II.  Another observation, which related to those who had conspired his death, and brought him to Pilate’s bar; perhaps more particularly to Judas, who had betrayed him—­therefore HE that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.  If only one person is here intended, as having delivered Christ to Pilate, Judas must have been the person.

That Pilate possessed such power, the power of life and death, is declared an aggravation of his guilt, who had delivered him to Pilate; in which there might be an allusion to Pilate’s character as an unprincipled man.  He was known to be under the government of appetite, passion, or selfishness.  He had been often guilty of injustice and cruelty in his public administration.  Therefore had his enemies the greater sin in delivering Jesus unto him.

Such we apprehend to be the meaning of the text; which hath been thought to be obscure and difficult.  The difficulty will strike us, if we read the whole passage as it stands in the translation.  Pilate saith unto him, Speak thou not unto me?  Knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee?  Jesus answered,

Thou couldest have no power against me, except it were given thee from above; THEREFORE he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.

The last clause seems at first view, to refer to the words which immediately precede, which is to understand our Savior as aggravating the guilt of those who delivered him to Pilate, from the consideration of Pilate’s power having been derived from above.

This cannot be the meaning.  All power in the hands of creatures, maybe traced to the same source.  It is derived from above.  But the source whence power is derived is out of the question respecting the merit or demerit attending the use of it.  The guilt of him who delivered Christ to Pilate, was neither increased nor diminished by it.

The consequence, THEREFORE he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin, looks back to words preceding—­I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee.  His sin was great, who delivered Christ to such an one; to one possessed, of his power, and of his character; much greater than though he had delivered him to one devoid of power to crucify; or to one who was a man of principle.  Delivering Jesus to Pilate was like delivering Daniel to the lions; or the three children to the fiery furnace.  The rage of the lions, and the power of the flames, were restrained by the greater power of God; but no thanks to the enemies of those holy men—­they could be considered in no other light than that of murderers.

The Supreme ruler could have restrained Pilate and have prevented his having yielded to Christ’s enemies, and given him to their will.  But the determinate counsel of heaven had otherwise resolved before the incarnation.  “It was necessary that Christ should suffer, and enter into his glory.”  Therefore was he given up to the rage of his enemies who thirsted for his blood.