The Unjust Trials of Our Lord Jesus (6) - All The LORD is near Daily Devotionals for 2026

Then Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests, the rulers, and the people, said to them, "You have brought this Man to me, as one who misleads the people having examined Him in your presence, I have found no fault in this Man no, neither did Herod, for I sent you back to him; and indeed nothing deserving of death has been done by Him. I will therefore chastise Him and release Him."
Luke 23:13-16

The Unjust Trials of Our Lord Jesus (6)
Luke's Gospel shows us that after Pilate's initial examination of the Lord Jesus he had found no fault in Him. Pilate told His accusers that Herod had found no fault in Him either. Matthew and Mark plainly state that he knew that the religious leaders were acting out of envy (Mt. 27:18; Mk. 15:10). Jesus had done many signs and He had denounced their hypocrisy and wickedness. We are not told whether or not Pilate was aware of the council they had held earlier to decide what to do about Jesus (Jn. 11:47-53). There they had said, "If we let Him alone like this, everyone will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and nation." How shameful!

Furthermore, Matthew 27:19 tells us, "While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, saying, ‘Have nothing to do with that just Man, for I have suffered many things today in a dream because of Him.'" Convinced of Jesus' innocence, as judge, Pilate now rightly proposed to let Jesus go free. But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to demand the death of Jesus.

We know that Jesus was not merely innocent of the charges laid against Him. He was the Holy One of God, the One who did only what God the Father instructed Him to do, . He had glorified God in His entire life upon earth. He would soon also glorify Him in His death.

Eugene P. Vedder, Jr.