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Text: Luke 23: 16-19

THE AUTHORITY OF A ROMAN GOVERNOR

1. The Roman Governor did not need to make any offer to the accusers of the Lord Jesus.

2. It was well within the authority invested in him by Rome.

a. To release an accused person if he is not found guilty of any crime.

b. To punish an evil-doer for his crimes.

3. To make an offer to the accusers was more of a political rather than a judicial move.

THE OFFER THAT PONTIUS PILATE MADE TO THE ACCUSERS OF THE LORD JESUS

“‘I will therefore chastise Him and release Him’ (for it was necessary for him to release one to them at the feast).”

Luke 23:16-17

1. He offered to:

a. Chastise the Lord Jesus.

i. To beat severely.

ii. Whips may be used.

b. To release the Lord Jesus after chastisement.

2. A custom of the Roman Governor.

a. To release a prisoner at Passover.

b. To show largesse and good will of the Governor.

THE RESPONSE OF THE ACCUSERS

1. This must have taken Pilate by surprise.

2. The chief priests and other Council Members rejected this offer outright.

“And they all cried out at once, saying, ‘Away with this Man, and release to us Barabbas’— who had been thrown into prison for a certain rebellion made in the city, and for murder.”

Luke 23:18-19

3. They made a counter offer to Pilate.

a. The rejection was made vehemently. They wanted to do away with the Lord Jesus!

b. They would rather have Barabbas released.

c. Who was Barabbas?

i. He was a rebel.

ii. He had been jailed for murder.

iii. He would have been on death’s row awaiting his execution!
(Rebellion and murder merited capital punishment)

d. The accusers would choose a murderer than the Saviour!

经文：路加福音 23：16-19

罗马巡抚的权力

1. 罗马巡抚无须对指控耶稣的人做出任何交代

2. 他拥有罗马政府所授的管辖权

a. 若判无罪，他有权力释放被指控的人

b. 他也有权对犯罪者下判

3. 他对指控耶稣的人做出的提议并非司法之举，而是与政治相关的

彼拉多对指控耶稣的人所做出的提议

“故此，我要责打他，把他释放了。每逢这节期，巡抚必须释放一个囚犯给他们。”

《路加福音 23：16-17》

1. 他提议：

a. 责打主耶稣

i. 将祂狠狠地毒打

ii. 他们也会用鞭子

b. 他们责打主耶稣后，就将祂释放

2. 罗马巡抚的惯例

a. 每逢逾越节必须释放一个囚犯

b. 这是为了彰显罗马巡抚的慷慨和美善

指控人的反应

1. 指控人的反应使彼拉多感到措手不及

2. 祭司长和其他公会委员直接拒绝了他的提议

“众人却一齐喊着说：‘除掉这个人！释放巴拉巴给我们！’ 这巴拉巴是因在城里作乱杀人，下在监里的。”

《路加福音 23：18-19》

3. 他们向彼拉多提出另外一个方案

a. 他们坚决地拒绝了彼拉多的提议。他们坚持要除掉主耶稣！

b. 他们宁愿选择释放巴拉巴

c. 巴拉巴是谁呢？

i. 他企图作乱

ii. 他因谋杀他人而入监狱

iii. 他是个等待被处死的死囚！

（当时，作乱杀人都是死罪）

d. 指控人宁愿选择一位谋杀犯也不愿意选择救主！