SECTION B: THEMES FROM THE SYNOPTIC GOSPELS AND THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES (A) Examine the trials of Jesus before Pilate as recorded in Luke’s Gospel. (B) Sta...

(a) The trials of Jesus before Pilate (Luke 23)

• The whole company of the Sanhedrin arose and brought Jesus before Pilate, the Roman governor.
• They accused Him of three things: perverting the nation, forbidding the payment of tribute to Caesar, and claiming to be Christ a king.
• Pilate asked Jesus, "Are you the King of the Jews?" and Jesus answered, "You have said so."
• After examining Him, Pilate declared to the chief priests and the crowds, "I find no crime in this man."
• But they were urgent, saying that Jesus stirred up the people throughout all Judea, from Galilee to Jerusalem. Learning that Jesus was a Galilean and under Herod's jurisdiction, Pilate sent Him to Herod, who was in Jerusalem.
• Herod questioned Jesus at length and his soldiers mocked Him, arraying Him in gorgeous apparel, but Jesus gave no answer; Herod then sent Him back to Pilate, and the two became friends that day.
• Pilate again called together the chief priests and the people and announced that neither he nor Herod had found Jesus guilty of the charges; he proposed to chastise Him and release Him.
• The crowd cried out for Barabbas, a man imprisoned for insurrection and murder, and demanded, "Crucify, crucify him!" Pilate appealed a third time, finding no crime deserving death, but their voices prevailed.
• Finally Pilate gave sentence that their demand should be granted; he released Barabbas and delivered Jesus up to their will to be crucified.

(b) Three elements of a fair trial

1. Impartiality of the judge, who must be unbiased and not swayed by the crowd or by pressure.
2. Presumption of innocence and sufficient evidence, so that no one is condemned without proven guilt.
3. The right of the accused to a hearing and defence, being allowed to answer the charges brought against him.