The Passage
John 18:28-32
28 Then they led Jesus from the house of Caiaphas to the governor’s headquarters. It was early morning. They themselves did not enter the governor’s headquarters, so that they would not be defiled, but could eat the Passover. 29 So Pilate went outside to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this man?” 30 They answered him, “If this man were not doing evil, we would not have delivered him over to you.” 31 Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law.” The Jews said to him, “It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death.” 32 This was to fulfill the word that Jesus had spoken to show by what kind of death he was going to die.
Word Work
Put it in your own words. Read the passage or verse slowly, then rewrite each phrase or sentence using your own words.
Word Thoughts:
The unrighteousness of self-righteousness is placarded before our eyes in the ugly irony of these verses. The rulers of Israel refused to enter the governor’s headquarters because of their scrupulous commitment to the demands of the law, not wanting to be defiled before eating the Passover. But they were unscrupulous in their commitment to rid the world of the One to whom the law points—the One who fulfills the demands of the law for us—the true Passover Lamb, Jesus. He took the defilement of the cross so that we might know the unhindered delight of our God (Zeph. 3:14–17).
Word Reflection:
- What stood out?
- Why was it unlawful for the Jews to put anyone to death?
- Do you find it interesting that the Jews wouldn’t enter the governor’s headquarters and yet would allow them to perform the trial of Jesus?
The Jews said to him, “It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death.”
End in Prayer
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