222. The Passions of the Lord: The Lord Jesus in Herod

Lux. 23, 8–12.

Herod, seeing the Lord Jesus, rejoiced greatly; for I had long desired to see Him, because I had heard much about Him and hoped to see some miracle from Him. And he asked him many questions, but he answered him nothing. And the chief priests and scribes stood and accused Him mightily. But Herod and his soldiers, having despised Him and mocked Him, dressed Him in bright clothes and sent Him back to Pilate. And on that day Pilate and Herod became friends with each other, for they had formerly been at enmity with one another.

223. Pilate's Unsuccessful Efforts to Release the Lord

Mf. 27, 15–23;

Mk. 15, 6–14;

Lux. 23, 13–23;

In. 18, 39–40.

When the Lord returned from Herod, Pilate called together the chief priests, and the rulers, and the people, and said to them, "You have brought this man to me, as a corrupter of the people; and behold, I have examined in your presence, and have not found this man guilty of any of the things of which you accuse him, and neither did Herod, for I sent him to him; and nothing was found in Him worthy of death. Therefore, having punished Him, I will let Him go.

And it was necessary for him to release one prisoner for the feast, and it was his custom for the feast of the Passover to release to the people one prisoner whom they wanted and asked for, whom he released to them. Pilate wanted to turn this to the benefit of the accused innocently, and said to them, "Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?" For he knew that the chief priests had betrayed him out of jealousy. And to the chief priests themselves he addressed the same word: "It is your custom that I let you go alone for the Passover; Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?

But then, while he was sitting in the judgment seat, his wife sent him to say, "Do nothing to that Righteous One, for I have suffered much this day in a dream for His sake." In this way Pilate's attention was somewhat diverted from the people; and the chief priests and elders succeeded in inspiring the people and stirring them up to ask that he would rather release Barabbas for them, and destroy the Lord Jesus. Why, when Pilate turned again to the people, waiting for an answer, all the people cried out, "Not Him, but Barabbas."

And Barabbas was called a robber, who was put in prison for his rebellion and murder in the city, and who sat there with other rebels, who had committed murder during the rebellion.

Pilate, perplexed at such a demand of the people, asked them, "Which of the two do you want me to release to you, Barabbas or Jesus, who is called Christ?" They cried out again, "Barabbas."

Pilate said to them, "What then shall I do with Jesus, who is called the Christ?" What do you want me to do with Him whom you call the King of the Jews? They all cried out to him, "Let him be crucified!" crucify Him! execute him, and let Barabbas go to us!