Page 61 - laten-08-06-2020

Pilate’s Wife

An agent of Justice

Matt 27: 15-19
Introduction

hile he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent
Wword to him, Have nothing to do with that innocent man,
for today I have suffered a great deal because of a dream about
him. Mathew 27:19

Jesus is condemned
The given text comes under the title of “Jesus is
condemned” in this scene the gospel writer Mathew follows
Mark closely, making two additions (27:14 and 24-25 verses)
made certain modifications which have the effect of making
the decision of the Jewish crowds and the responsibility of the
Jewish leaders all the clearer. The whole text divided into three
major episodes:
1.Confession and silence before the Governor.

2.The people’s choice of Barnabas and rejection of Jesus.
3.Pilate’s proclamation of his innocence (based on wife’s
dream) and the people’s acceptance of responsibility for
Jesus’ death.
Pilate’s question is clearly a political charge. the treason\
rebellion against Rome is clearly a capital offence. Jesus confesses
his own identity. This mention by the gospel writer seems to
have been composed reflecting his favorite themes of “Jesus as
the righteous one” and divine revelation by dreams. These words
may be taken as increasing Pilate’s guilt as he now knows by divine
revelation that Jesus is innocent, and he is commanded by God
to have nothing to do with him.The following episode of hand
washing to represent Pilate’s obedience to the divine message
communicated by the dream so that the words serve to release

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Lenten Meditations Re - Imaging People