本章和廿二章後半段一般稱為耶穌的「受難誌」，描寫耶穌被釘十架的過程。從廿二章四十七至五十三節，我們看到耶穌被捕（儘管祂的門徒迫切的想用他們新買的武器來保護耶穌）──「主阿，我們拿刀砍可以不可以？」（49節）。五十四至六十二節是彼得三次否認自己跟隨過耶穌；然後，耶穌被帶到彼拉多面前……被帶到各各他。祂死了，且被埋葬。故事結束了──祂的敵人或許這麼想。

        接下來發生什麼事？要等到路加福音最後一章才見分曉。但本章有一件很少被提到的事，那就是兩個敵人成了朋友。

        我們不知道希律和彼拉多為什麼彼此為敵。或許是因為權力的衝突。雖然兩人都直接對羅馬政府負責，但希律是分封的王（Terarch），他比巡撫彼拉多多擁有一點自治權。或許希律憎恨彼拉多有時忽視他的自治權，而隨意爬到他頭上。彼拉多可能也同樣討厭偏執的希律，並且公開藐視他。這些都只是猜想。

        不論因為什麼理由，他們乃是多年的仇敵，而耶穌使他們握手言和。這不是很諷刺嗎？他們對彼此的新看法並非源於一顆新造的心，而是由於他們共同對付的「那個人物」。希律和彼拉多對耶穌都很有興趣，但也都被耶穌弄得狼狽不堪。希律厭倦了與耶穌交手，就藐視祂、戲弄祂。彼拉多則把祂釘十架。兩人都不知道，到底為什麼要作此判決。「但，事情也並沒有那麼糟──至少，我們取悅了百姓，我們也成了朋友！」

        耶穌也成了朋友：罪人之友。

        耶穌，謝謝您，您是罪人的朋友。我們需要與您為友。您已經向我們顯出了最大的愛，因您為您的朋友捨命（約15：13）。奉主耶穌基督聖名，阿們！

English

        In this chapter and the latter half of the previous chapter, we read of the crucifixion. Some have called this the “Passion” narrative. In 22:47-53 we see Jesus arrested (even while His disciples were eager to use those newly purchased swords – “Lord, should we strike with our swords? V.49b). Then, in verse 54-62, we read of Peter’s denial that he was a follower of Jesus. After this, Jesus is taken before Pilate and Herod, and then led to Golgotha. He dies and is buried. The story is over; or so His enemies thought.

        What happened next must wait for Luke’s concluding chapter. But there is something in this chapter, which is very rarely commented on. It’s a reference to two old enemies becoming friends.

        We don’t really have any information on why Herod and Pilate were enemies. Maybe it was due to a clash of authority. Both men were accountable to Rome, but Herod, as Tetrarch, had a bit more autonomy than Pilate, as the Governor. Perhaps Herod resented that his autonomy could be challenged or ignored by Pilate from time to time: he could “go over Herod’s head” at will. And Pilate might have shared a common disgust for the paranoid Herod and flaunted it. But this is speculation.

        For whatever reason, they were enemies, and Jesus made them friends. Isn’t that ironic? They their new view of one another sprang, not from being new men, but from trying to deal with “that Man”. They were both fascinated with and flummoxed by Jesus. Herod grew tired of his game with Jesus and had Him ridiculed and mocked. Pilate had Him crucified. Neither knew exactly why. “And it wasn’t all bad – after all, it pleased the people and we’ve become friends!”

        Jesus became a friend too: with sinners.

        Thank you Jesus that You’re a friend of sinners. We need Your friendship. You’ve shown us the greatest love of all. You laid down Your life for Your friends (John 15:13).