Lesson 7, Unit 2, Choice 3: The Savior's Final Hours

Choice 3: Matthew 27:1–61; Mark 15; Luke 23; John 18:28–19:42. The Savior’s Final Hours

1. Review Matthew 27:2, 11–25 and the institute student manual commentary for Matthew 27:24, “Why Did Pilate Give in to the Demands of the Jews to Execute Jesus?” (pp. 182–83); commentary for John 19:4–12, “Pilate Sought to Release Him” (183–84). Write a short paragraph on what you learn about Pilate from what he tried to do.

Pilate was the governor of that area. He asked Jesus if he was the King of the Jews, as he was accused of saying he was by the chief priests and elders. Jesus hardly answered, which caused Pilate to marvel. His wife believed Jesus was innocent and had a dream regarding him and didn’t want Pilate involved in condemning Jesus to death. Pilate knew of the envy the chief priests had for him, and also didn’t find any fault with Jesus. It was custom for him to release one prisoner unto the people each year, and he wanted the crowd to call for the release of Jesus, but they demanded the release of Barabbas instead. When he saw that he could not persuade the crowd, and going against their wishes would cause a riot, “he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person.” He therefore sent Jesus to his death despite believing in Jesus’s innocence. But because he tried to get the crowd to choose to release Jesus and they would not he felt that Jesus’s blood was on their hands and not his. However, his actions showed that he feared man more than God, and he still caused Jesus to be put to death, so he will be held responsible for that.

2.  How are the events recorded in John 18:28–19:18 a fulfillment of the prophecy found in Isaiah 53?

Isaiah 53 says, “He is despised and rejected of men” (v. 3), and “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed” (v. 5). It also says “He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth” (v. 7). Finally, it says “And he made his grave with the wicked” (v. 9).

All of these prophecies were fulfilled because Jesus was despised and rejected of men. He was brought as an innocent lamb to the slaughter, and he didn’t answer his accusers when they tried to find fault with him. He was wounded and bruised, and “his stripes” refer to his being scourged. He was crucified between two thieves (thereby making “his grave with the wicked”).

3.  Review Matthew 27:15–16 and Mark 15:6–7 and answer the following questions:

• What kind of man was Barabbas? - He was a robber, a murderer and had been involved in an insurrection.
• Find the meaning of the name Barabbas in the Bible Dictionary (p. 619). What is ironic about the Jews’ choice of a prisoner by that name? - His name means “Son of the father.” The student manual also says that his first name was Jesus. So his name was “Jesus Son of the father.” It’s ironic because Jesus Christ was the true Son of the Father.

4.    Review Luke 23:7–12. Write your answers to the following questions:

• How did Pilate try to avoid the responsibility of judging Jesus? - He tried to pass the responsibility of judgment off on Herod who had jurisdiction over Galilee, since Jesus was a Galilaean.
• What did Herod hope to see from the Lord? - “... he hoped to have seen some miracle done by him” (Luke 23:8).
• How did the Lord respond to Herod? - Jesus “answered him nothing” (Luke 23:9).
• Under what circumstances today would this example of the Savior be a good one for us to follow? Why? - This would be a good example to follow when faced with people who are hostile and have their hearts hardened towards the gospel. Those people do not have the right spirit and are unteachable. Therefore it is better to not engage with them in any kind of debate or argument or answer any of their questions because they are not earnestly seeking answers, only a fight.
• What was the result of this interchange between Herod and Pilate? - “And the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together: for before they were at enmity between themselves” (Luke 23:12).
  

5. Read the institute student manual, “An Appreciation of the Sorrow of the ​Final Hours” (pp. 180–81). Write a paragraph on what impresses you the most about how the Savior acted during His last hours of mortality.

I suppose what impresses me most is his reaction to his abusers and tormentors. Of course, I am not surprised by it, and would expect nothing less of Jesus Christ, who was perfect and innocent of any sin. But it still is hard to imagine enduring all that in the way that he did. He healed the ear of one of the accomplices who came to capture him at Gethsemane, he withstood mockery and being spit upon, and being hit and scourged and a crown of thorns pressed onto his head. It’s beyond horrible and cruel the way he was treated, and he endured it all without any retaliation. To me it’s just a perfect example of how we ought to be meek and humble and willing to endure all persecution and affliction without becoming angry or vengeful.