Before Pilate
71
which they accused Him. With noisy cries they demanded that He be
sentenced to death.
As Christ made no answer to His accusers, Pilate said to Him:
“Answerest Thou nothing? Behold how many things they witness
against Thee.
“But Jesus yet answered nothing.”
Mark 15:4, 5
.
Pilate was perplexed. He saw no evidence of crime in Jesus, and
he had no confidence in those who were accusing Him. The noble
appearance and quiet manner of the Saviour were in direct contrast to
the excitement and fury of His accusers. Pilate was impressed with
this, and was well satisfied of His innocence.
Hoping to gain the truth from Him, he took Jesus by Himself, and
questioned Him: “Art Thou the King of the Jews?”
Christ did not give a direct answer to this question, but asked:
[126]
“Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of Me?”
The Spirit of God was striving with Pilate. The question of Jesus
was intended to lead him to examine his own heart more closely. Pilate
understood the meaning of the question. His own heart was opened
before him, and he saw that his soul was stirred by conviction. But
pride arose in his heart, and he answered:
“Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered
Thee unto me: what hast Thou done?”
Pilate’s golden opportunity had passed. But Jesus desired Pilate to
understand that He had not come to be an earthly king, therefore He
said:
“My kingdom is not of this world: if My kingdom were of this
world, then would My servants fight, that I should not be delivered to
the Jews: but now is My kingdom not from hence.”
Pilate then asked, “Art Thou a king then?”
Jesus answered, “Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was
I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear
witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth My voice.”
Pilate had a desire to know the truth. His mind was confused. He
eagerly grasped the words of the Saviour, and his heart was stirred
with a great longing to know what the truth really was, and how he
could obtain it. He asked Jesus: “What is truth?”
But he did not wait to receive an answer. The tumult of the crowd
outside the hall of justice had increased to a roar. The priests were