I suspect most people know the name of Pilate. He was the man that sentenced Jesus to death.

Pilate was a cruel man, one who often disregarded his duty for personal interests. He was known for his merciless treatment of the people and was, therefore, hated by them.

In Matthew 27, as well as Luke 23, we can read how Pilate manipulated his power and yet became a pawn in the hands of the wicked Jews. They used his wicked ways to get what they wanted—the death of Jesus Christ.

When Jesus was brought before the governor, Pilate asked Jesus, “Are you king of the Jews?” Jesus’ simple answer was, “Thou sayest.” Jesus was then accused by the chief priests and elders, but He said nothing. The scripture says that Pilate marveled at the fact that Jesus did not answer the charges.

Those making the accusations against Jesus referred to Him as a Galilean, so Pilate sent Jesus to Herod. Galilee was Herod’s jurisdiction, and Herod just happened to be in Jerusalem at that time. Herod questioned Jesus but with the same result; Jesus said nothing. Herod mocked Him, gave Him a robe, and sent Him back to Pilate.

As He stood once again before Pilate, Pilate’s wife begged him not have anything to do with Jesus. She was afraid because she had dreamed about Him. Pilate thought the custom of releasing a prisoner at this festive occasion would save Jesus, but that was not what the people had in mind. Instead of releasing a man in whom no cause for death was found, Pilate released Barabbas, a seditionist and murderer.

Pilate stood before the people and washed his hands, claiming that he was innocent of the blood of Jesus. Then he released Barabbas, had Jesus scourged, and sent Him away to be crucified.

So was Pilate really innocent? Could he really wash his hands of this whole thing and not be held accountable?

Let’s look at some of the statements from our text:

• “For he knew that for envy they had delivered him.” Matthew 27:18
• “What evil hath he done?” Matthew 27:23
• “I find no fault in this man.” Luke 23:4
• “Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perverteth the people: and, behold, I, having examined him before you, have found no fault in this man touching those things whereof ye accuse him.”
• Speaking of Jesus before Herod, Pilate said, “Nothing worthy of death is done unto him.” Luke 23:15
• “I will therefore chastise him, and release him.” Luke 23:16
• “Pilate therefore, willing to release Jesus, spake again to them. But they cried, saying, Crucify him, crucify him.” Luke 23:20-21
• Again Pilate said, “What evil hath he done? I have found no cause for death in him: I will therefore chastise him, and let him go.” Luke 23:22
• “And Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they required.” Luke 23:24

Over and over, Pilate proclaimed that Jesus was innocent. He couldn’t find anything that would require by law that He be put to death. He knew Jesus was innocent. He knew he was turning over an innocent man to a mob.

Pilate did not personally scourge Jesus, but he ordered it. He did not personally drive the nails into his hands, but he allowed it.

The same is true of us today. We cannot personally sentence Jesus, scourge Him, or crucify Him. Yet that is what we do once when we sin. Hebrews 6:4-6 says, “For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt.”

Those in this state have hearts that are hardened against God. They have shut God out, and they refuse to return to Him. Judas was like this. He was full of remorse but not repentance.

James says, “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin” James 4:17. Is there any question that Pilate knew what he should do, but didn’t do it?

Sandra Oliver