John 19:1 Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him. I. A SHAMEFUL INFLICTION on Jesus. Scourging and mockery (vers. 1-3). 1. The character of it. (1) Severe. (2) Insulting. (3) Illegal — because Christ had been pronounced innocent. 2. The object of it — (1) As preliminary to execution. (2) As a method of examination. Pilate may have hoped that this would elicit from Christ something which would either secure His release or justify His crucifixion. (3) As a means of appeasing the Jews. II. AN EARNEST APPEAL (vers. 4-5) to the Jews. Setting Christ before them, clothed in purple, crowned with thorns, a mocking king of woe, he appeals to — 1. Their sense of justice. 2. Their feelings of compassion — "Behold the Man! — have you no pity?" 3. Their perception of truth. Was it reasonable that that meek Prisoner should be a rival to Caesar? III. A HOPEFUL DECISION by Pilate (ver. 6). 1. The fierce demand — "Crucify Him!" A week ago they cried Hosannah. 2. The firm reply "Take ye Him." Pilate again refuses to incarnadine his hands. Only, Pilate, having put thy foot down, pray heaven for strength to keep it fast. 3. The forceful reason — "I find no crime in Him." If those blood-thirsty ruffians will have Him crucified they must do it themselves.Learn — 1. The certainty that Christ's words will be fulfilled. Six months before He had predicted this (Matthew 20:19). 2. The depth of humiliation to which Christ stooped for men. 3. The difficulty felt by even wicked men in doing crimes. Conscience "makes a man a coward... fills one full of obstacles... beggars any [wicked] man that keeps it" ("Richard III." Acts 1. scene 4). 4. The moral insensibility which men professing religion may at times exhibit. (T. Whitelaw, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him. |
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