Eyewitness to Easter: Pilate, Found No Guilt

So Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?” Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you done?”  Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” Pilate said to him, “What is truth?” After he had said this, he went back outside to the Jews and told them, “I find no guilt in him.”  {John 18:33-38}

Pilate questions Jesus again but he speaks of a kingdom and world not of this world. Jesus tells him that this is his purpose to come and Pilate can find no quilt in him.

“Jesus shows utter disdain for the false charges that are being leveled against him. The Lord of truth will not dignify false testimony with an answer. “  {Asbury Bible Commentary}

“Pilate then called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was misleading the people. And after examining him before you, behold, I did not find this man guilty of any of your charges against him.” {Luke 23:13-14}

Pilate wants to release Jesus and tells the chief priest that he has questioned him and has no charges to bring against him.

Neither did Herod, for he sent him back to us. Look, nothing deserving death has been done by him. I will therefore punish and release him.”     {Luke 23:15-16}

Herod also found no reason Jesus deserves death and will release him.

“Christ is the great peace-maker; both Pilate and Herod owned his innocency, and their agreeing in this cured their disagreeing in other things.”   {Matthew Henry Commentary}

The chief priest are frantically searching their minds for a reason not to le Jesus go but to have him killed and out of their way.

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