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Luke 23:6-16
Jesus Before Herod When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. And when he learned that he belonged to Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him over to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at that time. When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had long desired to see him, because he had heard about him, and he was hoping to see some sign done by him. So he questioned him at some length, but he made no answer. The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him. And Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him. Then, arraying him in splendid clothing, he sent him back to Pilate. And Herod and Pilate became friends with each other that very day, for before this they had been at enmity with each other. Pilate then called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was misleading the people. And after examining him before you, behold, I did not find this man guilty of any of your charges against him. Neither did Herod, for he sent him back to us. Look, nothing deserving death has been done by him. I will therefore punish and release him.” |
Twice innocent
We see calls to justice throughout our world: think of the Black Lives Matter movement, or the work of IJM. Many believe the need for justice is built into human nature. Think of how easily we can be riled to anger when we see the mistreatment of others, or when someone cuts in front of us in a queue!
With that in mind, consider what Jesus went through in this passage. Just as He was acquitted by Pilate, Herod cannot find any fault in Jesus. Despite receiving an innocent verdict twice, He is treated with contempt, mocked and paraded in splendid clothing - a joke at His expense. We hear Pilate’s verdict in verses 14-16:
“I did not find this man guilty of any of your charges against Him… I will therefore punish and release Him.”
How would we react today if a defendant was brought to court dressed in this way? Or if the judge pronounced that, though innocent, a punishment was still to be administered?
Yet all this was needed to satisfy the prophecy in Isaiah 53:7
“He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open his mouth; He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so He did not open His mouth.”
Jesus suffered these injustices on our behalf. He deserved none of it, yet He bore it all. Such is the price of our sin and the grace of our Lord.
Ross and Sarah J