““We have a law,” the Jews replied to him, “and according to that law He must die, because He made Himself the Son of God.” When Pilate heard this statement, he was more afraid than ever.” (John 19:7–8, HCSB)
Up to this point, Pilate really doesn’t care about Jesus. He is willing to have Him punished in some way. First, he orders Jesus to be scourged because he thought that was the appropriate judgment for the crime. But when the Jews insisted that Jesus was committing blasphemy according to Jewish law, Pilate became scared. Why would this concern Pilate so much? Why would the idea that Jesus is the Son of God be such a threat to him?
In an earlier conversation, Jesus described His origin in spiritual terms:
““My kingdom is not of this world,” said Jesus. “If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I wouldn’t be handed over to the Jews. As it is, My kingdom does not have its origin here.” “You are a king then?” Pilate asked. “You say that I’m a king,” Jesus replied. “I was born for this, and I have come into the world for this: to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to My voice.””
(John 18:36–37, HCSB)
Pilate realized then that Jesus claimed kingship. In the conversation, Jesus describes Himself as the true King. He even opens the door for Pilate to hear the Gospel in this conversation. Jesus is essentially saying that He is the ultimate King and that there are people who will submit and obey to His rule. Jesus speaks about truth (an objective reality that says that there is only one King.) Pilate replies with the following:
““What is truth?” said Pilate. After he had said this, he went out to the Jews again and told them, “I find no grounds for charging Him.” (John 18:38, HCSB)
Pilate did not think that he needed to submit to Jesus. Objective source of truth is not the door for him to believe in Jesus. Pilate believes in power, and since he has his own “kingdom”, Pilate doesn’t believe that he needs to follow another ruler. Pilate obeys Caesar, the sovereign of the Roman Empire.
When one claims to be a god, that is another matter. Pilate may follow Caesar as king, but ultimately he follows the gods. Pilate’s wife may have hinted at Jesus’ divinity when she comes to warn Pilate about Jesus.
“While he was sitting on the judge’s bench, his wife sent word to him, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for today I’ve suffered terribly in a dream because of Him!”” (Matthew 27:19, HCSB)
Kings never speak to their subjects in dreams, but gods do. This changes the entire power game in Pilate’s mind. When the Jews come saying that Jesus is the “Song of God,” it really scared Pilate. For if Jesus were a god, then He is to be honored.
Pilate is now so afraid of the implications that he goes back in to confirm if Jesus really is a god:
“He went back into the headquarters and asked Jesus, “Where are You from?” But Jesus did not give him an answer.” (John 19:9, HCSB)
Why does Pilate ask Jesus where He comes from? Pilate wants to know if He is descending in human form like one of the Greek gods. Jesus doesn’t answer. The tension builds as Pilate in desperation makes a threat to Jesus:
“So Pilate said to Him, “You’re not talking to me? Don’t You know that I have the authority to release You and the authority to crucify You?”” (John 19:10, HCSB)
The answer to this question confirms Pilates fears:
““You would have no authority over Me at all,” Jesus answered him, “if it hadn’t been given you from above. This is why the one who handed Me over to you has the greater sin.”” (John 19:11, HCSB)
Jesus claims to be the son of a god in the worst way to Pilate. Pilate obviously is spiritual because Jesus attacks the source of his authority as a governor. Jesus claims that Pilate’s authority as a ruler comes from heaven. In the same breath, Jesus tells Pilate that other people are more liable for this act of treason against God. Once Pilate sees that this “Son of God” is not going to punish him, Pilate tries to have Jesus pardoned.
“From that moment Pilate made every effort to release Him. But the Jews shouted, “If you release this man, you are not Caesar’s friend. Anyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar!”” (John 19:12, HCSB)
Yet the Jews attack Pilate with his only weakness - politics. He may believe in the Greek gods, he may be spiritual, but he has to obey his earthly, political authority - Caesar. The Jews are cunning in their political maneuvers. They use “guilt by association” on Pilate. Pilate releases Jesus. Jesus claims to be king. Therefore, Jesus is an enemy of Caesar, and Pilate because he released Jesus must be a friend of Jesus, and at the same a foe of Caesar. This is very tricky hardball for Pilate.
As Pilate makes his decision, he publicly argues for Jesus to be king of the Jews. He won’t acknowledge to them that Jesus could be the Son of God. Although it is clear after his conversation with Jesus that Pilate believes that Jesus is the Son of a god. Pilate obviously believes that Jesus is divine. At the same time, if Pilate were to claim that Jesus were a god, the Jews would use it against Pilate. So Pilate strikes a compromise for himself and the Jews.
“It was the preparation day for the Passover, and it was about six in the morning. Then he told the Jews, “Here is your king!” But they shouted, “Take Him away! Take Him away! Crucify Him!” Pilate said to them, “Should I crucify your king?” “We have no king but Caesar!” the chief priests answered.” (John 19:14–15, HCSB)
Pilate would acknowledge that Jesus is the king of the Jews. The Jews would deny it and say that Caesar is their only king. The Jews commit blasphemy and Pilate is off the hook for a greater crime. To the very end, Pilate publicly as king.
“Pilate also had a sign lettered and put on the cross. The inscription was: JESUS THE NAZARENE
THE KING OF THE JEWS.” (John 19:19, HCSB)
Pilate instructs the soldiers to have a sign made which says that Jesus is the King of the Jews. The Jews object and want to sign to say that Jesus claims to be King of the Jews. (This is called first century political spin.) Although Pilate gives in to having Jesus crucified, he doesn’t give in on calling Jesus a king.
“So then, because of them, he handed Him over to be crucified. Therefore they took Jesus away.” (John 19:16, HCSB)
“So the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Don’t write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but that He said, ‘I am the King of the Jews.’ ” Pilate replied, “What I have written, I have written.”” (John 19:21–22, HCSB)
Pilate lets Jesus be known as the King of the Jews, a truth he can live with because it is convenient. Pilate doesn’t have to change his life by calling Jesus sovereign. However, he knows that he has crucified the Son of God.
