After the Jewish leadership condemns Him, Jesus is delivered to the Roman governor Pontius Pilate at his house in the early morning hours to be killed. The interrogation of Jesus occurs in several phases which include interrogations by the reluctant Pilate and the local half-Jewish King Herod; throughout, Jesus remains in complete control of His Passion.
In the first phase, the Jewish high priest Caiaphas delivers Jesus to Pilate to be killed, calling Him and evildoer who falsely claims to be the King of the Jews, and they lie, saying Jesus opposes paying Roman taxes (Lk 23:2); the Jews seek to manipulate Pilate into killing Jesus by falsely portraying Him as a dangerous political rebel king. The chief priests accuse Jesus of many things, but Jesus refuses to respond and Pilate is amazed (Mk 15:3-5). Concerned, Pilate questions Jesus to see if He indeed is the King of the Jews. Jesus responds by questioning if Pilate is being told this by others, offering Pilate the opportunity to realize he is being manipulated by the Jews. Pilate sarcastically responds, “Am I a Jew?”, confirms the Jews have turned Him over to be executed (Jn 18:31), and asks what Jesus has done. Jesus cryptically responds, revealing His Kingdom is not of the world and that He was born to testify to the truth. Pilate, perplexed, asks “What is truth?”, a confirmation his evil mind is darkened. Pilate tells the Jews that Jesus has committed no crime and is innocent of the Jews’ false charges.
In the second phase (Lk 23:6-12), Pilate discovers Jesus is a Galilean and sends Him to the evil half-Jewish King Herod, the Roman-appointed puppet-king responsible for overseeing Galilee. King Herod had St. John the Baptist murdered after he condemned Herod’s incestuous and adulterous false marriage to Herod’s brother’s wife. Herod was both afraid and eager to meet Jesus (Lk 9:7-9) and hoped to see Jesus perform miracles. Herod asks many questions but Jesus insults Herod by silently ignoring him. After the Jewish chief priests and scribes vehemently accuse Jesus, Herod, perhaps embarrassed, mocks Jesus by dressing Him in kingly robes and returns Him to Pilate; Pilate and Herod become friends.
Be awed by Jesus Christ
Marvel at how Jesus, the Divine King deals with His enemies: Perfection of Prudence, Jesus shrewdly refuses to engage the invincibly evil Jewish leadership, Herod and Pilate; Master of Fortitude, Jesus silently endures the unjust persecution of those who hate Him.
Seek the Gift of Knowledge when confronted by the prideful
Realize: Though He could easily dominate His prideful enemies (Jn 18:6), Jesus refuses to engage the evil and unrepentant (Mt 7:6). Every Catholic man is confronted by the prideful who oppose Jesus and must be guided by the Spirit to know if and how to respond.
Believe: Reflect upon Hatred of God and Pride (CCC 600, 1866).
Pray: Holy Spirit, give me the Gift of Knowledge, so I can be guided by You to know if and how to respond to the prideful who fall into the evil of opposing Jesus and His Holy Catholic Church.
Imitate Christ by courageously enduring persecution
Realize: Jesus Christ, throughout His life, courageously lived under persecution (CCC 530); Every Catholic man who remains faithful to Christ and His Holy Catholic Church will be persecuted.
Believe: Reflect upon Persecution (CCC 530, 675, 1435, 1716, 2303).
Pray: Almighty Father, help me build the Virtue of Fortitude so I can courageously imitate Your Son when I am persecuted for my faith in You and Your Holy Catholic Church.