The Tupelo journal., 1906-11-30
JESUS BEFORE
PLATE
Sunday School Lesson Tor Dec. z. 1906
Specially Prepared for This Paper.
Specially Prepared for This Paper.

LESSON TEXT.-Luke 23:13-25. Mem
DRY verses 20. p.
GOLDEN TEXT.-"Then said PLATE, I
find no fault in this man."-Luke 23:4.
TIME.-A. d. 80, Friday morning from
dawn till eight or nine o'clock.
PLACE.LThe Judgment hall Of Plate
PARALLEL ACCOUNTs.-Matt. N:s-
80; Mark 15:2-19; John 1S:23-19:16.
Comment and Suggestive Thought.
V. 10. "Pilate called together" etc.
Evidently the crowd about the Prae-
forum had in a measure dispersed
when Jesus had been taken to Herod.
Now, Plate, having the case thrown
back upon his hands, summons not
only the u of Jesus, the chief
priests and rulers but also 1.-THE peo-
pie" whom he hoped to find more kind
ly disposed. His keen eye had dis
cerned that for envy the ruling Jews
wished to get rid of Jesus.
v. IA. Ye and l are the emphatic
words of this verse. "One that per-
verteth the people" One that turns
them aside from the course they
should follow. Thus PLATE summarizes
the three charges which Jews had prof
fered against Jesus. He well knew
that if these charges had been true,
Jews would have hailed Jesus as a de-
liverer. Examined him." The techni-
cal term for a legal examination.
V. Is. Notice the reading in the Re-
vised Version. Read about Jesus trial
before Herod in verses Z to II of this
chapter.
v. 16. '"I will therefore chastise
him." BY making this proposition,
Plate cuts loose from principles of
justice.
V. IT. Note that revisers have omit
ted this verse as of doubtful authority.
1t was entirely in accord with Roman
policy to curry favor with the Jews by
releasing, upon a feast day, some pris-
oner whom they should name. PLATE
hit upon this expedient as a mode OF
saving the pride of the priests and yet
getting rid of condemning Jesus to the
CROSS.
v. IS. About this time Pilates wife
sent a messenger to him urging that
he do nothing against the just man on
trial, and claiming that she had been
warned by a vision concerning him. 1t
brings Luke's account more into lar
mony with other records to understand
they cried out all at once" as refer
ring to the priests, who hurried 30
avail themselves of Pilates preoccupa-
ton with the messenger, and cried out
to the people to ask for the release OF
Barabbas. Upon Jewish priests main
ly rests the guilt of the murder OF
Jesus.
v. 10. "Who . for murder"
Nothing more definite is known about
Barabbas. 1t seems probable that he
had headed an uprising of Jews
against the government, and by his
hands some had been slain
V. 20. Willing (desiring) to release
Jesus" The sense of justice, which
was strong in a Roman, demanded
that he do SO.
V. 81. They cried, Cruelty him!
Cruelty him. Thus the Jewish peo-
pie, instigated by their rulers, rejected
Jesus. Cried" or shouted" refers to
a continuous cry, growing in vehem-
ence. Crucifxion was the Roman
method of executing the lowest GRIM
inals. (Gal. 3:13; Heb. 1872, 49,
v. %. Said the third time" See
verses 4 and IA. why" The word
might be rendered "Impossible!"-an
ejaculation of surprise and inquiry
combined. mo cause of death" Moth
ing meriting the infection of death.
v. 90. Nothing availed to turn the
now bloodthirsty crowd. They were
instant (urgentl with loud voices, re-
quiring (asking) that he might be cru
Gifted" Plate then took water and
washed his hands before the multi
tude, saying, / am innocent of the
blood Of this just person." In response
to Pilates expressive act, the Jewish
mob declared their willingness to as
sumo all the responsibility, crying,
Ills blood be on us and on u chill
dren" (Matt.). voices pre-
vailed" Not by reason, % by evil
U0uCC, UuL ny IHC CiduuOl u tAOAk
voices, Plate was overcome and yield
ed to the Jewish priests.
v. "A. The final and prevailing argu-
mont on the part of the Jewish leaders
seems to have been their threat that II
PLATE set Jesus free they would report
him to the Roman government as abet-
ting an enemy of Caesar John 1912.
49,.
v. IS. Released him . muir
der!" Such an one as Barabbas was q
man after their own heart, but the holy
and just Jesus they would have none
of. Delivered Jesus to their will"
What now took place was the mockery
Of Jesus by the soldiers. Matt.
27:26-31.)
Practical Points.
!, v. Is. He whose wages are death,
had no claim upon the sinless Prince
Of Life.-1 Pet. 1922.
Y. Is. The eyes OF q critical world
are upon Christians as well as upon
their Master. They may be blamed.
out should be blameless.-Phil. 2:15.