The sermon last week dealt with the topic of the crucifixion.  In that lesson, I made reference to the Roman trial of Jesus.  It can be somewhat difficult to extract the proper order of this trial from the various accounts of the Gospel.  So, in an attempt to help, I’m putting the various steps in chronological order with the corresponding verses: 

Jesus was taken to Pilate early Friday morning (Matt 27:1-2, Mark 15:1, Luke 23:1, John 18:28) - Pilate asked the Jewish leaders for their accusations.  Initially, they simply stated that they wouldn’t have brought Jesus if He wasn’t guilty.  Pilate instructed them to take Jesus away and try Him according to their Law.  The Jews replied by saying that they couldn’t put Jesus to death.  At that point, Pilate had no accusations against Jesus but he knew the Jewish leaders wanted Him dead. (John 18:29-32) - The Jews claimed that Jesus was perverting the nation by forbidding to give tribute to Caesar and by claiming to be a king. (Luke 23:2) - Pilate went into the judgment hall where Jesus had been taken and asked Him if He was King of the Jews. (Matt 27:11, Mark 15:2, Luke 23:3, John 18:33-37) - Pilate went back out to the Jewish leaders, taking Jesus with Him, and told them he found no fault in Him.  (Luke 23:4, John 18:38) - The Jews then began making additional accusations and Pilate marveled at the silence of Jesus. (Matt 27:12-14, Mark 15:3-5) - In their accusations, the Jews made reference to Jesus’ prior work in Galilee.  Upon hearing this, Pilate sent Jesus to Herod whose jurisdiction included Galilee. (Luke 23:5-7) - Herod was glad to see Jesus and hoped to see a miracle performed.  The Jewish leaders made vehement accusations against Jesus but Herod found no fault in Him.  Jesus was mocked, arrayed in a gorgeous robe and sent back to Pilate (Luke 23:8-11) - Pilate called the Jewish leaders together and explained that neither he nor Herod had found fault in Jesus.  He offered to scourge Jesus and release Him.  It was customary for the Romans to release a Jewish captive at the time of Passover.  Pilate asked if they wanted Jesus or Barabbas released.  At this time Pilate sat on the judgment seat and received a message from his wife regarding Jesus.  The Jewish leaders requested the release of Barabbas and demanded that Jesus be crucified. (Matt 27:15-23, Mark 15:6-14, Luke 23:13-22, John 18:39-40) - Pilate then had Jesus scourged.  The Roman soldiers placed the crown of thorns on Jesus’ head, dressed him in the purple robe, mocked Him and hit Him.  Pilate had Jesus brought out before the people, seemingly hoping that seeing Jesus in such a condition would prompt them to show some mercy.  Instead, the people cried out, “Crucify him, crucify him.”  Pilate was then ready to give into their demands even though he thought

Jesus was innocent of any wrong.  (Luke 23:23-24, John 19:1-6)  The Jewish leaders, in countering Pilate’s claim of Jesus’ innocence, stated that He should die according to their Law due to the fact that He claimed to be the Son of God.  This made Pilate nervous so he went back into the judgment hall and talked with Jesus again.  The conversation centered on the authority to turn Jesus over to be crucified.  It was probably at this point that the crown of thorns and purple robe were removed.  Pilate went back out to the Jews who then threatened him with the statement, “If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar’s friend...”  Pilate then sat in the judgment seat and brought Jesus out again.  Upon further demands for Jesus’ crucifixion, Pilate symbolically washed his hands and claimed that Jesus was just.  In return, the multitude cried out, “His blood be upon us and our children.”  Pilate then released Barabbas and turned Jesus over for crucifixion. (Matt 27:24-26, Mark 15:15, Luke 23:25, John 19:7-16 - Note that Mark makes reference to the scourging of Jesus but does not place it in its chronological order] - The soldiers stripped Jesus of His clothes, placed the crown of thorns and purple robe back on Him, mocked Him, spit on Him, slapped Him and hit Him.  They then took the purple robe off, put His clothes back on Him and led Him away to be crucified upon the cross of Calvary (Matt 27:27-31, Mark 15:16-20).