g ver. G — 8. with Acts i. 18, 19.
Pilate's protest.
Matt, xxvii. 24, 25. When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, hut that rather a tumult zvas made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person : see ye to it. Then answered all the people, and said, His blood he on us, and on our children.
IT was appointed under the law, that the beasts offered in sacrifice should be without blemish : and, for ascertaining their fitness to be offered, the strictest scrutiny was made. In the various examinations which our blessed Lord underwent, there was an exact ac- comphshment of this type : and the testimonies given by all who were concerned in his death, seem to have been providentially appointed for the manifesting of his fitness for the great work he had undertaken, even
the work of saving a ruined world by the sacrifice of himself. His hour was now come that he should be delivered up to death : and Pilate, who had investi- gated every charge that was brought against him, and had already a great many times attested his innocence, now in the most solemn manner entered his protest against the procedure of his blood-thirsty enemies, and declared, that in putting him to death they would murder a just and inoffensive man; of which atrocious act they, and they only, should bear the guilt. In reply to this, they said, that if he would only leave them to execute their purpose, they were willing to take all responsibility from him, and all consequences on themselves ; " His blood be on us, and on our chil- dren." Thus, even they, at the very time that they demanded his death, unwittingly acknowledged the truth of Pilate's assertions, and set their seal to this blessed truth, that Jesus was " cut off, not for his own sins," but for the sins of those whom he came to save.
Let us however take a nearer view of this subject; and distinctly consider, I. Pilate's vain protest —
In some respects Pilate may be considered as having acted a bold and honest part ; for
This protest of his was very solemn —
[It should seem that the washing of the hands in token of innocence, was a custom not unknown to the Romans : and, among the Jews, it was prescribed by God himself; when murder had been committed by some unknown person, and those who, from their proximity to the spot, might be sup- posed to have had some knowledge of the transaction, were called to clear themselves^ By this significant action did Pilate proclaim his determination not to embrue his hands in innocent blood; accompanying it with a solemn testimony in favour of the person accused, and an admonition to his enemies that they, and they only, must be answerable for his death. Thus far we approve, and applaud his protest.]
But it was vain —
[In some cases, such a protesfwould have really acquitted him in the sight both of God and man —
^ Deut. xxi. G, 7.
1408.] Pilate's protest. 585
If the matter had been to be determined by a majority of voices, his conscience would have been clear. This was the case when Joseph, one of the Jewish council, was out-voted in the Sanhedrim ; and God himself acquits him of any participa- tion in their guilt''.
If the act had not been in itself sinful ; and circumstances had occurred that rendered that necessary, which, under other circumstances, would have been inexpedient and improper ; then his protest would have cleared him, even though he had done the act against which he protested : for this was the case of Paul, when he was compelled by the intrigues of false teachers to confirm his apostolic authority by an appeal to visions, of which it would otherwise have been inexpedient for him to boasts