Reading for March 24th

 Read John 18.38.b-19.16a. In 38b-40: Pilate and Jewish authorities. Outside the Gospels there is no mention of the custom of releasing a prisoner at Passover. Barabbas, unknown outside the Gospels, was a bandit (see 1.8), perhaps a "freedom fighter" opposed to Roman rule. In 19.1-3: The soldiers and Jesus. Though not guilty, Jesus was flogged as a condemned prisoner. Crown of thorns, with thorns turned outward to look like sun rays, and purple, the color of royal garments, were mockery based on the accusation of kingship. In verses 4-7: Pilate presents Jesus to the Jewish authorities. The leaders, not the crowd, call for Jesus to be crucified.. In verses 8-11: Pilate and Jesus.  More afraid than ever: A better though difficult, translation is he became afraid. Even though Pilate's power originates from God, the fulfillment of the purpose of God does not excuse Pilate, more especially, Judas. The one who handed me over to you could be Judas (18.2-3, 5) or Caiaphas (18.24, 28). The greater sin: Pilate is not altogether exonerated. In verses 12-16a: Pilate and the Jews. To claim to be king was treason against the emperor. In verse 13: The judgment of Jesus before Pilate is given a formal legal setting. The meaning of Gabbatha is obscure (see 19.17; contrast 1.38). In verse 14: Preparation for Passover, the eve of Passover, 14th Nisan (see 18.28; 19.31,42). The time, noon, the sixth hour, when the Passover lambs began to be slaughtered. In verse 15: There is  deep irony in the assertion, We have no king but the emperor, rather than confessing God as king. In verse 16a: Pilate hands Jesus over to them, that is, to the Roman soldiers (not to the Jews, see 19.13), to be crucified. Comments or Questions..