Key Scripture Readings: Matt. 26:57-27:26; Mark 14:53-15:15; Luke 22:54-23:25; John 18:12- 19:16
Fast Facts
- While Caiphas questioned the Lord, Peter was waiting to see the outcome in the courtyard. During this time, Peter was asked if he was a follower of Jesus. As Jesus predicted, Peter denied it three times before the rooster crowed! After the third denial, Jesus turned and looked at Peter (Luke 22:61-62). Peter then remembered Jesus’ words and went away weeping.
- The next morning, the chief priests and elders decided to put Jesus to death (Matthew 27:1). They bound Jesus and brought Him before Pontius Pilate, the governor of Judea.
- Judas began feeling remorse for his betrayal of Jesus. He tried to give back the thirty pieces of silver. The chief priests and elders told him, “What is that to us? See to it yourself” (Matthew 27:4). Judas then left the temple and went out and hanged himself.
- The chief priests and elders told Pilate that Jesus was causing problems for the empire (Luke 23:1-2). They knew that bringing these charges would get Pilate’s attention.
- After spending some time questioning Jesus, and finding no fault in Him, Pilate told the religious leaders to take Jesus to Herod since He was from Galilee.
- King Herod was excited to see Jesus because he had heard about Him and wanted to see Him perform a miracle. After Jesus refused to speak to him, Herod and his soldiers mocked the Lord and sent Him back to Herod (Luke 23:8-12).
- Pilate continued to say he could find no fault in Jesus. Once the Jews continued to aggressively insist that Jesus be crucified (even agreeing to let a murder named Barabbas go free), Pilate washed his hands before them and handed Jesus over to be scourged and eventually crucified (Matthew 27:15-25; John 19:1-16).
- While leading Jesus to the place of His crucifixion, they found a man named Simon of Cyrene, and they had him carry the cross for Jesus (Matthew 27:32; Luke 23:26).
Study Questions
- Why do you think Peter denied the Lord? How can we be guilty of this today?
- Why was Jesus brought before Pilate?
- Why did Judas regret his decision to betray Jesus?
- What charges did the chief priests and elders bring to Pilate against Jesus? Why these?
- What did Pilate determine after initially questioning Jesus?
- Why did Pilate tell the Jews to take Jesus to Herod? Why was Herod excited to see Jesus?
- Who was Barabbas and why was he released from prison?
- What did Pilate think was going to happen if he just had Jesus severely beaten?
- Why did Pilate finally give in and hand Jesus over to be crucified?
