Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - THE DREAM

 

THE DREAM

By not looking carefully at all aspects of the Biblical stories, it may be easy to miss the entire proper interpretation of what is being said in the narrative. For instance, there is, in the gospel of Matthew, this statement:

While he [Pilate] was sitting on the judgement seat, his wife sent to him, saying, 

“Have nothing to do with that just Man, 

for I have suffered many things today 

in a dream because of Him”

(Matthew 27:19)  

It was apparently early in the morning, after the trial of Jesus at the house of Caiaphas, (a trial which was apparently illegal under Jewish law) when the Jewish leaders took Jesus to meet with Pilate. To have the governor of Judea aware and ready to meet with the delegation of Jewish leaders at that hour would likely have required some preliminary preparation. This would indicate that what was being done had, to some extent at least, been prearranged; something which Caiaphas, who had been appointed by the Governor, could have done.

Pilate was apparently known to be a coarse and uncultured man, obstinate and somewhat cruel, not known to put the interests of others ahead of his own. But his wife was reported to be the granddaughter of Augustus Caesar, and therefore, would have had considerable influence over him. So, when Pilate met the Jewish delegation, (as reported in the gospel of John chapter 18) and went through the questioning of Jesus, he proceeded to undertake a form of interrogation not in keeping with the usual Roman legal system. This might have just been the end of the matter had not Matthew related that Pilate received a note “while on the judgement seat” (Matthew 27:19) relating the dream that his wife had. 

If you follow the story, this note concerning the dream probably altered to some extent the remainder of Pilate’s interaction with Jesus, even though the ultimate outcome remained the same. But why would the wife of the Procurator of Judea even have a dream about Christ? She obviously knew of Him but was she also somewhat of a follower? After all, Joanna was the wife of Chuza, manager of the household of Herod Antipas, the ruler of Galilee, and she was one of the women who attended Christ and was at Christ’s tomb.

…and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, 

and Suzanna, and many others who provided for Him from their substance. 

(Luke 8:3)

It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James and the other women with them, 

who told these things to the apostles.

(Luke 24:10)

Joanna was a follower of Christ in spite of her husband’s position; was Claudia, Pilate’s wife also a secret admirer? Was it because of something they had heard, or been told, or had seen that resulted in this and so caused Joanna to provide for Jesus and Claudia to have such a dream? Somehow a seed had been planted which caused these women to take actions that history has not forgotten and which to some extent may have influenced the outcome of events. Were there other seeds planted in others at that time that history has not recalled?

A small seed planted can have far reaching effects; a small event may have long lasting consequences.

In the whole story of Christ’s passion and crucifixion there are many small details and instances which we should all take the time to think seriously about.