Kapitel 185		Paper 185
Rettergangen Foran Pilatus		The Trial Before Pilate
185:0.1 (1987.1) KORT efter klokken seks denne fredag morgen den 7. april år 30 e.Kr. blev Jesus stillet for Pilatus, den romerske prokurator, som styrede Judæa, Samaria og Idumæa under direkte opsyn af Syriens legat. Mesteren blev ført ind til den romerske guvernør af tempelvagterne, bundet og ledsaget af omkring halvtreds af sine anklagere, herunder det jødiske råds domstols medlemmer (primært saddukæerne), Judas Iskariot, og ypperstepræsten Kajfas og apostlen Johannes. Annas mødte ikke op foran Pilatus.		185:0.1 (1987.1) SHORTLY after six o’clock on this Friday morning, April 7, a.d. 30, Jesus was brought before Pilate, the Roman procurator who governed Judea, Samaria, and Idumea under the immediate supervision of the legatus of Syria. The Master was taken into the presence of the Roman governor by the temple guards, bound, and was accompanied by about fifty of his accusers, including the Sanhedrist court (principally Sadduceans), Judas Iscariot, and the high priest, Caiaphas, and by the Apostle John. Annas did not appear before Pilate.
185:0.2 (1987.2) Pilatus var oppe og klar til at modtage denne gruppe af morgenfriske, efter at han aftenen før var blevet informeret af dem, der havde sikret sig hans samtykke til at bruge de romerske soldater til at arrestere Menneskesønnen, om at Jesus tidligt ville blive stillet for ham. Retssagen skulle finde sted foran prætoriet, en tilbygning til fæstningen Antonia, hvor Pilatus og hans kone havde deres hovedkvarter, når de gjorde ophold i Jerusalem.		185:0.2 (1987.2) Pilate was up and ready to receive this group of early morning callers, having been informed by those who had secured his consent, the previous evening, to employ the Roman soldiers in arresting the Son of Man, that Jesus would be early brought before him. This trial was arranged to take place in front of the praetorium, an addition to the fortress of Antonia, where Pilate and his wife made their headquarters when stopping in Jerusalem.
185:0.3 (1987.3) Selvom Pilatus gennemførte en stor del af undersøgelsen af Jesus i pretorium-hallerne, blev den offentlige retssag holdt udenfor på trappen, der førte op til hovedindgangen. Det var en indrømmelse til jøderne, som nægtede at gå ind i nogen ikke-jødisk bygning, hvor der kunne blive brugt surdej på denne forberedelsesdag til påsken. En sådan adfærd ville ikke kun gøre dem ceremonielt urene og dermed udelukke dem fra at deltage i eftermiddagens takkefest, men ville også gøre det nødvendigt for dem at underkaste sig renselsesceremonier efter solnedgang, før de ville være berettiget til at deltage i påskemåltidet.		185:0.3 (1987.3) Though Pilate conducted much of Jesus’ examination within the praetorium halls, the public trial was held outside on the steps leading up to the main entrance. This was a concession to the Jews, who refused to enter any gentile building where leaven might be used on this day of preparation for the Passover. Such conduct would not only render them ceremonially unclean and thereby debar them from partaking of the afternoon feast of thanksgiving but would also necessitate their subjection to purification ceremonies after sundown, before they would be eligible to partake of the Passover supper.
185:0.4 (1987.4) Selvom disse jøder slet ikke havde dårlig samvittighed, da de intrigerede for at gennemføre det retslige mord på Jesus, var de ikke desto mindre omhyggelige med alle disse spørgsmål om ceremoniel renhed og traditionel regelmæssighed. Og disse jøder har ikke været de eneste, der har fejlet i anerkendelsen af høje og hellige forpligtelser af guddommelig natur, mens de har været meget opmærksomme på ting af ubetydelig betydning for menneskers velfærd i både tid og evighed.		185:0.4 (1987.4) Although these Jews were not at all bothered in conscience as they intrigued to effect the judicial murder of Jesus, they were nonetheless scrupulous regarding all these matters of ceremonial cleanness and traditional regularity. And these Jews have not been the only ones to fail in the recognition of high and holy obligations of a divine nature while giving meticulous attention to things of trifling importance to human welfare in both time and eternity.
1. Pontius pilatus ^top		1. Pontius Pilate ^top
185:1.1 (1987.5) Hvis Pontius Pilatus ikke havde været en rimelig god guvernør for de mindre provinser, ville Tiberius næppe have ladet ham blive som prokurator for Judæa i ti år. Selvom han var en ret god administrator, var han en moralsk kujon. Han var ikke en stor nok mand til at forstå karakteren af sin opgave som guvernør for jøderne. Han fattede ikke, at disse hebræere havde en rigtig religion, en tro, som de var villige til at dø for, og at millioner og atter millioner af dem, spredt her og der over hele imperiet, så til Jerusalem som deres tros helligdom og respekterede jødernes råd som den højeste domstol på jorden.		185:1.1 (1987.5) If Pontius Pilate had not been a reasonably good governor of the minor provinces, Tiberius would hardly have suffered him to remain as procurator of Judea for ten years. Although he was a fairly good administrator, he was a moral coward. He was not a big enough man to comprehend the nature of his task as governor of the Jews. He failed to grasp the fact that these Hebrews had a real religion, a faith for which they were willing to die, and that millions upon millions of them, scattered here and there throughout the empire, looked to Jerusalem as the shrine of their faith and held the Sanhedrin in respect as the highest tribunal on earth.
185:1.2 (1988.1) Pilatus elskede ikke jøderne, og dette dybtliggende had begyndte tidligt at manifestere sig. Af alle de romerske provinser var ingen sværere at regere end Judæa. Pilatus forstod aldrig rigtig de problemer, der var forbundet med at styre jøderne, og derfor begik han meget tidligt i sin tid som guvernør en række næsten fatale og næsten selvmorderiske fejltagelser. Og det var disse fejltagelser, der gav jøderne så stor magt over ham. Når de ønskede at påvirke hans beslutninger, behøvede de blot at true med et oprør, og Pilatus ville hurtigt kapitulere. Og denne tilsyneladende vaklen eller mangel på moralsk mod hos prokuratoren skyldtes hovedsageligt erindringen om en række kontroverser, han havde haft med jøderne, og fordi de i hvert tilfælde havde slået ham. Jøderne vidste, at Pilatus var bange for dem, at han frygtede for sin position over for Tiberius, og de udnyttede denne viden til stor ulempe for guvernøren ved adskillige lejligheder.		185:1.2 (1988.1) Pilate did not love the Jews, and this deep-seated hatred early began to manifest itself. Of all the Roman provinces, none was more difficult to govern than Judea. Pilate never really understood the problems involved in the management of the Jews and, therefore, very early in his experience as governor, made a series of almost fatal and well-nigh suicidal blunders. And it was these blunders that gave the Jews such power over him. When they wanted to influence his decisions, all they had to do was to threaten an uprising, and Pilate would speedily capitulate. And this apparent vacillation, or lack of moral courage, of the procurator was chiefly due to the memory of a number of controversies he had had with the Jews and because in each instance they had worsted him. The Jews knew that Pilate was afraid of them, that he feared for his position before Tiberius, and they employed this knowledge to the great disadvantage of the governor on numerous occasions.
185:1.3 (1988.2) Pilatus’ uvilje mod jøderne opstod som et resultat af en række uheldige møder. For det første undlod han at tage deres dybtliggende fordomme mod alle billeder som symboler på afgudsdyrkelse alvorligt. Derfor tillod han sine soldater at gå ind i Jerusalem uden at fjerne billederne af Cæsar fra deres bannere, som det havde været praksis for de romerske soldater under hans forgænger. En stor delegation af jøder ventede på Pilatus i fem dage og bønfaldt ham om at få fjernet disse billeder fra de militære faner. Han nægtede blankt at imødekomme deres bøn og truede dem med øjeblikkelig død. Pilatus, som selv var skeptiker, forstod ikke, at mænd med stærke religiøse følelser ikke tøver med at dø for deres religiøse overbevisning, og derfor blev han forfærdet, da disse jøder trodsigt stillede sig op foran hans palads, bøjede ansigtet mod jorden og lod forstå, at de var klar til at dø. Pilatus indså da, at han havde fremsat en trussel, som han ikke var villig til at føre ud i livet. Han overgav sig, beordrede billederne fjernet fra sine soldaters standere i Jerusalem og fandt sig fra den dag af i høj grad underlagt de jødiske lederes luner, som på denne måde havde opdaget hans svaghed ved at fremsætte trusler, som han frygtede at udføre.		185:1.3 (1988.2) Pilate’s disfavor with the Jews came about as a result of a number of unfortunate encounters. First, he failed to take seriously their deep-seated prejudice against all images as symbols of idol worship. Therefore he permitted his soldiers to enter Jerusalem without removing the images of Caesar from their banners, as had been the practice of the Roman soldiers under his predecessor. A large deputation of Jews waited upon Pilate for five days, imploring him to have these images removed from the military standards. He flatly refused to grant their petition and threatened them with instant death. Pilate, himself being a skeptic, did not understand that men of strong religious feelings will not hesitate to die for their religious convictions; and therefore was he dismayed when these Jews drew themselves up defiantly before his palace, bowed their faces to the ground, and sent word that they were ready to die. Pilate then realized that he had made a threat which he was unwilling to carry out. He surrendered, ordered the images removed from the standards of his soldiers in Jerusalem, and found himself from that day on to a large extent subject to the whims of the Jewish leaders, who had in this way discovered his weakness in making threats which he feared to execute.
185:1.4 (1988.3) Pilatus var efterfølgende fast besluttet på at genvinde den tabte prestige og lod derfor kejserens skjolde, som man almindeligvis brugte i kejserdyrkelsen, sætte op på væggene i Herodes’ palads i Jerusalem. Da jøderne protesterede, var han ubøjelig. Da han nægtede at lytte til deres protester, appellerede de straks til Rom, og kejseren beordrede lige så hurtigt de krænkende skjolde fjernet. Og så blev Pilatus anset for endnu mindre værd end før.		185:1.4 (1988.3) Pilate subsequently determined to regain this lost prestige and accordingly had the shields of the emperor, such as were commonly used in Caesar worship, put up on the walls of Herod’s palace in Jerusalem. When the Jews protested, he was adamant. When he refused to listen to their protests, they promptly appealed to Rome, and the emperor as promptly ordered the offending shields removed. And then was Pilate held in even lower esteem than before.
185:1.5 (1988.4) En anden ting, der bragte ham i stor unåde hos jøderne, var, at han vovede at tage penge fra tempelkassen for at betale for opførelsen af en ny akvædukt, der skulle give øget vandforsyning til de millioner af besøgende i Jerusalem ved de store religiøse fester. Jøderne mente, at kun var jødernes råd, der kunne udbetale tempelmidlerne, og de holdt aldrig op med at skælde ud på Pilatus for denne formastelige beslutning. Ikke mindre end en halv snes optøjer og mange blodsudgydelser var resultatet af denne beslutning. Det sidste af disse alvorlige udbrud havde at gøre med nedslagtningen af en stor gruppe galilæere, mens de tilbad ved alteret.		185:1.5 (1988.4) Another thing which brought him into great disfavor with the Jews was that he dared to take money from the temple treasury to pay for the construction of a new aqueduct to provide increased water supply for the millions of visitors to Jerusalem at the times of the great religious feasts. The Jews held that only the Sanhedrin could disburse the temple funds, and they never ceased to inveigh against Pilate for this presumptuous ruling. No less than a score of riots and much bloodshed resulted from this decision. The last of these serious outbreaks had to do with the slaughter of a large company of Galileans even as they worshiped at the altar.
185:1.6 (1988.5) Det er betegnende, at mens denne vaklende romerske hersker ofrede Jesus af frygt for jøderne og for at sikre sin personlige position, blev han til sidst afsat som følge af den unødvendige nedslagtning af samaritanere i forbindelse med en falsk Messias, der førte tropper til Gerizim-bjerget, hvor han hævdede, at tempelkarrene var begravet; og der udbrød voldsomme optøjer, da han ikke afslørede skjulestedet af de hellige kar, som han havde lovet. Som et resultat af denne episode beordrede Syriens legat Pilatus til Rom. Tiberius døde, mens Pilatus var på vej til Rom, og han blev ikke genudnævnt som prokurator for Judæa. Han kom sig aldrig helt over den beklagelige fordømmelse af at have givet sit samtykke til korsfæstelsen af Jesus. Da han ikke fandt nåde for den nye kejsers øjne, trak han sig tilbage til Lausanne-provinsen, hvor han efterfølgende begik selvmord.		185:1.6 (1988.5) It is significant that, while this vacillating Roman ruler sacrificed Jesus to his fear of the Jews and to safeguard his personal position, he finally was deposed as a result of the needless slaughter of Samaritans in connection with the pretensions of a false Messiah who led troops to Mount Gerizim, where he claimed the temple vessels were buried; and fierce riots broke out when he failed to reveal the hiding place of the sacred vessels, as he had promised. As a result of this episode, the legatus of Syria ordered Pilate to Rome. Tiberius died while Pilate was on the way to Rome, and he was not reappointed as procurator of Judea. He never fully recovered from the regretful condemnation of having consented to the crucifixion of Jesus. Finding no favor in the eyes of the new emperor, he retired to the province of Lausanne, where he subsequently committed suicide.
185:1.7 (1989.1) Claudia Procula, Pilatus’ kone, havde hørt meget om Jesus gennem sin tjenestepige, som var fønikisk og troede på evangeliet om riget. Efter Pilatus’ død blev Claudia på fremtrædende vis identificeret med spredningen af de gode nyheder.		185:1.7 (1989.1) Claudia Procula, Pilate’s wife, had heard much of Jesus through the word of her maid-in-waiting, who was a Phoenician believer in the gospel of the kingdom. After the death of Pilate, Claudia became prominently identified with the spread of the good news.
185:1.8 (1989.2) Og alt dette forklarer meget af det, der skete denne tragiske fredag formiddag. Det er let at forstå, hvorfor jøderne formastede sig til at diktere Pilatus—at få ham op klokken seks for at dømme Jesus—og også hvorfor de ikke tøvede med at true med at anklage ham for forræderi over for kejseren, hvis han vovede at afvise deres krav om Jesu død.		185:1.8 (1989.2) And all this explains much that transpired on this tragic Friday forenoon. It is easy to understand why the Jews presumed to dictate to Pilate—to get him up at six o’clock to try Jesus—and also why they did not hesitate to threaten to charge him with treason before the emperor if he dared to refuse their demands for Jesus’ death.
185:1.9 (1989.3) En værdig romersk guvernør, som ikke var blevet uheldigt involveret med jødernes herskere, ville aldrig have tilladt disse blodtørstige religiøse fanatikere at dræbe en mand, som han selv havde erklæret for uskyldig i deres falske anklager og uden skyld. Rom begik en stor fejl, en vidtrækkende fejl i jordiske anliggender, da hun sendte den andenrangs Pilatus til at regere Palæstina. Tiberius skulle hellere have sendt den bedste provinsadministrator i imperiet til jøderne.		185:1.9 (1989.3) A worthy Roman governor who had not become disadvantageously involved with the rulers of the Jews would never have permitted these bloodthirsty religious fanatics to bring about the death of a man whom he himself had declared to be innocent of their false charges and without fault. Rome made a great blunder, a far-reaching error in earthly affairs, when she sent the second-rate Pilate to govern Palestine. Tiberius had better have sent to the Jews the best provincial administrator in the empire.
2. Jesus foran pilatus ^top		2. Jesus Appears Before Pilate ^top
185:2.1 (1989.4) Da Jesus og hans anklagere havde samlet sig foran Pilatus’ domssal, kom den romerske guvernør ud og spurgte de forsamlede: “Hvilken anklage har I mod denne mand?” Saddukæerne og rådsherrerne, som havde påtaget sig at sætte Jesus ud af spillet, havde besluttet sig for at gå til Pilatus og bede om bekræftelse af dødsdommen over Jesus uden frivilligt at fremsætte nogen konkret anklage. Derfor svarede talsmanden for rådets domstol Pilatus: “Hvis denne mand ikke var en forbryder, ville vi ikke have bragt ham til dig.”		185:2.1 (1989.4) When Jesus and his accusers had gathered in front of Pilate’s judgment hall, the Roman governor came out and, addressing the company assembled, asked, “What accusation do you bring against this fellow?” The Sadducees and councilors who had taken it upon themselves to put Jesus out of the way had determined to go before Pilate and ask for confirmation of the death sentence pronounced upon Jesus, without volunteering any definite charge. Therefore did the spokesman for the Sanhedrist court answer Pilate: “If this man were not an evildoer, we should not have delivered him up to you.”
185:2.2 (1989.5) Da Pilatus bemærkede, at de var tilbageholdende med at fremlægge deres anklager mod Jesus, selvom han vidste, at de havde diskuteret hans skyld hele natten, svarede han dem: “Når I nu ikke er blevet enige om nogen konkret anklage, hvorfor tager I så ikke denne mand og dømmer ham efter jeres egne love?”		185:2.2 (1989.5) When Pilate observed that they were reluctant to state their charges against Jesus, although he knew they had been all night engaged in deliberations regarding his guilt, he answered them: “Since you have not agreed on any definite charges, why do you not take this man and pass judgment on him in accordance with your own laws?”
185:2.3 (1989.6) Så sagde råds domstolens sekretær til Pilatus: “Det er ikke lovligt for os at slå nogen ihjel, og denne forstyrrer af vores nation er værdig til at dø for de ting, han har sagt og gjort. Derfor er vi kommet til dig for at få bekræftet dette dekret.”		185:2.3 (1989.6) Then spoke the clerk of the Sanhedrin court to Pilate: “It is not lawful for us to put any man to death, and this disturber of our nation is worthy to die for the things which he has said and done. Therefore have we come before you for confirmation of this decree.”
185:2.4 (1989.7) At domstolens rådsmedlemmer kom foran Pilatus med dette forsøg på undvigelse afslører både deres ondskab og fjendtlighed over for Jesus, såvel som deres manglende respekt for Pilatus retfærdighed, ære og værdighed. Hvilken frækhed af disse underdanige borgere at møde op hos deres provinsguvernør og bede om et henrettelsesdekret mod en mand, før de har givet ham en retfærdig rettergang og uden overhovedet at have fremsat konkrete anklager mod ham!		185:2.4 (1989.7) To come before the Roman governor with this attempt at evasion discloses both the ill-will and the ill-humor of the Sanhedrists toward Jesus as well as their lack of respect for the fairness, honor, and dignity of Pilate. What effrontery for these subject citizens to appear before their provincial governor asking for a decree of execution against a man before affording him a fair trial and without even preferring definite criminal charges against him!
185:2.5 (1990.1) Pilatus vidste noget om Jesu arbejde blandt jøderne, og han formodede, at de anklager, der kunne blive rejst mod ham, havde at gøre med overtrædelser af de jødiske kirkelove; derfor forsøgte han at sende sagen tilbage til deres egen domstol. Igen fandt Pilatus behag i at få dem til offentligt at indrømme, at de var magtesløse over for at afsige og fuldbyrde dødsdommen over selv en af deres egen race, som de var kommet til at foragte med et bittert og misundeligt had.		185:2.5 (1990.1) Pilate knew something of Jesus’ work among the Jews, and he surmised that the charges which might be brought against him had to do with infringements of the Jewish ecclesiastical laws; therefore he sought to refer the case back to their own tribunal. Again, Pilate took delight in making them publicly confess that they were powerless to pronounce and execute the death sentence upon even one of their own race whom they had come to despise with a bitter and envious hatred.
185:2.6 (1990.2) Det var et par timer tidligere, kort før midnat, og efter at han havde givet tilladelse til at bruge romerske soldater til at foretage den hemmelige arrestation af Jesus, at Pilatus havde hørt mere om Jesus og hans lære fra sin kone, Claudia, som var delvist konverteret til jødedommen, og som senere blev en fuldgyldig troende på Jesu evangelium.		185:2.6 (1990.2) It was a few hours previously, shortly before midnight and after he had granted permission to use Roman soldiers in effecting the secret arrest of Jesus, that Pilate had heard further concerning Jesus and his teaching from his wife, Claudia, who was a partial convert to Judaism, and who later on became a full-fledged believer in Jesus’ gospel.
185:2.7 (1990.3) Pilatus ville gerne have udskudt denne høring, men han så, at de jødiske ledere var fast besluttede på at gå videre med sagen. Han vidste, at dette ikke kun var formiddagen for forberedelserne til påsken, men at denne dag, som var fredag, også var forberedelsesdagen for den jødiske sabbat med hvile og tilbedelse.		185:2.7 (1990.3) Pilate would have liked to postpone this hearing, but he saw the Jewish leaders were determined to proceed with the case. He knew that this was not only the forenoon of preparation for the Passover, but that this day, being Friday, was also the preparation day for the Jewish Sabbath of rest and worship.
185:2.8 (1990.4) Pilatus, som var meget følsom over for den respektløse måde, disse jøder nærmede sig på, var ikke villig til at efterkomme deres krav om, at Jesus skulle dømmes til døden uden en retssag. Da han derfor havde ventet et øjeblik på, at de skulle fremlægge deres anklager mod fangen, vendte han sig mod dem og sagde: “Jeg vil ikke dømme denne mand til døden uden en retssag, og jeg vil heller ikke gå med til at undersøge ham, før I har fremlagt jeres anklager mod ham på skrift.”		185:2.8 (1990.4) Pilate, being keenly sensitive to the disrespectful manner of the approach of these Jews, was not willing to comply with their demands that Jesus be sentenced to death without a trial. When, therefore, he had waited a few moments for them to present their charges against the prisoner, he turned to them and said: “I will not sentence this man to death without a trial; neither will I consent to examine him until you have presented your charges against him in writing.”
185:2.9 (1990.5) Da ypperstepræsten og de andre hørte Pilatus sige dette, gav de tegn til retsskriveren, som så overrakte Pilatus de skriftlige anklager mod Jesus. Og disse anklager var:		185:2.9 (1990.5) When the high priest and the others heard Pilate say this, they signaled to the clerk of the court, who then handed to Pilate the written charges against Jesus. And these charges were:
185:2.10 (1990.6) “Vi har i den jødiske råds domstol fundet, at denne mand er en forbryder og en forstyrrer af vores folk i at han har gjort sig skyldig i:		185:2.10 (1990.6) “We find in the Sanhedrist tribunal that this man is an evildoer and a disturber of our nation in that he is guilty of:
185:2.11 (1990.7) “1. Ødelæggelse af vores nation og tilskyndelser vores folk til oprør.		185:2.11 (1990.7) “1. Perverting our nation and stirring up our people to rebellion.
185:2.12 (1990.8) “2. Forbyder folket at betale skat til kejseren.		185:2.12 (1990.8) “2. Forbidding the people to pay tribute to Caesar.
185:2.13 (1990.9) “3. Kalder sig selv jødernes konge og underviser i grundlæggelsen af et nyt rige.”		185:2.13 (1990.9) “3. Calling himself the king of the Jews and teaching the founding of a new kingdom.”
185:2.14 (1990.10) Jesus var ikke blevet retsforfulgt eller juridisk dømt for nogen af disse anklager. Han hørte ikke engang anklagerne, da de først blev fremsat, men Pilatus fik ham bragt fra prætoriet, hvor han var i vagternes varetægt, og han insisterede på, at anklagerne blev gentaget i Jesu påhør.		185:2.14 (1990.10) Jesus had not been regularly tried nor legally convicted on any of these charges. He did not even hear these charges when first stated, but Pilate had him brought from the praetorium, where he was in the keeping of the guards, and he insisted that these charges be repeated in Jesus’ hearing.
185:2.15 (1990.11) Da Jesus hørte disse anklager, vidste han godt, at han ikke var blevet hørt i disse sager for den jødiske domstol, og det samme gjorde Johannes Zebedæus og hans anklagere, men han svarede ikke på deres falske anklager. Selv da Pilatus bad ham svare sine anklagere, åbnede han ikke munden. Pilatus var så forbløffet over det uretfærdige i hele proceduren og så imponeret over Jesu tavse og mesterlige holdning, at han besluttede at tage fangen ind i salen og forhøre ham privat.		185:2.15 (1990.11) When Jesus heard these accusations, he well knew that he had not been heard on these matters before the Jewish court, and so did John Zebedee and his accusers, but he made no reply to their false charges. Even when Pilate bade him answer his accusers, he opened not his mouth. Pilate was so astonished at the unfairness of the whole proceeding and so impressed by Jesus’ silent and masterly bearing that he decided to take the prisoner inside the hall and examine him privately.
185:2.16 (1990.12) Pilatus var forvirret i sit sind, bange for jøderne i sit hjerte og stærkt oprørt i sin ånd ved synet af Jesus, der stod der i majestætisk foran sine blodtørstige anklagere og så ned på dem, ikke i tavs foragt, men med et udtryk af ægte medlidenhed og sorgfuld hengivenhed.		185:2.16 (1990.12) Pilate was confused in mind, fearful of the Jews in his heart, and mightily stirred in his spirit by the spectacle of Jesus’ standing there in majesty before his bloodthirsty accusers and gazing down on them, not in silent contempt, but with an expression of genuine pity and sorrowful affection.
3. Pilatus forhører jesus alene ^top		3. The Private Examination by Pilate ^top
185:3.1 (1991.1) Pilatus tog Jesus og Johannes Zebedæus med ind i et privat kammer, lod vagterne blive udenfor i hallen og bad fangen om at sætte sig. Han satte sig ved hans side og stillede flere spørgsmål. Pilatus begyndte sin samtale med Jesus med at forsikre ham om, at han ikke troede på den første anklage mod ham: at han var en landsforræder og en opildner til oprør. Så spurgte han: “Har du nogensinde lært, at man skal nægte at betale skat til kejseren?” Jesus pegede på Johannes og sagde: “Spørg ham eller en anden mand, som har hørt min lære.” Så udspurgte Pilatus Johannes om dette spørgsmål om skat, og Johannes vidnede om sin Mesters lære og forklarede, at Jesus og hans apostle betalte skat både til kejseren og til templet. Da Pilatus havde udspurgt Johannes, sagde han: “Se til, at du ikke fortæller nogen, at jeg har talt med dig.” Og Johannes afslørede aldrig denne sag.		185:3.1 (1991.1) Pilate took Jesus and John Zebedee into a private chamber, leaving the guards outside in the hall, and requesting the prisoner to sit down, he sat down by his side and asked several questions. Pilate began his talk with Jesus by assuring him that he did not believe the first count against him: that he was a perverter of the nation and an inciter to rebellion. Then he asked, “Did you ever teach that tribute should be refused Caesar?” Jesus, pointing to John, said, “Ask him or any other man who has heard my teaching.” Then Pilate questioned John about this matter of tribute, and John testified concerning his Master’s teaching and explained that Jesus and his apostles paid taxes both to Caesar and to the temple. When Pilate had questioned John, he said, “See that you tell no man that I talked with you.” And John never did reveal this matter.
185:3.2 (1991.2) Pilatus vendte sig derefter om for at udspørge Jesus yderligere og sagde: “Og nu til den tredje anklage mod dig: Er du jødernes konge?” Da der var en tone af muligvis oprigtig forespørgsel i Pilatus stemme, smilede Jesus til anklageren og sagde: “Pilatus, spørger du om dette for dig selv, eller tager du dette spørgsmål fra disse andre, mine anklagere?” Hvorpå guvernøren svarede i en tone af delvis forargelse: “Er jeg jøde? Dit eget folk og ypperstepræsterne udleverede dig og bad mig om at dømme dig til døden. Jeg betvivler gyldigheden af deres anklager og forsøger blot selv at finde ud af, hvad du har gjort. Sig mig, har du sagt, at du er jødernes konge, og har du forsøgt at grundlægge et nyt rige?”		185:3.2 (1991.2) Pilate then turned around to question Jesus further, saying: “And now about the third accusation against you, are you the king of the Jews?” Since there was a tone of possibly sincere inquiry in Pilate’s voice, Jesus smiled on the procurator and said: “Pilate, do you ask this for yourself, or do you take this question from these others, my accusers?” Whereupon, in a tone of partial indignation, the governor answered: “Am I a Jew? Your own people and the chief priests delivered you up and asked me to sentence you to death. I question the validity of their charges and am only trying to find out for myself what you have done. Tell me, have you said that you are the king of the Jews, and have you sought to found a new kingdom?”
185:3.3 (1991.3) Da sagde Jesus til Pilatus: “Forstår du ikke, at mit rige ikke er af denne verden? Hvis mit rige var af denne verden, ville mine disciple helt sikkert kæmpe for, at jeg ikke skulle overgives i jødernes hænder. Min tilstedeværelse her foran jer i disse bånd er tilstrækkelig til at vise alle mennesker, at mit rige er et åndeligt herredømme, selv broderskabet mellem mennesker, der gennem tro og ved kærlighed er blevet Guds sønner. Og denne frelse er for ikke-jøder såvel som for jøder.”		185:3.3 (1991.3) Then said Jesus to Pilate: “Do you not perceive that my kingdom is not of this world? If my kingdom were of this world, surely would my disciples fight that I should not be delivered into the hands of the Jews. My presence here before you in these bonds is sufficient to show all men that my kingdom is a spiritual dominion, even the brotherhood of men who, through faith and by love, have become the sons of God. And this salvation is for the gentile as well as for the Jew.”
185:3.4 (1991.4) “Så er du alligevel en konge?” sagde Pilatus. Og Jesus svarede: “Ja, jeg er en sådan konge, og mit rige er familien af troende sønner af min far, som er i himlen. Derfor blev jeg født til denne verden, for at jeg skulle vise min Fader for alle mennesker og vidne om Guds sandhed. Og allerede nu forkynder jeg jer, at enhver, der elsker sandheden, hører min røst.”		185:3.4 (1991.4) “Then you are a king after all?” said Pilate. And Jesus answered: “Yes, I am such a king, and my kingdom is the family of the faith sons of my Father who is in heaven. For this purpose was I born into this world, even that I should show my Father to all men and bear witness to the truth of God. And even now do I declare to you that every one who loves the truth hears my voice.”
185:3.5 (1991.5) Så sagde Pilatus, halvt i latterliggørelse og halvt i oprigtighed: “Sandhed, hvad er sandhed—hvem ved det?”		185:3.5 (1991.5) Then said Pilate, half in ridicule and half in sincerity, “Truth, what is truth—who knows?”
185:3.6 (1991.6) Pilatus var ikke i stand til at fatte Jesu ord, og han var heller ikke i stand til at forstå arten af hans åndelige rige, men han var nu sikker på, at fangen ikke havde gjort noget, der var døden værdig. Et blik på Jesus, ansigt til ansigt, var nok til at overbevise selv Pilatus om, at denne blide og trætte, men majestætiske og retskafne mand ikke var en vild og farlig revolutionær, der stræbte efter at etablere sig på Israels verdslige trone. Pilatus troede, at han forstod noget af, hvad Jesus mente, da han kaldte sig selv en konge, for han var bekendt med stoikernes lære, som erklærede, at “den kloge mand er konge” Pilatus var helt overbevist om, at Jesus i stedet for at være en farlig oprørsmager var hverken mere eller mindre end en harmløs visionær, en uskyldig fanatiker.		185:3.6 (1991.6) Pilate was not able to fathom Jesus’ words, nor was he able to understand the nature of his spiritual kingdom, but he was now certain that the prisoner had done nothing worthy of death. One look at Jesus, face to face, was enough to convince even Pilate that this gentle and weary, but majestic and upright, man was no wild and dangerous revolutionary who aspired to establish himself on the temporal throne of Israel. Pilate thought he understood something of what Jesus meant when he called himself a king, for he was familiar with the teachings of the Stoics, who declared that “the wise man is king.” Pilate was thoroughly convinced that, instead of being a dangerous seditionmonger, Jesus was nothing more or less than a harmless visionary, an innocent fanatic.
185:3.7 (1991.7) Efter at have afhørt Mesteren gik Pilatus tilbage til ypperstepræsterne og Jesu anklagere og sagde: “Jeg har undersøgt denne mand, og jeg finder ingen fejl ved ham. Jeg tror ikke, han er skyldig i de anklager, I har rejst mod ham; jeg synes, han skal sættes fri.” Da jøderne hørte det, blev de så vrede, at de råbte, at Jesus skulle dø, og en af rådsmedlemmerne trådte modigt op ved siden af Pilatus og sagde: “Denne mand ophidser folket, fra Galilæa til hele Judæa. Han er en ballademager og en forbryder. Du vil fortryde det længe, hvis du lader denne ugudelige mand gå fri.”		185:3.7 (1991.7) After questioning the Master, Pilate went back to the chief priests and the accusers of Jesus and said: “I have examined this man, and I find no fault in him. I do not think he is guilty of the charges you have made against him; I think he ought to be set free.” And when the Jews heard this, they were moved with great anger, so much so that they wildly shouted that Jesus should die; and one of the Sanhedrists boldly stepped up by the side of Pilate, saying: “This man stirs up the people, beginning in Galilee and continuing throughout all Judea. He is a mischief-maker and an evildoer. You will long regret it if you let this wicked man go free.”
185:3.8 (1992.1) Pilatus havde svært ved at vide, hvad han skulle stille op med Jesus, og da han hørte dem sige, at han begyndte sit arbejde i Galilæa, tænkte han på at undgå ansvaret for at afgøre sagen, i det mindste for at få tid til at tænke sig om, ved at sende Jesus til Herodes, som på det tidspunkt var i byen for at deltage i påsken. Pilatus mente også, at denne gestus ville hjælpe med at modvirke nogle af de bitre følelser, som i nogen tid havde eksisteret mellem ham og Herodes på grund af adskillige misforståelser om jurisdiktionsspørgsmål.		185:3.8 (1992.1) Pilate was hard pressed to know what to do with Jesus; therefore, when he heard them say that he began his work in Galilee, he thought to avoid the responsibility of deciding the case, at least to gain time for thought, by sending Jesus to appear before Herod, who was then in the city attending the Passover. Pilate also thought that this gesture would help to antidote some of the bitter feeling which had existed for some time between himself and Herod, due to numerous misunderstandings over matters of jurisdiction.
185:3.9 (1992.2) Pilatus kaldte på vagterne og sagde: “Denne mand er galilæer. Før ham straks til Herodes, og når han har undersøgt ham, skal han rapportere sine resultater til mig.” Og de førte Jesus til Herodes.		185:3.9 (1992.2) Pilate, calling the guards, said: “This man is a Galilean. Take him forthwith to Herod, and when he has examined him, report his findings to me.” And they took Jesus to Herod.
4. Jesus foran herodes ^top		4. Jesus Before Herod ^top
185:4.1 (1992.3) Da Herodes Antipas stoppede i Jerusalem, boede han i Herodes den Stores gamle makkabæiske palads, og det var til denne tidligere konges hjem, at Jesus nu blev ført af tempelvagterne, og han blev fulgt af sine anklagere og en voksende menneskemængde. Herodes havde længe hørt om Jesus, og han var meget nysgerrig omkring ham. Da Menneskesønnen stod foran ham denne fredag morgen, mindedes den onde idumæer ikke et øjeblik den dreng, der tidligere havde stået foran ham i Sepphoris og bedt om en retfærdig afgørelse vedrørende de penge, hans far havde til gode, og som var blevet dræbt ved et uheld, mens han arbejdede på en af de offentlige bygninger. Så vidt Herodes vidste, havde han aldrig set Jesus, selvom han havde bekymret sig meget om ham, da hans arbejde havde været centreret i Galilæa. Nu, hvor han var i Pilatus’ og judæernes varetægt, ønskede Herodes at se ham og føle sig sikker på, at han ikke ville skabe problemer for ham i fremtiden. Herodes havde hørt meget om de mirakler, Jesus havde udført, og han håbede virkelig at se ham gøre nogle undere.		185:4.1 (1992.3) When Herod Antipas stopped in Jerusalem, he dwelt in the old Maccabean palace of Herod the Great, and it was to this home of the former king that Jesus was now taken by the temple guards, and he was followed by his accusers and an increasing multitude. Herod had long heard of Jesus, and he was very curious about him. When the Son of Man stood before him, on this Friday morning, the wicked Idumean never for one moment recalled the lad of former years who had appeared before him in Sepphoris pleading for a just decision regarding the money due his father, who had been accidentally killed while at work on one of the public buildings. As far as Herod knew, he had never seen Jesus, although he had worried a great deal about him when his work had been centered in Galilee. Now that he was in custody of Pilate and the Judeans, Herod was desirous of seeing him, feeling secure against any trouble from him in the future. Herod had heard much about the miracles wrought by Jesus, and he really hoped to see him do some wonder.
185:4.2 (1992.4) Da de førte Jesus frem for Herodes, blev statholderen forskrækket over hans statelige fremtoning og hans rolige ansigtsudtryk. I et kvarters tid stillede Herodes Jesus spørgsmål, men Mesteren ville ikke svare. Herodes hånede ham og udfordrede ham til at udføre et mirakel, men Jesus ville ikke svare på hans mange spørgsmål eller reagere på hans hån.		185:4.2 (1992.4) When they brought Jesus before Herod, the tetrarch was startled by his stately appearance and the calm composure of his countenance. For some fifteen minutes Herod asked Jesus questions, but the Master would not answer. Herod taunted and dared him to perform a miracle, but Jesus would not reply to his many inquiries or respond to his taunts.
185:4.3 (1992.5) Så henvendte Herodes sig til ypperstepræsterne og saddukæerne, og da han lyttede til deres beskyldninger, hørte han alt og mere end Pilatus havde lyttet til om Menneskesønnens påståede onde handlinger. Til sidst var Herodes overbevist om, at Jesus hverken ville tale eller udføre et under for ham, og efter at have gjort grin med ham et stykke tid, iklædte han ham en gammel purpurfarvet kongelig kappe og sendte ham tilbage til Pilatus. Herodes vidste, at han ikke havde nogen jurisdiktion over Jesus i Judæa. Selvom han var glad for at tro, at han endelig kunne slippe af med Jesus i Galilæa, var han taknemmelig for, at det var Pilatus, der havde ansvaret for at slå ham ihjel. Herodes var aldrig kommet sig helt over den frygt, der forbandede ham, da han dræbte Johannes Døberen. Herodes havde på visse tidspunkter endda frygtet, at Jesus var Johannes, der var genopstået fra de døde. Nu blev han befriet for den frygt, da han så, at Jesus var en helt anden slags person end den åbenhjertige og brændende profet, som vovede at afsløre og anklage hans privatliv.		185:4.3 (1992.5) Then Herod turned to the chief priests and the Sadducees and, giving ear to their accusations, heard all and more than Pilate had listened to regarding the alleged evil doings of the Son of Man. Finally, being convinced that Jesus would neither talk nor perform a wonder for him, Herod, after making fun of him for a time, arrayed him in an old purple royal robe and sent him back to Pilate. Herod knew he had no jurisdiction over Jesus in Judea. Though he was glad to believe that he was finally to be rid of Jesus in Galilee, he was thankful that it was Pilate who had the responsibility of putting him to death. Herod never had fully recovered from the fear that cursed him as a result of killing John the Baptist. Herod had at certain times even feared that Jesus was John risen from the dead. Now he was relieved of that fear since he observed that Jesus was a very different sort of person from the outspoken and fiery prophet who dared to expose and denounce his private life.
5. Jesus vender tilbage til pilatus ^top		5. Jesus Returns to Pilate ^top
185:5.1 (1993.1) Da vagterne havde bragt Jesus tilbage til Pilatus, gik han ud på fortrappen til prætoriet, hvor hans dommersæde var blevet placeret, og kaldte ypperstepræsterne og rådsmedlemmerne sammen og sagde til dem: “I førte denne mand frem for mig med anklager om, at han fordrejer folket, forbyder skattebetaling og hævder at være jødernes konge. Jeg har undersøgt ham og kan ikke finde ham skyldig i disse anklager. Faktisk finder jeg ingen fejl ved ham. Så sendte jeg ham til Herodes, og tetrarken må være nået til samme konklusion, siden han har sendt ham tilbage til os. Denne mand har bestemt ikke gjort noget, der er døden værdig. Hvis du stadig mener, at han skal disciplineres, er jeg villig til at tugte ham, før jeg løslader ham.”		185:5.1 (1993.1) When the guards had brought Jesus back to Pilate, he went out on the front steps of the praetorium, where his judgment seat had been placed, and calling together the chief priests and Sanhedrists, said to them: “You brought this man before me with charges that he perverts the people, forbids the payment of taxes, and claims to be king of the Jews. I have examined him and fail to find him guilty of these charges. In fact, I find no fault in him. Then I sent him to Herod, and the tetrarch must have reached the same conclusion since he has sent him back to us. Certainly, nothing worthy of death has been done by this man. If you still think he needs to be disciplined, I am willing to chastise him before I release him.”
185:5.2 (1993.2) Netop som jøderne skulle til at råbe deres protester mod løsladelsen af Jesus, kom en stor menneskemængde marcherende op til prætoriet med det formål at bede Pilatus om løsladelse af en fange til ære for påskefesten. I nogen tid havde det været de romerske guvernørers skik at lade befolkningen vælge en fængslet eller dødsdømt mand til benådning i forbindelse med påsken. Og nu, hvor denne skare var kommet til ham for at bede om løsladelse af en fange, og eftersom Jesus for nylig havde været i stor gunst hos folkemængden, faldt det Pilatus ind, at han muligvis kunne redde sig ud af sin knibe ved at foreslå denne gruppe, at han, eftersom Jesus nu var en fange foran hans dommersæde, løslod denne mand fra Galilæa som tegn på påskens gode vilje.		185:5.2 (1993.2) Just as the Jews were about to engage in shouting their protests against the release of Jesus, a vast crowd came marching up to the praetorium for the purpose of asking Pilate for the release of a prisoner in honor of the Passover feast. For some time it had been the custom of the Roman governors to allow the populace to choose some imprisoned or condemned man for pardon at the time of the Passover. And now that this crowd had come before him to ask for the release of a prisoner, and since Jesus had so recently been in great favor with the multitudes, it occurred to Pilate that he might possibly extricate himself from his predicament by proposing to this group that, since Jesus was now a prisoner before his judgment seat, he release to them this man of Galilee as the token of Passover good will.
185:5.3 (1993.3) Da folkemængden strømmede op ad bygningens trapper, hørte Pilatus dem råbe navnet på en vis Barabbas. Barabbas var en kendt politisk agitator og morderisk røver, søn af en præst, som for nylig var blevet pågrebet for røveri og mord på vejen til Jeriko. Denne mand var dømt til at dø, så snart påskefestlighederne var overstået.		185:5.3 (1993.3) As the crowd surged up on the steps of the building, Pilate heard them calling out the name of one Barabbas. Barabbas was a noted political agitator and murderous robber, the son of a priest, who had recently been apprehended in the act of robbery and murder on the Jericho road. This man was under sentence to die as soon as the Passover festivities were over.
185:5.4 (1993.4) Pilatus rejste sig og forklarede folkemængden, at Jesus var blevet bragt til ham af ypperstepræsterne, som ville have ham dræbt på grund af visse anklager, og at han ikke mente, at manden var værdig til at dø. Pilatus sagde: “Hvem vil du så helst have, at jeg skal løslade til dig, denne Barabbas, morderen, eller denne Jesus fra Galilæa?” Og da Pilatus havde talt således, råbte ypperstepræsterne og Sanhedrinets rådsherrer alle af deres lungers fulde kraft: “Barabbas, Barabbas!” Og da folket så, at ypperstepræsterne var indstillet på at få Jesus henrettet, sluttede de sig hurtigt til råbet for hans liv, mens de højlydt råbte på løsladelse af Barabbas.		185:5.4 (1993.4) Pilate stood up and explained to the crowd that Jesus had been brought to him by the chief priests, who sought to have him put to death on certain charges, and that he did not think the man was worthy of death. Said Pilate: “Which, therefore, would you prefer that I release to you, this Barabbas, the murderer, or this Jesus of Galilee?” And when Pilate had thus spoken, the chief priests and the Sanhedrin councilors all shouted at the top of their voices, “Barabbas, Barabbas!” And when the people saw that the chief priests were minded to have Jesus put to death, they quickly joined in the clamor for his life while they loudly shouted for the release of Barabbas.
185:5.5 (1993.5) Et par dage forinden havde folkemængden stået i ærefrygt for Jesus, men pøblen så ikke op til en, der, efter at have hævdet at være Guds Søn, nu befandt sig i ypperstepræsternes og herskernes varetægt og på anklagebænken for Pilatus for sit liv. Jesus kunne være en helt i folkets øjne, når han drev pengevekslerne og de handlende ud af templet, men ikke når han var en modstandsløs fange i sine fjenders hænder og på anklagebænken for sit liv.		185:5.5 (1993.5) A few days before this the multitude had stood in awe of Jesus, but the mob did not look up to one who, having claimed to be the Son of God, now found himself in the custody of the chief priests and the rulers and on trial before Pilate for his life. Jesus could be a hero in the eyes of the populace when he was driving the money-changers and the traders out of the temple, but not when he was a nonresisting prisoner in the hands of his enemies and on trial for his life.
185:5.6 (1993.6) Pilatus blev vred ved synet af ypperstepræsterne, der råbte på benådning af en berygtet morder, mens de råbte på Jesu blod. Han så deres ondskab og had og opfattede deres fordomme og misundelse. Derfor sagde han til dem: “Hvordan kan I vælge en morders liv frem for denne mands, hvis værste forbrydelse er, at han i overført betydning kalder sig jødernes konge?” Men det var ikke en klog udtalelse af Pilatus. Jøderne var et stolt folk, som nu var underlagt det romerske politiske åg, men som håbede på, at der ville komme en Messias, som ville befri dem fra ikke-jødisk slaveri med et stort show af magt og ære. De tog det mere ilde op, end Pilatus kunne vide, at denne ydmyge lærer af mærkelige doktriner, som nu var arresteret og anklaget for forbrydelser, der var døden værd, skulle omtales som “jødernes konge.” De opfattede en sådan bemærkning som en fornærmelse mod alt, hvad de holdt for helligt og ærefuldt i deres nationale eksistens, og derfor udstødte de alle deres mægtige råb om Barabbas’s løsladelse og Jesus død.		185:5.6 (1993.6) Pilate was angered at the sight of the chief priests clamoring for the pardon of a notorious murderer while they shouted for the blood of Jesus. He saw their malice and hatred and perceived their prejudice and envy. Therefore he said to them: “How could you choose the life of a murderer in preference to this man’s whose worst crime is that he figuratively calls himself the king of the Jews?” But this was not a wise statement for Pilate to make. The Jews were a proud people, now subject to the Roman political yoke but hoping for the coming of a Messiah who would deliver them from gentile bondage with a great show of power and glory. They resented, more than Pilate could know, the intimation that this meek-mannered teacher of strange doctrines, now under arrest and charged with crimes worthy of death, should be referred to as “the king of the Jews.” They looked upon such a remark as an insult to everything which they held sacred and honorable in their national existence, and therefore did they all let loose their mighty shouts for Barabbas’s release and Jesus’ death.
185:5.7 (1994.1) Pilatus vidste, at Jesus var uskyldig i anklagerne mod ham, og hvis han havde været en retfærdig og modig dommer, ville han have frikendt ham og sluppet ham fri. Men han var bange for at trodse de vrede jøder, og mens han tøvede med at gøre sin pligt, kom en budbringer op og overrakte ham en forseglet besked fra hans kone, Claudia.		185:5.7 (1994.1) Pilate knew Jesus was innocent of the charges brought against him, and had he been a just and courageous judge, he would have acquitted him and turned him loose. But he was afraid to defy these angry Jews, and while he hesitated to do his duty, a messenger came up and presented him with a sealed message from his wife, Claudia.
185:5.8 (1994.2) Pilatus antydede over for de forsamlede, at han ønskede at læse den meddelelse, han netop havde modtaget, før han gik videre med den sag, han havde foran sig. Da Pilatus åbnede dette brev fra sin kone, læste han: “Jeg beder dig om ikke at have noget at gøre med denne uskyldige og retfærdige mand, som de kalder Jesus. Jeg har lidt mange ting i en drøm i nat på grund af ham.” Dette brev fra Claudia gjorde ikke kun Pilatus meget oprørt og forsinkede dermed afgørelsen af denne sag, men det gav desværre også de jødiske magthavere lang tid til at cirkulere frit blandt folkemængden og opfordre folk til at kræve Barabbas løsladt og råbe på korsfæstelse af Jesus.		185:5.8 (1994.2) Pilate indicated to those assembled before him that he wished to read the communication which he had just received before he proceeded further with the matter before him. When Pilate opened this letter from his wife, he read: “I pray you have nothing to do with this innocent and just man whom they call Jesus. I have suffered many things in a dream this night because of him.” This note from Claudia not only greatly upset Pilate and thereby delayed the adjudication of this matter, but it unfortunately also provided considerable time in which the Jewish rulers freely circulated among the crowd and urged the people to call for the release of Barabbas and to clamor for the crucifixion of Jesus.
185:5.9 (1994.3) Til sidst vendte Pilatus sig endnu en gang mod løsningen af det problem, han stod over for, ved at spørge den blandede forsamling af jødiske herskere og den benådningssøgende folkemængde: “Hvad skal jeg gøre med ham, der kaldes jødernes konge?” Og de råbte alle sammen i kor: “Korsfæst ham! Korsfæst ham!” Det enstemmige krav fra den blandede folkemængde skræmte og foruroligede Pilatus, den uretfærdige og frygtsomme dommer.		185:5.9 (1994.3) Finally, Pilate addressed himself once more to the solution of the problem which confronted him, by asking the mixed assembly of Jewish rulers and the pardon-seeking crowd, “What shall I do with him who is called the king of the Jews?” And they all shouted with one accord, “Crucify him! Crucify him!” The unanimity of this demand from the mixed multitude startled and alarmed Pilate, the unjust and fear-ridden judge.
185:5.10 (1994.4) Så sagde Pilatus endnu en gang: “Hvorfor vil du korsfæste denne mand? Hvad ondt har han gjort? Hvem vil stå frem og vidne mod ham?” Men da de hørte Pilatus tale til forsvar for Jesus, råbte de kun endnu mere: “Korsfæst ham! Korsfæst ham!”		185:5.10 (1994.4) Then once more Pilate said: “Why would you crucify this man? What evil has he done? Who will come forward to testify against him?” But when they heard Pilate speak in defense of Jesus, they only cried out all the more, “Crucify him! Crucify him!”
185:5.11 (1994.5) Så appellerede Pilatus igen til dem angående løsladelsen af påskefangen og sagde: “Endnu en gang spørger jeg jer: Hvem af disse fanger skal jeg løslade til jer i denne, jeres påsketid?” Og igen råbte folkemængden: “Giv os Barabbas!”		185:5.11 (1994.5) Then again Pilate appealed to them regarding the release of the Passover prisoner, saying: “Once more I ask you, which of these prisoners shall I release to you at this, your Passover time?” And again the crowd shouted, “Give us Barabbas!”
185:5.12 (1994.6) Da sagde Pilatus: “Hvis jeg løslader morderen Barabbas, hvad skal jeg så gøre med Jesus?” Og endnu en gang råbte folkemængden i kor: “Korsfæst ham! Korsfæst ham!”		185:5.12 (1994.6) Then said Pilate: “If I release the murderer, Barabbas, what shall I do with Jesus?” And once more the multitude shouted in unison, “Crucify him! Crucify him!”
185:5.13 (1994.7) Pilatus blev terroriseret af pøbelens insisterende råb, og handlede under direkte ledelse af ypperstepræsterne og rådsherrerne i Sanhedrinen; ikke desto mindre besluttede han sig for mindst endnu et forsøg på at formilde folkemængden og redde Jesus.		185:5.13 (1994.7) Pilate was terrorized by the insistent clamor of the mob, acting under the direct leadership of the chief priests and the councilors of the Sanhedrin; nevertheless, he decided upon at least one more attempt to appease the crowd and save Jesus.
6. Pilatus sidste appel ^top		6. Pilate’s Last Appeal ^top
185:6.1 (1994.8) I alt det, der foregår tidligt denne fredag morgen foran Pilatus, er det kun Jesu fjender, der deltager. Hans mange venner kender enten endnu ikke til hans natlige arrestation og retssag tidligt om morgenen eller gemmer sig for ikke også at blive pågrebet og dømt værdige til døden, fordi de tror på Jesu lære. I den skare, der nu råber på Mesterens død, finder man kun hans svorne fjender og den letledte og tankeløse folkemængde.		185:6.1 (1994.8) In all that is transpiring early this Friday morning before Pilate, only the enemies of Jesus are participating. His many friends either do not yet know of his night arrest and early morning trial or are in hiding lest they also be apprehended and adjudged worthy of death because they believe Jesus’ teachings. In the multitude which now clamors for the Master’s death are to be found only his sworn enemies and the easily led and unthinking populace.
185:6.2 (1995.1) Pilatus appellerede en sidste gang til deres medlidenhed. Da han var bange for at trodse denne vildledte pøbel, som råbte på Jesu blod, beordrede han de jødiske vagter og de romerske soldater til at tage Jesus og piske ham. Dette var i sig selv en uretfærdig og ulovlig procedure, da den romerske lov foreskrev, at kun de, der var dømt til at dø ved korsfæstelse, skulle piskes på denne måde. Vagterne førte Jesus ind i den åbne gård i prætoriet til denne prøvelse. Selvom hans fjender ikke var vidner til piskningen, var Pilatus det, og før de var færdige med denne onde mishandling, bad han piskefolkene om at holde op og sagde, at Jesus skulle føres hen til ham. Før piskemændene lagde deres knyttede piske på Jesus, mens han var bundet til piskepælen, gav de ham igen den purpurfarvede kappe på, og de flettede en tornekrone og satte den på hans pande. Og da de havde lagt et siv i hans hånd som et falsk scepter, knælede de foran ham og hånede ham og sagde: “Hil dig, jødernes konge!” Og de spyttede på ham og slog ham i ansigtet med deres hænder. Og en af dem, før de gav ham tilbage til Pilatus, tog sivrøret ud af hans hånd og slog ham i hovedet.		185:6.2 (1995.1) Pilate would make one last appeal to their pity. Being afraid to defy the clamor of this misled mob who cried for the blood of Jesus, he ordered the Jewish guards and the Roman soldiers to take Jesus and scourge him. This was in itself an unjust and illegal procedure since the Roman law provided that only those condemned to die by crucifixion should be thus subjected to scourging. The guards took Jesus into the open courtyard of the praetorium for this ordeal. Though his enemies did not witness this scourging, Pilate did, and before they had finished this wicked abuse, he directed the scourgers to desist and indicated that Jesus should be brought to him. Before the scourgers laid their knotted whips upon Jesus as he was bound to the whipping post, they again put upon him the purple robe, and plaiting a crown of thorns, they placed it upon his brow. And when they had put a reed in his hand as a mock scepter, they knelt before him and mocked him, saying, “Hail, king of the Jews!” And they spit upon him and struck him in the face with their hands. And one of them, before they returned him to Pilate, took the reed from his hand and struck him upon the head.
185:6.3 (1995.2) Så førte Pilatus den blødende og sønderrevne fange ud og præsenterede ham for den blandede folkemængde og sagde: “Se den mand! Igen erklærer jeg jer, at jeg ikke finder nogen forbrydelse i ham, og efter at have pisket ham, vil jeg løslade ham.”		185:6.3 (1995.2) Then Pilate led forth this bleeding and lacerated prisoner and, presenting him before the mixed multitude, said: “Behold the man! Again I declare to you that I find no crime in him, and having scourged him, I would release him.”
185:6.4 (1995.3) Der stod Jesus af Nazaret, klædt i en gammel purpurfarvet kongekåbe med en tornekrone, der gennemborede hans venlige pande. Hans ansigt var blodplettet, og hans skikkelse var bøjet af lidelse og sorg. Men intet kan appellere til de ufølsomme hjerter hos dem, der er ofre for intenst følelsesmæssigt had og slaver af religiøse fordomme. Dette syn sendte en mægtig gysen gennem et enormt univers, men det rørte ikke hjerterne hos dem, der havde sat sig for at tilintetgøre Jesus.		185:6.4 (1995.3) There stood Jesus of Nazareth, clothed in an old purple royal robe with a crown of thorns piercing his kindly brow. His face was bloodstained and his form bowed down with suffering and grief. But nothing can appeal to the unfeeling hearts of those who are victims of intense emotional hatred and slaves to religious prejudice. This sight sent a mighty shudder through the realms of a vast universe, but it did not touch the hearts of those who had set their minds to effect the destruction of Jesus.
185:6.5 (1995.4) Da de var kommet sig over det første chok over at se Mesterens situation, råbte de kun højere og længere: “Korsfæst ham! Korsfæst ham! Korsfæst ham!”		185:6.5 (1995.4) When they had recovered from the first shock of seeing the Master’s plight, they only shouted the louder and the longer, “Crucify him! Crucify him! Crucify him!”
185:6.6 (1995.5) Og nu forstod Pilatus, at det var nytteløst at appellere til deres formodede medlidenhedsfølelser. Han trådte frem og sagde: “Jeg kan se, at I er fast besluttet på, at denne mand skal dø, men hvad har han gjort for at fortjene døden? Hvem vil erklære hans forbrydelse?”		185:6.6 (1995.5) And now did Pilate comprehend that it was futile to appeal to their supposed feelings of pity. He stepped forward and said: “I perceive that you are determined this man shall die, but what has he done to deserve death? Who will declare his crime?”
185:6.7 (1995.6) Så trådte ypperstepræsten selv frem og gik hen til Pilatus og erklærede vredt: “Vi har en hellig lov, og ifølge den lov skal denne mand dø, fordi han udgav sig for at være Guds søn.” Da Pilatus hørte dette, blev han endnu mere bange, ikke kun for jøderne, men han huskede sin kones besked og den græske mytologi om guderne, der kom ned på jorden, og han rystede nu ved tanken om, at Jesus muligvis var en guddommelig person. Han vinkede til folkemængden, at de skulle holde sig i ro, mens han tog Jesus i armen og igen førte ham ind i bygningen, så han kunne undersøge ham nærmere. Pilatus var nu forvirret af frygt, forvirret af overtro og chikaneret af pøbelens stædige holdning.		185:6.7 (1995.6) Then the high priest himself stepped forward and, going up to Pilate, angrily declared: “We have a sacred law, and by that law this man ought to die because he made himself out to be the Son of God.” When Pilate heard this, he was all the more afraid, not only of the Jews, but recalling his wife’s note and the Greek mythology of the gods coming down on earth, he now trembled at the thought of Jesus possibly being a divine personage. He waved to the crowd to hold its peace while he took Jesus by the arm and again led him inside the building that he might further examine him. Pilate was now confused by fear, bewildered by superstition, and harassed by the stubborn attitude of the mob.
7. Pilatus sidste samtale med jesus ^top		7. Pilate’s Last Interview ^top
185:7.1 (1995.7) Da Pilatus, rystende af frygt, satte sig ved siden af Jesus, spurgte han: “Hvor kommer du fra? Hvem er du i virkeligheden? Hvad er det, de siger, at du er Guds søn?”		185:7.1 (1995.7) As Pilate, trembling with fearful emotion, sat down by the side of Jesus, he inquired: “Where do you come from? Really, who are you? What is this they say, that you are the Son of God?”
185:7.2 (1996.1) Men Jesus kunne næppe svare på sådanne spørgsmål, når de blev stillet af en menneskefrygtig, svag og vaklende dommer, der var så uretfærdig, at han lod ham piske, selv om han havde erklæret ham uskyldig i alle forbrydelser, og før han var blevet behørigt dømt til at dø. Jesus så Pilatus lige ind i ansigtet, men han svarede ham ikke. Så sagde Pilatus: “Nægter du at tale med mig? Er du ikke klar over, at jeg stadig har magt til at løslade dig eller korsfæste dig?” Så sagde Jesus: “Du kunne ikke have magt over mig, medmindre det var tilladt fra oven. Du kunne ikke udøve nogen autoritet over Menneskesønnen, medmindre Faderen i himlen tillod det. Men I er ikke så skyldige, eftersom I er uvidende om evangeliet. Ham, der forrådte mig, og ham, der udleverede mig til jer, de har den største synd.”		185:7.2 (1996.1) But Jesus could hardly answer such questions when asked by a man-fearing, weak, and vacillating judge who was so unjust as to subject him to flogging even when he had declared him innocent of all crime, and before he had been duly sentenced to die. Jesus looked Pilate straight in the face, but he did not answer him. Then said Pilate: “Do you refuse to speak to me? Do you not realize that I still have power to release you or to crucify you?” Then said Jesus: “You could have no power over me except it were permitted from above. You could exercise no authority over the Son of Man unless the Father in heaven allowed it. But you are not so guilty since you are ignorant of the gospel. He who betrayed me and he who delivered me to you, they have the greater sin.”
185:7.3 (1996.2) Denne sidste samtale med Jesus skræmte Pilatus grundigt. Denne moralske kujon og juridiske svækling arbejdede nu under den dobbelte vægt af den overtroiske frygt for Jesus og den dødelige frygt for de jødiske ledere.		185:7.3 (1996.2) This last talk with Jesus thoroughly frightened Pilate. This moral coward and judicial weakling now labored under the double weight of the superstitious fear of Jesus and mortal dread of the Jewish leaders.
185:7.4 (1996.3) Pilatus trådte igen frem for folkemængden og sagde: “Jeg er sikker på, at denne mand kun er en religiøs lovovertræder. I bør tage ham og dømme ham efter jeres lov. Hvorfor skulle I forvente, at jeg ville gå med til hans død, fordi han har overtrådt jeres traditioner?”		185:7.4 (1996.3) Again Pilate appeared before the crowd, saying: “I am certain this man is only a religious offender. You should take him and judge him by your law. Why should you expect that I would consent to his death because he has clashed with your traditions?”
185:7.5 (1996.4) Pilatus var lige ved at frigive Jesus, da Kajfas, ypperstepræsten, nærmede sig den feje romerske dommer og rystede en hævnende finger i Pilatus’ ansigt og sagde med vrede ord, som hele folkemængden kunne høre: “Hvis du løslader denne mand, er du ikke kejserens ven, og jeg vil sørge for, at kejseren får alt at vide.” Denne offentlige trussel var for meget for Pilatus. Frygten for hans personlige skæbne overskyggede nu alle andre overvejelser, og den kujonagtige guvernør beordrede Jesus ført ud foran dommersædet. Da Mesteren stod der foran dem, pegede han på ham og sagde hånligt: “Her er jeres konge” Og jøderne svarede: “Væk med ham. Korsfæst ham!” Og så sagde Pilatus med megen ironi og sarkasme: “Skal jeg korsfæste jeres konge?” Og jøderne svarede: “Ja, korsfæst ham! Vi har ingen anden konge end kejseren.” Og så indså Pilatus, at der ikke var noget håb om at redde Jesus, eftersom han ikke var villig til at trodse jøderne.		185:7.5 (1996.4) Pilate was just about ready to release Jesus when Caiaphas, the high priest, approached the cowardly Roman judge and, shaking an avenging finger in Pilate’s face, said with angry words which the entire multitude could hear: “If you release this man, you are not Caesar’s friend, and I will see that the emperor knows all.” This public threat was too much for Pilate. Fear for his personal fortunes now eclipsed all other considerations, and the cowardly governor ordered Jesus brought out before the judgment seat. As the Master stood there before them, he pointed to him and tauntingly said, “Behold your king.” And the Jews answered, “Away with him. Crucify him!” And then Pilate said, with much irony and sarcasm, “Shall I crucify your king?” And the Jews answered, “Yes, crucify him! We have no king but Caesar.” And then did Pilate realize that there was no hope of saving Jesus since he was unwilling to defy the Jews.
8. Pilatus tragiske kapitulation ^top		8. Pilate’s Tragic Surrender ^top
185:8.1 (1996.5) Her stod Guds Søn inkarneret som Menneskesønnen. Han blev arresteret uden anklage; anklaget uden beviser; dømt uden vidner; straffet uden dom; og nu skulle han snart dømmes til døden af en uretfærdig dommer, som indrømmede, at han ikke kunne finde nogen fejl ved ham. Hvis Pilatus havde tænkt sig at appellere til deres patriotisme ved at omtale Jesus som “jødernes konge,” fejlede han fuldstændigt. Jøderne forventede ikke en sådan konge. Ypperstepræsternes og saddukæernes erklæring: “Vi har ingen anden konge end kejseren,” var et chok selv for den ureflekterede befolkning, men det var for sent nu at redde Jesus, selv hvis pøbelen havde vovet at støtte Mesterens sag.		185:8.1 (1996.5) Here stood the Son of God incarnate as the Son of Man. He was arrested without indictment; accused without evidence; adjudged without witnesses; punished without a verdict; and now was soon to be condemned to die by an unjust judge who confessed that he could find no fault in him. If Pilate had thought to appeal to their patriotism by referring to Jesus as the “king of the Jews,” he utterly failed. The Jews were not expecting any such a king. The declaration of the chief priests and the Sadducees, “We have no king but Caesar,” was a shock even to the unthinking populace, but it was too late now to save Jesus even had the mob dared to espouse the Master’s cause.
185:8.2 (1996.6) Pilatus var bange for tumult eller oprør. Han turde ikke risikere, at der opstod en sådan uro under påsken i Jerusalem. Han havde for nylig fået en reprimande af kejseren, og han ville ikke risikere endnu en. Folkemængden jublede, da han beordrede Barabbas løsladt. Så bestilte han en balje og noget vand, og der foran folkemængden vaskede han sine hænder og sagde: “Jeg er uskyldig i denne mands blod. I er fast besluttet på, at han skal dø, men jeg har ikke fundet nogen skyld hos ham. Sørg for det. Soldaterne vil føre ham ud.” Og så jublede pøblen og svarede: “Hans blod være over os og vore børn.”		185:8.2 (1996.6) Pilate was afraid of a tumult or a riot. He dared not risk having such a disturbance during Passover time in Jerusalem. He had recently received a reprimand from Caesar, and he would not risk another. The mob cheered when he ordered the release of Barabbas. Then he ordered a basin and some water, and there before the multitude he washed his hands, saying: “I am innocent of the blood of this man. You are determined that he shall die, but I have found no guilt in him. See you to it. The soldiers will lead him forth.” And then the mob cheered and replied, “His blood be on us and on our children.”