Sunday – Jesus Stands Before Pilate: Matthew 27:11-14; Mark 15:1-5; Luke 23:1-5; John 18:32-38; 19:1-12
Under Roman law, Pilate had ultimate authority to conduct the trial of an accused, examine the evidence, question witnesses, make his declaration of guilt or innocence, and declare the final sentence. Roman trials had three parts: interrogation; arraignment; sentencing. In the interrogation phase, Pilate’s question revealed that the Jews had charged Jesus with claiming to be a King. Making such an accusation amounted to Jesus being charged with treason against Caesar and such was punishable by death. Jesus admitted He was King of the Jews, but His admission wasn’t about an earthly Kingship but, rather, a heavenly one.
Monday – Jesus Stands Before Herod: Luke 23:6-12
Only Luke records Jesus’ trial before Herod. When Pilate found out that Jesus was a Galilean he was more than happy to turn the situation over to Herod despite the fact the two were enemies. Herod exhaustively questioned Jesus. The Jewish leaders vigorously and angrily made accusations against Him. Herod berated Him and belittled Him—even allowing his soldiers to mock Jesus and show their contempt. Yet Jesus remained silent during the entire accusation period. In fact, Herod seemed to be more interested in provoking Jesus into doing a miracle than in actually conducting a trial.
Tuesday – The Choice: Jesus or Barabbas?: Matthew 27:15-18; Mark 15:6-11; Luke 23:13-19; John 18:39-40
It was customary at the Passover Feast that a prisoner be released. Pilate undoubtedly placed Jesus up against the worst condemned criminal he could find: the bandit-robber, Barabbas. He was convinced that Jesus was not a criminal, and that the only reason accusations had been made against Jesus was because the priests were jealous of Him. Here was a solution for Pilate’s predicament! Wouldn’t the people be forced to free Jesus rather than release a treacherous criminal?
Wednesday – Pilate’s Wife: Matthew 27:19
Besides Pilate’s conviction that Jesus had done nothing worthy of death, he also had additional motivation to release Jesus. Pilate’s wife had been plagued by a dream. Because of this, she strongly believed her husband should have nothing to do with Jesus because Jesus was a righteous man. She sent a message to Pilate at the court encouraging him to divorce himself from the whole affair.
Thursday – Crucify Him!: Mathew 27:20-23; Mark 15:12-14; Luke 23:20-24; John 9:13-16
To assure the release of Jesus, Pilate placed Jesus up against the convicted criminal, Barabbas. He was baffled by the crowd’s choice to have Barabbas freed. Pilate pointedly asked them to reveal the evil things that Jesus had done that made Him worthy to receive the penalty of death, but the crowd was spurred into a frenzy by the priests and other religious leaders. In resignation, Pilate readily saw he had lost all influence over them.
Friday – Pilate Washes His Hands: Matthew 27:24-25
It was customary that when a man shed blood, he would wash his hands to symbolically cleanse away the stain. But it was a stain that could never be removed. Thirty years later, on this very spot, judgment was pronounced against some of Jerusalem’s best citizens, and many were scourged and crucified. The house of Annas was eventually destroyed, Caiaphas was deposed a year after Jesus’ death, and Pilate would suffer torment until his suicide.
Saturday – Wounded for Our Transgressions: Matthew 27:26; Mark 15:15; Luke 23:25
The scourge was a whip with several thongs, each loaded with acorn-shaped balls of lead, or sharp pieces of bone or spikes. Stripped and tied to a column with his back bent, a victim was lashed by six lictors, who shredded his body nearly to the point of his death. Each stroke ripped deeply into flesh, until the veins and sometimes the entrails were laid bare. Heavy blood loss was usual.