Daily Devotions

My Song In The Night (Gospel of John)
我夜间的歌曲 (约翰福音)

My Song In The Night (Gospel of John)
我夜间的歌曲 (约翰福音)
 
Day 
Day 378

The Fears Of Pilate

Text: John 19: 8 - 9

THE FEARS OF PILATE

Pilate, like many of the Roman officials, was quite superstitious. The Roman emperors worshipped a number of gods. They sought the blessings of these deities before they go out to war. They also gave thanks to their gods if they return home in victory.

“Therefore, when Pilate heard that saying, he was the more afraid, and went again into the Praetorium, and said to Jesus, ‘Where are You from?’ But Jesus gave him no answer.”

John 19:8-9

1. “Therefore, when Pilate heard that saying”

a. Pilate had heard the Jews clearly.
b. The claim that Jesus was “the Son of God” disturbed him greatly.

2. “He was the more afraid”

a. There were many fears to be faced:
i. Uprisings in the land.
ii. Caesar’s wrath if they were to fail in their duties.
iii. Personal fears stemming from superstition.
b. “More afraid”
i. Because Jesus claimed that He was the Son of God.
ii. What if what He claimed was true.
iii. He would have to face the wrath of God one day.
iv. He had caused the Son of God to be scourged and mocked!

3. “And went again into the Praetorium”

a. He retreated into his praetorium.
b. He did not want to hear or see the Jews who were clamouring that Jesus must be killed.

4. “And said to Jesus, ‘Where are You from’”

a. If Jesus was indeed the Son of God, then he wanted to know Him better.
b. The origin of Jesus had to be raised up.
c. If Jesus could convince that He was indeed the Son of God, things could be very different.

5. “But Jesus gave him no answer”

a. Jesus did not see any point in providing further information as to His identity.
b. He chose silence instead. This would require faith, courage and strength from Jesus.

经文:约翰福音 19:8-9

彼拉多的畏惧

彼拉多,像一般罗马官员,都蛮迷信。当代的罗马皇帝崇拜了许多偶像。他们在征战前都会寻求保佑。若战胜归回,他们也会答谢这些偶像。

“彼拉多听见这话,越发害怕,又进衙门,对耶稣说:‘你是哪里来的?’耶稣却不回答。”

《约翰福音 19:8-9》

1. “彼拉多听见这话”

a. 彼拉多清楚地听到犹太人的话
b. 耶稣宣称自己是“神的儿子”让彼拉多感到烦忧

2. “越发害怕”

a. 他有许多畏惧:
i. 领土中有起义
ii. 若他失责,将会惨遭恺撒的愤怒
iii. 因迷信而感到害怕
b. “越发害怕”
i. 因为耶稣宣称自己是“神的儿子”
ii. 倘若耶稣所说的是真的
iii. 那彼拉多有一天将面对神的忿怒
iv. 神的儿子因为他而受到鞭打,凌辱

3. “又进衙门”

a. 他退入衙门
b. 他不想听或见那些继续要求耶稣受死刑的犹太人

4. “对耶稣说:‘你是哪里来的?’”

a. 若耶稣真是神的儿子,他必须更认识祂
b. 耶稣的来源必须被澄清
c. 若耶稣能说服彼拉多祂是神的儿子,情况可能就不同

5. “耶稣却不回答”

a. 耶稣认为无需再提供更多证据表明自己的身份
b. 祂选择保持沉默。这需要信实,勇气与力量。