Verses 1-5
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This is amazing. In His own words, Jesus never forbade people from paying taxes to Caesar, and He never explicitly claimed to be the Christ. When people discovered that on their own, He affirmed them (Matthew 16:17), but He never said it Himself.
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This proved that people were able to know the truth about Him, even though He never said it explicitly.
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His constant humility and quietness about His identity ensured that He could never be accused of being a political or military leader that threatened Roman rule.
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As such, no there was no grounds anything that Jesus was accused of (verses 13-15), and Pilate said of Him, “I find no fault in this Man.”
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Even when Pilate asked if He was the King of the Jews, He replied, “It is as you say,” and not, “I am the King of the Jews.”
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Don't be quick to say things that you know could be used against you, to accuse you. As Jesus was, be wise with your words!
Verses 6-12
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When Herod was not allowed to see Jesus do a miracle, he turned to mocking Him.
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Know that not everyone who is interested in Jesus, or even excited about Him, actually cares about Him. Don't be fooled.
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People that want to hear answers to questions or see miracles for mere amusement should not be granted either.
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Do not humor people that only want to be entertained, and don't see miracles as sights to astonish people. Faith is not a game. Treat God and His power seriously!
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Verse 12. Pilate and Herod united over nothing else but their common opposition to Jesus. How sad. An evil world will one day unite in a common hatred for believers (Matthew 24:9).
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Know this, and know that great persecution is coming.
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Verses 13-26
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See teaching on Matthew 27 for commentary.
Verses 27-31
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Even in the moments of His greatest suffering, Jesus did not want people to cry for Him. He was more concerned for the suffering of others than for His own. He was selfless.
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Be like Jesus. Do not be concerned with your own sufferings. Be concerned for the suffering of others, and pray for them!
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Jesus knew that the destruction that was coming to Jerusalem would be terrifying, and the destruction that is coming to the world in the end will be unimaginable.
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Verse 31. He added that if such evil was done to Him in a mostly peaceful time, what kind of evil will be done during a time when there is no peace?
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Even so, be concerned for others! Pray for others always! The suffering that is coming will involve tribulations greater than has ever happened in the world before, and no persecutions of the past will even compare to the persecutions that are coming.
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Verses 32-34
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No matter the evil that they do, we should pray for people who are ignorant to be forgiven by God.
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You also, be motivated to forgive others who sin against you, as most people sin out of ignorance, and do not know the extent of the evil that they are doing.
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As you would show mercy to a blind man that stumbles in your way, show mercy to sinners, as they too are blind.
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Verses 35-39
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See Matthew 27 for commentary.
Verse 40-43
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Even a man in his dying breaths could recognize Jesus' innocence and be given the opportunity to repent and believe, confessing Jesus as Lord.
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Understand that anyone, even on their death bed, can be saved.
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Share Christ with all kinds of people, no matter how much of their lives were spent in sin.
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Verses 44-49
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See teaching on Matthew 27 for more details.
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Verse 36. Upon death, the human spirit is committed into the hands of God. It is then judged by being sent either to heaven or to hell.
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God's judgment is righteous (1 Peter 2:23). Trust God with your life and your death!
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Verses 50-56
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See Mark 15 and John 19 for commentary.