JANUARY 24, 2026 – BEHOLD THE MAN

READ: Jn. 19:1–11: … Hail, King … Behold the Man! … the Son of God … Where are You from? … You could have no power at all …

Pilate feels compelled to listen to the crowd. He does not want a revolt (cf. Matt. 27:24). But what should he do with Jesus, since He is not guilty? Pilate decides to have Him scourged —an extremely cruel act. The soldiers worsen the cruelty by mocking Him.

Pilate then uses their barbaric spectacle for his own purpose, probably to awaken pity from the crowd by saying mockingly, “Behold the Man”—meaning: is this even a man anymore?

For Jesus, the deepest suffering is not first physical but the rejection by His people. As the only Savior of humanity, He becomes unwanted by all. Yet for the sake of salvation, He must endure this suffering. It is the first step of the death of curse and torture, necessary for His substitutionary suffering to save all whom the Father has given Him.

The crowd now cries out: Crucify Him, crucify Him. Pilate again tries to avoid responsibility: “You crucify Him!” (v.6). But now the Jews reveal their real accusation: “He made Himself the Son of God.” In their eyes, Jesus has blasphemed God (cf. Matt. 26:63).

Pilate likely thinks more of a “son of the gods” and becomes even more afraid. He asks Jesus where He is from. That Jesus calls Himself the Son of God is completely true. This brings everyone to a decision: to accept this as the most glorious truth or reject it as the greatest blasphemy.

Why does Jesus not answer Pilate’s question? He accepts His path of suffering by remaining silent. He does not deny the charge. Furthermore, Pilate has no desire to honor Him; he is only afraid.

When Pilate threatens Him with his power, Jesus does not yield but put Pilate in his place: all authority comes from God, also his. Pilate is accountable to God. All the more are the Jews who knowingly delivered Him up.

When must we remain silent? 

Sing: Hymn 19:1-3 (1984) / 23:1-3 (2014)