Exposition of John, Chapter 18 · Verse 15
Verſe 29. Pilate then went out unto them, and ſaid, What accuſation bring you againſt this man?
30. They anſwered and ſaid unto him, If he were not a malefactour, we would not have delivered him up unto thee.
Followeth to v. 33. the ſecond branch of this part of the chapter, containing ſome debates betwixt Pilate and the Jewes, about the entring of Chriſts proceſſe. It may be taken up in a twofold propoſition of Pilate, and their anſwer thereunto. In the firſt whereof (in theſe verſes) Pilate will not ſtand on termes with them, but goeth out unto them, and deſireth they would produce an accuſation againſt Chriſt, upon which he might formally and legally proceed, v. 29. The Jewes in anſwering, ſuſpecting that probation might ſucceed but ill, as it had before themſelves, Mark 14.55. — 59. do interpoſe their own credit and reputation with Pilate, in ſtead of an accuſation, indirectly taking it as an affront that he ſhould require an accuſation from them, or think that ſuch men as they, would bring any before him to be condemned, but an evil-doer, v. 30. From v. 29. Learn, 1. It is the duty of Rulers, not only to do juſtice, but to be ready to do it timouſly, and with as great expedition as may be: for, this is commendable in Pilate, that though it was early, when they came, v. 28. yet he is ready to hear them. See Exod. 18.13. 2. It is alſo commendable in men of power and eminency, not to ſtand on termes with their inferiours, nor carp at their ſcruples and weakneſſes; but to paſſe over all theſe, and do them juſtice; for, this is alſo commendable in him, that when they ſcruple to enter into the judgement-hall, v. 28. he ſtands not on that, but went out to them, far contrary to the practice of many great ones, who, if their inferiours croſſe any of their humours, will be ſure to give them a meeting when they come in their hands. See Job 31.13, 14. 3. It is agreeable to juſtice, that no man be condemned without an accuſation produced and proven againſt him, and that men in power do not gratifie a man to death (as the words wil read, Acts 25.16.) nor make uſe of their Authority to pleaſure friends, or ſatisfie their own luſts, ſeeing judgement is not theirs, but the Lords; Therefore, Pilate, an heathen, is clear to follow this order, What accuſation bring you againſt this man? From v. 30. Learn, 1. Albeit the Jewes could lay nothing to Chriſts charge before Pilate; but either that he was againſt Caeſar, which was a lie, or that he called himſelf the Son of God, which was indeed a truth; yet here he is preſented as a malefactour, or a notorious and noxious evil-doer. Whereby he would, partly, teach, what we indeed were in whoſe room he ſtood: even ſuch notorious delinquents, unworthy to live on the earth: And partly, he would ſanctifie unto his people their lying under unjuſt imputations & calumnies, which he eſſayed, being traduced as an enemie to Caeſar; and would ſanctifie unto them their living in times, wherein cleareſt truthes are perſecuted under odious names; as his calling himſelf the Son of God was accounted blaſphemy. 2. Men may be very laviſh in blaſting the reputation of others, who yet would be loath to be ſo dealt with by others; but ordinarily, they who make an idol of their own credit, do regard leaſt the credit of others; for, they ſtand not to traduce Chriſt as a malefactour, who yet tak… … that Pilate ſhould ſeem to rub on them by calling … accuſation. 3. It is an old trick of corrupt Churchmen and perſecutors, to abuſe civil powers, and to make uſe of any reſpect they have from them, to give them bad impreſſions of the godly, and ſet them on edge againſt them; as here theſe corrupt rulers do make uſe of any reſpect Pilate had to them, to condemn Chriſt on their word; If he were not a malefactour, we would not have delivered him up unto thee. 4. Men ought to take heed how they employ any credit God hath given them with men, as being a talent for the uſe whereof they will be called to an account; And it is an evidence that mens credit, authority, or parts, are plagued to them, when they hang at their wrong ſide, and they labour to turn men againſt Chriſt and his truth, becauſe ſuch as they are againſt him; as here, notice is taken that they employed their credit in this wicked way. See John 7.48, 49.