Mark 15:1-23 Crucify Him

Intro

Trial before Pilate vs. 1-5

Mark 15:1–5 ESV

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.

We left off with the rooster crowing twice

That means it is morning time

Jesus has been up all through the night being harassed by the religious police

As morning dawns the chief priests hold a meeting with the Sanhedrin

They decide to send Jesus to Pilate to be tried and crucified

The Jewish leaders took Jesus to Pilate because they did not have the legal right to execute their own criminals.

They did not take things into their own hands regarding Jesus because they knew the multitudes had a favorable opinion of Jesus and if Pilate executed Him, they could distance themselves from the political fallout.

Jesus was officially on trial

Jesus is being accused of insurrection

vs. 2 Are you the king of the Jews?

Prisoner Release vs. 6-15

Mark 15:6–10 ESV

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?” For he perceived that it was out of envy that the chief priests had delivered him up.

Pilate knew Jesus was an innocent man

Luke 23:14 ESV

and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was misleading the people. And after examining him before you, behold, I did not find this man guilty of any of your charges against him.

Yet Pilate had a politically explosive situation on his hands.

He had the choice between doing what was right (free an innocent man) or what was politically expedient (execute a man brought before him by the Jews for treason).

Pilate was no friend of the Jews.

He could see through their manipulation, and he knew that the chief priests had handed Him over because of envy

This made Pilate want to find a way to free Jesus even more.

Mark 15:11–15 ESV

But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release for them Barabbas instead. And Pilate again said to them, “Then what shall I do with the man you call the King of the Jews?” And they cried out again, “Crucify him.” And Pilate said to them, “Why? What evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Crucify him.” So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.

Mocked by Soldiers vs. 16-20

Mark 16:16–20 ESV

Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.” So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by accompanying signs.