In Pilate’s Judgment Hall
629
Like the bellowing of wild beasts came the answer of the mob, “Re-
lease unto us Barabbas!” Louder and louder swelled the cry, Barabbas!
Barabbas! Thinking that the people had not understood his question,
Pilate asked, “Will ye that I release unto you the King of the Jews?”
But they cried out again, “Away with this Man, and release unto us
Barabbas”! “What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ?”
Pilate asked. Again the surging multitude roared like demons. Demons
themselves, in human form, were in the crowd, and what could be
expected but the answer, “Let Him be crucified”?
Pilate was troubled. He had not thought it would come to that. He
shrank from delivering an innocent man to the most ignominious and
cruel death that could be inflicted. After the roar of voices had ceased,
he turned to the people, saying, “Why, what evil hath He done?” But
the case had gone too far for argument. It was not evidence of Christ’s
innocence that they wanted, but His condemnation.
Still Pilate endeavored to save Him. “He said unto them the third
time, Why, what evil hath He done? I have found no cause of death
[734]
in Him: I will therefore chastise Him, and let Him go.” But the very
mention of His release stirred the people to a tenfold frenzy. “Crucify
Him, crucify Him,” they cried. Louder and louder swelled the storm
that Pilate’s indecision had called forth.
Jesus was taken, faint with weariness and covered with wounds,
and scourged in the sight of the multitude. “And the soldiers led Him
away into the hall, called Praetorium, and they call together the whole
band. And they clothed Him with purple, and platted a crown of
thorns, and put it about His head, and began to salute Him, Hail, King
of the Jews! And they ... did spit upon Him, and bowing their knees
worshiped Him.” Occasionally some wicked hand snatched the reed
that had been placed in His hand, and struck the crown upon His brow,
forcing the thorns into His temples, and sending the blood trickling
down His face and beard.
Wonder, O heavens! and be astonished, O earth! Behold the
oppressor and the oppressed. A maddened throng enclose the Saviour
of the world. Mocking and jeering are mingled with the coarse oaths
of blasphemy. His lowly birth and humble life are commented upon
by the unfeeling mob. His claim to be the Son of God is ridiculed, and
the vulgar jest and insulting sneer are passed from lip to lip.