How much did Pilate know about Jesus? Well, according to Luke’s narrative, he didn’t know Jesus was from Galilee (Luke 23:7), and when he realized he was a subject of Herod Antipas, he used Jesus as his pawn to heal the breach that had occurred between himself and Herod, when Pilate slew so many Galileans at the Passover a year prior (Luke 13:1) without consulting with him. Rome wasn’t always familiar with how local laws affected Rome (cp. Acts 13-27). It was unfriendly of Pilate to slay so many Galileans without consulting with Herod, but it was friendly to consult him about Jesus, and in doing so, Pilate healed the breach between himself and Herod (Luke 23:12).
On the other hand, Jesus had created quite a stir in Jerusalem in the past week, and it is difficult to believe that this would have escaped Pilate’s attention. He may not have known what all the commotion was about, but he would have understood that Jesus had displeased the Jewish authorities, but he did please the multitude, who had come to worship at the Passover. Moreover, although a language barrier kept Pilate from knowing the details, he probably understood that Jesus had forced the Jewish authorities to comply with his demands, vis-a-vis Jesus’ cleansing of the Temple in three out of the previous five days. So, he knew the chief priests’ envy of Jesus was the impetus behind their accusations of him (Mark 15:10). Pilate may have been ignorant of some things about Jesus, but he wasn’t a fool.
Therefore, when the multitude of Jews began gathering before him, seeking that the release of someone from prison (Mark 15:8), Pilate thought he’d be able to kill two birds with one stone. That is, he hoped to please the multitude by releasing Jesus (Mark 15:9), whom they had shown they respected, and at the same time deal with the Jewish authorities as one might an annoying gnat, because he simply did not wish to do their bidding. In other words, Pilate attempted to do what Jesus had been doing for the past six days: please the multitude by befuddling the Jewish authorities.
Nevertheless, when Pilate gave the multitude a choice between a known felon and Jesus, whom they had most recently shown such great respect (Mark 15:9), they surprisingly chose Barabbas, the know felon (Mark 15:11). We need to keep in mind at this point that, although Barabbas may have been a zealot (a staunch Jewish patriot), he was also a troublemaker who was not above robbing and even murdering innocent Jews in order to achieve his overall objective of ridding Judea of Roman rule. He wasn’t a hero, but was, rather, to be feared, and the community was well rid of him in prison. So, the multitude’s choice of Barabbas over Jesus was indeed unexpected. So, why did it occur?
No doubt, Pilate couldn’t believe what he was hearing, but why would they make such a choice? But, when he asked what he should do with Jesus, they simply cried out: “Crucify him!” (Mark 15:12-13). Astonished over what had taken place, Pilate asked again: “Why, what evil had he (Jesus) done?” Nevertheless, the crowd simply cried out all the more and with increased agitation: “Crucify him!” (Mark 15:14). So, Pilate’s efforts backfired. What he believed would be a sure-thing failed miserably, and he was forced to hand over Jesus to be crucified (Mark 15:15), because he saw that an insurrection was in the making (Matthew 27:24).
What happened? How could the multitude turn on Jesus like that? Consider the fact that all Jesus did was comfort them, teach them (Mark 12:35; Luke 20:1; John 18:20) and heal them of their infirmities (Matthew 21:14). Why would these people not only choose Barabbas over Jesus (Mark 15:11), but even refused to show any concern for Jesus afterward. They simply demanded Pilate to crucify him (Mark 15:12-14). What are we missing?
Notice that the text says the chief priest had convinced the multitude to choose Barabbas over Jesus (Matthew 27:20; Mark 15:11). In other words, the crowd of Jews would have chosen Jesus, and they needed to be convinced otherwise. However, what could have been said that would have convinced the Jewish people to choose such a violent man over Jesus? If the people were happy to see Jesus get the better of the Jewish authorities previously during the week, how could these same men have the people’s ear now and move them to want Jesus to be crucified?
I believe the answer to this mystery lay in the fact that the Jewish people were under the delusion of false doctrine. Folks will do almost anything to show themselves faithful to what they believe. John 12:38-40 tells us the Jewish people, from the common man to the greatest teacher were under strong delusion. They believed that the Messiah could never die (John 12:34, 36). Jesus warned them that they should walk in the light he had given them, because, if they didn’t, they would stumble in the darkness they had chosen (John 12:35-36). What the chief priests probably did to convince the people to choose Barabbas was to exploit this false doctrine: the Messiah cannot die! Choose Barabbas, because, if Jesus is the Messiah, Pilate won’t be able to hurt him. Thus, we get back a Jewish zealot, and the Messiah, who cannot be hurt. I believe this argument fits the context. Why else would the multitude be so vehement in telling Pilate to crucify Jesus? They were daring him to do what the crowd firmly believed Pilate couldn’t do. They wanted to see yet another miracle to satisfy their desires, but their lust to be entertained ended in death (Matthew 12:39).
Smoodock's Blog 