Basic HTML Version
Christ’s Trial Before the Roman Governor
435
Pilate Convinced of a Plot
Pilate did not believe that the Prisoner had plotted against the
government. He was convinced that a deep plot had been laid to
destroy an innocent Man. Turning to Jesus, he asked, “Are You the
King of the Jews?” The Savior answered, “It is as you say.” And as
He spoke, His face lighted up as if a sunbeam were shining on it.
When they heard His answer, Caiaphas called Pilate to witness
that Jesus had admitted the crime with which He was charged. Pilate
said, “‘Do You answer nothing? See how many things they testify
against You!’ But Jesus still answered nothing.”
Standing behind Pilate, in view of all in the court, Christ heard
the abuse, but to all the false charges He answered not a word. He
stood unmoved by the fury of the waves that beat around Him. It was
as if the heavy surges of anger, rising like the waves of the ocean,
broke around Him but did not touch Him. His silence was like a
light shining from the inner to the outer Man.
Pilate was astonished. Does this Man not care to save His life?
As he looked at Jesus, he felt that He could not be as unrighteous as
the priests, who were shouting angrily. To escape the turmoil of the
crowd, Pilate took Jesus aside and again asked, “Are You the King
of the Jews?”
Jesus did not answer directly. The Holy Spirit was working
[335]
on Pilate’s heart, and He gave him opportunity to acknowledge his
conviction. “Are you speaking for yourself about this,” He asked, “or
did others tell you this concerning Me?” Pilate understood Christ’s
meaning, but he would not acknowledge the conviction that pressed
upon him. “Am I a Jew?” he said. “Your own nation and the chief
priests have delivered You to me. What have You done?”
Jesus Tries to Save Pilate
Jesus did not leave Pilate without further light. He made it clear
to him that He was not seeking an earthly throne.
“My kingdom is not of this world,” He said. “‘If My kingdom
were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be
delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.’ Pilate
therefore said to Him, ‘Are You a king then?’ Jesus answered, ‘You