Moments of critical decisions measure the heart. The heart of Israel’s religious establishment was found wanting for they decided to kill the awaited Messiah (1, 21, 23). Now, Pilate and Herod’s hearts were on trial. It appeared Jesus was on trial. In reality, God was weighing their hearts. The judges were being examined. The moment of critical decision had come.
Three proverbs come to mind when reviewing Herod and Pilate. “All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart.” (Proverbs 21:2) “If you say, ‘But we knew nothing about this,’ does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay each person according to what he has done?” (Proverbs 24:12) And finally, “The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.” (Proverbs 15:28)
Pilate and Herod knew Jesus had done nothing warranting any punishment, let alone crucifixion (4, 14-15; Matthew 27:19, 24). According to Roman law, which they took great pride in, crucifixion was only for someone found guilty of treason and insurrection. Pilate knew Jesus did neither, and that the Jews brought Jesus to him only because of religious jealousy (Matthew 27:18; Mark 15:15; John 18:31, 38). In the end, Pilate gave in to the religious elite, and Herod did not set Jesus free.
