Asking the wrong questions will usually lead to wrong answers.
When Jesus was forced into Pilate’s courtyard, surrounded by those intent on His death, Pilate didn’t immediately react; he assessed.
Question one, for the accusers: “What charge do you bring against this man?” (John 18:29).
Question two, for the accused: “Are you the king of the Jews?” (v.33).
Humanly speaking, it was a fair line of questioning, relevant to the crime Jesus was indicted for, but Pilate was not a Jew (v.31). Who Jesus was to them was irrelevant to him. By asking the wrong questions, Pilate avoided the right answer. Pilate needed to ask, Are you the king of me?
While it’s true that Pilate was uniquely caught in the crosshairs between a cultural revolution and a supernatural rescue mission, it’s also true that his position was not unique. Each of us must bring who He is and what He’s claimed to have done into the courtyard of our own hearts and minds. And the question—the real question—we can’t fully ignore is this: Is He the king of our lives? Will we bend the knee to His sovereign rule over us? Yes, at the moment of salvation, but will we then surrender over and over again as we learn to live with Him?
As long as we stay distracted by who Jesus is to others, we will miss the upending nature of the better question. And so, I ask it again: Is Jesus your king? Today? Right now?
Do you know He wants to be?
The crowd kept pressing, and Pilate kept asking.
“What have you done?” (v.35).
“You are a king then?” (v.37).
And finally, “What is truth?” (v.38). So close! The right question isn’t what but who. Jesus Himself had spoken the answer when He taught, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).
The answers to Pilate’s questions left him doubting that Jesus deserved death (v.38), but the answers to better questions had the power to move Pilate from death to life (John 5:24).
As we keep reading John’s gospel, we see Pilate ask another bad question.
“Should I crucify your king?” (John 19:15).
Wrong question. Wrong answer.
“Then he handed him over to be crucified” (v.16).
Jesus has given us an anchor question to keep us from missing the point. He asked it looking into the eyes of his disciples.
“But you,” he asked them, “who do you say that I am?”
—Matthew 16:15
To the religious leaders, the answer was a threat.
To Pilate, the answer was perhaps a nuisance.
It doesn’t matter now. They’re long gone. Their only legacy is in their affiliation with Jesus.
But you’re here, and asking the right question is the pathway to the answers your soul is looking for. Strip away the crowds. Let Pilate fade into the background. Picture Jesus, eyeball to eyeball, heart to heart.
“But you,” He’s asking through His Word, “Who do you say that I am?”
Right question. And the right answer? He’s the One worthy of your life.
New question that requires a new answer: Will you live surrendered to Him today?
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47 thoughts on "Pilate"
You are the Son of God, the Savior of the World , the one true God !
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❤✝️ You are Christ, Son of God, my Savior!
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What a powerful devotional today. Erin provided such great insights and points to ponder. Ask the right question, and you’ll get the right answer…
I know that Jesus is my savior, but I don’t always live that way. I pray that I would live surrendered to his direction.
Trying again and hope this posts!
What a heart-tugging and convicting devo and reading today. I love the presentation of the questions [Thank you, ERIN!] and the way it led us to THE question:
“Is Jesus the KING of your life?” Yes, He is!
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I know Pilate is the focus of today’s lesson, but I found some worthy stuff in my reading:
John 12:32 was referenced in one of the commentaries I read on John 18:32 –
“And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself.”
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From NKJV MacArthur Study Bible, 2nd Edition
The saying of Jesus . . . fulfilled. Jesus had said that He would die by being “lifted up” (3:14; 8:28; 12:32, 33). If the Jews had executed Him it would have been by throwing Him down and stoning Him. But God providentially controlled all the political procedures to assure that when sentence was finally passed, He would be crucified by the Romans and not stoned by the Jews,…
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Moving on with MacArthur:
John 18:38
“What is truth?” In response to Jesus’ mention of “truth” in v. 37, Pilate responded rhetorically with cynicism, convinced that no answer existed to the question. The retort proved that he was not among those whom the Father had given to the Son (“Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice”—v. 37; see notes on 10:1–5).)
Me again: This prompts yet another question: Do I hear His Voice, and do I heed what He says?
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(Re: Pilate) – John 19:12
not Caesar’s friend. This statement by the Jews was loaded with irony, for the Jews’ hatred of Rome certainly indicated they too were no friends of Caesar. But they knew Pilate feared Tiberius Caesar (the Roman emperor at the time of Jesus’ crucifixion) since he had a highly suspicious personality and exacted ruthless punishment. Pilate had already created upheaval in Jerusalem by several foolish acts that had infuriated the Jews, and so was under the scrutiny of Rome to see if his ineptness continued. The Jews were intimidating him by threatening another upheaval that could spell the end of his power in Jerusalem, if he did not execute Jesus.
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Notes from WARREN WIERSBE
John 19:6
The cross involves much more than an exhibition of innocent suffering. On that cross, the Son of God paid the price for the sins of the world and thereby declared the love of God and defended the holiness and justice of God. We are not saved by feeling pity for Jesus. We are saved by repenting of our sins and trusting Jesus, the sinless substitute.
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John 19:16
From the human standpoint, the trial of Jesus was the greatest crime and tragedy in history. From the divine viewpoint, it was the fulfillment of prophecy and the accomplishment of the will of God. The fact that God had planned all of this did not absolve the participants of their responsibility. In fact, at Pentecost, Peter put both ideas together in one statement (Acts 2:23).
Acts 2:23-But God knew what would happen, and his prearranged plan was carried out when Jesus was betrayed. With the help of lawless Gentiles, you nailed him to a cross and killed him. (NLT)
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John 19:20
The fact that this sign was written in Hebrew (Aramaic), Greek, and Latin is significant. For one thing, it shows that our Lord was crucified in a place where many peoples and nations met, a cosmopolitan place. Hebrew is the language of religion, Greek of philosophy, and Latin of law, and all three combined to crucify the Son of God. But what He did on the cross, He did for the whole world.
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The song that came to mind first for me was I Surrender All (old hymn) because it has been popping into my head a lot recently. A second song is All Hail King Jesus by Dave Moody (1981) prompted by the devo reference:
All Hail King Jesus
All Hail Emmanuel
King Of Kings
Lord Of Lords
Bright Morning Star
And Throughout Eternity
I’ll Sing Your Praises
And I’ll Reign With You Throughout Eternity. [2]
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SEARCHING – Your song was running through my head as soon as I saw the mention! <3
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KELLY NEO – I am praying that management will quickly act in this situation – first to be sure the apartment dweller hasn’t come to harm, and then to fix the leak! Continued prayers for the upcoming job and daycare changes. <3
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TINA- I miss you, too, and pray all is well in your corner of the world- or wherever you are! <3
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Love, hugs, and prayers to all! <3
Today’s reading feels like Easter’s reading for me. But the emphasis is on the flip side, the political pressure and the manipulation of the accusers. It is alarming how certain figures could be like a pawn under political manipulation. Leviticus 24:16 prescribes the stoning for blasphemy. What the priests were doing, is it truly defending the faith? Jesus a mere man claiming to be God = blasphemy, allowing people to worship Him or call him Son of God = idolatry, is rejecting and killing Jesus justifiable? Only if He was lying, but He wasn’t. Did the Jewish leaders follow the law in executing Him? Not fully. Here’s why, illegal trial procedures, held at night which violates Jewish legal tradition to do trials in daytime, night arrest, night trial (he who walks in the night, because there is no light in him), staged false witnesses contradicting one another; no opportunity for a fair defense. Why crucifixion instead of stoning? Jewish leaders reframed the accusation from blasphemy to political treason, Luke 23:2 – They said: “We found this man subverting our nation. He opposes payment of taxes to Caesar and claims to be Christ, a king”. Why want to kill Jesus so badly? He challenged their authority, control and worldview. Jesus rebuked them publicly and often (Pharisees, scribes, and Sadducees, “Woe to you…(Matthew 23), You nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition.” (Matthew 15:6), He exposed their hypocrisy, their spiritual blindness (obsessing over rules but missing God’s heart), their corruption (commercialize the temple), He threatened their economic interest, He drew the crowd away from them (He was popular, healed the sick, cast out demons, spoke with compassion and authority, “The whole world has gone after Him” (John 12:19). But GOD the Father is always speaking defending His Son’s innocence. Look at the merciful warning He gave to Pilate through his wife’s dream. Even though Pilate wasn’t a Jew, God still gave him a chance to back away from injustice, God cares for the conscience for a non-believer. As the result, Pilate still declared Jesus innocent multiple times (Luke 23:4, John 18:38), and his wife’s dream reinforced that judgment. God still speaks and builds the case publicly for His Son: Judas: “I have betrayed innocent blood” (Matt 27:4), Pilate: “I find no guilt in him” (John 18:38), Pilate’s wife: “Have nothing to do with that righteous man” (Matt 27:19), Centurion: “Truly this was the Son of God.” (Matt 27:54). At the end, Pilate caves into the pressure, He silences God’s voice. He washes his hands, but not his heart. Pilate’s wife’s dream was not enough to stop the cross. Even when mercy is refused, mercy is still offered. God is always offering a chance to turn, even to the undeserving. Today if you hear His Voice, do not harden your heart. In the end, Jesus still goes to the cross — not as a victim, but as a willing sacrifice. What a merciful God we serve. @WENDY B: praying for healing of the kidney stones. @KELLY NEO: young mama’s ceiling situation. Be blessed dear sisters.
I attempted a post a couple of hours ago but my device lost internet just as I hit send. Will try again later. My eyes need some serious rest! ❤
I always felt like I was similar to Pilate at times. I was always scared to admit that feeling because I felt like that made me a “bad Christian”. But it’s
Helping me
Grown. How often have we been distracted by the noise and crowd, that we lost sight of the important question? This devotional was wonderful! Definitely taking the thoughts of “is He the King of my life? Today? Right now?”
Rhonda great comment! This was such a good devotional.
Amen to all of these comments! I learn so much for all of you. Thank you! And the devotional definitely has me thinking…
Beautifully written and challenging devotional. “He’s the one worthy of [my] life.” I’m praying that friends and family members who have yet to surrender toJesus will be struck by this. And, that I would live my life remembering that he is indeed worthy.
Such a great devotion today. I loved comparing the two questions. Praise Jesus that he is my Lord and Savior and may I glorify him in everything that I do
In
Beautiful prayer Rhonda J. Ashley M always insightful. Cheryl Blow. Yes! The older I get the more I realize how much I need to grow!
Devotional thoughts were so good. Yes. We surrender at the moment of salvation but will we continue to live lives of surrender . Over and over again.
I was riveted with the description of “mob mentality “ . The crowd’s constant cry for vengeance egged on by trusted and respected leaders. Pilate surrendered. Not to Truth but to the mob’s desire. Out of fear. A good reminder to me. Who am I really following? “Do Justice. Love Mercy and walk humbly before God. Micah 6:8
Oh, no… (KELLY NEO)! Keep us posted about the water in the ceiling of young mama’s place. What a calamity!!
Somebody once told a funny joke at church. It was from a child’s POV. It was about Pontus being a PILOT. Wish I could remember it.
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In all seriousness, the verse asking Jesus if He knew that Pilate had the POWER to have Him crucified. Every time I read it, I think, “Ummmm. No.”
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Thanks for the update, Leanna.
Yes! And it is a daily surrender! I’m 69 and I have known Jesus most of my life (8 when I accepted Him) but the older I get the more I realize how much I need to grow!
There is always so much more for us! This a humbling reminder to me that I’m not where I need to be!
Praying for all!
Such great questions to challenge us. I have had the privilege of hearing Erin speak in person and I pictured/heard her as I read. She is a passionate, thought provoking, engaging speaker and I feel as though the questions were directed at me. I pray that I, without restraint or hesitation, without skipping a beat would answer, “This is Jesus and that is my King.” But, its a daily, moment by moment decision to die to self, to stand firm and to chose to faithfully walk in obedience and I fall short. He suffered and died for me and by His grace and mercy salvation is offered. Thank you Jesus. May I be found faithful and worthy of calling Him my Lord and King❤️
Such great comments and reflections today – thank you. Still not able to comment but appreciate so many of your thoughts and praying for the needs shared.
Ughh…well…as I suspected, the kidney stone (actually stones, but one in particular is obstructive)has not dissolved or moved. I have a phone consult this afternoon with the nurse manager at the specialist office to determine what next steps are. Thanks so much for praying.
Wendy, I pray it’s an easy answer for the kidney stone and pain free.
We all face moments when truth stares us in the face—when we know the right thing to do but feel the pressure to go along with the crowd, protect our image, or preserve our comfort. Pilate reminds us that indecision is a decision. Silence in the face of truth can become complicity.
But even in this, grace speaks. Jesus died for all, including those who failed Him. Pilate’s failure became part of God’s greater redemptive plan. And in our failures, God still works, still offers forgiveness, and still invites us to follow His voice over the crowd
Great devotional today.
Pilate cared more about not making waves with his Roman masters than doing the right thing.
Jesus died for Pilate when He hung on that cross.
Cultural note: In the book of Leviticus, on that great Day of Yom Kippur.The Day of Atonement. There were two goats. One goat was released into the wilderness as the scapegoat, Barnabas The other goat was slaughtered. Leviticus 16. John 18:39 -40. Leviticus 16 was foreshadowing of these events.
Great two devotionals with hard truths and questions! Conviction. Do I love Jesus, not only to know he is Lord and Savior, but to want a daily relationship with him?! It’s not church on Sunday. It’s not a daily devotional for motivation and encouragement. It is an earnest, eager, hunger for him in every part of our lives. Him in the center that everything else revolves around. “If you love me you will obey me” says Jesus. “Follow me.” “Go and tell” First we keep his commandments. We know them by being in the word, from Genesis to Revelation. Letting His word penetrate us, letting it light all that we do, spending time with him, and praising him for what he has done for us. This propels us to show love to others. It guards our actions, and words.
I can’t help but sing “That’s My King” by Cece Winnans. Also, “king Jesus” by Phil Whickham is good!
Lord, you have been my Savior, securing my place for eternity with you, for as long as I can remember. But it wasn’t until I lost control of my life, that I hit my knees and knew I was broken on my own, lost, and wandering (and making mess after mess). I needed you like never before. Thank you Lord, for coming in gently, picking me up, and revealing more and more to me, that you love me dearly, and was waiting for the prodigal daughter to come home. Now that you have robed me, and put a kingship ring on my hand, and prepared a feast for me, I will honor you and thank you and live for you.
Please Jesus, be the King of my life always and forever!
@KELLY (NEO) – I too thought of “Ecce Homo, Behold the Man.” I think it as in our big family Bible. As a little girl, I used to love finding all the pictures in it ❤️
Amen. Jesus is my King ❤️
As soon as I read the words from the devotional, “Are you the king of me?” I immediately thought of the song “King of Me” from Rend Co. Kids. (aka Rend Collective). As that song inevitably plays through my mind today (it is really catchy), I pray that I will think back on the reading from today, on Pilate’s story, and on this thought-provoking devotional. Will I surrender over and over again, today and tomorrow and every day after, as I continue in the never-ending journey of learning to live with my God? I pray that the answer each time will be yes – and that even when I stumble, the Lord will continue to offer me truth, guiding me towards the right questions and the right answers.
Praying for each of you. Grateful to be a part of such a community of women.
I❤️Rend Collective
And if Jesus is the King of my life, what does that look like today? I love the answer that Jesus gave. “Love the Lord your God with all of your heart and your neighbor as yourself”. Love God. Praise Him, talk to Him, share my day with Him. Love others. I read another devotion this morning about gleaning. Leaving part of what I have, possessions, time and energy for others. I can do that. I will do that.
Wow! Thought provoking devotional today. I will be chewing on this for a while.
What is truth?” — John 18:38
“You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above.” — John 19:11
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Lord Jesus,
Today I remember how You stood before Pilate—
truth rejected, love misunderstood,
yet still surrendered to the Father’s will.
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I confess my own fear of standing alone,
my hesitations when truth is costly.
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Give me courage to do what is right,
even when it’s uncomfortable.
Give me clarity to see truth
and the humility to follow it.
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Remind me:
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Your grace is greater than my fear.
Your presence is enough in every decision.
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Amen.
Thank you, Erin. Great questions you pointed to:
“Is He the king of our lives? Will we bend the knee to His sovereign rule over us? Yes, at the moment of salvation, but will we then surrender over and over again as we learn to live with Him?”
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King Jesus, rule and reign in my life!
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If you get a chance look up the painting “Ecce Homo, Behold the Man” by Ciseri. It always comes to my mind when I read about the scene in the Bible.
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LEANNA THOMPSON – safe travels and may your family be a comfort to one another.
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Requesting prayer for my young mama friend…her apt has water coming in from the ceiling from her upstairs neighbor and there is no emergency maintenance person in the complex she is in. The neighbor is not answering her door. My friend has been keeping up with the water coming in but…just pray the whole situation is settled quickly. She is still waiting on paperwork to clear to start working. Thanks.
Praying for your young mama!
Love Him, Live for Him, Bow to Him.
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““Should I crucify your king?”
Wrong question. Wrong answer. “Then he handed him over to be crucified””
Hmmm.
With all of Pilate’s questions, I can almost hear the wheels turning in his mind as he listens to and processes Jesus’ answers.
John 19:11a Jesus answered, “You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above…”
As much as thinking about what Jesus went through hurts my heart – the scourging, the piercing, the crucifixion – it was required for us to have the opportunity to accept His gift of salvation and eternal life with Him AND all of this was by God’s design. Painful beyond my comprehension but not wrong.
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Reminded of the chorus, He’s All I Need, and the peppy hymn, He’s My King. Several songs with this name so including lyrics for the one running through my mind :)
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Verse 1
I have a Friend Divine walking with me
Making my pathway shine mighty is He
Jesus the One I love gladly I sing
Praises to Him above He is my King
Chorus
He’s my King and reigns forevermore
He’s my King to worship and adore
Oh I dearly love Him
There is none above Him wonderful is He (this mighty King of Glory)
He’s my King let all the world proclaim
He’s my King of royal holy fame
When I get to glory I will sing the story
Of His love for me
Verse 2
I have a Savior dear talking with me
He is so very near seems I can see
Over life’s rugged way to Him I cling
He is my guide and stay Jesus my King
Verse 3
I have the Holy Ghost living in me
He is my Royal Host faithful is He
Filling me with His love so I may sing
Praises to Christ above He is my King
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MERCY – ❤️❤️❤️
CEE GEE ❤️ another new to me song, thanks. The Collingsworth Family has a nice version.
TINA ❤️ missing you, sister
Jesus be the King of my Heart, Savior of my soul, keeper of my peace, source of my Love. Amen
❤️ Help me live surrendered to you today and all my days, king Jesus.
Is Jesus ruling my life now today? It’s a question to ask myself everyday and surrender to Him everyday.
Holy Spirit help me today to yield to Jesus’s authority over my life. And then help me again tomorrow.
Amen
But you, who do you say I am?
You, Lord, are my Savior, Redeemer, Protector, Provider, Healer, Shepherd, and Almighty who humbly gave your life for mine. I know your voice, that keeps calling me nearer. I want to follow, obey, praise and glorify you for all that you have done and continue to do for me.
Yes and amen. This was a fabulous devotional, thank you Erin!
I will! ❤️ Amen!
Father God, You are the One worthy of my life – all that I think, say, or do. You sent Jesus to be the king of my life. I surrender all of me to You. As I go back to school today be king of my thoughts, my attitudes, my words, and my actions. Don’t let me be distracted by who you are to others. You are the King of my life. I love You, Lord.
In Jesus’s Name, Amen
Very powerful devotional Erin, thank you!
Lord Jesus am I living a life surrendered to you? Am I honoring your kingship in my life? If not shine the light of where I need to release control.
Great devotional today Erin.
“As long as we stay distracted by who Jesus is to others, we will miss the upending nature of the better question. And so, I ask it again: Is Jesus your king? Today? Right now?”
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