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Answer
In John 19, we find Jesus before Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea. In verse 10, Pilate boasted about his authority to release or crucify Jesus, prompting Jesus to say, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given to you from above. Therefore, he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin” «Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin. », (John 19:11, ESV).
The expression from above is a reference to God. In other words, Jesus tells Pilate that he would have no authority over Him unless it had been granted to Pilate by God the Father. Such a statement, then, emphasizes the divine origin of human authority: “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God” «Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. », (Romans 13:1, ESV). Jesus subjected Himself to Pilate’s authority, not because Pilate was superior to Him, but because He was obedient to the Father’s will «For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. », (John 6:38). It is within this context that Jesus mentions a “greater sin.”
Jesus’ statement to Pilate that “he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin” «Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin. », (John 19:11, ESV).
(John 19:11, ESV) probably refers to Caiaphas, the Jewish high priest who oversaw the arrest and subsequent trial of Jesus. In both John 18:24 and John 18:28, Caiaphas, along with other religious authorities, handed Jesus over to Pilate.
Now, let’s focus on the concept of a greater sin “Jesus answered, You could have no power at all against me, unless it were given you from above: therefore he who delivered me to you has the greater sin.”, (John 19:11), a statement that prompts reflection on sin’s nature, divine sovereignty, and human accountability.
Firstly, we must recognize that the Bible differentiates between various levels of sin. References to minor sins or major sins can be found in Old Testament passages like Leviticus 4:2, Numbers 15:30, and Ezekiel 8:6. Jesus addressed “more important matters of the law” “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law, justice, mercy, and faith: these you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.”, (Matthew 23:23) and taught about lesser and greater penalties for different transgressions (Luke 12:47-48).
Secondly, minor sins suggest that not all sins carry the same weight. Some sins, by their nature or consequences, hold greater moral significance. In this context, Jesus’ words to Pilate make a profound theological statement, affirming the harmony of divine sovereignty in the events surrounding Jesus’ arrest and trial, while also attributing moral culpability to Caiaphas and Pilate for their wicked actions cf: Acts 2:23. Nevertheless, Caiaphas bears the greater sin as he is the one who handed Jesus over.One who, from a human viewpoint, initiated the chain of events.
God, the supreme judge of the world, evaluates sin with an eye that extends beyond external human actions. Indeed, the all-knowing God sees into the “thoughts and intentions of the heart” «For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. », (Hebrews 4:12, ESV). Pilate had a case brought to him to judge—a case he did not want to take (Luke 23:7; John 18:31). Pilate sinned in failing to execute justice, and an innocent Man was killed as a result. But the one who handed Jesus over to Pilate for trial was “guilty of a greater sin” because that man had plotted to murder Jesus «And the chief priests and all the council sought for witness against Jesus to put him to death; and found none. », (Mark 14:55) and freely and deliberately suppressed the truth in unrighteousness see Romans 1:18.
As high priest, Caiaphas possessed thorough knowledge of the Law and the Prophets. Despite his knowledge, he actively conspired to have Jesus crucified, denying the very Scriptures that testified about Christ « Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. », (John 5:39). For this reason, Caiaphas is guilty of a greater sin than Pilate, having willfully suppressed the truth about the One of whom the Old Testament prophesied.
