Saturday, November 3, 2012

around 6 AM, execution day (Mark 15:1; Matthew 27:1-10; Luke 22:67-71)


At dawn, the religious leaders decide to hand Jesus over to Pilate and Herod.  On one hand, this is a little surprising because if they believed that Jesus is guilty of blasphemy, they probably do not need Roman approval to kill him.  For instance, religious leaders were ready to stone the adulterous woman.

However, they know they would need the Roman army to put down any riot that might result if they killed Jesus.  So, they need Roman cooperation and participation.  That said, Pilate and Herod have the power to release Jesus.

Regardless, this action serves an important religious symbolic function.  Both the Pharisees and the Romans will have ultimate responsibility for the death of Jesus.  In a very literal way, the death of Jesus will be at the hands of both Jews and Gentiles.

Meanwhile, Judas Iscariot feels tremendous guilt.  He returns the 30 pieces of silver.  The priests know this is blood money and they cannot directly take it.  So, they use the money to buy the "potter's field" which they use to bury foreigners.  

Judas Iscariot then hangs himself.

Looking ahead, Saul (Apostle Paul) will have doubts about Jesus because the Mosaic Law states that people hung from a tree are cursed.  Under that principle, Judas Iscariot is "cursed" because he is hung from a tree.

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