23S22 Mark 15:1-15 (Part 37) Jesus Before Pilate
(written 7/25/2023 by Dr. Kip Wehrman) .
Hello everyone. I’m Kip and I want to thank you for joining me today @ the PUNLA Coffee Table. Today we are continuing our study of the gospel according to Mark with Mark 15:1-15 (Part 37) Jesus Before Pilate
When we left off last time. Jesus has been arrest and brought before the High Priest and elders for a false trial. Peter has denied Jesus 3 times, and now Jesus is being brought to Pilate the Roman governor. The Jewish leaders want Jesus killed and killed in a public disgraceful way.
Let’s read it again from the New American Standard version (NAS).
Let’s read Mark 15:1-15 (NAS) 1Early in the morning the chief priests with the elders, scribes, and the entire Council immediately held a consultation; and they bound Jesus and led Him away, and turned Him over to Pilate. 2Pilate questioned Him: “So You are the King of the Jews?” And He answered him, “It is as you say.” 3And the chief priests started accusing Him of many things. 4But Pilate questioned Him again, saying, “Do You offer nothing in answer? See how many charges they are bringing against You!” 5But Jesus said nothing further in answer, so Pilate was amazed. 6Now at the Passover Feast he used to release for them any one prisoner whom they requested. 7And the one named Barabbas had been imprisoned with the rebels who had committed murder in the revolt. 8And the crowd went up and began asking Pilate to do as he had been accustomed to do for them. 9Pilate answered them, saying, “Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?” 10For he was aware that the chief priests had handed Him over because of envy. 11But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to ask him to release Barabbas for them instead. 12And responding again, Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Him whom you call the King of the Jews?” 13They shouted back, “Crucify Him!” 14But Pilate said to them, “Why, what evil has He done?” But they shouted all the more, “Crucify Him!” 15Intent on satisfying the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas for them, and after having Jesus flogged, he handed Him over to be crucified.
Now let’s look at these verse closer, Mark 15:1 (NAS) 1Early in the morning the chief priests with the elders, scribes, and the entire Council immediately held a consultation; and they bound Jesus and led Him away, and turned Him over to Pilate.
Here it is, the Jewish Council consulted together and decided to take Jesus to Pilate. They need Pilate to kill Jesus in a way that will be an example to any future “false” messiah’s.
Mark 15:2-5 (NAS) 2Pilate questioned Him: “So You are the King of the Jews?” And He answered him, “It is as you say.” 3And the chief priests started accusing Him of many things. 4But Pilate questioned Him again, saying, “Do You offer nothing in answer? See how many charges they are bringing against You!” 5But Jesus said nothing further in answer, so Pilate was amazed.
Pilate questions Jesus and comes away amazed. I doubt Pilate was easily amazed. Jesus was different than anyone else Pilate had ever spoken to. And Pilate was amazed. Other gospel accounts say, Pilate could find no fault in Jesus. Pilate believed Jesus was innocent.
Let’s continue with Mark 15:6-8 (NAS) 6Now at the Passover Feast he used to release for them any one prisoner whom they requested. 7And the one named Barabbas had been imprisoned with the rebels who had committed murder in the revolt. 8And the crowd went up and began asking Pilate to do as he had been accustomed to do for them.
Pilate is looking for a way out of his situation. Jesus is innocent, the Jewish leaders want him dead. So why not offer an obvious choice. A really bad guy or Jesus a revered teacher and miracle worker. It should be an easy decision for the crowd.
Let’s continue with Mark 15:9-11 (NAS) 9Pilate answered them, saying, “Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?” 10For he was aware that the chief priests had handed Him over because of envy. 11But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to ask him to release Barabbas for them instead.
Pilate says who to you want? The crowd asks for Barabbas. I can imagine Pilate is like what, what is wrong with you people.
Let’s continue with Mark 15:12-15 (NAS) 12And responding again, Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Him whom you call the King of the Jews?” 13They shouted back, “Crucify Him!” 14But Pilate said to them, “Why, what evil has He done?” But they shouted all the more, “Crucify Him!” 15Intent on satisfying the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas for them, and after having Jesus flogged, he handed Him over to be crucified.
Pilate is what has Jesus done to deserve this. But Roman governors are about keeping the peace. And even if Jesus is innocent, peace is to objective not justice. Barabbas is released and Jesus is flogged and sent to be crucified.
Let me leave you with this today. Jesus was innocent. The Judge Pilate knew Jesus was innocent. Pilate wanted to release Jesus. Pilate tried to give them a choice that had only one option. But they choose the murder instead of Jesus. Have you ever thought it’s not fair. I don’t deserve this. I should get better. You need to pay attention to this story. Did Jesus deserve it, was it fair. Well of course not. Fair and deserve are not always the correct question. We need to ask God, what do you want me to do with this. How can I honor you Lord. It’s sound odd but this is what God wants from us. Trust Jesus in every situation. Then honor our Lord despite our situation. Trust Jesus in everything, then hope and peace and assurance can flood over us. In every situation we can have a satisfying life despite what is happening to us.
