SUMMARY
Jesus is interrogated by a council of Jerusalem’s highest ranking religious officials. Later, after appearing before the Roman Governor and the Roman-appointed ruler of Galilee, Jesus is handed off to be executed.
ANALYSIS
Luke’s account of the prosecution of Jesus unfolds differently from the accounts in other Gospels. By looking at Luke in comparison with Mark and Matthew, several distinctive aspects of Luke’s story stand out:
- Jesus does not appear before the Jewish assembly until morning comes (Luke 22:66).
- The Jewish assembly does not issue a condemnation or verdict. The events of Luke 22:66-71 look like a fact-finding hearing.
- The Jewish leaders who accuse Jesus before Pilate issue specific accusations about how he threatens the Roman EmpireThe region we today call Palestine and Israel was under Roman rule during the time of Jesus and the early church. The Roman Empire was in its ascendancy during the first century, making it the most powerful political and military force on earth. More (Luke 23:2, 4-5).
- Pilate sends Jesus to Herod Antipas for further questioning (Luke 23:6-16).
- The narrator states that Pilate desires to release Jesus (Luke 23:20).
- Pilate never clearly condemns Jesus. He capitulates to the crowd (Luke 23:23-25).
Taking these differences into account, it becomes clear that the Gospel according to Luke presents a legal process that looks a little less predetermined and prejudiced than what Mark and Matthew describe. Those two Gospels describe justice perverted. By contrast, Luke suggests that Jesus receives a fairer hearing and that no one is able to find a good reason to declare him guilty. This Gospel, then, describes justice overwhelmed. Luke accentuates Jesus’ innocence, the guilt of his most ardent opponents (members of the Jewish leadership), and Pilate’s inability to do what is right.
Other historical sources make it clear that Pilate had a reputation for ruthlessness and that crucifixion at this time was a punishment carried out only by the Roman government, usually for those condemned of crimes against the Empire. Pilate, by virtue of his office, is essentially obligated to put to death anyone who claims to announce or lead a rival “kingdom.” It is possible that Luke amplifies the role that certain Jewish leaders play in Jesus’ trial in an attempt to make Jesus look less like an enemy of the Empire or an outlaw. This would, of course, be important for Christians’ ability to survive in the Roman world. Nevertheless, Luke’s trial account still indicates that Jesus’ execution is the desire of many; since no one acts to thwart the crucifixion, responsibility is widely shared. This is a theological statement on Luke’s part, pointing out the way that Jesus’ rejection is complete. The Book of Acts takes up this theme when it describes Jesus’ followers as they preach in Jerusalem after PentecostPentecost was originally a Jewish harvest or pilgrimage festival that fell on the fiftieth day after Passover. It was during this festival that the Holy Spirit visited Jesus' followers in tongues of fire and caused them to speak in many languages, as reported in Acts... More (see Acts 2:36-38; 3:13-21; 4:27-28).
