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Gospel John Bible Study #59
John 18:38-19:16 Pilate sentenced Jesus to crucifixion.

1. What is justice?
=fairness in protection of right
=punishment of wrongs
What system do we have for justice to be served? Amos 5:15
=Amos 5:15 Hate evil, and love good, and establish justice in the gate; it may be that the Lord, the God of hosts, will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph
What should people be aware when they serve justice? Exodus 23:1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8
=Exodus 23:1 You shall not spread a false report. You shall not join hands with a wicked man to be a malicious witness. V.2 you shall not fall in with the many to do evil, nor shall you bear witness in a lawsuit, siding with the many, so as to pervert justice, v3 nor shall you be partial to a poor man in his lawsuit. V6 you shall not pervert the justice due to your poor in his lawsuit. V7 keep far from a false charge, and do not kill the innocent and righteous, for I will not acquit the wicked v8 and you shall take no bribe, for a bribe blinds the clear-sighted and subverts the cause of those who are in the right
With what is the kingdom of God established and maintained? Isaiah 9:7,
=Isaiah 9:7 of the increase of his government and of peace there will be on end, one the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish in and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

2. Who was the judge over the trial of Jesus?
=Pilate
What authority and responsibility did Pilate have?
=judge
=freedom or punishment
What crime did he find from Jesus? 18:38b, 19:4, 19:6b
=18:38b I find no guilt in him
=19:4 I find no guilt in him
=19:6b for I find no guilt in him

3. What was the Pilate’s first attempt to release Jesus? 18:38,39
=v.39 so do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?
Why did he fail? 38:40
=people wanted Barabbas

4. What was the Pilate’s second attempt to release Jesus? 19:1
=v.1Then Pilate took Jesus and flogged him
=v.4 See I am bringing him out to you that you may know that I find no guilt in him.
What is flogging?
=39 times
Why did he fail? 19:6
=v.6 the chief priests and the officers saw him, they cried out, “Crucify him, crucify him!”
= “Take him yourselves and crucify him, for I find no guilt in him”
=Pilate expected compassion from people, but there was no compassion.
For whose sake did Jesus endure the flogging and humiliation? 19:2
= our sins
=for us and for our sins

5. What was the Pilate’s third attempt to release Jesus? 19:6b
=v.6b Take him yourselves and crucify him, for I find no guilt in him
Why did he fail? 19:7
=chief priest brought new charge.

6. What new charge did the Jews bring against Jesus? 19:7
=v.7 the Son of God
How did Pilate respond to the new charge against Jesus? 19:8
=v.8 he was even more afraid
Why did Pilate ask Jesus where he came from? 19:9
=v.9 Where are you from?
=he wanted to know who Jesus is?
Why didn’t Jesus say anything to Pilate? 19:9, 18:36, 37
=v.9 no answer
=Jesus mentioned it before v.36, 37
=Pilate questioned the same question twice
What authority did Pilate remind Jesus when Jesus refused to talk? 19:10
=v.10 Do you not know that I have authority to release you and authority to crucify you
Why did Jesus say that Pilate had no power over Jesus? 19:11
=v.11 you would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above.
Therefore he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin

7. How was the Jews’ accusation changed? 19:12
=from Jesus to Pilate
How effective was the new level of pressure on Pilate? 19:13
=v.13 So when Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judgment seat
What was Pilate’s political situation at that time?
=his sponsor in Rome was executed.

8. What was the Pilate’s final attempt to release Jesus? 19:12, 15 Why did he fail? 19:15
=v.15 Shall I crucify your King?
=we have no king but Caesar
Finally why did Pilate sentence Jesus to death? 19:15, 16
=he was afraid of people and his position
=in order to survive
In summary why did Pilate fail to serve justice in his court?
=he never used his authority
=He didn’t follow his own decision
How should we fight our battle against our enemy evil? 1Peter 5:8, 9
=1 Peter 5:8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion,
seeking someone to devour.
v.9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced
by your brotherhood throughout the world.

9. Compare Jesus who died to testify to the truth and Pilate who killed the truth for his own survival. Pilate was removed from the office in 36AD and died in 39AD.
=A.D 33 Jesus died on the cross
=A.D 36 Pilate lost his position
=A.D 39 Pilate died
Jesus--crucified—resurrected—forever king
Pilate—to survive he killed Jesus--A.D36—A.D 39 he died—forever condemned