Reading for December 3rd

 Read Luke 23.1-25. In verses 1-2: Pilate was the Roman governor who came to Jerusalem during Passover to keep the peace (see 1.31; Acts 4.27). In verse 3: Pilate focuses on the title King of the Jews, which only the Roman Senate could award. Jesus again interprets the accusation as a testimony to its truth (see 22.71). In verse 5: The charge that he stirs up the people implies insurrection and implicates the people who have defended Jesus from the crowds of Temple officials (see 19.47; 20.1, 6, 26; 21.38; 22.2, 52). In verses 6-7: Herod Antipas (3.1, 19-20; 9.7-9; 13.31) sought his father's appointment as King of the Jews, but the Romans only made him tetrarch of Galilee and Perea. In verses 11-12: Only Luke tells this cruel story with Herod himself participating in royal mockery and thus becoming friends with Pilate (23.15). In verses 13-14: Pilate's reputation for violent disrespect for Jewish customs (13.1; Josephus, The Jewish War 2.172-177) may suggest Luke thought he was taunting the chief priests, the leaders, and the people, accusing them of false charges as if they were the ones perverting the people. Like Peter (22.54-62), "the people" who protected Jesus (see 19.47-48) are now at risk themselves. They only add to Jesus' danger by being associated with him and will deny him three times (see 23.22-23, 27). In (17) and verses 18-19: The story of Barabbas is told in detail in Mark 15.6-15 and Mt 27.15-23, and later copies added v. 17 to make Luke's account complete. In verse 25: Compared with Mark 15.15 and Mt 27.26, Luke's account emphasizes Pilate's responsibility for releasing one convicted or insurrection and murder, further violating Roman law by executing Jesus whom he had declared innocent three times (23.22). The phrase as they wished sharpens the question of whose will is being done in this execution (see vv. 27-28). Comments or Questions..