Mark 15:1–15

And as soon as it was morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council. And they bound Jesus and led him away and delivered him over to Pilate. And Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” And he answered him, “You have said so.” And the chief priests accused him of many things. And Pilate again asked him, “Have you no answer to make? See how many charges they bring against you.” But Jesus made no further answer, so that Pilate was amazed.

Now at the feast he used to release for them one prisoner for whom they asked. And among the rebels in prison, who had committed murder in the insurrection, there was a man called Barabbas. And the crowd came up and began to ask Pilate to do as he usually did for them. And he answered them, saying, “Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?” 10 For he perceived that it was out of envy that the chief priests had delivered him up. 11 But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release for them Barabbas instead. 12 And Pilate again said to them, “Then what shall I do with the man you call the King of the Jews?” 13 And they cried out again, “Crucify him.” 14 And Pilate said to them, “Why? What evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Crucify him.” 15 So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.

(ESV)

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  • What is the writer saying?
  • How do I apply this to my life?

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Having been condemned for blasphemy under Jewish law, Jesus was then taken to Pilate to be tried for treason under Roman law. He was sentenced to death by the Jewish leaders but they were not able to execute Jesus, they needed the Romans to do that. Pilate asked Jesus if He was the King of the Jews because that claim could be a threat to Caesar. Jesus’ answer appears a bit obscure but it was a “yes.” Jesus’ concept of kingship differed from what Pilate was asking. And it is clear that Pilate didn’t believe Jesus was a threat because if he did, he would have acted immediately. Instead, Pilate listens to many accusations by the chief priests and is amazed as Jesus makes no defence to any of them.

It is clear that Pilate didn’t believe there was any political threat from Jesus because he offered to release Jesus as was customary during the Passover. He recognised that Jesus had been brought before him because of the chief priests’ envy, not because he was guilty. He saw an opportunity to have Jesus released. But the chief priests had stirred up the crowd who asked for Barabbas to be released instead. Barabbas was a political prisoner who had murdered and rebelled against Rome. Barabbas who had committed treason and was sentenced to death was released while Jesus who had not was sentenced to die. Pilate asked what he should do with Jesus, the one they call the King of the Jews, and the crowd called out “Crucify him.” Pilate asked what evil He had done but the crowd just shouted louder, “Crucify him!” Pilate, more concerned about the crowd and preventing a riot released Barabbas. Then he had Jesus scourged (beaten with a bone and metal laced whip) and delivered to be crucified.

The chief priests were driven by their desire to keep their positions of power. Pilate was driven by the need to keep the peace—so he would keep his job. The crowds were driven by the collective stirring of a mob (peer pressure). Not one of them was making a wise, considered decision. What is driving you to make the decisions you are making? What might you need to change to ensure your decisions are wise and God-honouring?