JAMES CONSTANCE

Biblical Reference Lukes Gospel

13 Pilate then called together the chief priests, the leaders, and the people, 14 and said to
them, You brought me this man as one who was perverting the people; and here I have
examined him in your presence and have not found this man guilty of any of your charges
against him. 15 Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us. Indeed, he has done nothing to
deserve death. 16 I will therefore have him flogged and release him.18 Then they all shouted
out together, Away with this fellow! Release Barabbas for us! 19 (This was a man who had
been put in prison for an insurrection that had taken place in the city, and for murder.) 20
Pilate, wanting to release Jesus, addressed them again; 21 but they kept shouting, Crucify,
crucify him! 22 A third time he said to them, Why, what evil has he done? I have found in him
no ground for the sentence of death; I will therefore have him flogged and then release him.
23 But they kept urgently demanding with loud shouts that he should be crucified; and their
voices prevailed. 24 So Pilate gave his verdict that their demand should be granted. 25 He
released the man they asked for, the one who had been put in prison for insurrection, and he
handed Jesus over as they wished.

1) Identify and explain how the passage is critical of the Jewish people.
- In this passage Luke portrays the Jewish people in a critical and unpleasant
light, he does this by recounting the story of Pilate. In Lukes recount of the
story of Pilate he narrates the Jewish people as vicious and cruel, as they
wanted Jesus an innocent man to be executed. Pilate said I have not found
this man guilty of any of your charges against him, however the Jewish people
shouted crucify, crucify him, regardless of the innocence of Jesus.
Furthermore they also wanted Barabbas, a murderer and revolutionist, to be
released to them despite of what he should be held accountable for. Therefore
Luke is portraying an immoral and unjust representation of the Jewish people,
this is further emphasized by the fact that Pilate didnt find Jesus guilty of his
apparent crimes.
2) Identify & explain how the passage portrays Pilate in a positive light.
- This passage portrays Pilate in a positive light through the use of effective
contrast between what is said amongst the Jewish people and Pilate. Pilates
innocence is shown when he admits that Jesus is a guiltless man and fights to
enforce and ensure that right is done by Jesus. The relentless arguing of the
Jewish people to have Jesus executed emphasizes the superiority of Pilate
through the juxtaposition of opinions and arguments against what we know as
right and wrong. The fact that one man, Pilate attempting to fight for what is
right but overwhelmed by the large number of the Jewish people positions the
reader in an empathetic state towards Pilate and Jesus. This reflection of the
nature of humanity brings the audience closer to Pilate and Jesus and distances
them from the Jewish people.

3) Compare the portrayal of Pilate from Luke to those from Matthew and Mark.
Research the time when the Gospels were being complied. Find a historical
event/s, which you theories, could account for the differences in Pilates
portrayal and present an argument to support your theory.

JAMES CONSTANCE
- Mark Mathew and Luke all have very similar accounts of the story of Pontius
Pilate, however there are differences present between the texts. All three
gospels concur that Jesus was presented to the Roman Governor, Pontius Pilate,
standing before the Jewish council.
In Lukes gospel when Pilate discovers that Jesus is a Galilean, he is sent to
Herod, the tetrarch of Galilee, and after being questioning by Herod, Jesus is
returned to Pilate. The following events coincide with the other gospels, stating
that the Jewish people before Pilate accused Jesus for numerous crimes.
Though Matthew and Mark add that Pilate offers the Jews a choice between
Jesus and Barabbas, whereas Luke states that it was the Jews which first asked
Pilate to take Jesus in exchange for Barabbas. It is mentioned in Lukes account
that Herod dressed Jesus in a royal robe and made a mockery of him.
Matthew and Marks gospel recount the events that took place during the trial
very closely, even to the extent of using the same words. However Matthew
does add a few details such as the parenthetical story of Judas' suicide. These
three Gospels follow the same general outline, indicating that they may be
recording an historical event. Nevertheless, it appears that the story of Jesus'
trial had been through some changes in the years between his crucifixion and
the writing of the Gospels, henceforth we are presented with three stories,
which differ in the details.
These differences could be due to a variety of reasons, such as changes in
government, increased tensions between Jewish inhabitants and the Romans in
Palestine, The Jewish Revolt against Rome as well as the ever-growing Christian
faith within the Empire. These events were likely to take place during the time
the gospels were written and could very well have influenced the recounts of
the Story of Pilate.

4) In his homily, the priest will attempt to relate the Gospel reading into todays
context. Construct your own homily where you have will take the message/s
from the Gospel reading and relate it to contemporary society.
My Homily
Have you ever looked at another person and judged them outright, regardless
of any further knowledge about that person besides what they look like.
Sometimes we already have an image of a person before we have even seen
them or spoken to them. These images and portrayals of innocent people can
be false. Today, just like in Jesus time, we encounter misinterpretations,

JAMES CONSTANCE
accusation and untruths of innocent individuals on a daily basis. It is our job to
stand for what is right; we must see one another as equals, as family.
The Jewish people once accused Jesus of many sins to Pontius Pilate. However
Pilate knew Jesus was an innocent man and took it upon himself to defend
Jesus, he said I have not found this man guilty of any of your charges against
him. Just as Pilate did, we must also defend the innocent around us.
We ourselves may be judged, but dont let societies opinion of you define who
you really are. Dont let yourself be demoralized or undermined, let your
actions be the only medium of your character by which you speak. Sometimes
we may find ourselves standing alone in this large untested world, defined as a
number or as our occupation. So I say to you, With God there is no limit to
what you can do. There is no obstacle you cant overcome. Through him all
things are possible Matthew 19:26
People in todays world suffer and have to endure many hardships, whether that
be discrimination, lack of education, poverty or loss of a family member. These
people may cope with their pain in ways different to us; nevertheless this does
not call for judgment on our behalf. In stead we should give a helping hand, just
like Jesus did to those people enduring hard times he came across during his
life. And when others critics come to you, tell them where you stand, what is
right and just, and God will reward you.
We pray then today, thinking of the virtues of Pilate, for all people in tough
times and hardship that their religious liberties are kept intact. We pray that all
Christians may have the strength to stand up for our faith and our freedom. So
from this moment on may you lead others to think and act the same as you, to
exist in the image of God.
Amen.

Bibliography
2think.org,'The Trial Of Jesus Christ'. 2015. (Online) 2 Mar. 2015.
http://www.2think.org/hundredsheep/bible/trial.shtml
Bible Gateway, Bible Gateway Passage: Mark 15 - New International Version'.
2015. (Online) 2 Mar. 2015.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+15
Bible Gateway, Bible Gateway Passage: Matthew 27 - New King James Version'.
2015. (Online) 2 Mar. 2015.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+27&version=NKJV
Catholic-resources.org, 'Passion Narratives In The New Testament'. 2015.
(Online) 7 Mar. 2015.

JAMES CONSTANCE
http://catholic-resources.org/Bible/Passion.htm
Gospel-mysteries.net,. 'Pontius Pilate'. 2015. (Online) 7 Mar. 2015.
http://www.gospel-mysteries.net/pontius-pilate.html
Www2.kenyon.edu, 'Untitled Document'. 2015. (Online) 7 Mar. 2015.
http://www2.kenyon.edu/Depts/Religion/Fac/Suydam/Reln220/Timeline.html