Pilate's Evasion: Six Strategies of Self-Justifying Rejection

When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, he exemplified the self-justifying rejector of the Gospel. His evasion reveals six patterns that persist in modern hearts:

First, he assumed the matter held no claims upon him: "Take ye Him." Second, he substituted favorable opinion for decision: "I find in Him no fault." Third, he claimed powerlessness: "He belonged to Herod's jurisdiction." Fourth, he proposed compromise: "I will chastise Him and release Him." Fifth, he surrendered judgment to the crowd: "What shall I do with Jesus?" Sixth, he performed censorship: "What evil hath He done?"

Exell and Beecher expose Pilate's modern descendants. Whoever commits wickedness through others bears equal—not diminished—guilt. The Jews hated Christ first, yet Pilate's "Take Him; see ye to it" made him a full partaker in their crime. Evil distributed among thousands remains whole guilt upon each perpetrator; a thousand murderers each bear the whole murder. Evil done for reasons of state loses no moral weight. Wickedness a man can prevent, yet does not prevent, incriminates him absolutely.

Better to be a Puritan than a Pilate. A Pilate is the polished, tasteful courtier unmoved by conviction, shuffling morality like cards, believing in letting things drift: "Maintain good appearances. Do not sacrifice yourself. Study the interest of Number One." Such neutrality before righteousness is complicity before Yahweh.