The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-05-27
Sunday School Lesson for May q.
Christ Before Pilate.
JOHN xviii 2S-40
BY J. e. GILBERT, D. D., IL D.,
Secretary of American Society of Religious Education

OMISSIONS-John omits from his mar
rative important matter which should bo
supplied between the close Of last lesson
Verse 30 and the beginning of the pres
ent lesson. After the private interview
between Caiaphas and Jesus, members
OF the Sanhedrin came together duke
xii: 66) There being no formal charge
witnesses were suborned among the Jews,
but their testimony did not agree Mark
xiv: 81, so, and was insufficient to con.
Wet. The utmost said by any of them
was q false construction of His words
concerning the temple John Ill lS). Dur
ing these charges Jesus was silent. AT
last, with unbecoming temper, the high
priest left his seat and, Fastening for
ward, stood before Christ, and demanded
in peremptory way. to know whether
lie was the Christ. This was n new at
tempt to force a confession, and Jesus
responded "I am" mark xiv: 61-62). This
was deemed all that was necessary.
Rending His garments Caiaphas pro-
nounced Him guilty of blasphemy and
worthy of death.
DEFILEMENT.-The whole company
Immediately arose duke xxii u and led
Jesus away into the Praetprium and de-
livered Him to PLATE, the governor Up
to this point Judas had been immoveable
II has been suggested, purely a conjecture,
that this disciple had expected his Mas
ter would in some way extricate Himself,
that either by wisdom or power He would
overcome His adversaries and prove His
claim. 1t has been thought that Judas
hoped to precipitate controversy that
should result in a triumph But, certain
IL Is, that when he saw Jesus conducted
TO the Roman tribunal he repented, and
offered tn restore the money he had re-
ceived Matt. xvii: 3-1O). The wiley
Jews, in whose hearts were bitterness
and hate, halted at the door Of the Rom
an ruler, and would not enter, because If
they did, they would be unfit to eat the
passover. What an abominable exhibit
tion Of hypocrisy Verse 2S).
ACCUSATION.-Tho appearance of u
man bound in the civil court with no ac-
cusers present and no statement of his
onense, was u novelty. Ordinarily un-
der such circumstances a prisoner might
be Immediately dismissed John viii: III.
But Plate desired to conciliate his trou-
blesome subjects, of whose religious
prejudices and jealousies he was not ig-
norant mark XIV: 10). Hence, he went
forth to inquire what accusation was
brought against Jesus (verse 2N. This
shows that nothing had been reduced to
writing. The haste, so unbecoming the
highest ecclesiastical court was proof of
the enmity by which the prosecutors were
moved To Pilates charge Of blasphemy
upon which they had agreed, and, de-
pending upon the respect which the civil
court ought to pay to the church. they
said the fact that they presented Him
was sufficient to show that He was a
malefactor Verse 800. In this 1t was
implied that they had judged the case
and asked him to pronounce sentence on
their finding.
DGEMENT.-Matters had taken a
very unfortunate turn, one little expected
by the leaders of the church party. Had
there been time for reflection they would
crtainly have given a different answer,
for this put them in an awkward predica-
ment. Plate took advantage of their