Who is Jesus? (Mark 15:6-7,27; Luke 23:33-43; John 18:40)

7/31/2019 Who is Jesus? (Mark 15:6-7,27; Luke 23:33-43; John 18:40)

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Hermeneutical Assignment on:

Who is Jesus?

(Mark 15:6-7,27; Luke 23:33-43; John 18:40)

By

Timothy Ching Lung LAM

The Second Assignment Submitted to Dr. Yiu Wing FUNG of

Alliance Bible Seminary

in Partial Fulfillment of the

Requirements for the Course of

BS515-E: Hermeneutics

Summer 2003

Timothy Ching Lung LAM

Student ID Number: D023111

August 16, 2003


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Hermeneutical Assignment II on: Who is Jesus?

Hermeneutics Page 1 By Timothy Ching Lung LAM

I. Introduction

Throughout the following three sets of passages, the identity of Jesus is revealed in the

course of determining the charges against Barabbas, the two criminals and Jesus.

II. What Were the Charges Against Them?

1. Contents of the Passages

(1) Mark 15:6-7; John 18:40

In these passages, Barabbas was charged as insurrectionist and murderer, who

was then seemingly sentenced to be crucified. First of all, Mark 15:7 stated

that Barabbas had committed a murder in the uprising and was thrown into

prison with the insurrectionists. Secondly, John 18:40 confirmed the fact that

Barabbas had taken part in a rebellion. However, the term, rebellion, in

Greek is lestes, which means a robber, plunderer, freebooter or brigand.1

In this regard, Barabbas was considered as a thief, a revolutionary, and a violent

murderer, who might have a mixed motive of radical patriotism and greed.

Despite the fact that the guilty verdict of Barabbas was not mentioned in these

passages, it would probably be the same as Jesus for they were weighed the

same for the Jews to choose for release at the Feast. Therefore, Barabbas was

likely sentenced to death in the same way as Jesus, i.e. crucifixion.

(2) Luke 23:32-43; Mark 15:27

These two passages pointed out that two criminals (Luke 23:32) or robbers

(Mark 15:27) were crucified with Jesus, one on His right and one on His left.

In fact, what crime these two men had committed was not mentioned in these

passages except that their crimes deserved a death sentence as confessed by one

of the criminals (Luke 23:41). Luke described these two men as kakourgos,

1Crosswalk.com, The KJV New Testament Greek Lexicon, s.v. lestes; available from


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a Greek term which simply meant malefactor.2 However, such description

did not give readers a clue on what they actually did. In Matthew 15:27 and

Mark 27:38, these two men were described as lestes, which was exactly the

same term used to describe Barabbas in John 18:40. Accordingly, not only

these two men had committed the robbery, but also they might commit the same

crime as Barabbas, i.e. treason. As mentioned before, Barabbas was possibly

sentenced to be crucified and that the execution date might be scheduled on the

same day as Jesus (as Jesus was a substitute for Barabbas). Since Mark

mentioned that Barabbas was in prison with the insurrectionists and these two

men were crucified on the very day as Jesus, the two might be the other

insurrectionists. Nevertheless, these two men were either robbers or criminals

of combination of these crimes as committing any of these would be sentenced

to crucifixion.3

(3) Luke 23:38

The charge against Jesus was shown by the placard on the cross saying, THIS

IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. When Jesus was taken to Pilate for a trial, the

Jewish leaders basically made up three charges against him, namely, (1)

subverting their nation, (2) opposing payment of taxes to Caesar, and (3)

claiming to be Christ, a king. (Luke 23:2). However, Pilate reiterated four

times that Jesus was not guilty of any crime deserving a death sentence (Luke

23:4, 14, 15, 22). Nonetheless, the Jews insistently demanded Pilate and cried

out saying, If you let this man go, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who

claims to be a king opposes Caesar. (John 19:12) Accordingly, Pilate appears

to have no alternative, but to grant their demand. Notwithstanding Pilate

regarded Jesus kingship posing no threat to Rome, he was apparently forced

to consider it as a crime of treason so as to sentence him to crucifixion (as

reflected in the inscription on the cross). Ironically, Jesus was truly the King of

http://bible.crosswalk.com/Lexicon/Greek/grk.cgi?number=3027&version=kjv; accessed August 10, 2003.2 Crosswalk.com, The KJV New Testament Greek Lexicon, s.v. kakourgos; available from

http://bible.crosswalk.com/Lexicons/Greek/grk.cgi?number=2557&version=kjv; accessed August 10, 2003.3

Crucifixion was a punishment commonly found in the Greeks, the Romans, the Egyptians, Persians and

Babylonians communities for crimes such as treason, desertion in the face of the enemy, robbery, piracy,assassination, sedition, etc. See StudyLight.org, The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, s.v. Cross;

available from http://www.studylight.org/enc/isb/view.cgi?number=T2426; accessed August 13, 2003.


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the Jews, but was rejected by the Jewish leaders as they asked Pilate to change

this placard as that this man claimed to be king of the Jews.(John 19:21)

2. Similarities

(1) Citizenship and Jurisdiction

According to the above passages, Barabbas, the two criminals and Jesus were

probably the Jews under the jurisdiction of Pilate. Actually, Roman citizen

was exempt from this form of punishment as it was regarded as the penalty of a

slave.4

Accordingly, they were not the Roman citizens but the Jews as they

were all examined by Pilate, the Roman governor for Judea who was the onlyperson having the authority to issue death sentence to people under his

jurisdiction (John 18:31). Although Jesus was once sent to Herod for

examination due to His nativity of Galilee, He was finally sent back to Pilate for

a verdict. (Luke 23:6-11)

(2) Prisoner of Conscience

As mentioned before, Barabbas and the two criminals were considered as

insurrectionists and Jesus was also deemed as a prisoner of conscience as

reflected in the placard. In addition, when Jesus was arrested, He questioned

the chief priest, Am I leading a rebellion that you have come with swords and

clubs? (Luke 22.52) The term, rebellion was indeed the same word used to

describe Barabbas and the two criminals, i.e. lestes, which further confirmed

that the charges against them were the same.

(3) Verdict and the Form of Execution

Possibly all of them were under the same sentence of death to be executed by

way of crucifixion on the same day at the same time in the same place of

Golgotha (if Barabbas was not released).

4Ibid.


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3. Differences

(1) Criminals vs. Innocent Redeemer

Obviously, Barabbas and the two criminals had committed crimes for their

deeds deserving death while Jesus was indeed innocent suffering for sinners as

the Redeemer.

(2) The Wills of Pilate and the Jewish Leaders towards Jesus

Pilate found no basis of charge against Jesus and thus would like to release Him

whereas the Jewish leaders, out of their envy, wanted to crucify Him as they

found Him threatening their leadership. As a result, both parties had taken

Barabbas as a political tool to fulfill their respective wills (i.e. Jewish leaders

wanted to release him while Pilate did not).

(3) Outcomes

Notwithstanding the above people concerned were sentenced to death, only

Barabbas was set free while the others were crucified. Nonetheless, one of the

two criminals who believed in Jesus was assured to be in paradise with Him

while the others were not (Luke 23:43).

(4) Injustice vs. Justice

In view of these passages, the only verdict that was considered justice was the

execution of the two criminals while it was unjustly for the just One (Jesus)

sacrificing for the unjust (Barabbas).

(5) Son of Abba

There was indeed an irony between Barabbas and Jesus in terms of their names

where Barabbas means son of Abba or of a father, and Jesus was often


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referred to as the Son of God (i.e. of the Father) in the Four Gospels (Matthew

14: 33; Mark 1:1; Luke 1:35; John 1:34, etc.).5

Actually, Jesus was surely the

Son of the Father, who, however, was rejected by His people of Israel.

Ironically, this son of Abba, Barabbas, who was only a notorious prisoner, was

chosen by the Jews to be released from the prison.

(6) Kingship

Should Barabbas and the two criminals be the revolutionaries, they were

supposedly to restore the kingdom of Israel and liberate their people from Rome.

However, they failed. On the other hand, Jesus, who claimed His kingdom

not of this world, actualized the Kingdom of God by accomplishing Gods

salvation of humanity (John 18:36).

(7) The Act of Deliverance

As the insurrectionists, Barabbas and the converted criminal were supposed to

deliver their people, but were actually delivered by Jesus the Deliverer.

Barabbas, being silent throughout the above passages, was passively saved by

Jesus symbolizing the redemption of the innocence for sinners although such

deliverance was only physical. On the other hand, the converted criminal was

delivered by Jesus who received the eternal life. Unlike Barabbas, he was not

silent but rather confessed his own sin in front of Jesus (Luke 23:40-42).

Moreover, he appeared to recognize Jesus sinless divine nature and thus asked

to be included in Jesus not-of-this-world kingdom, which demonstrated his faith

and hence genuine conversion.

It is interesting to note Lukes account of the criminals conversion, which

serves as a turning point in Jesus crucifixion that relates His identity to His

saving act. Before the conversion, Jesus was called the Christ of God, the

Chosen One, the king of the Jews, and the Christ derisively by the rulers,

solders, and one of the criminals on the cross respectively. (Luke 23:35-39) It

5M.G. Easton,Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary World Wide Web Version, available from


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appears that all these appellations were conditional depending on whether or not

He could save Himself. In the midst of these mocking, the criminal rejected

the taunts, confessed his guilt, and asked to be included in Jesus Kingdom.

From this point onward, no more railing and mocking was seen, but rather a

heartfelt confession was witnessed after the centurion had seen how Jesus died,

saying, Surely this was a righteous man (Luke 23:47; or the Son of God as

in Mark 15:39). Jesus was truly the King of the Jews and the Christ/Son of

God who saved others lives; however in a way not expected and accepted by

His people.

III.Conclusion

When juxtaposing with Barabbas and the two criminals in terms of the charges against

them, Jesus was indeed not an insurrectionist, a criminal, a robber, nor a murderer, but

rather the innocent redeemer who, as the Son of the Father, had succeeded Gods

salvation that He died unjustly on the cross for the unjust ones so as to deliver them to the

Kingdom of God. In short, Jesus, counted as the lawless one, was ironically THE KING

OF THE JEWS.

http://www.ccel.org/e/easton/ebd/ebd/T0000400.html; accessed August 10, 2003.


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Appendix

Who is Jesus?Similarities/Differences

Barabbas(Mark 15:6-7; John 18:40)

Two Criminals(Luke 23:32-43; Mark

15:27)

Jesus(Luke 23:38)

What were thecharges againstthem?

1. Insurrectionist andmurderer in the uprising(Mark 15:7).

2. Rebellion (John 18:40)

1. Criminals (Luke23:32)

2. Robbers (Mark15:27)

THE KING OF THEJEWS

SimilaritiesCitizenship Jew

(Not Roman citizen)Same Same

Jurisdiction They were under thejurisdiction of Pilate, the

Roman governor of Judea.

Same Same

Prisoner ofConscience

Robber and insurrectionist Robbers and probablyinsurrectionists

The King of the Jewsconsidered as the

prisoner of conscienceVerdict Probably sentenced to death

but finally releasedSentenced to death Sentenced to death

Form ofExecution

Probably crucifixion on thesame day at the same time inthe same place of Golgotha if

not released

Same Same

DifferencesCriminals vs.InnocentRedeemer

Criminal Criminals Innocent

The Wills of

Pilate and theJewish leaderstowards Jesus

1. Pilate: wanted to crucifyhim

2. Jewish leaders: wantedto release him

- - 1. Pilate: wanted torelease Him

2. Jewish leaders:wanted to crucifyHim

Outcomes 1. Requested by theJewish leaders and thecrowds to be released(Mark 15:11).

2. Such request wasunwillingly accepted byPilate (Mark 15:15).

Led out with Jesus to beexecuted on the cross inthe place called the Skull(Luke 23:32-33). But oneof them was assured by

Jesus to be in theparadise.

Sentenced to becrucified

Injustice vs.Justice

Unjust one was judgedunjustly.

Unjust ones were judgedjustly

The Just One wasjudged unjustly

Son of Abba Though the name meansson of Abba or of a father,he is indeed a notorious

prisoner.

- - Though He wasrejected by the Jews,

He was actually the Sonof the Father.

Kingship Fight for the Kingdom ofIsrael on earth

Fight for the Kingdom ofIsrael on earth (if they

were the insurrectionists)

Kingdom not of thisworld

The Act ofDeliverance

Suppose to deliver his peoplebut was saved by Jesus

physically

One of the criminals wassaved and granted an

eternal life in theparadise.

Surely the deliverer whosaved the humanity

(although not in the wayexpected by the Jews)


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Bibliography

Websites:

Crosswalk.com. The KJV New Testament Greek Lexicon. Available from

http://bible.crosswalk.com/Lexicon/Greek/grk.cgi?number=3027&version=kjv;

accessed August 10, 2003.

StudyLight.org. The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Available from

http://www.studylight.org/enc/isb/; accessed August 13, 2003.

Easton, M.G.Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary World Wide Web Version. Available from

http://www.ccel.org/e/easton/ebd/ebd/T0000400.html; accessed August 10, 2003.

Documents

Who is Jesus? (Mark 15:6-7,27; Luke 23:33-43; John 18:40)