Jesus Before Pilate Preschool Lesson
Preschool lesson (ages 3–6, 20 minutes)
1. Welcome (3 min)
Sit in a circle, greet every child by name and show one thing from the story to touch.
2. The little story (5 min)
Teach the refrain first: “Jesus stayed quiet and trusted God.”
It was early in the morning. The chief priests had tied Jesus up. They took him to Pilate. Pilate was the governor – the ruler of the land for the emperor in Rome.
Jesus stood before Pilate. Can you stand up tall and still, like Jesus? Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus said to him, “So you say.”
Jesus also told Pilate, “My Kingdom is not of this world.” Jesus is a King, but not like other kings. He said, “If my Kingdom were of this world, then my servants would fight.” Jesus said, “For this reason I have come into the world, that I should testify to the truth.” Jesus came to tell the truth about God.
Then the chief priests said many bad things about Jesus. They were not true. But Jesus answered nothing. Jesus stayed quiet and trusted God.
Pilate said, “Don’t you hear how many things they testify against you?” But Jesus gave no answer, not even one word. Pilate was amazed. Can you put your finger on your lips, quiet like Jesus?
Pilate said, “I find no basis for a charge against this man.” That means: He has done nothing wrong!
Pilate heard that Jesus came from Galilee. So he sent him to King Herod, who ruled over Galilee. Herod asked Jesus many, many questions. But Jesus gave no answers. Then Herod sent him back to Pilate. Jesus stayed quiet and trusted God.
At the feast, Pilate always let one prisoner go free. There was a prisoner called Barabbas. Pilate asked the crowd, “Whom do you want me to release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” Release means let go.
Pilate knew the leaders were jealous of Jesus. Jealous means upset because someone else has what you want. Even Pilate’s wife sent him a message. “Have nothing to do with that righteous man.” Righteous means good and right. She had had a bad dream about him.
But the leaders told the crowd to ask for Barabbas. So the people shouted, “Barabbas!”
Pilate asked, “What then shall I do to Jesus?” The crowd shouted that Jesus should be put on a cross. Pilate said, “Why? What evil has he done?” Can you shrug your shoulders, like Pilate?
But the crowd shouted louder and louder. And Jesus stood there, quiet. The Bible says that when people said bad things to Jesus, he did not say bad things back. He gave himself into God’s hands. Jesus stayed quiet and trusted God.
Pilate took water and washed his hands in front of everyone. Splash, splash. He said he was not to blame. Then he let Barabbas go free, and he sent Jesus to the cross.
Barabbas walked out free. And Jesus, who had done nothing wrong, went to the cross instead.
Jesus went to the cross to save us. And on the third day, God raised him to life again! Jesus stayed quiet and trusted God.
3. Talk together (3 min)
- Why do you think Jesus did not answer the bad things they said?
- How do you think Barabbas felt when he was let go?
4. Move (3 min)
Refrain Freeze: move around the room; when you say the refrain, everyone freezes and says it together.
5. Make (4 min)
Draw a line to who said it.
6. Verse and prayer (2 min)
“What evil has he done?” — Matthew 27:23 (What evil → shrug your shoulders; has he done → shake your head slowly)
Dear Jesus, thank you that you did nothing wrong. Thank you that you went to the cross for us. Amen.
Lesson for older kids (ages 6–10)
Big idea: Brave and Gentle
Memory verse: “When he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing.” — Matthew 27:12 · WEB
The Bible story
Jesus stands quiet and brave before Governor Pilate, and even when the crowd shouts, God's gentle plan of love keeps unfolding for you and me.
Talk about it
- Where did the soldiers take Jesus early in the morning? — To the governor's palace
- What was the name of the governor? — Pilate
- What did Pilate ask Jesus? — Are you the king of the Jews?
- What did Jesus do when the leaders accused Him? — He said nothing at all
- How did Pilate feel about how quiet Jesus was? — Greatly amazed
- What special thing did the governor do each year at that time? — Set one prisoner free
Where is Jesus in this story?
Hundreds of years earlier, Isaiah wrote that God's servant would be like a lamb that stays silent while its wool is cut (Isaiah 53:7). Before Pilate, Jesus did exactly that and answered none of the charges (Matthew 27:12–14). Then guilty Barabbas walked free while innocent Jesus was sent to the cross. Jesus took the place of guilty people, like us.
What God wants to tell us
Jesus shows us that being brave does not always mean shouting the loudest. Sometimes the bravest thing is to stay calm, kind and gentle, even when things feel unfair. God was with Jesus in that hard moment, and God is with you too. When people are unkind, you do not have to answer meanness with meanness. You can be quiet, strong and full of love, trusting that God sees everything and holds you safe in His care.
Prayer
Thank You, God, that Jesus was so brave and so gentle, even when things were unfair. Help me to be kind and calm when others are unkind. Thank You that Your love can never be stopped and that You are always with me. Amen.
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