Luke chapter 23

How bummed am I that I get up too early on Thursdays to reliably be able to do this :(

vs 1

Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor. Luke, do you really expect us to know who that is without explaining it? Pilate has been mentioned twice before this. So Luke actually expects you to remember him from chapter 3, where he explains more fully who this is. Remember that, when reading scripture - the writers are happy to refer glibly and briefly to things that have happened many pages ago.

vs 2

These guys are so low. Jesus never denied paying taxes. So that's just a blatant lie. And while he may have claimed (or at least accepted other people's claims) that he is the messiah, he certainly never sought to be crowned as an earthly king, even dodging it a few times!

vs 3

What else is he meant to do? Pilate asks Jesus, to see what happens. Jesus replies in the affirmative. But claiming to be king, without any army or call for the dispossession of the governor or Caesar, is hardly a crime. It could make you somewhat loony, but being a loony isn't against the law either.

vs 4

It's hard for Pilate. You have to assume that he realises the Jews are trying to use him for their own petty squabbles, and he doesn't want to be used. But, he also knows he governs a very hot-spot type of people, who will rebel over any silly thing, and he doesn't want rebellion.

vs 5

Pilate gave the answer they don't want to hear, so they try again, talking about his teaching ministry. Now, it is true that he has travelled around a bit. But travelling doesn't make you a rebel.

vs 6-7

Pilate's ears prick up, because Jesus being a Galilean spells this being "not my problem", because Herod is in town. So Pilate shoos him away, hoping that this will be the end of it.

vs 8

Herod is not as apathetic as Pilate - he is actually keen to meet this Jesus bloke who he's heard of as a miracle maker. It might seem a little odd at first to have a prophet brought before you in chains, but surely he'll just work a miracle, and then you can let him go, right? I mean, no man of God wants to be imprisoned!

vs 9

Jesus, however, is not playing games. He doesn't answer useless questions. Herod isn't interested in justice - he wants a show. Jesus told the Pharisees when they asked for a show that they would only get the sign of Jonah.

vs 10

Those that would talk, though, are the Pharisees. They wouldn't shut up. Now, when one person is silent, and another is talking non-stop, it's hard to listen to the silent person. But silence doesn't mean guilt, and it was Herod's job to work out who was guilty here.

vs 11

So Herod grows bored, and decides to make his own fun. He turns Jesus into a laughing-stock, mocks him by dressing him in regal finery, and sends him back to Pilate.