This interpretation is based on a hypothesis that the identifier Pilate added to Jesus’ name represented the charge or the accusation against him. Asking the crowd to choose which person they wanted to release, Pilate distinguished the two men by the charges against them. Barabbas was a “notorious prisoner”; the charges against him were presumably well known and did not need to be stated (Mt 27:16, Mk 15:7). Referring to Jesus as the one called Christ was Pilate’s way of stating the accusation against him, i.e., that he was called Christ.
- 17 Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ?
But if the hypothesis holds true, then there is a problem with how the charge is stated. The accusation against Jesus was not that he was called Christ, but that he called himself Christ. Verse 18 gives an explanation for this discrepancy, which is that Pilate knew the real motive and was stating the true accusation against Jesus.
- 18 For he knew that for envy they had delivered him.
Thus, Pilate understood that Jesus’ accusers envied him for being called Christ, and that the charge against him, that he called himself Christ, was merely a cover for their envy. Later, the dispute between Pilate and the chief priests over the inscription on the cross exposes the discrepancy in their perspectives more clearly.
- 19 Pilate also had an inscription written and put on the cross. It read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” 20 Many of the Jews read this inscription, because the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, in Latin, and in Greek. 21 Then the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but, ‘This man said, I am King of the Jews.’” — John 19
Pilate was clearly aware of the injustice and the irony of the situation. A person who seemed to question the very existence of truth itself (Jn 18:38), Pilate became an unlikely witness to the truth:
- 13 I have examined him in your presence and have not found this man guilty of any of your charges against him. 15 Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us. Indeed, he has done nothing to deserve death. — Luke 23
Addendum
It is unlikely that Pilate’s insights were gained through his own wisdom or moral character. Rather, the text hints that God’s hand was at work behind Pilate’s testimony:
- And while he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent him a message, saying, “See that you have nothing to do with that righteous Man; for last night I suffered greatly in a dream because of Him.” — Matthew 27:19
Pilate’s statements regarding Jesus’ true charge, his assertions of Jesus’ innocence, and his insistence on keeping the wording of the inscription on the cross as is ¬– perhaps these are meant to be signs that God did not remain silent on that day.
- Do not be silent, O God of my praise. 2 For wicked and deceitful mouths are opened against me, speaking against me with lying tongues. 3 They beset me with words of hate, and attack me without cause.— Psalm 109:1-3