Day 9: Monday, March 30

Matthew 27:11-21. And Jesus stood before the governor; and the governor asked Him, saying, Art Thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus declared to him, Thou sayest. And when He was accused by the chief priests and elders, He answered nothing. Then says Pilate to Him, Hearest Thou not how many things they witness against Thee? And He did not answer him to one saying, so that the governor marveled greatly.

And at the festival the governor was accustomed to release one prisoner to the crowd, whom they willed. And they had then a notorious prisoner, called Barabbas. When therefore they were gathered, Pilate said unto them, Whom do you will that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ? For he knew that for envy they had delivered Him up.

And when he was seated on the tribunal, his wife sent to him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just One, for I have suffered many things today in a dream because of Him. But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds, that they should ask for Barabbas, and destroy Jesus. And the governor answering said to them, Which of the two do you will that I release to you? And they said, Barabbas.

Arcana Coelestia 3008:2. Now as “Christ” and “Messiah” are the same, and as “Christ” in the Greek and “Messiah” in the Hebrew signify the “Anointed,” it is evident that “Christ” is the same as the “Anointed;” and likewise the same as “King,” for kings in general were called the “anointed,” as is evident from the historic and prophetic parts of the Word in many passages. As in David:

The kings of the earth set themselves, and [the rulers] took counsel together, against Jehovah and against His Anointed (Ps. 2:2).

Again:

Now know I that Jehovah saveth His Anointed; He will answer Him from the heavens of His holiness, in the powers of the salvation of His right hand (Ps. 20:6).

Again:

Jehovah is their strength, and a stronghold of salvations to His Anointed (Ps. 28:8).

In Samuel:

Jehovah will give strength unto His King, and exalt the horn of His Anointed (1 Sam. 2:10).

In these and many other passages the “Anointed” denotes the “King.” In the original language the reading is “Messiah.” In these prophetic utterances the Lord is treated of in the internal sense; and that He is the “King” is also plain from passages in the New Testament. As in Matthew:

The governor asked Jesus, Art Thou the King of the Jews? Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest (Matt. 27:11).

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