...your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 1 Corinthians 2
***
Matthew 27:15-30; Mark 15:6-19; Luke 23:13-25; John 18:39-19:16
Barabbas Released And Jesus Mocked
When Pilate could find nothing in Jesus worthy of death, he said to Jesus’ accusers:
“Ye have a custom that I should release unto you one at the Passover. Will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews?”
The people cried out:
“Not this man, but Barabbas.”
Barabbas was a robber.
So Barrabas–the insurrectionist, robber, and murderer–was released; and Jesus was turned over to be crucified.
He was scourged by Pilate, and the soldiers who guarded him covered him with a purple robe and placed a crown of thorns on his head. Then, as they struck him with their hands, they said:
“Hail, King of the Jews!”
Then Pilate said to the people:
“Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him.”
As Jesus came out, garbed in purple and wearing the crown of thorns, Pilate said:
“Behold the man!”
The chief priests and officers cried out:
“Crucify him, crucify him.”
Pilate said to them:
“Take ye him and crucify him, for I find no fault in him.”
Jesus’ accusers replied:
“We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.”
When he heard this, Pilate was afraid. He asked Jesus:
“Whence art thou?”
Jesus did not answer.
Pilate tried again, saying:
“Speakest thou not unto me? Knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee?”
Jesus answered him, saying:
“Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above. Therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the...
