Mark 15:1-141And straightway in the morning the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council, and bound Jesus, and carried him away, and delivered him to Pilate. 2And Pilate asked him, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answering said unto him, Thou sayest it. 3And the chief priests accused him of many things: but he answered nothing. 4And Pilate asked him again, saying, Answerest thou nothing? behold how many things they witness against thee. 5But Jesus yet answered nothing; so that Pilate marvelled. 6Now at that feast he released unto them one prisoner, whomsoever they desired. 7And there was one named Barabbas, which lay bound with them that had made insurrection with him, who had committed murder in the insurrection. 8And the multitude crying aloud began to desire him to do as he had ever done unto them. 9But Pilate answered them, saying, Will ye that I release unto you the King of the Jews? 10For he knew that the chief priests had delivered him for envy. 11But the chief priests moved the people, that he should rather release Barabbas unto them. 12And Pilate answered and said again unto them, What will ye then that I shall do unto him whom ye call the King of the Jews? 13And they cried out again, Crucify him. 14Then Pilate said unto them, Why, what evil hath he done? And they cried out the more exceedingly, Crucify him. (Mark 15:1‑14)
THE TRUTHS we have just explored are all important to intelligently understanding and evaluating the work of the cross. It is only through faith in that finished work of Calvary that anyone can be saved. Truly, simple faith in Christ’s work will suffice, but if we wish to “grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (2 Pet. 3:1818But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. (2 Peter 3:18)), meditation on these things will enrich our understanding and deepen our affections.
We read that “Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many.” (Heb. 9:2828So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. (Hebrews 9:28)) and “him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.” (John 6:3737All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. (John 6:37)). All who own themselves as needy sinners are welcome to come to this source of eternal life. The work was complete. God’s plan was brought to fulfillment by the obedience of His Son and in it God was both satisfied and glorified.
As previously remarked, it was distasteful for the Jews to go to Pilate for they knew he would oppose them and possibly reverse their own decision. But go they must and “straightway in the morning” they gain an audience with the governor in his palace. Although Mark does not go into detail concerning it, John’s Gospel tells how the Jews, with all their outward piety and religious formality, would not go into the Gentile hall of judgment, because they did not want to “defile themselves” on this Passover day. With what greater defilement could their wretched hearts become involved in than in seeking to murder the Son of God?
Pilate therefore questions Jesus apart from the Jews in the privacy of his own chambers. He is convinced of His innocence and so reports to the Jews, but they renew their angry cries against Him. Pilate then seeks to escape his distasteful duty and sends Jesus to Herod the king, who was then in Jerusalem. Herod was at first glad to see Him because he hoped to see some miracles performed. But he is not given the opportunity for Jesus, the true King of the Jews, remains silent in the presence of this usurper. Herod then sets Jesus at naught and permits his soldiers to have their way with Him, which was entirely contrary to Roman law. They are the ones who first clothe Him with a “gorgeous robe” in mock homage to His being a King.
But Pilate is disappointed if he thought Herod would relieve him of passing judgment on the prisoner who has so troubled his emotions and thoughts. Herod, taking no responsibility in the matter, sends Him back and Pilate is now compelled to take definite action. In all this the responsibility of the Gentile rulers, entirely apart from the Jews, is emphasized. Both Pilate and Herod fail to discharge the innocent One for whom they are responsible according to law.
Pilate, nonetheless, is convinced Jesus is innocent. Troubled in his own thoughts and warned by his wife also to “have nothing to do with that just Man” he pleads with the Jews to let Him go. In Acts 3:1313The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go. (Acts 3:13) we learn more definitely about Pilate’s convictions, where it is reported: “Pilate... was determined to let Him go.” His own words to the Jews were: “I find no fault in this Man,” substantially repeating this three times. But finally the voice of the people and the chief priests prevailed. When they said, “If thou let this Man go, thou art not Caesar’s friend,” John 19:1212And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar's friend: whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Caesar. (John 19:12), his fear for his own position as governor made him yield to the clamoring mob, and he grants their request even though he knows the One before him is not guilty.
ML-05/24/1964