Mark 15:1-15
Q.1. Who was at the first trial of Jesus? Where was He taken? What did Pilate ask Him? How did He reply? Why was Pilate amazed? – (Mk.15:1-5)
Jesus was tried before the Council of Judaism, which included the High Priest, chief priests, elders, and Scribes (Mk.15:1 c.f. Mk.14:53). Having condemned Him to be deserving of death, they bound Him, and took Him to the Roman leader, Pontius Pilate, who had the authority to apply the death penalty (Mk.15:1 c.f. Mk.14:63-64). Pilate asked Jesus if He was the King of the Jews. Jesus replied – “It is as you say” (Mk.15:2 c.f. Lk.2:2; Lk.1:31-33). The response of Jesus brought a vehement reaction, as the chief priests continued to accuse Him (Mk.15:3). However, Jesus refused to answer the Jewish leaders who had no excuse for their rejection of Him. Pilate was amazed by Christ’s meekness (Mk.15:4-5).
Q.2. Who was Barabbas? Why was he mentioned? What had Pilate concluded? Why did he have Jesus scourged and handed over to crucifixion? – (Mk.13:6-15)
Barabbas was a political activist who – had been imprisoned with the insurrectionists who had committed murder in the insurrection (Mk.15:7). He was mentioned because of a custom at each Passover, when Rome released a requested prisoner (MK.15:6-8). Pilate had concluded that Jesus was innocent of any charge and – he was aware that the chief priests had handed Him over because of envy (Mk.15:10). He then tried to have Jesus released to the people (Mk.15:9). However, the chief priests had successfully stirred up the crowd to ask for the release of Barabbas instead, and to call for Jesus to be crucified (Mk.15:11-13). Matthew recorded that Pilate washed his hands of the crime. Following this, the people responded – May His blood be on us and on our children (c.f. Mt.27:24-25). John added that the crowds claimed that Pilate would be opposing Caesar if he freed Jesus (Jn.19:9-12). The scourging with a flagellum whip with metal and bone inserted was only marginally less horrible than the cross. It seems Pilate hoped that the crowd’s lust for blood may have been satisfied by the scourging, because he was seeking to have Jesus freed. Despite Pilate’s attempts to argue with the crowd to free Jesus, the people prevailed and – wishing to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas … (Mk.15:15).