There are competing systems of law here, and the Pharisees know they have to game the system in order to get what they want. Under Jewish law, two witnesses are required – three is considered a lock – in order to put someone to death. Throughout the course of the morning, three “trials” will take place: the Jews, Herod and Pilate. The Jews declare Jesus guilty, but we know them to be liars. He is innocent. Herod and Pilate, also, declare Him innocent. Jewish and Roman law agree: He is innocent.
Why then is He put to death?
It’s not a simple question nor does it have a simple answer. In fact, it has many answers. Ultimately, prophecy will ensure that He is put to death. John tells us that the High Priest himself disdainfully and arrogantly told the Pharisees, “You know nothing at all. Nor do you understand that it is better for you that one man should die for the people, not that the whole nation should perish.”
It is politically expedient that Jesus die to preserve the status quo. The Pharisees consider Jesus a cipher in the political arena, but they acknowledge that He has pull with the people. If they can publicly humiliate Him, they can neutralize Him and absorb what power He does hold. For that, they will need a spectacle – one that will cause the people to shun Him. Something that, in the people’s eyes, would demonstrate that He did not enjoy God’s favor.
What better way to do this than crucifixion?
Three trials take place that morning. During the last, the Jews deny Jesus three times. In the final instance, they are given a distinct choice between Jesus and Barabbas. At this point, the Jews could very well have backed down. Jesus has been publicly flogged, spit upon, reviled. It is highly unlikely that He would “bounce back” from this very public disgrace. This flogging (which has transformed his back and sides into hanging strips of bloody skin and flesh) may have crippled Him for life. He’s certainly already losing a lot of blood.
The Pharisees, however, want Jesus to pay. Like us, they have been keeping personal catalogs of all their imagined slights, perceived insults, hurts and humiliations and they want satisfaction. The smell of Jesus’ blood does not offend them – it excites them. And they want more.
“Shall I release Him?” asks Pilate.
“What are you nuts?!” scream the Pharisees. “We’re just getting started! Bring out Barabbas! We love to party with him!”
Pilate holds out his palms to the Pharisees and says, “See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction – Jesus or Barabbas? What is your choice?”
Faced with choosing Yeshua (salvation), they instead choose Barabbas (son of the fathers). They want to have their own way, so they choose one of their own (a rebel and a murderer). They want to hold on to all the things their fathers worked for and built. But Jesus has already told them their fathers murdered the prophets and built their tombs. How fitting – and how sad – that they have chosen Barabbas who, for all his credentials, cannot and will not save them when Titus comes before their gates. The Jews will have their own way all right – but not for very long.
What happened to Barabbas? Was he released at that moment to an exulting, rabid mob? We don’t know. Despite naming him as their preference, the Pharisees have no real love or continued use for him. It was probably not much later, in an empty alley, alone that he stepped back out into the free air. He may or may not have noticed the crowd in the Via Dolorosa at the head of the alley and the man, drenched in blood, crowned in thorns (the one who took his place) stumbling on to His death. Would any of us have noticed? Would we have rushed up the alley to follow Jesus to the cross and thank Him? Will we do it now?
