Political Expediency

We have noticed that Pilate three times publicly announced that he could find no crime in
Jesus. Why, then, did he condemn to death an innocent man? There were two reasons:

First, there was a tumult brewing and Pilate did not want to have a riot on his hands:

When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather that a tumult was rising, he took
water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, "I am innocent of the blood of this
just Person. You see to it." (Matthew 27:24)

But second, and more significantly, Pilate condemned Jesus because political pressure was put
upon him by the religious leaders and he was afraid of being removed from his political
position. They intimidated him with the thought that if he released Jesus, Caesar would
remove him from being governor:

John 19:12: “From then on Pilate sought to release Him, but the Jews cried out, saying, "If you
let this Man go, you are not Caesar's friend. Whoever makes himself a king speaks against
Caesar."

At the end of time political leaders will also condemn God’s faithful people to save their
position:

“The dignitaries of church and state will unite to bribe, persuade, or compel all classes to honor
the Sunday. The lack of divine authority will be supplied by oppressive enactments. Political
corruption is destroying love of justice and regard for truth; and even in free America, rulers and
legislators, in order to secure public favor, will yield to the popular demand for a law enforcing
Sunday observance. Liberty of conscience, which has cost so great a sacrifice, will no longer be
respected.” The Great Controversy, p. 592

Leaders Influence Members

It was not primarily the people who wanted the death of Jesus. Scripture makes it clear that
they asked for the blood of Jesus because of the influence of their religious leaders:

Matthew 27:20: “But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitudes that they should
ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus.”

“Legions of evil angels controlled the priests and rulers, and gave voice to the suggestions of
Satan in persuading and tempting the people by falsehoods and bribes to reject the Son of God,
and to choose a robber and murderer in his stead.” Review and Herald, April 14, 1896

High Treason and Fornication

They claimed Caesar as their king and rejected the king of kings! By fornicating with the Roman
state they were rejecting their husband and playing the harlot.

The gospels make it clear that Jesus wanted to be Israel’s only husband. There are all sorts of
marriage metaphors in the Gospels that describe the relationship that Jesus wanted to have
with His people.

Studies in Revelation 12 & 13 | Study Notes by Stephen Bohr | SecretsUnsealed.org Page 42