

22He said to them the third time, “Why? What evil has this man done? I have found no capital crime in him. I will therefore chastise him and release him.” 23But they were urgent with loud voices, asking that he might be crucified. Their voices and the voices of the chief priests prevailed.

vi. Pilate Washes His Hands b
Mt 27:24-25  

24So when Pilate saw that nothing was being gained, but rather that a disturbance was starting, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this righteous person. You see to it.”

25All the people answered, “May his blood be on us, and on our children!”

vii. Barabbas Released and Jesus Scourged
Mt 27:26

26Then he released to them Barabbas, but Jesus he flogged and delivered to be crucified.

Mk 15:15

15Pilate, wishing to please the multitude, released Barabbas to them, and handed over Jesus, when he had flogged him, to be crucified.

Lk 23:24-25

24Pilate decreed that what they asked for should be done. 25He released him who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, for whom they asked, but he delivered Jesus up to their will.

Jn 19:1

1So Pilate then took Jesus, and flogged him.

viii. The Crown of Thorns. "Hail, King of The Jews!"
Mt 27:27-31a

27Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium, and gathered the whole garrison together against him. 28They stripped him, and put a scarlet robe on him. 29They braided a crown of thorns and put it on his head, and a reed in his right hand; and they kneeled down before him, and mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” 30They spat on him, and took the reed and struck him on the head. 31When they had mocked him, they took the robe off of him, and put his clothes on him, and led him away to crucify him.

Mk 15:16-20a

16The soldiers led him away within the court, which is the Praetorium; and they called together the whole cohort. 17They clothed him with purple, and weaving a crown of thorns, they put it on him. 18They began to salute him, “Hail, King of the Jews!” 19They struck his head with a reed, and spat on him, and bowing their knees, did homage to him. 20When they had mocked him, they took the purple off of him, and put his own garments on him. They led him out to crucify him.

Jn 19:2-3

2The soldiers twisted thorns into a crown, and put it on his head, and dressed him in a purple garment. 3They kept saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and they kept slapping him.

ix. "Behold the Man!"
Jn 19:4-7

4Then Pilate went out again, and said to them, “Behold, I bring him out to you, that you may know that I find no basis for a charge against him.”

5Jesus therefore came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple garment. Pilate said to them, “Behold, the man!”

6When therefore the chief priests and the officers saw him, they shouted, saying, “Crucify! Crucify!”

Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves, and crucify him, for I find no basis for a charge against him.”

7The Jews answered him, “We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.”

x. "Whence art Thou?"
Jn 19:8-11

8When therefore Pilate heard this saying, he was more afraid. 9He entered into the Praetorium again, and said to Jesus, “Where are you from?” But Jesus gave him no answer. 10Pilate therefore said to him, “Aren’t you speaking to me? Don’t you know that I have power to release you, and have power to crucify you?”

11Jesus answered, “You would have no power at all against me, unless it were given to you from above. Therefore he who delivered me to you has greater sin.”

xi. "Behold your King!"
Jn 19:12-15

12At this, Pilate was seeking to release him, but the Jews cried out, saying, “If you release this man, you aren’t Caesar’s friend! Everyone who makes himself a king speaks against Caesar!”

13When Pilate therefore heard these words, he brought Jesus out, and sat down on the judgment seat at a place called “The Pavement,” but in Hebrew, “Gabbatha.” 14Now it was the Preparation Day of the Passover, c at about the sixth hour.[1] d He said to the Jews, “Behold, your King!”

15They cried out, “Away with him! Away with him! Crucify him!”

Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your King?”

The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar!”


[1]19:14 noon

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Footnotes

a) The phrase "eat the Passover" is to be understood as referring to the observation of the whole festival week or to the sacrifices of this particular day, the second Chagigah, on which thank-offerings from the flock and herd were made eaten, and not to the Passover meal itself, which was already eaten on the 14th of Nisan, the evening before.

b) Our arrangement in bringing this incident at this point rather than at the usual dramatic close is prompted by the desire to follow the natural order of the combined account (without transposition) and to avoid the arrangement which would presumably have Jesus scourged twice: Jn 19:1 followed by verses 2-15 in Jn, as compared with the arrangement which would make Mt 27:26 and Mk 15:15 follow Jn 19:15. Our arrangement follows this natural order:

  Matthew  Mark Luke John
Pilate washes his hands. 27 :24-25      
Barabbas released, Jesus scourged. 26 15:15  23:24-25  19: 1
The crown of thorns. 27.31a 16-20a   2-3
"Behold the Man I"        4-7
"Whence art Thou?"       8.11
"Behold your King l"       12-15
Jesus led to the cross. 31b  20b  26 16

 c) The term "preparation" was the usual designation for the weekly Friday, the day of preparation for the weekly Sabbath or Saturday. Here the addition "of the Passover" indicates that it was the Friday of the Passover week. Compare Mt 27:62; No. 288. Mk 15:42. LK 23:54. Jn 19:42; No. 285. Also Jn 19:31 ; No. 284.

d) In the language of the Roman court it was about 6 A.M., the time set for the beginning of the trial. At other times John used the Jewish reckoning of time. Jn 1:39; No. 30. Jn 4:6; No. 41. Mark says that it was the third hour when they crucified Him. 15:25; No. 277. Thus, according to Jewish time, the crucifixion took place about 9 A.M.

 

 
[ ] Verses marked with brackets indicate that the passage has been taken out of its order.

 

Bible References taken from:
The World English Bible (WEB) is a Public Domain (no copyright) Modern English translation of the Holy Bible, based on the American Standard Version of the Holy Bible first published in 1901, the Biblia Hebraica Stutgartensa Old Testament, and the Greek Majority Text New Testament.