4 ms·

I've contemplated this exchange a few times over the years, but I never feel like I really understand the point that Jesus is making.

opportune 7y ago
Pontius pilate has the power to choose yes or no, but he also must choose yes or no, and this is enforced by the people with power over Pilate. His job to act as the justice system. The people who handed over Jesus forced pontius pilate to make that decision, but could have just as easily not done anything. Think about it this way: suppose you know someone who smokes a lot of weed at home in an illegal state, and their neighbor rats them out, and police discover an ounce in the person's house. That person goes to jail for a month and gets a felony. Who has been more unethical: the person who snitched for adversarial reasons, or the people in the justice system which did their job enforcing the rules given to them?
- mLuby 7y ago
  This may be a trick of translation, but couldn't "The one who handed me over to you has the greater sin" refers to God (the Father)?
  - meddlepal 7y ago
    I'm no theologian, but I'm pretty sure the Judeo-Christian God is "perfect" and without sin so no. To sin is to go against God's will or nature. Only humans and I guess the devil can do that because of implied free will. Once again, not a theologian.
    - mLuby 7y ago
      Haha IANAT either, but they have at best a tenuous claim to authority in an discipline that's unfalsifiable. I thought the idea is that everything is or at least was created by God, so that would include Sin. It's same as that "could God create a rock so heavy even He couldn't move it" paradox. Anyway, to me the quote indicates Jesus's loyalty despite knowing the torture and death He's about to experience, as well as indicating Pontius Pilate's relative insignificance in the whole thing. As the parent says, PP is mostly a gear in the machine.
  - frickinLasers 7y ago
    It probaby refers to Judas, who turned Jesus in for some silver.
deleted 7y ago
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opportune 7y ago

Pontius pilate has the power to choose yes or no, but he also must choose yes or no, and this is enforced by the people with power over Pilate. His job to act as the justice system. The people who handed over Jesus forced pontius pilate to make that decision, but could have just as easily not done anything. Think about it this way: suppose you know someone who smokes a lot of weed at home in an illegal state, and their neighbor rats them out, and police discover an ounce in the person's house. That person goes to jail for a month and gets a felony. Who has been more unethical: the person who snitched for adversarial reasons, or the people in the justice system which did their job enforcing the rules given to them?

mLuby 7y ago
This may be a trick of translation, but couldn't "The one who handed me over to you has the greater sin" refers to God (the Father)?
- meddlepal 7y ago
  I'm no theologian, but I'm pretty sure the Judeo-Christian God is "perfect" and without sin so no. To sin is to go against God's will or nature. Only humans and I guess the devil can do that because of implied free will. Once again, not a theologian.
  - mLuby 7y ago
    Haha IANAT either, but they have at best a tenuous claim to authority in an discipline that's unfalsifiable. I thought the idea is that everything is or at least was created by God, so that would include Sin. It's same as that "could God create a rock so heavy even He couldn't move it" paradox. Anyway, to me the quote indicates Jesus's loyalty despite knowing the torture and death He's about to experience, as well as indicating Pontius Pilate's relative insignificance in the whole thing. As the parent says, PP is mostly a gear in the machine.
- frickinLasers 7y ago
  It probaby refers to Judas, who turned Jesus in for some silver.

deleted 7y ago

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