• PER344 The Return before Pontius Pilate

    Pericope PER344 analyzes Jesus’ return before Pontius Pilate after his appearance before Herod Antipas, an episode reported only by Luke. Pilate, finding no fault deserving death under Roman law, tries to resist the pressure of the Jewish religious leaders. The article offers a precise chronological reconstruction of the morning of the Friday of the Passion and raises the linguistic question of the exchanges between Jesus and Pilate, which were most likely held in Greek.

    Matthew 27.11-14 (King James Version) :
    And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest.And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing.Then said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee?And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  • PER345 The release of a prisoner

    During the trial of Jesus before Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor tries to use the Passover custom of releasing a prisoner in order to avoid condemning Jesus. He offers the crowd a choice between Jesus and Barabbas, a notorious criminal, convinced that the people will make the right choice. His wife's intervention strengthens his hesitation. This scene, attested by all four gospels, illustrates the manipulation by the religious authorities and theologically prefigures redemptive substitution.

    Luke 23.23 (King James Version) :
    And they were instant with loud voices, requiring that he might be crucified. And the voices of them and of the chief priests prevailed.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  • PER346 The relentlessness of the Sanhedrin, official condemnation

    PER346 analyzes the official condemnation of Jesus by Pontius Pilate under the relentless pressure of the Sanhedrin. In Jerusalem, on Friday morning, the crowd, manipulated by the religious leaders, demands crucifixion. Pilate, politically trapped, yields despite the absence of any valid charge. The study addresses the irregularities of the trial and the chronological question of the 'sixth hour' in John 19.14, through a synoptic approach to the four Gospels.

    Matthew 26.57-68 (King James Version) :
    And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled.But Peter followed him afar off unto the high priest’s palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end.Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death;But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses,And said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.And the high priest arose, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee?But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God.Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy.What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death.Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands,Saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that smote thee?
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  • PER347 The various abuses and the flogging

    PER347 analyzes the scourging and the abuse inflicted on Jesus in the praetorium of Pontius Pilate, on the Friday morning of the Passion. A standardized Roman practice preceding crucifixion, this punishment is accompanied by the soldiers’ mockery (crown of thorns, purple robe). The article compares the accounts of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John in a synoptic approach, highlighting Roman institutional violence and the dignity Jesus retained despite the outrages.

    Mark 14.11-15 (King James Version) :
    And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money. And he sought how he might conveniently betray him.And the first day of unleavened bread, when they killed the passover, his disciples said unto him, Where wilt thou that we go and prepare that thou mayest eat the passover?And he sendeth forth two of his disciples, and saith unto them, Go ye into the city, and there shall meet you a man bearing a pitcher of water: follow him.And wheresoever he shall go in, say ye to the goodman of the house, The Master saith, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples?And he will shew you a large upper room furnished and prepared: there make ready for us.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  • PER348 Pilate’s Efforts to Save Jesus

    The pericope PER348 examines Pontius Pilate’s repeated attempts to save Jesus during the trial before the praetorium in Jerusalem, on a Friday morning. Based mainly on John 19.4-15, it traces the political and religious pressures that lead Pilate to condemn Jesus despite his conviction of his innocence. This passage reveals the tension between justice, political power and religious authority during the Passion of Christ.

    Mark 14.11-15 (King James Version) :
    And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money. And he sought how he might conveniently betray him.And the first day of unleavened bread, when they killed the passover, his disciples said unto him, Where wilt thou that we go and prepare that thou mayest eat the passover?And he sendeth forth two of his disciples, and saith unto them, Go ye into the city, and there shall meet you a man bearing a pitcher of water: follow him.And wheresoever he shall go in, say ye to the goodman of the house, The Master saith, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples?And he will shew you a large upper room furnished and prepared: there make ready for us.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  • PER349 The Titulus of Pilate

    Pilate's titulus is the notice placed on Jesus' cross bearing the words 'Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews', written in Hebrew, Latin and Greek. Pilate insists on this wording despite the protest of the chief priests, thus asserting a symbolic authority after having yielded on the condemnation. This act reveals a tragic irony: the inscription publicly proclaims Jesus' kingship at the very moment of his death.

    John 19.21 (King James Version) :
    Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews; but that he said, I am King of the Jews.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  • PER363 The visit of the Sanhedrin's representatives to Pilate

    An episode found only in Matthew, this passage recounts the visit of the Sanhedrin's representatives to Pilate on Saturday morning to obtain a guard for the tomb of Jesus. Fearing a rumor of resurrection, they have the sepulcher sealed. Pilate, a pragmatist, yields to their request. This episode reveals the tensions between the Jewish religious leadership and Roman authority, and directly prepares the account of the resurrection.

    John 2.19-21 (King James Version) :
    Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days?But he spake of the temple of his body.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate