Queen's Road Cell

 11. Notice how the elders accused Jesus to the Roman governor (23:2). Were their charges just? How do you know? (Lk 20:20-26, 22:49-52; Jn 18:36) There were 3 charges and one additional comment: 'misleading our nation' ( = inciting revolt, sedition) 'forbidding us to give tribute to Caesar' 'saying that he himself is Christ, a king' 'He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee even to this place' Pilate’s first question (lit "You are the king of the Jews?") of Jesus is identically worded in all four Gospels and in all four his 'you' is emphatic (Morris) Jesus could not say 'no'. Nor could he say, 'yes'. 12. Why did Pilate pronounce Jesus innocent? (Lk 23:4, 13-15)? How did Pilate interpret the elders' accusation and Jesus' words (23:1-4)? "You have said so.” parallels the “You say that I am.” of 22:70   Jesus did not defend Himself (Mt 27:12) - not the action of a desperate rebel. ...

 Why did John the Baptist doubt? The cleansing 'fire' He brought was yet to come in fullness.  He was in prison. In essence, his expectations were not met. 14. How did Jesus confirm His identity to John (see Luke 7:21-22)?   He healed in front of John's disciples ("In that hour", v 21) and pointed to His ministry of healing and preaching as fuilfillment of OT prophecy about the Messiah (Isa 29:18. 24:5-6, 6:1-2). 15.Compare Isaiah 61:2 to Luke 4:19. What part of Isaiah 61:2 was Jesus fulfilling, and what part was He leaving for His future return? Fulfilling in current ministry : t o bring good news to the poor, to bind the brokenhearted, free the captives and open spiritually and physically blinded eyes. To proclaim the time of God's favour (cf. 2:14) Leaving for future return: the day of God's vengeance/judgment, when all who mourn will be comforted (cf. 6:21b) 16. Why did the people reject John when he "sang a dirge "(7:32, when he lived stric...