Pilate uses specific titles for Jesus. What was he trying to communicate, and how did the crowd respond to these labels?
Pilate's choice of words when presenting Jesus to the crowd was loaded. He wasn't just saying 'Jesus,' but 'Jesus who is called Christ.' This was a subtle, perhaps even sarcastic, jab at the religious leaders and the people.
A Name with Weight
'Christ' means 'Anointed One,' the long-awaited Messiah and King. By using this title, Pilate might have been reminding the crowd of their own hopes and expectations for a deliverer. He could have been highlighting the absurdity of the charge against Jesus – that this seemingly ordinary man was a threat to Rome.
The Crowd's Rejection
While Pilate may have hoped the title 'Christ' would sway the crowd, the religious leaders had already poisoned the well. They actively persuaded the people to demand Barabbas. In essence, by shouting for Barabbas, the crowd was rejecting not just a man, but the very concept of the Messiah they claimed to await, choosing instead a symbol of rebellion and sin.
