Jesus Tried
This week at Mercy Church we continue our journey toward Easter, focusing on the trial of Jesus in Luke chapters 22 and 23. We explore Jesus' encounters with the religious leaders, Pontius Pilate, and Herod, examining how easily the crowd's loudest voices can drown out the truth. This message challenges us to examine our own hearts, asking whether we truly walk in humble submission to Jesus or look to Him for entertaining signs. Watch to discover the profound cost of following Christ and learn how to confidently stand firm in His truth instead of taking the easy way out.
Deep Dive Podcast
Study of the Trial of Jesus: Luke 22-23
This study guide provides an in-depth analysis of the biblical account of the trial of Jesus as presented in the Gospel of Luke, chapters 22 and 23. It explores the religious and political motivations behind the trial, the historical evidence for the figures involved, and the theological implications of these events.
Part I: Short-Answer Quiz
Instructions: Answer the following questions in 2–3 sentences based on the provided text.
Why did the Council of Elders wait until daybreak to hold the official trial of Jesus?
What was Jesus' initial response when the religious leaders asked if he was the Messiah?
According to the text, what is the "challenge of the human state" regarding Jesus' words?
What is the significance of the phrase "I am" in the context of Jesus' trial?
What were the specific accusations the religious leaders brought against Jesus when they led him to Pilate?
How did Jesus actually respond to the question of paying taxes to Caesar?
What historical evidence supports the existence of Pontius Pilate?
Why did Pontius Pilate send Jesus to Herod Antipas?
What was Herod Antipas’ primary motivation for wanting to see Jesus?
Why did Pilate eventually agree to the crowd's demand for crucifixion despite finding Jesus innocent?
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Part II: Answer Key
The religious leaders held an unofficial gathering at night to accuse Jesus, but this meeting could not officially count under their laws. They waited until daybreak to convene the Council of Elders, chief priests, and teachers of the law for a formal trial to finalize their decision.
Jesus responded by stating that if he told them he was the Messiah, they would not believe him. He further noted that if he asked them a question, they would not provide an answer.
The challenge lies in the gap between intellectual belief and actual submission of the will. Even when presented with the truth, humans often choose to live differently or refuse to trust Jesus because they do not want anyone else to be "the boss" of them.
The phrase "I am" is a direct reference to how God identified himself to Moses at the burning bush in the Book of Exodus. By using this phrase, Jesus was identifying himself as God, which the religious leaders interpreted as blasphemy punishable by death according to Leviticus 24.
They accused Jesus of subverting the nation, opposing the payment of taxes to Caesar, and claiming to be a king or Messiah. These accusations were framed as political threats to make them more effective when speaking to the Roman government.
Contrary to the accusations of the religious leaders, Jesus told the people to "render unto Caesar what is Caesar's and give to God what is God's." He used a coin with Caesar's face on it to demonstrate that they should indeed pay their taxes.
Pilate is mentioned by ancient historians such as Tacitus, Philo, and Josephus. Additionally, in 1961, archeologists discovered the "Pilate Stone," a piece of rock inscribed with his name, confirming his historical presence as a Roman official.
Pilate realized that Jesus was from Galilee, which fell under Herod’s jurisdiction. By sending Jesus to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at the time, Pilate attempted to avoid the political headache and responsibility of deciding Jesus' fate.
Herod was "greatly pleased" to see Jesus because he had heard stories about him and hoped to be entertained by a miracle or "sign." When Jesus refused to answer his questions or perform a trick, Herod and his soldiers ridiculed him before sending him back to Pilate.
Pilate succumbed to the pressure of the "loudest voices" because he wanted to avoid a political headache. Although he found no basis for the charges and tried three times to release Jesus, the persistent and loud demands of the crowd eventually prevailed.
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Part III: Essay Questions
Instructions: Use the source context to develop comprehensive responses to the following prompts.
The Role of Jurisdiction and Political Maneuvering: Analyze how Pontius Pilate and Herod Antipas used jurisdictional boundaries and political alliances during the trial. Discuss how their relationship changed as a result of these proceedings.
Truth vs. The Loudest Voices: Discuss the speaker's warning regarding the influence of "the loudest voices" over the truth. How did this dynamic manifest in Pilate’s decision-making process, and what are the suggested consequences for modern followers of Jesus?
Historical and Legal Frameworks: Examine the differences between the religious trial before the Council of Elders and the governmental trial before Pilate. Detail the specific laws and historical evidence mentioned in the text that ground these events in a specific time and place.
The Character of the Accusers: Evaluate the tactics used by the chief priests and teachers of the law to secure a death sentence. Contrast their religious concerns (blasphemy) with the political concerns they presented to the Roman authorities.
Submission of the Will: Explore the theme of human resistance to Jesus' authority as presented in the text. Reference the examples of the religious leaders, Herod, and the modern "atheist or agnostic" to explain why the speaker believes belief is a matter of the will rather than just facts.
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Part IV: Glossary of Key Terms
Barabbas
A prisoner who had been jailed for insurrection and murder; he was released by Pilate at the demand of the crowd in place of Jesus.
Blasphemy
The religious charge brought against Jesus for claiming to be the Son of God, which, according to Leviticus 24, was punishable by death.
Council of Elders
The group consisting of chief priests and teachers of the law who met at daybreak to formally try Jesus.
Daybreak
The time of day the official trial of Jesus began, distinguishing it from the unofficial religious gathering held the previous night.
Flogging
A severe physical punishment Pilate proposed as a compromise to satisfy the crowd before releasing Jesus.
Herod Antipas
The son of Herod and ruler of one-quarter of the kingdom; he oversaw the Galilean jurisdiction and mocked Jesus during the trial.
Messiah
A title meaning "the anointed one" or king; the religious leaders accused Jesus of claiming this title to incite Roman concern.
Pilate Stone
An archaeological artifact discovered in 1961 that contains an inscription of Pontius Pilate's name, serving as historical evidence of his existence.
Pontius Pilate
The Roman governor who presided over the governmental trial of Jesus; despite finding Jesus innocent, he eventually sentenced him to crucifixion.
Son of Man
A title used by Jesus to refer to himself, specifically when stating he would be "seated at the right hand of the mighty God."
Tacitus / Philo / Josephus
Ancient historians whose writings provide extra-biblical mentions of Pontius Pilate.
