Why was Jesus taken to Pilate, and
For what crime was He Crucified?
31 March 2022
We know that the Pharisees and the chief priests could not tolerate Jesus. He contradicted their teachings, exposed their hypocrisy, and his growing popularity made them feel powerless. He also publicly challenged their authority. It is no surprise, then, that they wanted him dead.
Yet, unlike St. Stephen (Acts 7:54-60), Jesus was not stoned. Instead, after being judged by Caiaphas, the high priest, and the elders (Matt 26:57-66, Mark 14:53-64, Luke 22:66-71, John 18:1-24), he was brought to Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor.
Why take Jesus to Pilate?
Under Roman occupation, only a Roman court or governor could legally authorize the death penalty. The chief priests themselves acknowledged this when they told Pilate,
“We are not permitted to put anyone to death” - John 18:31.
Some possible reasons Jesus was brought to Pilate include:
- Avoiding Roman scrutiny: Jesus had become very famous, and openly criticizing the Pharisees had made him a public figure. The Pharisees may have feared that an unauthorized execution could put them in danger.
- Discrediting Jesus: Many believed Jesus was the Messiah. By having him crucified, they could invoke Deut 21:23, showing the people that anyone hung on a tree was under God’s curse, thereby attempting to discredit Jesus.
- Making an example: Crucifixion was the lowest and most humiliating form of Roman punishment, used primarily for criminals and rebels. By condemning Jesus in this manner, they aimed to shame him and intimidate his followers.
The Crime of Jesus
Could Pilate have sentenced Jesus for matters of faith? Roman law forbade death or imprisonment based solely on religion (Acts 26:31-32).
Instead, the charge brought against Jesus was political, and the Pharisees themselves framed it. They told Pilate:
“Everyone who claims to be a king sets himself against the emperor” - John 19:12
Jesus was crucified under the accusation of claiming kingship and opposing the Roman emperor, even though the judgment was clearly unjust. Pilate attempted to distance himself from the decision by washing his hands (Matt 27:24).
Who Is Responsible for Jesus’ Death?
Was it the Pharisees? Pilate? Judas Iscariot?
The Bible shows that Jesus’ death was foretold:
- Isaiah 53:4 – “Surely he has borne our infirmities and carried our diseases…”
- Isaiah 53:7 – “…like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, he did not open his mouth.”
- Psalms 34:19-22 – “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord rescues them from them all…”
- Galatians 3:10-14 – Paul interprets Deut 21:23, explaining that Christ redeemed us by becoming a curse for our sins.
In truth, all of us are responsible for Jesus’ death. It was our sins that necessitated his sacrifice. By dying on the cross, Jesus redeemed humanity.
What Jesus Achieved Through the Cross
By his death, Jesus:
- Freed us from sin.
- Gave us His mother, Mary, as our mother and intercessor.
- Transformed the cross from a symbol of shame into a symbol of hope.
Lessons for Us
In life, we often encounter people who oppose us or challenge our ideas. How do we respond?
- Do we judge or condemn others, as the Pharisees did?
- Or do we follow Jesus, recognizing that no one is righteous by their own abilities (Romans 3; Psalms 14)?
The cross teaches us humility, patience, and the power of God’s redemption. By imitating Jesus, rather than those who opposed him, we embrace forgiveness and love.
References
- Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible. © 1989 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
- Picture Credit: Flickr – Crucifixion Scene
- Picture License: CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
