SECTION B: THEMES FROM THE SYNOPTIC GOSPELS AND THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES
Question 6
- Trace the events that led to the friendship of Pontius Pilate and Herod Antipas.
- State three ways of ensuring justice in our courts.
Observation
This question was straightforward and it attracted only few candidates. Many of them were unable to give aproper narrative of what occurred during the initial trial of Jesus by Pontius Pilate and how He was later sent to Herod Antipas, who also upheld the judgement of Pontius Pilate. The part B was better answered as candidates used their everyday experience of how justice is ensured in courts to draw up their answers. Other points include;
- When Pontius Pilate declared Jesus innocent during his trial, the Chief Priest lamented that Jesus was a trouble shooter disturbing people from Galilee down to Judea.
- When Pilate heard that Jesus came from Galilee, he questioned to ascertain this fact.
- Pilate then sent Jesus to Herod for trial since he (Herod) was also in Jerusalem.
- This Herod was Herod Antipas, the tetrarch of Galilee.
- When Herod saw Jesus, he was very pleased, for he had long desired to see him.
- Herod was happy seeing Jesus because he had hoped seeing Him perform signs and wonders
- Herod questioned Jesus at length but Jesus kept quiet and did not answer him.
- The chief priests who followed, falsely and unjustly accused Jesus of sedition.
- The soldiers of Herod then treated Jesus with contempt and mocked Him
- When Herod got no answer from Jesus, he concluded that Jesus was of no threat and therefore innocent.
- He asked his soldiers to array Him in gorgeous garments and sent Him back to Pilate.
- That very day Pilate and Herod became friends though they were enemies previously.
Ways to ensure good justice in the courts
- Courts of competent jurisdiction to adjudicate cases.
- Cases should be heard publicly
- Cases should be heard within a reasonable time
- Avoidance of conflict of interest on the part of judges
- Judgments should be fairly made devoid of any affiliations.
- The right to a witness
- No intimidation of suspects/witnesses.
- The right to appeal/ review
- Right to bail within stipulated time
- Legal fees should be affordable.
- Suspects should be given fair hearing.