Now at the festival the governor was accustomed to release a prisoner for the crowd, and anyone whom they wanted. At that time they had a notorious prisoner called Jesus Barabbas. So after they had gathered, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you, Jesus Barabbas or Jesus who is called the Messiah?” For he realized that it was out of jealousy that they handed him over. While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, “Have nothing to do with that innocent man, for today I have suffered a great deal because of a dream about him.” Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus killed. The governor again said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.” Pilate said to them, “Then what should I do with Jesus who is called Messiah?” All of them said, “Let him be crucified!” Then he asked, “Why what evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified.” Matthew 27:15-23
The Gospel writers occasionally inserted odd incidents into the story. Maybe it lent a sense of authenticity or reality to the accounts. The interruption in the narrative about Pilate’s wife and her dream is one of these. While it served Matthew’s interest in a few ways it still seems odd. The other Gospel writers were unaware of it or found the story irrelevant.
Matthew related dream messaging to Joseph early in the story. An angel appeared to Joseph in a dream persuading him not to abandon Mary and revealing to him Jesus' identity. Later, an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream warning him of Herod’s plot to slay Jesus who threatened Herod’s power as king of the Jews. Still later, in Egypt, an angel again came to Joseph in a dream telling him to return to the land of Israel because Herod had died. But on the way home Joseph had yet another dream warning him to avoid territory where Archelaus ruled, so Joseph settled in the obscure town of Nazareth. Joseph’s response to each dream was obedience for the safety of the child. There are no other dream incidents in the Gospels. There were other dreamers in the Bible, especially another Joseph, the son of Jacob, also named Israel.
Matthew’s purpose in this instance is to claim Jesus’ innocence against the injustice being proposed by the chief priests and the elders. Pilate’s wife knew Pilate’s role as governor. They probably talked about things at dinner or in bed or while drinking wine. She was aware of Jesus and threats against him, though she was not likely a follower or sympathetic to the cause. Something about the situation caused her anxiety. Perhaps it was simply that she knew the tense dangers that might arise between the zealots, the crowds of celebrants and the chief priests and scribes. A riot or rebellion would threaten her life and luxury, as well as put Pilate’s status and life in jeopardy. Often our anxieties make themselves known in our dreams. We often dismiss them, along with other inklings, intuition, and subtle nudges we get in life. They are not solid or certain. Pilate’s wife paid attention to her bad dreams and shared them with Pilate at the point when he had to make a decision. The Bible takes things like dreams seriously. I listen to my dreams, pay attention to random thoughts, inklings, intuition, and subtle nudges believing that God’s Spirit speaks through them.
Her dream and warning may have caused him to hesitate before pronouncing judgment. At the beginning he may have cared less about Jesus' fate, caring only about keeping the peace at all costs. Release Barabbas and keep the crowd happy. Jesus was just a stubborn peasant from up north who was no real concern of Pilate. Jesus did not even bother to defend himself. Meanwhile the chief priests and elders were riling up the crowds who were growing restless for a decision about Barabbas or Jesus. That was the first question still on Pilate’s mind. Still in response to their request for Barabbas, Pilate pressed the question of Jesus' innocence and righteousness that his wife had dreamed of and thought significant enough to share with him at this critical moment. He questions their choice twice. “Then what should I do with Jesus who is called Messiah?” … “Why what evil has he done?” Pilate did not simply shrug his shoulders and dismiss his wife’s dream that intruded into his work at this most inopportune time. The thing he heard that drowned out the whisper from the dream was the loud cry of the chief priests and the crowds they persuaded. “Let him be crucified.” … “Let him be crucified.”
Keep the faith. Say your prayers. Love like Jesus.
Pastor Tim Bauer
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