Page 13 - November 2025 - Truth & Tidings

His Civil Trial (15:1-15) protested His innocence nor castigated

The religious trial of the Lord had con- His accusers. “Who, when he was reviled,
cluded with unity among all those who reviled not again; when he suffered, he
attended it. They “all condemned him to be threatened not; but committed himself to
guilty of death” (14:64). A torrent of abuse him that judgeth righteously” (1Pe 2:23).
was then unleashed upon the “Son of the The Choice Made Against Him (vv6-15)
Blessed” (vv61,65). Pilate customarily released a prisoner
Nothing less than His execution would to the people during the Passover season.
satisfy the religious leaders. As soon as The choice as to who would be released
morning arrived, likely before 6 a.m., after lay with the Jews.
consultation with the whole Sanhedrin, Who would they choose? One option
they “bound Jesus, and carried him away, was Barabbas, a man who had committed
and delivered him to Pilate” (15:1). Bind- insurrection and murder and was a rob-
ing this silent and submissive Servant was ber (Joh 18:40). The alternative was Jesus,
unnecessary. He was already bound by the a man who had encouraged submission
will of God to the accomplishment of His to authority and granted life and blessing
work. In agreement with His own predic- to all.
tion, He was delivered “to the Gentiles”
(10:33). At the Civil Trial, consider: Pilate offered to release “the King of
The Charges Brought Against Him the Jews” (Mar 15:9) and appeared to
encourage this. He knew that “the chief
(vv1-5) priests had delivered him for envy” (v10),
Pilate, the Roman procurator, stayed but his willingness to content the people
in Jerusalem during the Passover season. yielded power to the religious leaders.
His first words to Jesus were, “Art thou the They “moved the people, that he should
King of the Jews?” (v2). The Sanhedrin, rather release Barabbas unto them” (v11).
in their desire to ensure Jesus’ death, had The people’s verdict on the Lord Jesus
abandoned their charge of blasphemy
and introduced one of treason – a politi- was given. With increasing volume and
cal charge of far greater concern to Pilate. vigour they cried, “Crucify him … Crucify
The Lord’s answer, “Thou sayest it,” him” (vv13-14). Peter would later remind
affirmed the truth of Pilate’s enquiry. How- them of this: “But ye denied the Holy One
and the Just, and desired a murderer to be
ever, further discussion was necessary to
understand what that title entailed. John granted unto you; and killed the Prince of
records a fuller interaction here in which life …” (Act 3:14-15).
the Lord explained the nature of His king- “And so Pilate, willing to content the
ship. He was no immediate political threat people, released Barabbas unto them, and
to Rome (Joh 18:33-38). delivered Jesus … to be crucified” (v15). As
The chief priests accused Him; the Lord Isaiah had predicted, “He was led away
remained silent. Pilate questioned His after an unjust trial” (Isa 53:8 NET).
silence in the face of such accusations; In our next article we reach the climax
the Lord still remained silent. Pilate was of Mark’s Gospel when the perfect Servant
amazed. Never before had he witnessed became “obedient to the point of death,
such dignified self-control. Jesus neither even death on a cross” (Php 2:8 ESV).

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