John 19:1-16

19:1-3 | The Roman guards laughed at the idea that a “king” like Jesus would suffer the most vicious and dehumanizing of executions. Even as they held their mock coronation, they were unaware that the kingdom of God truly was at hand (Matt. 10:7).

19:4-5 | After permitting the soldiers to torture Jesus, Pilate brought Jesus out to face His accusers again, announcing, Behold the Man! In other words: “Here is your pitiful excuse for a king.” Pilate no doubt hoped that scourging Jesus would appease the crowd, but they continued to call for Jesus’ execution.

19:7-11 | Standing before Pilate was the Eternal Word, the Almighty Creator, the Son of God, yet Pilate thought he himself was the powerful one. There is no such thing as a perfect government in this fallen world, but all those who hold authority ultimately receive their authority from God and must one day answer to Him (Rom. 13:1).

19:8 | Pilate was well aware that he would have to answer to Rome, with whom he already had a tenuous relationship. Although he disliked the Jews and would rather have not obliged them, he was intent on preserving himself and did not want them going around him to the Roman authorities.

19:12-16 | The Jewish leaders’ comment that he would not be Caesar’s friend apparently changed Pilate’s mind. Ironically, the Jews were supposed to have no king but the Lord, yet here they were suddenly claiming Caesar.