Mark 15:1-15
Let’s continue to pray for Jim and Marty.
“Notice what you notice.” But Jesus made no further answer, so that Pilate was amazed. (v. 5) My Study Bible pointed out that under Roman law an accused prisoner was automatically guilty if he did not reply to an accusation. So Pilate’s amazement was likely due to Jesus’ unspoken “admission”.
When Pilate satisfied the crowd by releasing Barabbas, why was a sentence of crucifixion the alternative for Jesus? Yes, the Jews were demanding crucifixion, but didn’t Pilate also have other options? Presumably he could have just left Jesus in prison for a time – long or short. Or he could have had him scourged, then released. Or he could have released Jesus quietly after releasing Barabbas publicly. The sentence of crucifixion was at the urging of the crowd, effectively the Jewish leaders. So when Matthew reports the crowd saying His blood be on us and on our children (Matthew 27:25), Jesus’ death truly was at their urging. Yes, Pilate caved in to their demands, but it seems to me that the Jewish leaders were equally guilty. Yes, the Jewish leaders – and all the rest of us who have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).
Slava Bohu!