Passing 'Round The Messiah

This is the Bible study page for the Thursday Night Bible Study Group meeting March 9 to study Luke 23:1-12.  It was going to be longer, but I think there's enough here to take up our time.

Read through the passage and the parallels in Matthew 27:1-14, Mark 15:1-5, and John 18:28-38.  Not all the Gospels share the same set of characters, sequence, or wording.  There's enough detail between them to get some sense of the event, including the chaotic feel of it.  Make notes and jot down questions as you go through.

After you have your notes and questions, go back through with some sort of commentary.  The more detail the commentary has the more they will deal with the discrepancies between the Gospels.  They're not critical to know and address, but can be helpful in getting a sense of what happened.

After you have your notes and questions, revised them with some commentary, go back through with the questions below:

• The Sanhedrin brings Jesus to Pilate.  Later on there is a stoning of Stephen, so they can execute someone in an unofficial sense and get away with it.  Why do you think they want the Romans to execute Jesus officially and publicly?  (for more food for thought here, consider John 18:32)
• In verse 2, the religious leaders accuse Jesus with different accusations than they arrived at in their council chambers.  Why do you think that might be?  Even so, are they "lying" to Pilate?
• Once Pilate says he finds no guilt in Jesus, the religious leaders then widen the accusations.  When Pilate hears Jesus was from Galilee he perceives a way out for himself.  Why do you think Herod happened to be in Jerusalem just then?
• Luke records (actually repeats from earlier in Luke 9) that Herod actually wanted to see Jesus.  But why do you think he was interested in Him?
• Herod gets nothing from Jesus.  At least Jesus spoke with Pilate, but to Herod He says nothing.  Why do you think that would be?
• Herod and his detachment of soldiers mock Jesus but also give Him an expensive robe.  Why do you think Herod would give Jesus such a thing?
• The Jewish leaders are accusing Jesus strongly as Jesus gives no answer to Herod.  What sort of effect do you imagine this is having on Herod?
• Herod sends Jesus back to Pilate.  Luke then makes the odd statement that Herod and Pilate became friends from that day on, and that before they had been enemies.  Why do you think this is in any way important to the account in Luke?  He leaves out so much other stuff, but this he includes.  Why do you think that might be?

 That will probably keep us busy for a few hours.  Remember to think through what all this says about Jesus and your relationship with Him.  What do you learn about that relationship from Jesus' treatment and response?