The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1898-06-03
JESUS CONDEMNED.
sunday school Lesson in the Inter-
national Series for June ),
1s9s-Matthew 27.11-2e.

into the world TO save S1nners.-l Tim. l:15.
THE LESSON.
The Story of the Trial Before the
Sanhedrim.-From little after one
O'Clock Friday morning till sunrise,
about half-past five, Jesus was endur-
ing an unjust trial, in various forms,
before the Jewish authorities. To the
house of Caiaphas Christ was brought
first for preliminary examination be-
fore the high priests Annas and
Caiaphas John 1s:13-24; Matt. 26:57,
So.
The sentence was pronounced, not
from anything the witnesses brought
forward, but from Jesus own confess
sion that He was the Messiah, the Son
of God. This they construed as bias
phemy, a capital offense among the
Jews.
Story of the Trial Before Plate
Probably in the Roman tower of An
tonia, adjoining the temple on the
northwest. Possibly Herod's palace.
Time, six to eight o'clock, Friday
morning. The Sanhedrim had adj
judged Jesus worthy of death, but they
had no power to put it into execution.
Hence they bound Jesus and took Him
to Pilates hall of justice, that he might
pronounce sentence against Jesus. The
religious accusation of blasphemy
would be of no account in Pilates
courts, and hence it was carefully sup
pressed. Instead of this, the Jews
charged Jesus with treason, under the
triple accusation: ~ Sedition, excit-
ing tumults and revolt against Rome
{Luke 1922; (2) Rebellion, refusing to
pay tribute; and (5) Open treason in
claiming to be king.
PLATE holds an interview with the
Jews outside the Judgment hall. Pr
late later holds private conference
with Jesus. IL. ''The governor hav-
ing listened to the accusations of the
Jews, went within the hall to question
Jesus. asked Him, saying, Art Thou
the King of the Jews p as these Jews
accuse you of claiming to be. Jesus
said unto Him, Thou sayest:" This was
a strong assertion that He was the
king of the Jews-"What you say is
true" PLATE goes out again to the
Jewish leaders and reports the result
of his conference with Jesus. There
are no grounds for condemning Him
to death, and yet he fears to offend the
Jews by releasing Him.
plate sends Jesus to Herod in order
to escape decision against Jesus Luke
23:512). Probably in another part of
the same palace. Here Jesus is Knocked
by Herod and his soldiers, and sent
back to plate in the mockery of COR
geous robes. Herod seemed to look
upon the claims of Jesus as a huge
joke, or the visions of a fanatic.
Plate Seeks to Save Jesus by One
Custom of Release.-Vs. 1918.
10. SAT that FEAST" The Passover.
wont to release unto the people a
prisoners" AS a fitting accompani-
ment to feast that celebrated the re-
demptionAof the nation from slavery.
'.Whom they would" the choice lay
with them.
16. "a notable prisoner, called Bar
abbas:" Barabbas was plainly ring
leader in one of those fierce and fanatic
outbreaks against the Roman domino
ton which fast succeeded one an
other in the latter days of the Jewish
commonwealth.
II. "Barabbas or Jesus:" He hoped
to get the influence of the people on His
side against the rulers, for (1e) "he knew
that for envy they had delivered Him"
Envy because of the popularity of Jesus
drawing such great crowds after Him.
But the rulers stirred up the people, not
the ones who had shouted "Hosanna,"
but the baser or more fanatical crowd,
and they shouted: ''Not this man, but
Barabbas."
10. when he was set:" While he
was sitting; during toe trial. His wife
sent unto him." etc. Tradition has
given her the name Procula. Il have
suffered many things this day in a
dream:" Which was to her vision,
sent to her because she would receive
it, in order to deter PLATE from this
great crime.
90. what shall l do then with
Jesus?" PLATE asked this question
where he had no right to. He should
have asked it of his conscience, of JUS
tice, of right, of truth, of honor, not of
an excited mob. PLATE tries to throw
the responsibility on the .people.-Vs.
"A, 25. PLATE, to avoid a tumult, took
water and washed his hands before the
multitude:" By this symbol disown-
ing all responsibility (Deut. 21:6, 81, az
if his words could cleanse his soul from
guilt, as the water washed the dirt from
his hands.
26. when he had scourged Jesus:
During the interval while the Jews
were making their choice, PLATE had
Jesus scourged with the terrible Roman
fagellum, whose lashes were loaded
with pieces oflead, spikes, bones. Per-
haps this was done to touch the hearts
of the people SO that this cruel punish
ment mightsuffice instead Of crucifxion.
Then the soldiers again Knocked Jesus,
dressing Him up in a scarlet soldiers