Barton's Bible Study Notes

Life of Christ: Unit 53 - Sections 182-192

Read Matthew 27:1-10, Mark 15:1, Luke 22:66-23:1, Acts 1:18-19 and John 18:28. Jesus has spent a good part of the night being interrogated first by Annas then by Caiaphas and part of the council at the house of Caiaphas. Now when morning breaks, as early as it is possible, Caiaphas has Jesus taken into the council room and convenes the whole council. This was done to meet the letter of the law which stated that the trial must be during the day in the council room by the full council. All that had taken place before this was illegal. But having decided how they were going to proceed they now needed the council to rubber stamp their decision before they take Him to Pilate who has the authority to pass a death sentence.

1. Matthew’s account states Judas returned the money then went out and hanged himself. Acts states he acquired a field and fell face first with the result he was disemboweled and died. How are these accounts to be reconciled; or are there errors at this point?

Read Matthew 27:11-26, Mark 15:2-15, Luke 23:2-25 and John 18:29-19:16. Matthew, Mark and John combine both times Jesus was before Pilate into one account omitting the events that took place before Herod. Perhaps these three writers omit it because Herod was detested by most Jews even more so than Pilate or other Roman appointees and because Pilate not Herod was the authority that ordered the crucifixion of our Lord.

2. During his interrogation of our Lord what amazed Pilate?

3. What is the only question asked by Pilate to which our Lord gives an answer?

4. John gives more detail about our Lord’s answer to Pilate. What did He tell Pilate about being the King?

5. When our Lord states that His kingdom was not of this world (John 18:36) does this imply there was not going to be a millennial kingdom on earth, only a spiritual one in heaven or one in the hearts of believers? Explain.

6. What reason impelled Pilate to condemn Jesus to be executed by crucifixion?

Read Matthew 27:27-32, Mark 15:16-21, Luke 23:26-31 and John 19:2-3. After agreeing to release Barabbas and crucify Jesus, Pilate hands Him over to the soldiers who beat and mock Him before putting Him into the procession to make their way to Golgotha, the area where Roman executions were carried out.

7. What does that fact that the Romans had to find another person to carry the cross for our Lord imply about the treatment He had already received?

8. Of what does Jesus warn the women who followed the process weeping?

The Applications:

What are the applications of these passages to our lives today? Identify as many as you are able.