Title: Gospel of Mark: Standing For What You Believe.
Scripture: Mark 15:1-15
Date: 8-04-2024
Bible Version: NKJV
BOTTOM LINE: Even during difficult situations, we need to stand firm in our faith.
Early Morning Council Meeting (vs 1)
[Mar 15:1 NKJV] Immediately, in the morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council; and they bound Jesus, led [Him] away, and delivered [Him] to Pilate.
Immediately, in the morning, the chief priests held a consultation - After the illegal night trial, the next morning, the chief priest held a consultation. This would be the official daylight trial of Jesus before the Sanhedrin (Luke 22:66-71).
They bound Jesus, led Him away, and delivered Him to Pilate - Jesus was led away and delivered to Pilate. This was done because the Sanhedrin did not have the legal right to execute their own criminals. They brought him to Pilate, the governor of Judea (AD 26-36).
Since he was constantly suspicious of the Jews, when they brought him a prisoner for execution he immediately suspected there was a hidden agenda at work. —David Guzik
Roman Procedure For a Trial:
Plaintiff- Brings and indictment against the accused.
Judge - Examines the accusation and the accused.
Judge - Consult with advisors and announce the verdict from the judgment seat. The sentence would be executed immediately.
Jesus Before Pilate (vv 2-5)
[Mar 15:2 NKJV] Then Pilate asked Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” He answered and said to him, “[It is as] you say.”
Pilate asked Him, “Are you the King of the Jews? - Pilate would ask Jesus a very pointed question. Jesus claiming to be God was not enough since the Romans worshiped multiple gods. The accusers were trying to paint Jesus as someone who was a political threat to Rome.
He answered and said to him, “It is as you say - Jesus answered in the affirmative.
Jesus was indeed the king of the Jews, but not in a political or military sense. —David Guzik
[Mar 15:3 NKJV] And the chief priests accused Him of many things, but He answered nothing.
The chief priests accused Him of many things - Luke 23 tells us that Jesus was accused of. He was accused of inciting a riot, telling people not to pay their taxes, and stirring up people and causing unrest. At the core of his public accusation against Jesus was treason against Rome. The Jewish leaders were primarily concerned with Jesus’ claim to be God. Since this would mean nothing to the Romans, they had to paint Jesus as a threat to the government.
He answered nothing - Jesus stood there silent, and said nothing.
Such silence was wholly unusual in the Forum, and demonstrated a presence and a dignity which puzzled the prefect. —Lane
Without a defense from the accused, the law was on the side of the accusers. Roman magistrates didn’t like to find an undefended man guilty, but they often felt they had to. —David Guzik
[Mar 15:4 NKJV] Then Pilate asked Him again, saying, “Do You answer nothing? See how many things they testify against You!”
See how many things they testify against You - Pilate addressed Jesus directly and brought to His attention how many things had been testified against Him. Of most concern was the charge of treason.
Although encouraged to speak, Jesus remained silent, a rare action by one condemned. —David Guzik
[Mar 15:5 NKJV] But Jesus still answered nothing, so that Pilate marveled.
Jesus still answered nothing - After being accused of treason, Jesus remained silent. This was a rare action by one condemned.
Pilate marveled - In Pilate’s political career, he had seen many people beg for their lives in front of him. Now Jesus stands before him and says nothing. This was new territory for Pilate.
Releasing of A Prisoner (vv 6-8)
[Mar 15:6 NKJV] Now at the feast he was accustomed to releasing one prisoner to them, whomever they requested.
At the feast he was accustomed to releasing one prisoner to them - Luke 23:14 records Pilate as saying that he did not find fault in Jesus. This particular situation with Jesus presented a political problem. He could do what was right and free Jesus or protect himself politically and execute him.
[Mar 15:7 NKJV] And there was one named Barabbas, [who was] chained with his fellow rebels; they had committed murder in the rebellion.
There was one named Barabbas…had committed murder in the rebellion - Mark turns our attention to Barabbas. He was a well known insurrectionist who had committed murder. In the eyes of the government, he was a terrorist.
[Mar 15:8 NKJV] Then the multitude, crying aloud, began to ask [him to do] just as he had always done for them.
Then the multitude, crying aloud, began to ask him to do just as he had always done for them - This multitude was composed of Jews from Jerusalem who were not particularly fond of Pilate. This multitude wanted Pilate to do as he had always done, and release one prisoner.
Choosing Between Jesus and Barabbas (vv 9-11)
[Mar 15:9 NKJV] But Pilate answered them, saying, “Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?”
Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews? - Pilate asked them directly if they wanted him to release Jesus. In his eyes, it was apparent that Jesus was innocent.
It was a strange scene: a cruel, ruthless Roman governor trying to win the life of a miracle-working Jew against the strenuous efforts of both the Jewish leaders and the crowd.
—David Guzik
[Mar 15:10 NKJV] For he knew that the chief priests had handed Him over because of envy.
He knew that the chief priests had handed Him over because of envy - Pilate was a smart man and knew that the Jews were envious of Jesus. Since Pilate was no fan of the Jews, he wanted to find a way to free Jesus even more.
[Mar 15:11 NKJV] But the chief priests stirred up the crowd, so that he should rather release Barabbas to them.
But the chief priests stirred up the crowd - The chief priest would now stir up the crowd. This trial was now turning into a political liability.
He should rather release Barabbas to them - This multitude had a low level of trust in the Roman government. As a result, they would more than likely go against whatever choice the Roman governor suggested
Pilates Question and The Crowds Demands (vv 12-14)
[Mar 15:12 NKJV] Pilate answered and said to them again, “What then do you want me to do [with Him] whom you call the King of the Jews?”
What then do you want me to do with Him whom you call the King of the Jews? - Pilate was more than likely hoping that the crowd would be satisfied with Jesus being released.
[Mar 15:13 NKJV] So they cried out again, “Crucify Him!”
They cried out again, “Crucify Him!” - The multitude, being whipped up by the chief priest, wanted Jesus crucified. This was now putting Pilate in a position that he did not want to be in. He had a crowd demanding that Jesus be crucified. If this continued, he would have to answer to his superiors as to how this riot started.
[Mar 15:14 NKJV] Then Pilate said to them, “Why, what evil has He done?” But they cried out all the more, “Crucify Him!”
Pilate said to them, “Why, what evil has He done? - Pilates conclusion was that Jesus did nothing wrong
John gives us the most details of the Roman trial, and when you combine the gospel records, you discover that Pilate repeatedly stated that he found no fault in Jesus. —Warren Wiersbe
Pilates Decision (vs 15)
[Mar 15:15 NKJV] So Pilate, wanting to gratify the crowd, released Barabbas to them; and he delivered Jesus, after he had scourged [Him], to be crucified.
Pilate, wanting to gratify the crowd, released Barabbas to them - The name Barabbas means “son of the father”. This crowd wanted the false son of the father and wanted the real son of the father crucified.
And he delivered Jesus - Barabbas was released and Jesus was delivered so that His sentence could be executed.
After he had scourged Him, to be crucified - Before Jesus was to face the cross, he would first be scourged. This was done to weaken the victim, usually to the point of collapse and death. Roman soldiers would use a stick that had leather straps with bits of bone, and iron balls embedded in it. The purpose of this was to rip into the flesh and tear the underlying skeletal muscles. Typically victims would go into circulatory shock because of the amount of blood lost.
Pilate did not ask, “Is it right?” Instead, he asked, “Is it safe? Is it popular?”. —Warren Wiersbe
When you compare how Jesus and Pilate handled this moment:
Pilate: Lacked the courage to stand for what he believed and gave into public opinion.
Jesus: Stood with courage for what He believed despite public opinion.
There will be those who go with the world, and there will be others who go with the Lord.
Five Reasons We Can Stand For What We Believe:
1. Stand For Who You Are. Gal 2:20
2. Stand for the Lord. Phil. 1:21
3. Stand as an example. Romans 12:1-2
4. Stand as a new creation. 2 Cor. 5:17
5. Stand to give God the Glory. 1 Cor. 10:31
QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION:
- Pilate knew that Jesus was innocent, yet he handed Him over to be crucified to appease the crowd. Have you ever faced a situation where you had to choose between doing what is right and what is popular? How did you handle it?
- Despite the mockery, Jesus’ identity remained unchanged. How do you stay true to your identity and values in the face of opposition or ridicule? How does your identity in Christ influence your daily decisions?
- The chief priests incited the crowd to demand the release of Barabbas instead of Jesus. Are there times when you might influence others negatively? How can you strive to be a positive influence instead?
📖 Standing Firm In Your Faith. - 5 Day Devotional
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