In my opinion, Caiaphas was by far the biggest villian. No one wanted to see Jesus killed more than the cheif priests and elders. To whom would Judas have handed Him over, if not to the chief priests? There would have been no “market” for Jesus blood. Judas could not have committed his betrayal without the cooperation of the chief priests and elders. It all goes back to your wonderful homily on pride and envy.
Pilate wanted to avoid the whole thing. St. Peter? How did he make the list? Peter was beset by ordinary human weakness. But, I guess in that respect, as we all suffer from ordinary human weakness, and we all are responsible for the death of Jesus, I see how St. Peter, as he represents us, has a place there.
Judas, easily, for selling the man he followed for three years for 30 pieces of silver.
Pilate, for ordering the cruel execution of a beloved and pacifist leader who had no intention of overthrowing Roman rule over the Jews.
Even though April was more than a few months ago, I thought of this post when I read this in the Gospel of John (RSV) today:
John 19:9-11
He entered the Praetorium again and said to Jesus, “Where are you from?” But Jesus gave no answer. Pilate therefore said to him, “You will not speak to me? Do you not know that I have the power to release you, and power to crucify you?” Jesus answered him, “You would have no power over me unless it had been given you from above; therefore he who delivered me to you has the greater sin.”
Father Mark White Blog 
In my opinion, Caiaphas was by far the biggest villian. No one wanted to see Jesus killed more than the cheif priests and elders. To whom would Judas have handed Him over, if not to the chief priests? There would have been no “market” for Jesus blood. Judas could not have committed his betrayal without the cooperation of the chief priests and elders. It all goes back to your wonderful homily on pride and envy.
Pilate wanted to avoid the whole thing. St. Peter? How did he make the list? Peter was beset by ordinary human weakness. But, I guess in that respect, as we all suffer from ordinary human weakness, and we all are responsible for the death of Jesus, I see how St. Peter, as he represents us, has a place there.
Judas, easily, for selling the man he followed for three years for 30 pieces of silver.
Pilate, for ordering the cruel execution of a beloved and pacifist leader who had no intention of overthrowing Roman rule over the Jews.
Even though April was more than a few months ago, I thought of this post when I read this in the Gospel of John (RSV) today:
John 19:9-11
He entered the Praetorium again and said to Jesus, “Where are you from?” But Jesus gave no answer. Pilate therefore said to him, “You will not speak to me? Do you not know that I have the power to release you, and power to crucify you?” Jesus answered him, “You would have no power over me unless it had been given you from above; therefore he who delivered me to you has the greater sin.”