Matthew 27:23

²³ And he said, “Why? What evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified!”

The standard for the ages is set in this trial.  This is the farce that is enacted.  There are several facts that are evident in the accounts of Jesus’ accusation, trial, and conviction.

A.     Truth need not be established for a trial, cf 27:18.

B.     Guilt or innocence need not be established.  Evident innocence can be ignored, cf 27:23.

C.     The fact of innocence can be ignored or overruled by public opinion, cf 27:28.

D.    The punishment levelled on the case of false conviction will always be disproportionate to the real issue, cf 27:22.

E.     The farce will, by and large, be found where the convicted is a minority, cf 27:20.

F.      The conviction will always have the consent and encouragement of the majority leadership, cf 27:1-2.

What this leads us to see is that there are instances where guilt and innocence are not the issue.  The issue is how it affects the public perception of leadership or the issues they favor.  In the trial of Jesus, the judge, Pilate, said “it was for envy that had Him there.”

What is the issue?  Is it collusion, obstruction, a promise of capital payment, or is envy?  It is not justice.  We have already passed that.