Their Voices Prevailed

Pilate then called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was misleading the people. And after examining him before you, behold, I did not find this man guilty of any of your charges against him. Neither did Herod, for he sent him back to us. Look, nothing deserving death has been done by him. I will therefore punish and release him.” But they all cried out together, “Away with this man, and release to us Barabbas”— a man who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection started in the city and for murder. Pilate addressed them once more, desiring to release Jesus, but they kept shouting, “Crucify, crucify him!” A third time he said to them, “Why? What evil has he done? I have found in him no guilt deserving death. I will therefore punish and release him.” But they were urgent, demanding with loud cries that he should be crucified. And their voices prevailed. So Pilate decided that their demand should be granted. (Luke 23:13-24)

Pilate was not a worshiper of God. Yet when Jesus became an issue he could no longer avoid, Pilate had to look directly into the face of truth. And what he saw, again and again, was innocence, as he repeated three times, “I find no guilt in this man.” Logic, evidence, and even his own conscience pointed to one conclusion: Jesus had done nothing worthy of death.

Still, the crowd would not relent, and the cries to crucify Him echoed through the air. And in the end, “their voices prevailed.” Not justice. Not truth. Not the integrity of a Roman governor in a seat of power. Just the pressure of a crowd prevailing.

Pilate’s failure is one we’re tempted to repeat in subtle ways. When standing for truth becomes costly – when it risks our reputation, our influence, or our comfort – how often do we remain silent or step aside? Though Pilate had no covenant relationship with God, his position still demanded a standard of righteousness. Authority always carries responsibility. And when Pilate yielded to the mob, he wasn’t just handing over an innocent man – he was surrendering to fear.

Charles Spurgeon once said, “He who kneels before God can stand before any man.” But Pilate didn’t kneel. He stood in front of Truth incarnate and crumbled under the weight of the crowd’s lofty chant. His heart may have been momentarily stirred, but ultimately his spine failed him. And with that, he walked away complicit in the greatest injustice the world has ever known.

As followers of Christ, we are not called to blend into the crowd, but to reflect the character of our King. Jesus stood silent in the face of false accusation, not because He lacked strength, but because He knew His silence fulfilled the Father’s will. He bore injustice to make us just. But now that we are made right with God, we must be willing to stand for what is right – even when it costs us something.

You may never face a literal crowd crying out against you. But you will face moments when the easy path is to ignore injustice, to overlook a lie, to choose silence when truth is begging to be spoken. In those moments, remember Pilate – and choose differently.

If you’ve been in Pilate’s shoes before, where your spine has failed you – take heart: there is grace. Let that grace move you to a new resolve of choosing to stand for truth. Let us be people of courage, grounded in prayer, fearless in the face of pressure – because we kneel before the throne of God.