#1444 Luke 23 Part 1 The Sanhedrin Collective

 

Then the whole company of them arose and brought him before Pilate. 2 And they began to accuse him, saying, “We found this man misleading our nation and forbidding us to give tribute to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ, a king.” 3 And Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” And he answered him, “You have said so.” 4 Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no guilt in this man.” 5 But they were urgent, saying, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee even to this place.” Luke 23: 1-5 ESV

Luke 23: 1-5

Jesus was never the victim of human decisions. He wasn’t the victim of a corrupt disciple who betrayed Him. He wasn’t the victim of a couple of corrupt high priests who arraigned Him. He wasn’t the victim of the Jewish Supreme Court who condemned Him. Nor was He the victim of Pilate and Herod, who ultimately executed Him. He was God’s chosen Lamb, and God had predetermined that He would die. But nonetheless, this litany of corrupt and tragic characters play very particular roles in the murder of the Son of God. - J Mac

Then the whole company of them arose and brought Him before Pilate - This is the Sanhedrin, the Jewish Supreme Court, and this is a show of solidarity, and we know of only one member that dissented secretly at that time and later offered up a burial place, Joseph of Arimathea. I believe that one other member, Nicodemus, also came to believe, and was present for the dressing of Christ's burial. Maybe more believed later, but look at that number here, 70 men, religious leaders, studied, knowledgeable, respected men with money, titles and influence, and we can only find 2 that quietly object for fear of the 68, that's a terrible percentage. Are you sure you want to be a Christian? These are the kind of odds you are up against, even the people who don't want this to happen to Him are afraid to speak up. 

Pilate has been the governor for a few years. He was the governor of Israel from 26 to 36 A.D. So he’s been in power a few years. He’ll be in power for a few years after Jesus dies. However, this act in itself is an utter disregard for justice. Remember what I told you a few weeks ago. According to Jewish law, when the council rendered a verdict of guilty, they had to stay in their seats, they could not dismiss from the court.

The council had to stay in that place, they had to remain there one full day so that during that day anyone who had any testimony to bring to indicate anything other than the verdict of condemnation - that is, anyone who could show up with further evidence as to the innocence of the one condemned - would have a full hearing in the court. They disregarded that as they had disregarded every other element of their own system. After condemning Jesus, they immediately arose and left the court chamber. They should have stayed there, seated in their chamber through that entire day. - Precept Austin

38 After these things Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took away his body. 39 Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight. 40 So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. 41 Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. 42 So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there. John 19: 38-42

V. 2 We found this man misleading our nation - A group of concerned citizens, that's the reason they are coming forward, not blood lust, no, they are fact checkers and have found this man to be spreading misinformation. That's why they had to ignore their own laws, present false witnesses, abandon the post they are supposed to remain in for the day, hold kangaroo courts at night, because they are deeply concerned civil servants. These guys would move up fast in the corporate world, they have the spin, they have the money, they have the connections, numbers and influence, and they will use it today to get a non violent man who healed many put to death. 

…43Why do you not understand what I am saying? It is because you are unable to accept My message. 44You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out his desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, refusing to uphold the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, because he is a liar and the father of lies. 45But because I speak the truth, you do not believe Me!… John 8: 43-45

V. 2b And forbidding us to give tribute to Caesar - You see, Rome has the power of the death penalty and they have to make their case to the Civil authorities now. Governments need taxes, and so this is a good place to attack, the purse, but it's not what Jesus actually taught. So these religious leaders, those that judge by God's commandments, lied.

12At this, the leaders sought to arrest Jesus, for they knew that He had spoken this parable against them. But fearing the crowd, they left Him and went away. 13Later, they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to catch Jesus in His words. 14“Teacher,” they said, “we know that You are honest and seek favor from no one. Indeed, You are impartial and teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not? Should we pay them or not?”…

…15But Jesus saw through their hypocrisy and said, “Why are you testing Me? Bring Me a denarius to inspect.” 16So they brought it, and He asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?” “Caesar’s,” they answered. 17Then Jesus told them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” And they marveled at Him.… Mark 12: 12-17

Saying that He Himself is Christ, a King - You got Him here, this He does acknowledge, and it is the worst sort of blasphemy unless it happens to be true. How would they know the truth though? We saw before how He pointed them to the prophets who wrote about Him, the same prophets their fathers killed. They are also not above lying so how interested are they in truth, how would they recognize it?

…69But from now on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God.” 70So they all asked, “Are You then the Son of God?” He replied, “You say that I am.” 71“Why do we need any more testimony?” they declared. “We have heard it for ourselves from His own lips.”… Luke 22: 69-71

V. 3 And Pilate asked Him, "Are You the King of the Jews" - Pilate is the Roman governor. He obviously recognizes the reference to a "Christ", a Messianic reference to God's coming King. The Jews are waiting for God's Kingdom, expecting God's King, and there have been insurrectionist before, people who have troubled Rome, so this is another good ploy of the Sanhedrin. Pilate would not want to be guilty of letting such a rebel go, but that is not what he is seeing before him. He sees a very quiet, peaceful individual with bruises from his accusers, and it's just not adding up. Pilate is also a man of sarcasm and wit so asking Jesus whether He is not only a King, but the King of the Jews, is taking a jab at these men who hate Jesus. There was already much speculation about this, but He is not the sort of king these religious elite would choose, but they forget Who it is that chooses.

…48“How do You know me?” Nathanael asked. Jesus replied, “Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree.” 49“Rabbi,” Nathanael answered, “You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” 50Jesus said to him, “Do you believe just because I told you I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these.”… John 1: 48-50

…20and declared: “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, for wisdom and power belong to Him. 21He changes the times and seasons; He removes kings and establishes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. 22He reveals the deep and hidden things; He knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with Him.… Daniel 2: 20-22

1Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God. 2Consequently, whoever resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the one in authority? Then do what is right, and you will have his approval.… Romans 13: 1-3

V. 3b You have said so - As you say. Not the sort of majesty Pilate would expect to see in a king, so he is still seemingly unmoved on that vein, and doesn't see Jesus as a legitimate threat in Himself. This will become more evident as these trials go on.

…12Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made the good confession before many witnesses. 13I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who made the good confession in His testimony before Pontius Pilate: 14Keep this commandment without stain or reproach until the appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ,… 1 Timothy 6: 12-14

It is as you say - This was the most solemn mode of affirmation used by the Jews. It is this statement and His confession in John's Gospel that He was truly the King and Messiah (Jn 18:34-37, cf Jn 19:11) which Paul describes in his letter to Timothy writing "I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who testified the good confession before Pontius Pilate that you keep the commandment without stain or reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ,." (1 Ti 6:13-14).

THOUGHT - In short, Jesus' "good confession" is an example for the believer's good confession before the "Pilates" of this world! Of course, the only way we can accomplish this confession is by continual dependence on and filling with the Spirit of Christ (Eph 5:18+), who enables supernatural boldness (see Acts 4:31+) in proclaiming Christ and His Gospel to a lost, adversarial world.

Ryle agrees writing that "Paul refers to this saying when he tells Timothy that our Lord 'in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession' (1 Timothy 6:13). (Luke 23 - Ryle's Expository Thoughts on the Gospels) - Precept Austin

…34“Are you saying this on your own,” Jesus asked, “or did others tell you about Me?” 35“Am I a Jew?” Pilate replied. “ Your own people and chief priests handed You over to me. What have You done?” 36Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world; if it were, My servants would fight to prevent My arrest by the Jews. But now My kingdom is not of this realm.”…

…37“Then You are a king!” Pilate said. “You say that I am a king,” Jesus answered. “For this reason I was born and have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to My voice.” 38“What is truth?” Pilate asked. And having said this, he went out again to the Jews and told them, “I find no basis for a charge against Him. 39But it is your custom that I release to you one prisoner at the Passover. So then, do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?”… John 18: 34-39

…10So Pilate said to Him, “Do You refuse to speak to me? Do You not know that I have authority to release You and authority to crucify You?” 11Jesus answered, “You would have no authority over Me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed Me over to you is guilty of greater sin.” 12From then on, Pilate tried to release Him, but the Jews kept shouting, “If you release this man, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who declares himself a king is defying Caesar.”… John 19: 10-12

V. 4 I find no guilt in this man - The Civil authorities don't see a reason for a conviction.

V. 5 He stirs up the people - Governors don't like riots and such, and he wants to control his area so as not to have upper management feel the need to interfere, so they attack him at a very human level, his fear of failure or being accused of as much. They are a crafty bunch, but again, this is God's choice for His Son, and He overrules the evil of these men even to the good of all those who will look to the cross. They are like Antifa, they throw the bottle, twist the words, lie, and are here trying to stir up a crowd, trying to stir up the Civil authorities, all to shut this one Man up, to kill Him.