John 19:11 Commentary and Bible Study

Now the Lord with great dignity does respond to him. He knows exactly what is going to happen. Pilate from that moment tries again to release him. He tries to get the consent of the Jewish leaders; he is afraid to just do it. But the Jews cry out saying, ‘If thou let his man go, thou art not Caesar’s friend: whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Caesar.’ If you do not do what we ask, we will most certainly send a high level deputation to Caesar and we take complaints of disloyalty against you, that you will almost surely be recalled and demoted. So they get their way by dishonest means and entirely unjust means.This is destined to happen. Pilate is a weak man, he could have stopped it, but he is afraid for his own skin. Christ could have stopped it; he won’t because this is the will of God. There has got to be an atonement. Christ must suffer. His love is so great for lost souls, and only he can save us by standing in our place and bearing the punishment of sin on our behalf. He is not going to say anything to avoid the cross of Calvary, and Pilate cannot.