5. Loudness V Graeco/Roman rule

23:1-25

Around Jerusalem

"prevailed the voices of them"

23:1-25 Rising up all the multitude of (the Council) led Him before Pilate. They began to accuse him saying "We found this man to be perverting our nation and forbidding tribute to be paid to Caesar. He has been saying that he is the Christ and will be a king." Pilate questioned Him saying "Are you the king of the Jews?" He answering him said "You are (the one) saying it." And Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds. "I do not find this man has committed a crime." But they insisted saying "He excites the people and has been teaching throughout all of Judea, even from Galilee to here." Pilate hearing this asked if the man was a Galilean. He perceived that he was under the authority of Herod and so sent him up to Herod who was also in Jerusalem at that time. Herod, on seeing Jesus was very glad for he had been wanting to see him for a long time as he had heard about him. He was hoping to see some sign brought about by him. He questioned (Jesus) with many words. But he answered him nothing. The chief priests and the scribes stood (around) vehemently accusing him. Herod reacted (to Jesus) by despising him and mocked him with his soldiery. He threw a splendid cloak around him and sent him back to Pilate. That same day Herod and Pilate became friends with each other. Previously they had been at enmity.

So Pilate calling together the chief priests and the leaders and the people said to them. "You brought this man to me claiming he was perverting the people. But look on examining him I have found there has been no crime of the things of which you have accused him. Neither has Herod (found crime). He sent him back to us. Nothing has been done by him which is worthy of death. I will therefore chastise him and release him." But they shouted with the whole multitude saying "Take this man and release Barabbas to us." (Barabbas) had been thrown into prison because of an insurrection and murder which had happened in the city. But again Pilate called (out) to them wanting to release Jesus. But they shouted saying "Crucify him. Crucify him." But a third time he said to them "But what evil has this man committed? I have found no reason to condemn him to death. I will therefore chastise him and release him." But they insisted with loud voices asking that he be crucified. Their voices prevailed. Pilate therefore decided to carry out their request. He released the one they had asked for (even though) he had been thrown into prison because of insurrection and murder. He delivered Jesus up to what they wanted.

If one looks back to the start of the day here Jesus was brought before the council of the elders. There were also the High priests and scribes there. Luke describes the assembly or body of people as a 'multitude'. He then says it is this 'multitude' which takes Jesus before Pilate. Some of them apparently accompanied Jesus to Herod where they delivered vehement accusations. Then, after Herod sent Jesus back to Pilate, Pilate called the same group or 'multitude' to come before him again. When we find that 'the multitude' are calling for the crucifixion of Jesus, it appears logically, that they are substantially the same 'multitude' that brought Jesus to Pilate in the first place. Pilate has called them back to deliver his verdict. Traditionally it is usually the 'rank and file' of people who are given the blame for thecry "crucify him". In any case why does Luke put focus on who was actually calling for the death of Jesus? Luke makes the point that they cry out with loud voices. Indeed their voices are so loud that it is their voices that prevail over Pilate. In terms of the underlying argument as put forward in Reality Search the "loud voice" and its ability to prevail over the rulers of an order-based society, are an integral point of the line of logic being teased out by the gospel writers. Luke is also making the point that this negative voice can come from a section of the community rather than being an overall voice from a people in general.