THE LAST WEEK OF JESUS' PUBLIC MINISTRY AND HIS CRUCIFIXION

The Second Stage of the Roman Trial – Jesus Appears Before Herod

-Luke 23:6-12

-“So soon as Pilate learned that Jesus was a Galilean, he sought to evade any responsibility

 by referring Jesus to Herod...Some think that Pilate was not seeking to get rid of a troublesome

 case, but that he was seeking for an occasion to become reconciled to Herod” (Boles, Luke, pg 440).

 Perhaps, Pilate saw an opportunity for both.

            -Due to the fact that it was the time of Passover, both Pilate and Herod were in Jerusalem

             at the same time.

-Herod was “exceeding glad” (vs 8) to see Jesus.  He had heard much about Jesus and His mighty

 works (see Luke 9:7) and hoped to see a miracle performed.  Herod had no desire to show justice

 toward Jesus; instead, he merely wanted to see a show.           

            -“Herod, as sated ruler, adulterer and murderer, wished Jesus to turn to juggler for his

             amusement; but the Son of God had nothing but silence for such a creature” (McGarvey/

             Pendleton, pg 710).

-Herod “questioned him at some length” (vs 9, ESV) but we are given no indications as to the

 nature or subject matter of those questions.  Jesus remained silent.

            -Meanwhile, “the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused him” (vs 10). 

             Certainly, the Jewish leaders were disappointed with the proceedings before Pilate.  They

             now hoped to advance their cause with Herod.

-Luke informs us that “Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him” (vs 11,

 ESV).  In regards to these soldiers, Barnes noted, “It is probable that in traveling he had ‘a guard’ to

 attend him constantly.”

            -“Herod was very abusive to him: He, with his men of war, his attendants, and officers, and great

             men, set him at nought. They made nothing of him; so the word is. Horrid wickedness! To make

             nothing of him who made all things” (Henry).

-Even though Herod, in his pride, belittled our humble Lord, he found nothing in Him regarding

 guilt and therefore sent Him back to Pilate. 

            -Luke informs us that this interaction between Pilate and Herod brought these leaders back into

             the realm of friendship. 

            -“Thus Pilate gained but half his desire:  Herod was now his friend, but the case of Jesus was still

             on his hands” (McGarvey/Pendleton, pg 710).