John 19:4–5

In the second branch of this part of the chapter is recorded what was Pilates scope in all this; to wit, not that he might revenge or punish any real fault in Christ, but that having gratified them this far, by afflicting the innocent, lest they should be accounted injust in accusing him, they would now in pity be content, and crave no more to be done to him. For which end, having thus dealt with Christ in the judgment-hall, he goeth forth again, (after the former time, chap. 18.28, 29.) to the Jewes who stayed without, declaring how he had found Christ innocent, and therefore could not condemn him, but would present him to them, to see if they would be perswaded to let him go; and withal, he would let them see what he he had done to him, to gratifie them, and to move them to pity. And accordingly, he is brought forth in that sad posture, and presented as an object of pity and compassion. Whence learn, 1. The tendernesse of mens conscience cannot be known or tried so much by their propounding of a good end, as by their choosing of cleanly and warrantable means, for attaining their end, for, Pilates end was good in seeking to have Christ delivered, but he choosed wrong means, in that he dealt so cruelly with the innocent, and cared not to send him away with ignominy and great affliction, so he got him delivered. 1. It is no new trial for innocents, to meet with many affronts and injuries in their trials, if it were but to gratifie their accusers, and salve their credit; for, Christ is here found innocent, and yet he must not come off, nor be brought out to be delivered by them, but when he is all pained and bloody, and wearing the crown of thornes, and the purple robe, lest they should be rubbed upon, as accusing him injustly. 3. Christ in his sufferings was innocent of any personal crime, even in the consciences of his persecutors; whereby the Lord made it clear, that his sufferings were for others; for, saith Pilate, not only here, but often, I finde no fault in him; and he brought him forth that they might know this, evidencing by bringing him forth, that he could not condemn him, and that he desired they would rest satisfied with what he had done. 4. Whatever men may have of a natural conscience, yet well-doing is above the power thereof, it will only tend to further their own condemnation; for, Pilate acquits him, I finde no fault in him, and yet he abuseth him, and bringeth him out, wearing the crown of thornes, and purple robe, &c. 5. Carnal policie in Gods wayes will never do any good, but rather tend to greater trouble; for, Pilates policie in scourging and abusing of Christ, and bringing him out with the crown of thornes, and purple robe, is so far from delivering him, that it augments his trouble, and he is both scourged and crucified, whereas he might otherwise have been crucified only. 6. It is an evidence of monstrous cruelty in men, when not only the innocency of sufferers, but their bitter sufferings, though innocent, will not mollisie their hearts, and asswage their fury; for, Pilate propounds Christ thus abused, as an object pleading for pity, Behold the man. And whatever use they made of this sight, yet we should behold the Son of God in that his deep exinanition, not carnally to pity him, but in his example and lot, to learn condescendence and stooping, and obedience and subjection to the Will of God, Phil. 25.6, 7, 8. Matth. 26.39. to study the desert of sin, that we may abhorre it, and to reade his love toward his peuple, Rom. 5.8.