The Jesus timeline

On trial before Pilate

After being betrayed to his enemies by Judas, one of the 12 disciples, Jesus was tried firstly by a Jewish court, and then passed on to Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor, for sentencing. The Romans were the occupying power in Israel at the time, and only they could pass the death sentence. Pilate was reluctant to have Jesus killed, but like all politicians, he was susceptible to public opinion…

During Passover the governor always freed a prisoner chosen by the people. At that time a well-known terrorist named Jesus Barabbas was in jail. So when the crowd came together, Pilate asked them, “Which prisoner do you want me to set free? Do you want Jesus Barabbas or Jesus who is called the Messiah?” Pilate knew that the leaders had brought Jesus to him because they were jealous.

While Pilate was judging the case, his wife sent him a message. It said, “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man. I have had nightmares because of him.”

But the chief priests and the leaders convinced the crowds to ask for Barabbas to be set free and for Jesus to be killed. Pilate asked the crowd again, “Which of these two men do you want me to set free?”

“Barabbas!” they replied.

Pilate asked them, “What am I to do with Jesus, who is called the Messiah?”

They all yelled, “Nail him to a cross!”

Pilate answered, “But what crime has he done?”

“Nail him to a cross!” they yelled even louder.

Pilate saw that there was nothing he could do and that the people were starting to riot. So he took some water and washed his hands in front of them and said, “I won’t have anything to do with killing this man. You are the ones doing it!”

Everyone answered, “We and our own families will take the blame for his death!”

Pilate set Barabbas free. Then he ordered his soldiers to beat Jesus with a whip and nail him to a cross.
Matthew 27:15-26

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