185. Kiri Paper 185
Kohtupidamine Pilatuse ees The Trial Before Pilate
185:0.1 (1987.1) VEIDI pärast kella kuut tol reede hommikul, 7. aprillil 30. a pKr toodi Jeesus Juudamaad, Samaariat ja Idumead Süüria legaadi otseses alluvuses valitseva Rooma prokuraatori Pilatuse ette. Meistri tõid kinniseotult Rooma maavalitseja juurde templivalvurid ja teda saatsid peale apostel Johannese ligikaudu viiskümmend süüdistajat, kelle hulgas olid Suurkohtu liikmed (põhiliselt saduserid), Juudas Iskariot ja ülempreester Kaifas. Hannas Pilatuse ette ei ilmunud. 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 oli juba magamast tõusnud ja valmis varahommikusi külalisi vastu võtma, sest need, kes olid eelmisel õhtul saanud temalt nõusoleku kasutada Inimese Poja vahistamiseks Rooma sõdureid, olid talle teatanud, et Jeesus tuuakse varakult tema ette. Kohtumõistmine pidi toimuma Antonia kindluse juurde ehitatud pretooriumis, kus Pilatus oma naisega Jeruusalemmas viibides peatus. 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) Ehkki Pilatus viis suurema osa Jeesuse ülekuulamisest läbi pretooriumi saalides, peeti avalik kohtumõistmine väljas peaukseesistel trepiastmetel. Seda tehti järeleandmisena juutidele, kes keeldusid sisenemast paganatele kuuluvasse hoonesse, kus tol paasapühaks valmistumise päeval võidi haputainast kasutada. See oleks rikkunud nende tseremoniaalset puhtust ja takistanud neid osalemast pärastlõunasel tänupidusöögil ning nad oleksid pidanud pärast päikeseloojangut läbi tegema puhastustseremooniad, enne kui oleksid võinud paasapüha õhtusöögil osaleda. 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) Ehkki neid juute ei vaevanud südametunnistus, kui nad sepitsesid Jeesuse surmasaatmist kohtu otsuse alusel, olid nad piinlikult täpsed kõigis tseremoniaalse puhtuse ja traditsioonide järgimise küsimustes. Need juudid pole ainsad, kes on jätnud tunnistamata jumalikku laadi kõrged ja pühad kohustused, olles samal ajal piinlikult täpsed asjades, millel on nii ajas kui ka igavikus inimeste heaolu seisukohalt tühine tähtsus. 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) Vaevalt oleks Tiberius lasknud Pontius Pilatusel jääda kümneks aastaks Juudamaa prokuraatoriks, kui too poleks olnud väiksemates provintsides piisavalt hea maavalitseja. Ta oli küll üsna hea haldur, kuid moraalselt arg. Ta polnud inimesena piisavalt suur, et saada aru enda kui juutide maavalitseja ülesande olemusest. Ta ei mõistnud, et heebrealastel on ehtne religioon, usk, mille eest nad on valmis surema, ning et miljonid kõikjale üle kogu impeeriumi laiali paisatud juudid peavad Jeruusalemma oma usu pühapaigaks ja austavad Suurkohut kui kõrgeimat kohut maa peal. 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 ei armastanud juute ja see sügavalt juurdunud viha hakkas avalduma juba varakult. Ühtki teist Rooma provintsi polnud raskem valitseda kui Juudamaad. Pilatus ei saanud juutide juhtimisega seotud probleemidest kunagi täielikult aru ja tegi seepärast juba ametiaja algul terve rea peaaegu saatuslikke ja talle enesele hukutavalt mõjunud vigu. Just need vead andsid juutidele tema üle nii suure võimu. Kui nad tahtsid tema otsuseid mõjutada, tarvitses neil vaid teda mässuga ähvardada ja Pilatus alistus kohe. See prokuraatori silmanähtav ebakindlus oma seisukohtades ehk moraalse julguse puudumine tulenes põhiliselt sellest, et ta mäletas mitmeid kokkupõrkeid juutidega, mis lõppesid alati tema lüüasaamisega. Juudid teadsid, et Pilatus kardab neid ja tunneb Tiberiuse ees oma positsiooni pärast hirmu, ning kasutasid seda paljudel juhtudel maavalitseja vastu ära. 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) Juudid hakkasid Pilatusesse halvakspanevalt suhtuma mitme kahetsusväärse kokkupõrke tulemusena. Esiteks ei võtnud ta tõsiselt nende sügavalt juurdunud eelarvamust kõigi piltide kui ebajumalakujude suhtes. Seepärast oli ta lubanud oma sõduritel tulla Jeruusalemma, eemaldamata võitluslippudelt keisri pilti, nagu Rooma sõdurid tema eelkäija ajal olid teinud. Viis päeva viibis arvukas juutide delegatsioon Pilatuse juures, anudes teda sõjalippudelt neid kujutisi eemaldama. Pilatus keeldus kategooriliselt palvet täitmast ja ähvardas nad sealsamas tappa. Pilatus ise oli skeptik ega saanud aru, et tugevate usuliste veendumustega inimesed ei kõhkle oma usu eest suremast, ta oli jahmunud, kui juudid rivistusid trotslikult tema lossi ette, kummardusid maani ja saatsid sõna, et on valmis surema. Siis mõistis Pilatus, et ta oli välja tulnud ähvardusega, mida polnud valmis täide viima. Ta alistus, käskis sõduritel Jeruusalemmas pildid lippudelt eemaldada ja leidis end alates sellest päevast olevat suuresti juudi juhtide tujude võimuses, sest nad olid avastanud tema nõrga koha — ähvardamise, julgemata ähvardusi tegelikult täide viia. 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 otsustas kaotatud prestiiži tagasi võita ja lasi seepärast Jeruusalemmas Herodese lossi seintele riputada keisri vapikilbid, mida kasutati harilikult imperaatori kummardamiseks. Kui juudid protestima hakkasid, jäi ta endale kindlaks. Aga kui ta keeldus nende proteste kuulda võtmast, esitasid juudid kohe edasikaebuse Rooma ja keiser andis niisama kiiresti korralduse solvavad kilbid eemaldada. Siis hakati Pilatusest veelgi vähem lugu pidama kui enne. 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) Teine talle juutide seas palju ebasoosingut toonud tõik oli see, et ta julges võtta templi varakambrist raha uue veejuhtme ehitamiseks parandamaks suurte usupühade ajal Jeruusalemma saabuvate miljonite külaliste veega varustamist. Juutide arvates tohtis templi raha välja anda ainult Suurkohus ja nad sõimasid lakkamatult Pilatust selle jultunud otsuse pärast. Selle otsuse tõttu puhkes vähemalt kakskümmend mässu ja valati palju verd. Viimane neist tõsistest mässudest lõppes suure rühma galilealaste tapmisega lausa altari ees keset palveldamist. 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) Tähelepanuväärne on see, et ehkki kõikuva meelelaadiga Rooma valitseja ohverdas hirmust juutide ees ja oma isikliku positsiooni kaitsmiseks Jeesuse, kukutati ta lõpuks samaarlaste asjatu tapmise pärast seoses ühe võimule pürginud valemessiaga, kes viis väed Gerisimi mäele, kuhu tema väitel pidid olema maetud templiriistad. Kui ta pühade nõude peidupaika ei leidnud, nagu oli lubanud, puhkesid ägedad mässud. Selle vahejuhtumi tagajärjel kutsus Süüria legaat Pilatuse Rooma. Sel ajal kui Pilatus oli teel Rooma, Tiberius suri ja Pilatust enam Juudamaa prokuraatoriks ei määratud. Ta ei toibunud kunagi täielikult kahetsusest, et oli nõustunud Jeesuse ristilöömisega. Leidmata uue keisri silmis soosingut, elas ta tagasitõmbunult Lausanne'i provintsis ja sooritas seal hiljem enesetapu. 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) Pilatuse naine Klaudia Procula oli Jeesusest palju kuulnud oma foiniiklasest toatüdrukult, kes uskus taevariigi evangeeliumisse. Pärast Pilatuse surma sai Klaudiast üks silmapaistvamaid rõõmusõnumi levitajaid. 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) Kõigi nende asjaoludega ongi seletatav suur osa tol traagilisel reede ennelõunal toimunud sündmustest. On täiesti arusaadav, miks juudid julgesid Pilatusele oma tahet peale suruda — sundida teda Jeesuse üle kohtupidamiseks kell kuus üles tõusma — ja miks nad ei kõhelnud prokuraatorit ähvardamast, et süüdistavad teda keisri ees reetmises, kui ta julgeb keelduda nende nõudmisest Jeesus surmata. 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) Ükski Rooma maavalitseja, kes ei olnud sidunud end iseenese kahjuks juutide valitsejatega, poleks kunagi lubanud verejanulistel usufanaatikutel tappa inimest, kelle ta ise oli tunnistanud nende valesüüdistustest vabaks ja veatuks. Rooma tegi maistes asjades tõsise ja kaugeleulatuva vea, kui saatis Palestiinat valitsema mitte just särava mõistusega Pilatuse. Tiberiusel oleks tulnud lähetada juutide juurde impeeriumi parim provintsihaldur. 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. Jeesus ilmub Pilatuse ette ^top 2. Jesus Appears Before Pilate ^top
185:2.1 (1989.4) Kui Jeesus ja tema süüdistajad olid kogunenud Pilatuse kohtusaali ukse ette, tuli Rooma maavalitseja välja ja küsis kokkutulnutelt: „Milles te seda meest süüdistate?” Saduserid ja nõunikud, kes olid võtnud Jeesuse kõrvaldamise enda peale, olid otsustanud minna Pilatuse ette ja lasta tal Jeesusele langetatud surmaotsus kinnitada, esitamata mingit kindlat süüdistust. Seepärast vastas Suurkohtu esindaja Pilatusele: „Kui see mees ei oleks kurjategija, poleks me teda sinu ette toonud.” 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) Kui Pilatus nägi, et nad ei taha Jeesuse vastu süüdistusi esitada, kuigi on tema teada kogu öö Meistri süüasja arutanud, vastas ta neile: „Miks te ise selle mehe üle omaenda seaduste järgi kohut ei mõista, kui te kord ei suuda kindlate süüdistuste osas kokku leppida?” 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) Suurkohtu ametnik vastas Pilatusele: „Seadused ei luba meil inimest surma mõista, kuid see meie rahva rahu rikkuja väärib oma sõnade ja tegude eest surma. Seepärast oleme tulnud sinu ette sellele kohtuotsusele kinnitust saama.” 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) See, et Rooma maavalitseja ette tuldi säärase põikleva jutuga, näitab Suurkohtu liikmete pahatahtlikkust ja vaenulikkust Jeesuse suhtes, samuti lugupidamatust Pilatuse õigluse, au ja väärikuse vastu. Missugune jultumus, alamad kodanikud ilmusid oma maavalitseja ette ja küsisid inimesele surmaotsust tema üle õiglaselt kohut mõistmata ja tema vastu isegi kindlaid süüdistusi esitamata! 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 teadis natuke Jeesuse tööst juutide seas ja oletas, et Meistri vastu esitatud süüdistused võisid olla seotud juutide vaimulike seaduste rikkumisega, seepärast püüdis ta asja arutamist nende enda kohtule tagasi lükata. Samas pakkus Pilatusele rõõmu panna neid avalikult tunnistama, et nad on võimetud kuulutama ja täide viima surmaotsust, ehkki tegu on nende enda rahva esindajaga, keda nad on hakanud põlgama kibeda ja kiiva vihaga. 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) Mõni tund varem, veidi enne keskööd, pärast Rooma sõduritele Jeesuse salaja vahistamiseks loa andmist, oli Pilatus Jeesuse ja tema õpetuste kohta lähemalt kuulnud oma naiselt Klaudialt, kes oli osalt juudi usku pöördunud ja hakkas hiljem kogu südamest Jeesuse evangeeliumisse uskuma. 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 oleks tahtnud seda ülekuulamist edasi lükata, kuid nägi, et juutide juhid on kindlalt otsustanud asja lõpule viia. Ta teadis, et on paasapühaks valmistumise ennelõuna ning pealegi reedene päev, mil juudid valmistuvad puhkuseks ja palveldamiseks mõeldud sabatiks. 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 tunnetas selgelt juutide lugupidamatut suhtumist ega olnud nõus täitma nende nõudmist Jeesus ilma kohtumõistmiseta surma mõista. Mõne hetke oodanud, et nad vangi vastu süüdistuse esitaksid, ütles ta: „Ma ei mõista seda meest surma ilma kohtuta ega nõustu teda üle kuulama enne, kui olete kirjaliku süüdistuse esitanud.” 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) Neid Pilatuse sõnu kuuldes andsid ülempreester ja tema kaaslased kohtuametnikule märku, et too loovutaks Pilatusele Jeesuse vastu esitatud kirjaliku süüdistuse. See kõlas: 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) „Suurkohus leidis, et see mees on kurjategija ja meie rahva häirija, sest ta on süüdi järgmistes tegudes: 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. rikub meie rahvast ja õhutab teda mässule; 185:2.11 (1990.7) “1. Perverting our nation and stirring up our people to rebellion.
185:2.12 (1990.8) 2. keelab inimesi keisrile andamit maksta; 185:2.12 (1990.8) “2. Forbidding the people to pay tribute to Caesar.
185:2.13 (1990.9) 3. nimetab end juutide kuningaks ja räägib uue kuningriigi rajamisest.” 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) Jeesust polnud ühegi süüdistuse osas korrakohaselt üle kuulatud ega süüdi mõistetud. Ta polnud neid süüdistusi varem isegi kuulnud, kuid Pilatus oli ta nüüd pretooriumist valve alt kohale toonud ja nõudis nende süüdistuste kordamist Jeesuse kuuldes. 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) Süüdistusi kuuldes teadis Jeesus — nagu ka Johannes Sebedeus ja süüdistajad ise — väga hästi, et juutide kohus pole teda neis küsimustes üle kuulanud, kuid Meister ei vastanud nendele valesüüdistustele midagi. Ta ei avanud suud isegi siis, kui Pilatus käskis tal oma süüdistajatele vastata. Kogu selle menetluse ebaõiglus hämmastas Pilatust väga ning Jeesuse vaikimine ja suursugune käitumine jättis talle nii sügava mulje, et ta otsustas vangi saali viia ja ise nelja silma all üle kuulata. 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) Pilatuse meel oli segaduses, sest ta kartis oma südames juute, kuid tema vaimu erutas väga vaatepilt, kuidas Jeesus seisab majesteetlikult oma verejanuliste süüdistajate ees ja vaatab neid ülalt alla mitte vaikiva põlgusega, vaid tõelise kaastunde ja kurbliku kiindumusega. 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 kuulab Jeesuse isiklikult üle ^top 3. The Private Examination by Pilate ^top
185:3.1 (1991.1) Pilatus viis Jeesuse ja Johannes Sebedeuse ühte erakambrisse, jättis valvurid ukse taha saali, käskis vangil istet võtta, istus ise tema kõrvale ja hakkas talle küsimusi esitama. Pilatus kinnitas Jeesusele kohe algul, et ta ei usu esimest tema vastu esitatud süüdistusepunkti, mille kohaselt ta rikub rahvast ja õhutab mässule. Ta küsis: „Kas sa oled kunagi õpetanud, et tuleb keelduda keisrile andamit maksmast?” Jeesus osutas Johannesele ja ütles: „Küsi temalt või mõnelt teiselt inimeselt, kes on mu õpetust kuulnud.” Siis küsitles Pilatus Johannest andami kohta ja Johannes rääkis Meistri õpetusest ning selgitas, et Jeesus ja tema apostlid on maksnud makse nii keisrile kui ka templile. Kui Pilatus oli Johannese ära kuulanud, ütles ta: „Ära kellelegi räägi, et ma sinuga vestlesin.” Ja Johannes ei avaldanud seda mitte kunagi. 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) Siis pöördus Pilatus jälle Jeesuse poole, et tema küsitlemist jätkata: „Ja nüüd selle kolmanda sinu vastu esitatud süüdistuse kohta — kas sa oled juutide kuningas?” Et Pilatuse hääles tundus kõlavat siirast huvi, naeratas Jeesus prokuraatorile ja küsis omakorda: „Pilatus, kas sa küsid seda enda või minu süüdistajate nimel?” Selle peale vastas maavalitseja veidi pahaselt: „Kas ma olen juut? Sinu enda rahvas ja ülempreestrid andsid su üles ja palusid mul sind surma mõista. Ma kahtlen nende süüdistuste paikapidavuses ja püüan üksnes enda jaoks välja selgitada, mida sa oled teinud. Ütle mulle, kas sa oled nimetanud end juutide kuningaks või püüdnud rajada uut kuningriiki?” 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) Siis ütles Jeesus Pilatusele: „Kas sa ei saa aru, et minu kuningriik pole siit maailmast? Kui minu kuningriik oleks siit maailmast, võidelnuks mu jüngrid kindlasti selle eest, et ma juutide kätte ei langeks. Minu siinviibimine sinu ees neis köidikuis näitab kõigile inimestele piisavalt selgelt, et mu kuningriik on vaimne valdus, see on usu ja armastuse kaudu Jumala poegadeks saanud inimeste vennaskond. Ja pääsemine on nii paganate kui ka juutide jaoks.” 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) „Seega sa oled ikkagi kuningas?” küsis Pilatus. Ja Jeesus vastas: „Jah, ma olen niisugune kuningas ja minu kuningriigiks on minu taevase Isa usupoegade perekond. Selleks ma siia maailma sündisingi, et näidata kõigile inimestele oma Isa ja tunnistada Jumala tõde. Ja ma kuulutan praegugi, et minu häält kuulevad kõik, kes armastavad tõde.” 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) Siis ütles Pilatus pooleldi pilkamisi, pooleldi siiralt: „Tõde, mis on tõde — kes seda teab?” 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 ei suutnud mõista Jeesuse sõnu ega saada aru vaimse kuningriigi olemusest, kuid ta oli nüüd kindel, et vang polnud teinud midagi, mis oleks surma väärt. Ühest Jeesusega vahetatud pilgust piisas Pilatuse veenmiseks, et see leebe ja väsinud, kuid majesteetlik ja sirgeseljaline mees pole mingi metsik ega ohtlik mässaja, kes püüab end Iisraeli ilmalikule troonile upitada. Pilatus arvas, et ta saab mõneti aru, miks Jeesus end kuningaks nimetab, sest ta tundis stoikute õpetusi, kes kuulutasid, et „tark mees on kuningas”. Pilatus oli täiesti veendunud, et Jeesus pole ohtlik ässitaja, vaid lihtsalt kahjutu unistaja, süütu fanaatik. 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) Pärast Meistri küsitlemist läks Pilatus ülempreestri ja Jeesuse süüdistajate juurde tagasi ning ütles: „Ma kuulasin selle mehe üle ja ei leia temal mingit süüd lasuvat. Ma ei arva, et teie süüdistused tema vastu paika peavad, minu arvates tuleks ta vabastada.” Kui juudid seda kuulsid, tärkas neis metsik viha ja nad karjusid valjusti, et Jeesus peab surema. Üks Suurkohtu liige astus julgelt Pilatuse kõrvale ning ütles: „See mees kihutab rahvast üles, ta alustas Galileast ja on jätkanud oma tööd kogu Juudamaal. Ta on rahurikkuja ja kurjategija. Kui sa selle nurjatu mehe vabaks lased, kahetsed seda veel kaua.” 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 oli kitsikuses ega teadnud, mida Jeesusega ette võtta; kuulnud neid ütlemas, et Meister oli alustanud oma tööd Galileas, pidas ta paremaks otsuse tegemise vastutusest kõrvale hoida või vähemalt mõtlemiseks aega võita ning saata Jeesus Herodese ette, kes oli parasjagu paasapühaks linna tulnud. Pilatus arvas ka, et see samm aitab tal leevendada tema ja Herodese vahel juba mõnda aega valitsenud vaenu arvukate arusaamatuste pärast kohtualluvusküsimustes. 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 kutsus valvurid ja ütles: „See mees on galilealane. Viige ta kohe Herodese juurde ja kui Herodes on tema üle kuulanud, kandke tulemustest mulle ette.” Ja nad viisidki Jeesuse Herodese juurde. 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. Jeesus Herodese ees ^top 4. Jesus Before Herod ^top
185:4.1 (1992.3) Kui Herodes Antipas Jeruusalemmas viibis, peatus ta Herodes Suure vanas Makkabite lossis ning templivalvurid viisidki Jeesuse nüüd selle endise kuninga majja; neile järgnesid Meistri süüdistajad ja üha kasvav rahvahulk. Herodes oli Jeesusest juba ammu kuulnud ja tundis suurt uudishimu. Kui Inimese Poeg tol reede hommikul tema ees seisis, ei meenunud sellele pahelisele idumealasele hetkekski noormees, kes oli Sepphorises tema juurde ilmunud ja palunud ühe üldkasutatava hoone ehitamisel õnnetult surma saanud isale võlgu jäädud raha küsimuses õiglane otsus teha. Herodes ei teadnud, et ta oli Jeesust varem kohanud, ehkki oli tundnud tema pärast suurt muret, kui Jeesuse töö oli keskendunud põhiliselt Galileasse. Nüüd, mil Meister oli Pilatuse ja juudamaalaste valve all, tahtis Herodes teda näha, sest tulevikus polnud temalt enam mingeid probleeme karta. Herodes oli kuulnud palju Jeesuse imetegudest ja lootis tõepoolest, et Meister sooritab mõne imeteo. 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) Kui nad Jeesuse Herodese ette tõid, jahmatas nelivürsti tema väärikas kuju ning rahulik ja tasakaalukas näoilme. Herodes esitas Jeesusele umbes veerand tundi küsimusi, aga Meister ei vastanud talle. Herodes mõnitas teda ja õhutas sooritama mõnda imetegu, aga Jeesus ei vastanud tema paljudele pärimistele ega reageerinud pilgetele. 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) Seejärel pöördus Herodes ülempreestrite ja saduseride poole ning kuulis nende süüdistuste kohta kõike seda, mida Pilatus oli Inimese Poja väidetavatest pahategudest kuulda saanud, ja veel enamat. Veendunud lõpuks, et Jeesus ei hakka temaga rääkima ega talle imetegusid sooritama, tegi Herodes mõnda aega Meistri kulul nalja, siis rõivastas ta vanasse kuninglikku purpurrüüsse ja saatis Pilatuse juurde tagasi. Herodes teadis, et tal pole Jeesuse üle Juudamaal mingit võimu. Tal oli küll hea meel, et ta Jeesusest Galileas peagi lõplikult vabaneb, kuid samas rõõmustas, et tema surmamine on just Pilatuse ülesanne. Herodes polnud kunagi täielikult üle saanud hirmust, mis saatis teda pärast Ristija Johannese tapmist. Aeg-ajalt oli Herodes isegi kartnud, et Jeesus on surnuist üles tõusnud Johannes. Nüüd vabanes ta oma hirmust, sest nägi, et Jeesus on inimesena hoopis teistsugune kui otsekohene ja tulihingeline prohvet, kes oli julgenud tema eraelu paljastada ja hukka mõista. 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. Jeesus pöördub tagasi Pilatuse juurde ^top 5. Jesus Returns to Pilate ^top
185:5.1 (1993.1) Kui valvurid olid Jeesuse tagasi Pilatuse juurde toonud, tuli too välja pretooriumi trepile, kuhu oli paigutatud tema kohtunikuiste, kutsus kokku ülempreestrid ja Suurkohtu liikmed ning ütles neile: „Te tõite selle mehe minu ette, süüdistades teda rahva rikkumises, maksude maksmise keelamises ja enda nimetamises juutide kuningaks. Kuulasin ta üle ega leidnud temal neis asjus süüd olevat. Tegelikult ei saa teda minu arvates milleski süüdistada. Siis saatsin ta Herodese juurde ja nelivürst jõudis ilmselt samale järeldusele, sest ta on mehe meie juurde tagasi saatnud. See mees pole kindlasti teinud mitte midagi, mis surma vääriks. Kui te ikka veel arvate, et teda tuleks karistada, olen nõus teda enne vabaks laskmist piitsutada laskma.” 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) Just siis, kui juudid tahtsid kisa tõsta ja Jeesuse vabastamise vastu protestida, tuli pretooriumi ette suur rahvahulk, kes palus Pilatusel paasapüha pidustuste auks mõni vang vabastada. Rooma maavalitsejatel oli tavaks lasta rahval valida mõni vangistatud või süüdi mõistetud inimene, kellele paasapüha puhul armu antaks. Nüüd, mil rahvahulk oli saabunud tema ette vangi vabastamist paluma ja Jeesus oli alles hiljuti olnud rahva silmis suures soosingus, tuli Pilatusele mõte päästa end kimbatusest ja teha kokkutulnutele ettepanek galilealane paasapüha puhul hea tahte märgina vabaks lasta, sest Jeesus oli nüüd tema kohtu ees kui vang. 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) Kui rahvas trepist üles tungles, kuulis Pilatus neid kellegi Barabasi nime hüüdvat. Barabas oli tuntud poliitilise kihutustöö tegija, mõrvar ja röövel, preestri poeg, kes oli hiljuti mõrvalt ja röövimiselt tabatud ning Jeeriko teel vahistatud. Selle mehe hukkamine pidi toimuma kohe pärast paasapühapidustusi. 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 tõusis ja selgitas rahvale, et ülempreestrid on toonud tema juurde Jeesuse ja soovivad teda teatavate süüdistuste alusel surma mõista, kuid tema ei pea meest surma vääriliseks. Pilatus küsis: „Kumma te sooviksite vabastada, kas mõrvar Barabasi või Jeesuse Galileast?” Ja kui Pilatus oli seda küsinud, hüüdsid ülempreestrid ja Suurkohtu nõunikud täiest kõrist: „Barabasi, Barabasi!” Kui rahvas nägi, et ülempreestrid tahavad Jeesuse hukkamist, ühinesid nemadki Meistri hinge ihkava lärmiga, nõudes valjude hüüetega Barabasi vabastamist. 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) Mõne päeva eest oli see rahvahulk seisnud Jeesuse ees aukartuses, kuid rahvas ei austanud meest, kes oli ennast Jumala Pojaks nimetanud, kuid leidis end nüüd ülempreestrite ja valitsejate vangina Pilatuse eest, kes pidi tema elu üle otsustama. Jeesus võis rahva silmis kangelane olla rahavahetajaid ja kauplejaid templist välja ajades, aga mitte vastupanu mitteosutava vangina, kelle üle tema vaenlased kohut mõistavad. 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 vihastas, kui nägi, et ülempreestrid soovivad armu anda kurikuulsale mõrvarile ja nõuavad karjudes Jeesuse verd. Ta nägi nende õelust ja vihkamist ning tajus nende eelarvamuslikkust ja kadedust. Seepärast küsis ta neilt: „Kuidas võisite valida mõrvari elu tolle mehe elu asemel, kelle suurim kuritegu on see, et ta nimetab end ülekantud tähenduses juutide kuningaks?” Pilatusest polnud tark nii öelda. Juudid olid uhke rahvas, nad allusid tol ajal küll Rooma poliitilisele ülevõimule, kuid lootsid messia tulekule, kes päästaks nad paganate kütkeist suure väe ja hiilgusega. Pilatus ei osanud arvata, kui väga neid pahandas vihje, et seda vagura käitumisega meest, kes oli õpetanud imelikke doktriine ning nüüd vahistatud süüdistatuna surma väärt kuritegudes, tuleks nimetada „juutide kuningaks”. See väide solvas nende silmis kõike, mida nad oma rahva elus pühaks ja austusväärseks pidasid, ja nad tõid kuuldavale vägevad hüüded, et Barabas vabastataks ja Jeesus hukataks. 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 teadis, et Jeesuse vastu esitatud süüdistused ei pea paika. Kui ta oleks olnud õiglane ja julge kohtunik, siis oleks ta Jeesuse õigeks mõistnud ja vabaks lasknud, aga ta kartis vihaste juutide soovi täitmata jätta. Kui ta seal kõhkles, kas teha seda, mis oli tema kohus, saabus üks sõnumitooja ja tõi talle pitseeritud teate tema naiselt Klaudialt. 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 andis enda ette kogunenutele märku, et soovib äsjasaabunud teate läbi lugeda, enne kui kõnealuse küsimusega jätkab. Ta avas oma naise kirja ja luges: „Palun ära selle süütu ja õiglase mehe Jeesusega midagi ette võta. Kannatasin täna öösel unes tema pärast nii väga.” Klaudia kiri viis Pilatuse täiesti tasakaalust välja ja kohtumõistmine lükati edasi, aga kahjuks andis see juutide juhtidele palju aega rahva seas ringi käia ning veenda inimesi Barabasi vabastamist ja Jeesuse ristilöömist nõudma. 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) Lõpuks asus Pilatus taas tema ees seisvat probleemi lahendama ja küsis juutide juhtidelt ning armuandmist taotlevalt rahvahulgalt: „Mida teha sellega, keda nimetatakse juutide kuningaks?” Ja kõik hüüdsid üheskoos: „Löö ta risti! Löö ta risti!” Selle kireva rahvahulga üksmeelne nõue jahmatas Pilatust, seda ebaõiglast ja hirmunud kohtunikku, ning tekitas temas ärevust. 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) Siis küsis Pilatus uuesti: „Miks te tahate seda meest risti lüüa? Mida ta kurja on teinud? Kes tuleb ja annab tema vastu tunnistuse?” Aga kui rahvahulk kuulis Pilatust Jeesust kaitsmas, hüüdsid nad veel valjemini: „Löö ta risti! Löö ta risti!” 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) Siis pöördus Pilatus taas nende poole küsimusega paasapüha vangi vabastamise kohta: „Ma küsin teilt uuesti, kumma vangi ma teie paasapüha puhul vabastan?” Ja jälle hüüdis rahvahulk: „Anna meile Barabas!” 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) Siis küsis Pilatus: „Mida ma siis Jeesusega teen, kui vabastan mõrvar Barabasi?” ja rahvas hüüdis jälle kooris: „Löö ta risti! Löö ta risti!” 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) Ülempreestrite ja Suurkohtu liikmete otsesel eestvedamisel tegutsev lärmakas nõudlik rahvahulk kohutas Pilatust, siiski otsustas ta teha veel vähemalt ühe katse rahvast vaigistada ja Jeesust päästa. 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. Pilatuse viimane katse ^top 6. Pilate’s Last Appeal ^top
185:6.1 (1994.8) Kõiges selles, mis tol reede varahommikul Pilatuse ees toimus, osalesid ainult Jeesuse vaenlased. Tema paljud sõbrad kas ei teadnud veel tema öisest vahistamisest ja varahommikusest kohtumõistmisest või olid peidus, et ka neid ei vahistataks ning Jeesuse õpetustesse uskumise pärast surma ei mõistetaks. Rahvahulgas, kes nüüd lärmakalt Meistri surma nõudis, olid ainult tema vihased vaenlased ning kergestimõjutatavad mõtlematud inimesed. 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 tegi veel ühe katse neis kaastunnet äratada. Kartes vastu astuda sellele eksiteele sattunud ja lärmitsevale hulgale, kes Jeesuse verd nõudis, andis ta juutidest valvuritele ja Rooma sõduritele käsu võtta Jeesus kaasa ja teda piitsutada. See oli iseenesest ebaõiglane ja ebaseaduslik tegu, sest Rooma seaduste kohaselt tuli piitsutada ainult neid, kes olid mõistetud ristisurma. Valvurid viisid Jeesuse selleks katsumuseks pretooriumi lahtisele õuele. Meistri vaenlased ei näinud nuhtlemist pealt, aga Pilatus ise oli selle tunnistajaks ning enne, kui piitsutajad oma halastamatu teotuse lõpetasid, andis ta neile käsu see katkestada ja Jeesus tema ette tuua. Enne kui piitsutajad oma sõlmeliste piitsadega peksuposti külge seotud Jeesuse kallale asusid, panid nad talle taas selga purpurrüü ning pununud kibuvitsaokstest krooni, asetasid selle ta laubale. Ja pistnud talle pihku pilliroovarre kui skeptri, põlvitasid tema ette ja pilkasid teda, hüüdes: „Ole tervitatud, juutide kuningas!” Ja nad sülitasid ta peale ning lõid teda kätega näkku. Enne Jeesuse tagasiviimist Pilatuse ette võttis üks neist rookepi tal käest ja lõi sellega vastu tema pead. 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) Siis viis Pilatus veritseva ja haavades vangi rahvahulga ette ning ütles: „Ennäe inimest! Ma ütlen teile veel kord, et me ei leia teda kuritegudes süüdi olevat ning pärast piitsutamist tahaksin mina ta vabaks lasta.” 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) Jeesus Naatsaretlane seisis seal vanas kuninglikus purpurrüüs, okaskroon lahket laupa torkimas. Ta näol olid vereplekid ning ta keha oli kannatustest ja kurvastusest küürus. Kuid nende inimeste kalke südameid, kes on täis tugevat emotsionaalset viha ja vaevlevad usuliste eelarvamuste orjuses, ei pehmenda miski. See vaatepilt saatis võimsa õudusvärina läbi tohutu universumi maailmade, kuid ei puudutanud nende südameid, kes olid nõuks võtnud Jeesuse hävitada. 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) Meistri armetuse nägemise esimesest šokist toibunud, hüüdsid nad veel valjemini ja kauem: „Löö ta risti! Löö ta risti!” 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) Nüüd sai Pilatus aru, et tal ei maksa loota nende võimalikule kaastundele. Ta astus ette ja küsis: „Ma näen, et te olete kindlalt otsustanud selle mehe surma saata, aga mida on ta teinud, et surma väärib? Kes nimetab tema kuriteo?” 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) Siis astus ülempreester ise ette, läks Pilatuse juurde ja teatas vihaselt: „Meil on pühad seadused ja nende seaduste kohaselt peab see mees surema, sest ta on nimetanud end Jumala Pojaks.” Seda kuuldes lõi Pilatus veel enam kartma ja mitte ainult juute — meenutades oma naise kirja ja Kreeka jumalaid, kes maa peale tulevad, hakkas ta värisema mõttest, et Jeesus võib olla jumalik isik. Ta andis rahvale märku vaikida, haaras Jeesusel käsivarrest ja viis Meistri tagasi hoonesse, et teda veel kord üle kuulata. Pilatus oli hirmust segaduses, ebausust hämmingus ja rahvahulga kangekaelsusest vaevatud. 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. Pilatuse viimane küsitlus ^top 7. Pilate’s Last Interview ^top
185:7.1 (1995.7) Pilatus istus hirmust värisedes Jeesuse kõrvale ja küsis: „Kust sa oled tulnud? Kes sa tegelikult oled? Mida see jutt tähendab, et sa oled Jumala Poeg?” 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) Jeesus ei suutnud kuidagi vastata säärastele küsimustele, kui nende esitajaks oli inimesi kartev nõrk kõikuvate seisukohtadega kohtunik, kes oli nii ebaõiglane, et lasi teda piitsutada, ehkki oli kuulutanud ta kõigis kuritegudes süütuks; ja teinud seda enne, kui talle oli korrakohane surmaotsus langetatud. Jeesus vaatas Pilatusele otse silma, aga ei vastanud. Siis küsis Pilatus: „Kas sa keeldud mulle vastamast? Kas sa ei saa aru, et praegu on veel minu otsustada, kas sind vabastada või risti lüüa?” Siis ütles Jeesus: „Sul ei oleks minu üle mingit võimu, kui seda ülaltpoolt ei lubataks. Sa ei saaks Inimese Poja üle mingit võimu rakendada, kui taevane Isa seda teha ei laseks. Aga sina pole nii süüdi, sest sa ei tunne evangeeliumi. Suurem patt on sellel, kes mind reetis, ja sellel, kes mu sinu kätte andis.” 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) See viimane vestlus Jeesusega lõi Pilatuse lõplikult verest välja. Moraalitul argpüksil ja iseloomutul õigusemõistjal lasus nüüd kahekordne koorem — ebausklik hirm Jeesuse ees ja sureliku hirm juutide juhtide ees. 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 ilmus taas rahva ette ja ütles: „Olen kindel, et see mees on rikkunud ainult ususeadusi. Peaksite ta endaga viima ja tema üle oma seaduste järgi kohut mõistma. Miks te arvate, et mina pean nõustuma tema surmaga, kui ta on sattunud vastuollu teie traditsioonidega?” 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 oli juba peaaegu valmis Jeesust vabastama, kui ülempreester Kaifas astus ara Rooma kohtuniku juurde ja ütles tema näo ees ähvardavalt sõrme viibutades kogu rahva kuuldes vihaselt: „Kui sa selle mehe vabastad, pole sa keisri sõber ja ma hoolitsen selle eest, et imperaator kõigest teada saaks.” See avalik ähvardus oli Pilatuse jaoks liig mis liig. Hirm oma isikliku saatuse pärast varjutas nüüd kõik muud kaalutlused ja argpükslik maavalitseja käskis Jeesuse välja kohtutooli ette tuua. Kui Meister seal nende ees seisis, osutas ta temale ja ütles pilkavalt: „Vaadake nüüd oma kuningat.” Ja juudid vastasid: „Tee talle lõpp. Löö ta risti!” Ja Pilatus küsis suure iroonia ja sarkasmiga: „Kas ma pean teie kuninga risti lööma?” Ja juudid vastasid: „Jah, löö ta risti! Meil pole teist kuningat peale keisri.” Ja nüüd sai Pilatus aru, et tal pole mingit lootust Jeesust päästa, sest ta ei soovinud juute trotsida. 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. Pilatuse traagiline alistumine ^top 8. Pilate’s Tragic Surrender ^top
185:8.1 (1996.5) Siin ta seisis, Inimese Pojaks kehastunud Jumala Poeg. Ta oli vahistatud ilma süüdistust esitamata, teda süüdistati ilma tõenditeta, tema üle oli kohut mõistetud ilma tunnistajateta, teda oli karistatud otsust langetamata ja peagi oli teda surma mõistmas ebaõiglane kohtunik, kes oli tunnistanud, et ta süüalusel mingit süüd ei näe. Kui Pilatus oli Jeesust „juutide kuningaks” nimetades lootnud äratada rahvahulgas patriotismitunnet, siis ebaõnnestus see tal täielikult. Juudid polnud niisugust kuningat oodanud. Ülempreestrite ja saduseride kuulutus „Meil pole teist kuningat peale keisri” ehmatas isegi mõtlematut rahvahulka, kuid nüüd oli juba liiga hilja Jeesust päästa isegi juhul, kui rahvas oleks söandanud Meistri üritusega kaasa minna. 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 kartis rahutusi ja mässu. Ta ei julgenud riskida rahutuste puhkemisega Jeruusalemmas paasapüha ajal. Ta oli hiljuti keisrilt noomituse saanud ega tahtnud enam riskida. Rahvahulk tervitas Barabase vabastamiskäsku rõõmuhõisetega. Pilatus lasi tuua pesukausi ja vett ning pesi sealsamas rahva ees oma käed puhtaks, öeldes: „Mina pole selle mehe vere valamises süüdi. Teie olete otsustanud, et ta peab surema, kuid mina pole temal mingit süüd leidnud. Hoolitsege ise selle eest. Sõdurid viivad ta kohale.” Ja rahvas hõiskas, vastates: „Langegu tema veri meie ja meie laste peale.” 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.”