Hermeneutical Assignment on: Who is Jesus?

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

By

Timothy Ching Lung LAM

The Second Assignment Submitted to Dr. Yiu Wing FUNG of Alliance Bible Seminary in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Course of BS515-E: Hermeneutics Summer 2003

Timothy Ching Lung LAM Student ID Number: D023111

August 16, 2003

Hermeneutical Assignment II on: Who is Jesus?

I. Introduction

Throughout the following three sets of passages, the identity of Jesus is revealed in the course of determining the charges against Barabbas, the two criminals and Jesus.

II. What Were the Charges Against Them?

1. Contents of the Passages

(1)

Mark 15:6-7; John 18:40

In these passages, Barabbas was charged as insurrectionist and murderer, who was then seemingly sentenced to be crucified. First of all, Mark 15:7 stated

that Barabbas had committed a murder in the uprising and was thrown into prison with the insurrectionists. Secondly, John 18:40 confirmed the fact that Barabbas had taken part in a rebellion. However, the term, rebellion, in Greek is lestes, which means a robber, plunderer, freebooter or brigand.1 In this regard, Barabbas was considered as a thief, a revolutionary, and a violent murderer, who might have a mixed motive of radical patriotism and greed.

Despite the fact that the guilty verdict of Barabbas was not mentioned in these passages, it would probably be the same as Jesus for they were weighed the same for the Jews to choose for release at the Feast. Therefore, Barabbas was

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

(2)

Luke 23:32-43; Mark 15:27

These two passages pointed out that two criminals (Luke 23:32) or robbers (Mark 15:27) were crucified with Jesus, one on His right and one on His left. In fact, what crime these two men had committed was not mentioned in these passages except that their crimes deserved a death sentence as confessed by one of the criminals (Luke 23:41).
1

Luke described these two men as kakourgos,

Crosswalk.com, The KJV New Testament Greek Lexicon, s.v. lestes; available from Page 1 By Timothy Ching Lung LAM

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a Greek term which simply meant malefactor.2

However, such description In Matthew 15:27 and

did not give readers a clue on what they actually did.

Mark 27:38, these two men were described as lestes, which was exactly the same term used to describe Barabbas in John 18:40. Accordingly, not only

these two men had committed the robbery, but also they might commit the same crime as Barabbas, i.e. treason. As mentioned before, Barabbas was possibly

sentenced to be crucified and that the execution date might be scheduled on the same day as Jesus (as Jesus was a substitute for Barabbas). Since Mark

mentioned that Barabbas was in prison with the insurrectionists and these two men were crucified on the very day as Jesus, the two might be the other insurrectionists. to crucifixion.3 Nevertheless, these two men were either robbers or criminals

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

(3)

Luke 23:38 The charge against Jesus was shown by the placard on the cross saying, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. When Jesus was taken to Pilate for a trial, the Jewish leaders basically made up three charges against him, namely, (1) subverting their nation, (2) opposing payment of taxes to Caesar, and (3) claiming to be Christ, a king. (Luke 23:2). However, Pilate reiterated four times that Jesus was not guilty of any crime deserving a death sentence (Luke 23:4, 14, 15, 22). Nonetheless, the Jews insistently demanded Pilate and cried out saying, If you let this man go, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who claims to be a king opposes Caesar. (John 19:12) Accordingly, Pilate appears to have no alternative, but to grant their demand. Notwithstanding Pilate regarded Jesus kingship posing no threat to Rome, he was apparently forced to consider it as a crime of treason so as to sentence him to crucifixion (as reflected in the inscription on the cross). Ironically, Jesus was truly the King of

http://bible.crosswalk.com/Lexicon/Greek/grk.cgi?number=3027&version=kjv; accessed August 10, 2003. 2 Crosswalk.com, The KJV New Testament Greek Lexicon, s.v. kakourgos; available from http://bible.crosswalk.com/Lexicons/Greek/grk.cgi?number=2557&version=kjv; accessed August 10, 2003. 3 Crucifixion was a punishment commonly found in the Greeks, the Romans, the Egyptians, Persians and Babylonians communities for crimes such as treason, desertion in the face of the enemy, robbery, piracy, assassination, sedition, etc. See StudyLight.org, The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, s.v. Cross; available from http://www.studylight.org/enc/isb/view.cgi?number=T2426; accessed August 13, 2003. Hermeneutics Page 2 By Timothy Ching Lung LAM

Hermeneutical Assignment II on: Who is Jesus?

the Jews, but was rejected by the Jewish leaders as they asked Pilate to change this placard as that this man claimed to be king of the Jews.(John 19:21)

2. Similarities

(1)

Citizenship and Jurisdiction According to the above passages, Barabbas, the two criminals and Jesus were probably the Jews under the jurisdiction of Pilate. Actually, Roman citizen was exempt from this form of punishment as it was regarded as the penalty of a slave.4 Accordingly, they were not the Roman citizens but the Jews as they were all examined by Pilate, the Roman governor for Judea who was the only person having the authority to issue death sentence to people under his jurisdiction (John 18:31). Although Jesus was once sent to Herod for examination due to His nativity of Galilee, He was finally sent back to Pilate for a verdict. (Luke 23:6-11)

(2)

Prisoner of Conscience

As mentioned before, Barabbas and the two criminals were considered as insurrectionists and Jesus was also deemed as a prisoner of conscience as reflected in the placard. In addition, when Jesus was arrested, He questioned the chief priest, Am I leading a rebellion that you have come with swords and clubs? (Luke 22.52) The term, rebellion was indeed the same word used to describe Barabbas and the two criminals, i.e. lestes, which further confirmed that the charges against them were the same.

(3)

Verdict and the Form of Execution

Possibly all of them were under the same sentence of death to be executed by way of crucifixion on the same day at the same time in the same place of Golgotha (if Barabbas was not released).

Ibid. Page 3 By Timothy Ching Lung LAM

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Hermeneutical Assignment II on: Who is Jesus?

3. Differences

(1)

Criminals vs. Innocent Redeemer

Obviously, Barabbas and the two criminals had committed crimes for their deeds deserving death while Jesus was indeed innocent suffering for sinners as the Redeemer.

(2)

The Wills of Pilate and the Jewish Leaders towards Jesus

Pilate found no basis of charge against Jesus and thus would like to release Him whereas the Jewish leaders, out of their envy, wanted to crucify Him as they found Him threatening their leadership. As a result, both parties had taken Barabbas as a political tool to fulfill their respective wills (i.e. Jewish leaders wanted to release him while Pilate did not).

(3)

Outcomes

Notwithstanding the above people concerned were sentenced to death, only Barabbas was set free while the others were crucified. Nonetheless, one of the two criminals who believed in Jesus was assured to be in paradise with Him while the others were not (Luke 23:43).

(4)

Injustice vs. Justice

In view of these passages, the only verdict that was considered justice was the execution of the two criminals while it was unjustly for the just One (Jesus) sacrificing for the unjust (Barabbas).

(5)

Son of Abba

There was indeed an irony between Barabbas and Jesus in terms of their names where Barabbas means son of Abba or of a father, and Jesus was often

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By Timothy Ching Lung LAM

Hermeneutical Assignment II on: Who is Jesus?

referred to as the Son of God (i.e. of the Father) in the Four Gospels (Matthew 14: 33; Mark 1:1; Luke 1:35; John 1:34, etc.).
5

Actually, Jesus was surely the

Son of the Father, who, however, was rejected by His people of Israel. Ironically, this son of Abba, Barabbas, who was only a notorious prisoner, was chosen by the Jews to be released from the prison.

(6)

Kingship

Should Barabbas and the two criminals be the revolutionaries, they were supposedly to restore the kingdom of Israel and liberate their people from Rome. However, they failed. On the other hand, Jesus, who claimed His kingdom not of this world, actualized the Kingdom of God by accomplishing Gods salvation of humanity (John 18:36).

(7)

The Act of Deliverance

As the insurrectionists, Barabbas and the converted criminal were supposed to deliver their people, but were actually delivered by Jesus the Deliverer. Barabbas, being silent throughout the above passages, was passively saved by Jesus symbolizing the redemption of the innocence for sinners although such deliverance was only physical. On the other hand, the converted criminal was Unlike Barabbas, he was not

delivered by Jesus who received the eternal life.

silent but rather confessed his own sin in front of Jesus (Luke 23:40-42). Moreover, he appeared to recognize Jesus sinless divine nature and thus asked to be included in Jesus not-of-this-world kingdom, which demonstrated his faith and hence genuine conversion. It is interesting to note Lukes account of the criminals conversion, which serves as a turning point in Jesus crucifixion that relates His identity to His saving act. Before the conversion, Jesus was called the Christ of God, the Chosen One, the king of the Jews, and the Christ derisively by the rulers, solders, and one of the criminals on the cross respectively. (Luke 23:35-39)
5

It

M.G. Easton, Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary World Wide Web Version, available from Page 5 By Timothy Ching Lung LAM

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appears that all these appellations were conditional depending on whether or not He could save Himself. In the midst of these mocking, the criminal rejected the taunts, confessed his guilt, and asked to be included in Jesus Kingdom. From this point onward, no more railing and mocking was seen, but rather a heartfelt confession was witnessed after the centurion had seen how Jesus died, saying, Surely this was a righteous man (Luke 23:47; or the Son of God as in Mark 15:39). Jesus was truly the King of the Jews and the Christ/Son of God who saved others lives; however in a way not expected and accepted by His people.

III. Conclusion

When juxtaposing with Barabbas and the two criminals in terms of the charges against them, Jesus was indeed not an insurrectionist, a criminal, a robber, nor a murderer, but rather the innocent redeemer who, as the Son of the Father, had succeeded Gods salvation that He died unjustly on the cross for the unjust ones so as to deliver them to the Kingdom of God. OF THE JEWS. In short, Jesus, counted as the lawless one, was ironically THE KING

http://www.ccel.org/e/easton/ebd/ebd/T0000400.html; accessed August 10, 2003. Hermeneutics Page 6 By Timothy Ching Lung LAM

Appendix Who is Jesus?

Similarities/ Differences Barabbas Two Criminals (Mark 15:6-7; John 18:40) (Luke 23:32-43; Mark 15:27)
Insurrectionist and 1. murderer in the uprising (Mark 15:7). 2. Rebellion (John 18:40) Criminals (Luke 23:32) Robbers (Mark 15:27)

Jesus (Luke 23:38)

THE KING OF THE JEWS

1. What were the charges against them? 2.

Similarities Citizenship Jurisdiction Prisoner of Conscience Verdict Form of Execution

Jew (Not Roman citizen) They were under the jurisdiction of Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea. Robber and insurrectionist

Same
Same

Same
Same The King of the Jews considered as the prisoner of conscience Sentenced to death Same

Robbers and probably insurrectionists Sentenced to death Same

Probably sentenced to death but finally released Probably crucifixion on the same day at the same time in the same place of Golgotha if not released Criminal

Differences Criminals vs. Innocent Redeemer The Wills of Pilate and the Jewish leaders towards Jesus Outcomes
Criminals Innocent

1.

Injustice vs. Justice Son of Abba

Kingship The Act of Deliverance

Pilate: wanted to release Him 2. 2. Jewish leaders: wanted to crucify Him 1. Requested by the Led out with Jesus to be Sentenced to be Jewish leaders and the executed on the cross in crucified crowds to be released the place called the Skull (Mark 15:11). (Luke 23:32-33). But one 2. Such request was of them was assured by unwillingly accepted by Jesus to be in the Pilate (Mark 15:15). paradise. Unjust one was judged Unjust ones were judged The Just One was unjustly. justly judged unjustly Though the name means -Though He was son of Abba or of a father, rejected by the Jews, he is indeed a notorious He was actually the Son prisoner. of the Father. Fight for the Kingdom of Fight for the Kingdom of Kingdom not of this Israel on earth Israel on earth (if they world were the insurrectionists) Suppose to deliver his people One of the criminals was Surely the deliverer who but was saved by Jesus saved and granted an saved the humanity physically eternal life in the (although not in the way paradise. expected by the Jews)

Pilate: wanted to crucify him Jewish leaders: wanted to release him

--

1.

Bibliography

Websites:

Crosswalk.com. The KJV New Testament Greek Lexicon. Available from http://bible.crosswalk.com/Lexicon/Greek/grk.cgi?number=3027&version=kjv; accessed August 10, 2003. StudyLight.org. The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Available from http://www.studylight.org/enc/isb/; accessed August 13, 2003. Easton, M.G. Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary World Wide Web Version. Available from http://www.ccel.org/e/easton/ebd/ebd/T0000400.html; accessed August 10, 2003.