Jesus Before Pilate—Matthew 27:11–26 Open It 1. *What is the most ingenious or creative excuse you have heard someone give in an attempt to avoid responsibility? 2. What is your opinion of politicians? 3. What governmental customs or laws do you like best and least? 4. How much stock do you put in dreams? Explore It 1. What title and position did Pilate have? (27:11) 2. What question did Pilate ask Jesus? (27:11) 3. How did Jesus answer the Roman authority? (27:11) 4. How did Jesus answer the Jews when they made accusations against Him? (27:12) 5. What did Pilate think of Christ’s silence? (27:13–14) 6. What custom did the governor follow at this particular time of year? (27:15) 7. Who was in prison at the time? (27:16) 8. What choice did Pilate put before the crowd? (27:17–18) 9. What message did Pilate’s wife send him? (27:19) 10. How did the religious leaders influence the crowd? (27:20) 11. What choice did the crowd make? (27:21) 12. *What did the crowd ask Pilate to do to Christ? (27:22) 13. *How did Pilate attempt to evade any responsibility in the condemnation of Jesus? (27:24) 14. What ironic statement did the crowd make about Jesus’ blood? (27:25) 15. *What happened to the two prisoners—Barabbas and Jesus? (27:26) Get It 1. How would you rate Pilate’s performance? 2. Why is it difficult not to defend yourself when people are saying mean and untrue things about you? 3. What attitudes, emotions, or perspective must a person have in order to stay calm while being attacked? 4. In what way is not defending an innocent person the same as condemning him or her? 5. When might you be called upon to defend someone who is innocent? 6. What risks are there in defending an innocent person? 7. In what relationships do you need to trust more in the power and sufficiency of Christ? 8. In what situations do you need to quit arguing and defending yourself? 9. *What decisions have you been putting off for fear of the responsibility? 10. *What helps you face your responsibilities? Apply It 1. How can you prepare yourself for the next time you have an opportunity to defend an innocent person? 2. *What decision do you need to make today and then take responsibility for?