Please note – this page only covers our audio recordings up to August 2020. For more recent services, please check our recent events listing or our Facebook page.
Pilate Trial (Matthew 27:11-26)
John Low, 2 April 2017
Part of the The Week The World Changed series, Sunday Morning service
Pilate was known for being ruthless. It was not uncommon for him to be quick to sentence one to execution. That was certainly what the Jews were looking for.
Yet in the most agonising pain and suffering, Jesus still shows love for Pilate and reaches out to his judge to come to believe the truth. For the Son of Man came to seek the lost, every one of us.
| Earlier: | Same day: | Later: |
|---|---|---|
| « Jesus Arrested, how do you react? | The death of Jesus | Who is this man? » |
Matthew 27:11–26 (Listen)
11 Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You have said so.” 12 But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he gave no answer. 13 Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how many things they testify against you?” 14 But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed.
15 Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the crowd any one prisoner whom they wanted. 16 And they had then a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. 17 So when they had gathered, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” 18 For he knew that it was out of envy that they had delivered him up. 19 Besides, while he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered much because of him today in a dream.” 20 Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. 21 The governor again said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.” 22 Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said, “Let him be crucified!” 23 And he said, “Why? What evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified!”
24 So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves.” 25 And all the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!” 26 Then he released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, delivered him to be crucified.
(ESV)