Matthew 27:14.

“Jesus made no reply, not even a single charge – to the great amazement of the governor.”

Jesus was first arrested by the Temple guards, the Jewish police force, so to speak, who were enforcing the desires of the Jewish rulers who under Rome had very  limited authority.  The guards delivered Jesus to the rulers of the Jews.

They plied Jesus with questions, hard ones about who he is. He claimed to be God’s Son. Then things were thrown into confusion. The high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has spoken blasphemy!”  All knew that blasphemy warranted death, according to their definition of the word. Their fit of rage resulted in insulting and slapping of the face and in handing Jesus over to the Roman governor, Pilate, who was profoundly conflicted by the whole business. Pilate’s wife, because of a dream she had, warned against harming Jesus. The Jewish crowds demanded his death. Poor Pilate.  What shall he do?

He saw a way out of his dilemma. It was the time of year for Rome to set one convict free. Pilate grasped the opportunity to free Jesus, but the Jews would have none of that.  They insisted that a notorious criminal, Barabas, be set free and Jesus killed.  Pilate “washed his hands” of the sordid mess.  So Barnabas was set free, Jesus was killed on a Roman cross without a Roman trial, a thing unheard of.  Everything was in turmoil.

Pilate reluctantly agreed that Jesus must be killed.  Upon hearing that the Jews turned on Jesus, they “…spit on him and took the staff and struck him again and again… Then they led him away to crucify him.”  v 30, 31

Disowned by the Jews and little known by the Romans, Jesus had to die, trial or no trial. That should have put this minor insurrection against Rome presumably led by this completely ineffective Galilean to rest once and for all.  Jesus posed no threat to the Roman Empire.  The Romans knew that but they had to pacify the Jews.

In all honesty, Jesus never spoke of rebellion against Rome. In any case, where are his followers? All abandoned him, every one. Does that look like a strategy for a coup? Hardly.

In summary, Jesus appealed to no authority either Jewish or Roman to help him.  And his apostles simply fled.  Again our Jesus stands alone!  He depended entirely upon his heavenly Father.  In that loneliness the Kingdom of God was arriving on earth.