WINDSOR FULL GOSPEL MISSION CHURCH
GROUP BIBLE DISCUSSION ANSWERS
John 19:1-16 (A)
1. Pilate and Jesus 1.1) Did Pilate believe that Jesus was innocent of the charges against Him? (v.14) Pilate believed that Jesus was innocent of the charges. 1.2) Why did Pilate have Jesus whipped? Pilate had Jesus whipped to please the crowd. 1.3) Why did God allow Jesus to receive whipping? (Isaiah 53:5) God allowed Jesus to receive whipping to fulfill the prophecy of Isaiah 53:5. By His stripes, we were healed. The healing includes the healing of spirit, minds, and bodies. 2. Jesus in silence 2.1) Could Jesus defend himself before Pilate from the false accusation against Him? (1 Peter 2:22-23) Jesus could defend Himself from false accusations, but He did not. He entrusted God who would judge righteously. 2.2) Why did Jesus keep silent against the charges brought forward by the religious leaders? Jesus’ goal was to die on the cross as the Passover Lamb to save many souls. Pilate did not understand spiritual things. 2.3) How did Pilate feel about Jesus’ silence? Reverence: God is patiently waiting for our repentance. 3. The crowd 3.1) Why did Pilate have Jesus stand before the crowd after flogging Him? (v.4-5) Pilate wanted to buy sympathy for Jesus from the crowd, so that Pilate could release Jesus by their consent. 3.2) How did the crowd respond towards Jesus? (v.6, Matthew 27:25) The crowd wanted Jesus to be crucified. They even said that they and their descendants would be responsible for Jesus’ death. 3.3) Why did God allow Jesus to stand before the crowd? God allowed Jesus to stand before the crowd in order to reveal their wicked hearts. 4. Unjustified verdict 4.1) Did Pilate want to set Jesus free? (v.12) Why? Yes. He found no fault in Jesus. 4.2) In what way did Pilate try to set Jesus free? Pilate tried to set Jesus free by appeasing the crowd. However, he should have gone along with his own conscience. 4.3) What was the fundamental reason for Pilate to make such an unjust decision to crucify Jesus? Pilate made such an unjust decision for his own interest to secure his position. He did not want to antagonize the crowd. He made his decision against his conscience. 4.4) What was Pilate’s self-excuse to give an unjustified sentence to Jesus? (Matthew 27:24) He blamed his decision to the crowd. However, he would be judged by God for his negligence of God-given duty. 5. God in charge 5.1) Is God unconcerned about the worldly affairs? (Psalm 33:13, Proverbs 15:3) No, God is concerned about the worldly affairs.” 5.2) Does God intervene with human affairs? Yes 5.3) Whom does God use to achieve His will and purposes? God use the men of faith to achieve His will and purposes. 5.4) Can you name those people God has used? Abraham, Joseph, Moses, etc. 5.5) How did God bless them? God accomplished His purpose through their faith and obedience. 5.6) Does God use evil people to achieve His purposes too?
5.7) Why did Jesus come to this world? (Hebrews 10:10) Jesus came to this world in order to die as the Lamb of God to save many souls. 5.8) Can you name those people who had participated in crucifying Jesus to die as the Passover Lamb? Iscariot Judas, religious leaders, Pilate 5.9) What would be their dues? Their dues would be God’s condemnation for their evil intention to murder an innocent man. 6. Jesus as a silent rock 6.1) How does Jesus, as a silent rock, bring blessings to righteous people? (1 Peter 2:7-8) They used Jesus as the capstone or the corner stone in building their lives. 6.2) How does Jesus, as a silent rock, bring trials to evil people? Jesus became a stumbling rock for their lives. Life Application: 1. How much are you consciously aware of God’s silent watch over you? I should be conscious that God is watching me in my every thought and action. 2. What is your response to such a God every moment in your life? I should revere God. 3. Are you conscious of people’s or of God’s judgment in your action? I must be more conscious of God’s judgment rather than people’s. 4. Which will influence more in your decision-making process, your conscience or your own interest? I should make a decision in order to keep peace with my conscience rather than to satisfy my own desire. 3. Am I doing things to glorify God or to satisfy my own interest? I should do all things to glorify God. The High Priest and Pilate were concerned with their own interest, and ended up with killing God (Jesus) .
Prayer:
Lord! You are the living God who is sitting on the throne. You are in charge of our lives. Help me to be conscious of your constant and silent watch over me. Help me to live my life to glorify Your name. Whatever I do, help me to do out of love for you and for others. Use me to achieve your good and loving eternal purpose. I pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.