WHY DID JESUS ANSWER PILATE AND NOT HEROD?
(Message by Tanny Keng)
1. Why did Jesus answer questions from Pontius Pilate, but not Herod, after he was arrested?
a) First, let's briefly review the sequence of events that occurred just before Jesus was brought before Pilate. While he and the disciples are in the Garden of Gethsemane Judas arrives with armed officers and some religious leaders. As a sign of whom to arrest Judas kisses Christ. (Mark 14:41 - 45, John 18:1 - 8).
b) Jesus is arrested and taken to the court of Annas, a former High Priest and father-in-law of the current High Priest Caiaphas. After some questioning he is sent to the High Priest's palace. Gathered at the palace are those, and only those, chief priests, elders, scribes, and other religious leaders who want to see him dead. After a farce of a 'trial' is held, complete with false witnesses, Caiaphas accuses the Lord of blasphemy. Caiaphas and all those gathered agree that he deserves death (Matthew 26:59 - 68; Mark 14:55 - 65; Luke 22:63 - 65). At 5 am another rigged trial is held before some religious leaders. He is then taken to Pontius Pilate around 6 am.
c) The original charge of blasphemy against Christ is CHANGED by the Jewish leaders to treason against Rome when they take him to the Roman authorities.
i) 33 "Are You the King of the Jews?" 34 Jesus answered, "Are you asking this on your own, or have others told you about Me?"
ii) 35 "I’m not a Jew, am I?" Pilate replied. "Your own nation and the chief priests handed You over to me. What have You done?" 36 "My kingdom is not of this world," said Jesus. "If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight . . . (John 18:33 - 36, HCSB)
d) After questioning Christ is sent to Herod (Luke 23:7). The response he gave to Herod's many questions was silence (Luke 23:8 - 9).
h) The classic Bible commentator Matthew Henry makes an interesting point about why Herod likely didn't get any cooperation from Jesus. Herod wanted to see him perform a miracle in front of him, "on command," as it were. Our Savior, however, didn't do miracles as a means of entertaining or amusing others like a modern magician doing magic tricks.
i) Herod, in the few years before this meeting, could have gone out into the countryside to meet Jesus during His ministry just like the people he ruled over. He not only would have likely seen a miracle but would have been able to inquire directly about his teachings had he been interested. But, on the day of his crucifixion, Herod joined his soldiers in mocking him, then sent Him back to Pilate to handle. By doing this, Herod showed respect for his authority, even though the hope was that Herod would release Jesus, or at least dispose of Him without his further personal involvement. Admittedly, although it isn't fully clear why Christ did not answer Herod, the explanations given above are likely involved in why this occurred.
The End ...
1. Why did Jesus answer questions from Pontius Pilate, but not Herod, after he was arrested?a) First, let's briefly review the sequence of events that occurred just before Jesus was brought before Pilate. While he and the disciples are in the Garden of Gethsemane Judas arrives with armed officers and some religious leaders. As a sign of whom to arrest Judas kisses Christ. (Mark 14:41 - 45, John 18:1 - 8).
b) Jesus is arrested and taken to the court of Annas, a former High Priest and father-in-law of the current High Priest Caiaphas. After some questioning he is sent to the High Priest's palace. Gathered at the palace are those, and only those, chief priests, elders, scribes, and other religious leaders who want to see him dead. After a farce of a 'trial' is held, complete with false witnesses, Caiaphas accuses the Lord of blasphemy. Caiaphas and all those gathered agree that he deserves death (Matthew 26:59 - 68; Mark 14:55 - 65; Luke 22:63 - 65). At 5 am another rigged trial is held before some religious leaders. He is then taken to Pontius Pilate around 6 am.
c) The original charge of blasphemy against Christ is CHANGED by the Jewish leaders to treason against Rome when they take him to the Roman authorities.
i) 33 "Are You the King of the Jews?" 34 Jesus answered, "Are you asking this on your own, or have others told you about Me?"
ii) 35 "I’m not a Jew, am I?" Pilate replied. "Your own nation and the chief priests handed You over to me. What have You done?" 36 "My kingdom is not of this world," said Jesus. "If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight . . . (John 18:33 - 36, HCSB)
d) After questioning Christ is sent to Herod (Luke 23:7). The response he gave to Herod's many questions was silence (Luke 23:8 - 9).
e) It is true that Scripture does not explicitly say why Jesus answered one authority but not another. It is also true that he, during his two trials before the Jewish leadership then questioning by the Roman governor, generally avoided saying anything except when He was ordered to, such as by the high priest while the Sanhedrin was trying Him (Mark 14:60 - 62; Matthew 26:62 - 65). He behaved this way in order to fulfill the prophecy in Isaiah (Isaiah 53:7).
f) When Jesus stood before Herod he was not on trial for His life. Herod not only thought he didn't have the final authority over his fate he wasn't particularly interested in executing Him either. This is why Herod sent him back. As Roman Prefect of Judea (26 - 36 A.D.) Pilate had the ultimate local civil authority over all criminal court cases in his jurisdiction (see John 18:31). He couldn't ultimately dodge his responsibility of dealing with our Savior, although he certainly tried hard to have Herod do his job for him.
g) Although Jesus had spoken earlier He was silent during his second appearance before him (John 19:8 - 11). Pilate had to threaten him to get a response, since he was totally determined to make sure He would lose his case. Christ responded to him because he had ultimate legal power over Him, which Herod did not.
f) When Jesus stood before Herod he was not on trial for His life. Herod not only thought he didn't have the final authority over his fate he wasn't particularly interested in executing Him either. This is why Herod sent him back. As Roman Prefect of Judea (26 - 36 A.D.) Pilate had the ultimate local civil authority over all criminal court cases in his jurisdiction (see John 18:31). He couldn't ultimately dodge his responsibility of dealing with our Savior, although he certainly tried hard to have Herod do his job for him.
g) Although Jesus had spoken earlier He was silent during his second appearance before him (John 19:8 - 11). Pilate had to threaten him to get a response, since he was totally determined to make sure He would lose his case. Christ responded to him because he had ultimate legal power over Him, which Herod did not.
h) The classic Bible commentator Matthew Henry makes an interesting point about why Herod likely didn't get any cooperation from Jesus. Herod wanted to see him perform a miracle in front of him, "on command," as it were. Our Savior, however, didn't do miracles as a means of entertaining or amusing others like a modern magician doing magic tricks.
i) Herod, in the few years before this meeting, could have gone out into the countryside to meet Jesus during His ministry just like the people he ruled over. He not only would have likely seen a miracle but would have been able to inquire directly about his teachings had he been interested. But, on the day of his crucifixion, Herod joined his soldiers in mocking him, then sent Him back to Pilate to handle. By doing this, Herod showed respect for his authority, even though the hope was that Herod would release Jesus, or at least dispose of Him without his further personal involvement. Admittedly, although it isn't fully clear why Christ did not answer Herod, the explanations given above are likely involved in why this occurred.
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