Then Pilate took Jesus and flogged him. 2 And the soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head and arrayed him in a purple robe. 3 They came up to him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and struck him with their hands. 4 Pilate went out again and said to them, “See, I am bringing him out to you that you may know that I find no guilt in him.” 5 So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, “Behold the man!” 6 When the chief priests and the officers saw him, they cried out, “Crucify him, crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and crucify him, for I find no guilt in him.” 7 The Jews answered him, “We have a law, and according to that law he ought to die because he has made himself the Son of God.” 8 When Pilate heard this statement, he was even more afraid. 9 He entered his headquarters again and said to Jesus, “Where are you from?” But Jesus gave him no answer. 10 So Pilate said to him, “You will not speak to me? Do you not know that I have authority to release you and authority to crucify you?” 11 Jesus answered him, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above. Therefore he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin.”
Remember that all authorities have been put into place in order to carry out the wrath of God. Listen to Jesus' reply when Pilate talks about his own authority. Jesus knows from where that authority comes. Jesus even acknowledges the power given to Pilate to carry out the death sentence. Jesus knows that this is the will of the Father for the wrath of God to be poured out upon his flesh.
For most people this is just another part of the Passion account. For others this is the proof text for the Death Penalty. This text should be a reminder for all of us that Jesus Christ suffered not at the hands of Romans, or Jews, but by the wrath of God.
Jesus Christ the one hailed King of the Jews, is the true King and authority. But even this Master of the Universe submits to the Authority of the Jews and the Governor Pilate. Just as Jesus previously submitted to his parents.
God works through Pilate and the People to execute his Son for their sins. He places his complete wrath upon Jesus Christ, so he can save his people from their sins.
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