5 Bible Verses about Politics

Pilate therefore willing to humour the people, released to them Barabbas, and having caused Jesus to be scourg'd, he deliver'd him to be crucified.

Pilate having order'd the chief priests, the senators, and people to appear, he said to them, you have represented this man to me as one that was stirring up the people to a revolt: you see I have examin'd him in your presence; yet I don't find he is guilty of the crimes you have laid to his charge: no, nor even Herod; for I referr'd you to him, and you see nothing that is capital, has been made out against him. read more.
I will therefore order him to be whipp'd, and then release him. now as it was customary for the governor to release one of the prisoners at the feast; all the people cry'd out, let this man die, and release to us Barabbas. Barabbas had been imprison'd for murder in a riot he had rais'd in the city. Pilate therefore, desirous to release Jesus, expostulated with them again. but they cry'd out, crucify him, crucify him. however he urg'd it a third time, why, what crime has he done? I don't find he has done any thing that deserves death: I will therefore order him to be whipp'd, and so dismiss him. but they persisted with great clamour in their demands, to have him crucified: and as the people and chief priests redoubled their clamours, Pilate determin'd to grant their request. accordingly he discharg'd the prisoner they desired, him that was committed for riot and murder; but he abandon'd Jesus to their discretion.

the governor said, why, what mischief has he done? but they cried out the more, let him be crucified. Pilate perceiving he was so far from prevailing, that they were more tumultuous, he took water, and washed his hands before all the people, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: you are answerable for it. at this all the people cry'd out, "his blood be on us, and on our children." read more.
Then he released to them Barabbas: but he order'd Jesus to be scourged, and delivered up to be crucified. after this the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered all the foot-guards about him.

what is truth? said Pilate. and upon saying this, he went out again to the Jews, and said to them, I don't find he is guilty of any crime. but as it is customary with you to get me to discharge some prisoner at the time of the passover, would you have me release the king of the Jews?

Pilate therefore went out again, and said to them, observe, I bring him out to you, to acquaint you that I find no fault in him. so Jesus marched out wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. and Pilate said to them, here's the man. as soon as the chief priests and officers saw him, they cried out, "crucify him, crucify him." Pilate said to them, take him yourselves, and crucify him: for I find no fault in him. read more.
the Jews answered him, we have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he pretended to be the son of God. Pilate upon hearing that, was still more apprehensive. and went again into the Pretorium, and said to Jesus, who was your father? but Jesus gave him no answer. then said Pilate to him, won't you give me an answer? don't you know that it is in my power to crucify you, or to release you? Jesus answered, you could not have any power over me, except you deriv'd it from above: therefore they who delivered me into your hands are the most culpable. upon this, Pilate propos'd to release him: but the Jews cried out, if you let this man go, you are not Cesar's friend: he that sets up for king, opposes Cesar. Pilate therefore hearing them talk at this rate, order'd Jesus to be brought forth, and then sat down in a place of Mosaic work on his tribunal, in Syriac call'd Gabbatha.

for Herod having secur'd John, bound him, and put him in prison to please Herodias, his brother Philip's wife. for John had said to him, it is not lawful for thee to have her. he would have put him to death, but for fear of the people, who reckoned him a prophet. read more.
but when Herod's birth-day was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced in publick, and made such an impression upon Herod, that he promised her upon oath, to give whatever she should ask; who being before instructed by her mother, pray, said she, order John Baptist's head to be brought here in a charger. and the king relented: nevertheless out of regard to the oath, and to those who sat with him at table, he commanded it to be brought to her. and pursuant to order, John was beheaded in the prison, whence his head was brought in a charger, and given to the young lady, who carried it to her mother.

for Herod had given orders to seize John, and had confin'd him in prison, to gratify Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, whom he had married; upon which John told him, "it is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife." which Herodias resented, and form'd a design against his life, but could not execute it; read more.
because Herod had a respect for John, knowing him to be a very honest good man, and therefore protected him; having reform'd many things upon his remonstrances, which he us'd to receive very graciously. however, a favourable opportunity happen'd for her, upon Herod's making an entertainment the birth-night, for all the great officers of the court, and army, and persons of the first distinction in Galilee. for Herodias made her appearance there, and danc'd with such an engaging air in the eye of Herod, as well as of all the company, that the king thus addrest himself to the young lady, "ask of me whatever you please, and it shall be granted." nay, he ratified his promise with an oath, "I will give you whatever you require, said he, tho' it be even the half of my kingdom." then she withdrew, and said to her mother, what shall I ask? the head of John the Baptist, said she. upon which she instantly fled to the king, and said, I desire to have John the Baptist's head brought hither immediately in a charger. at this the king was exceedingly concern'd; however, in regard to his oath, and to those who were at table with him, he would not refuse her; but immediately dispatch'd the proper officer with orders to bring the head of John the Baptist. accordingly he went, and beheaded him in the prison, and bringing the head in a charger, he presented it to the young lady, who gave it to her mother:

Then the mother of Zebedee's children, with her two sons, came and threw herself at his feet, desiring a favour of him. and he said to her, what would you have? grant, said she, when you are upon the throne, that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left. but Jesus answered them, ye know not what ye ask. can ye bear to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? they said to him, we can. read more.
he replied, ye shall indeed drink of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, I cannot grant to any but those whom my father has destin'd thereto.