Mark 15:1-5 (NKJV) Jesus Faces Pilate
(Matthew 27:1, 2, 11–14; Luke 23:1–5; John 18:28–38)
1 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. 2 Then Pilate asked Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?”
He answered and said to him, “It is as you say.”
3 And the chief priests accused Him of many things, but He answered nothing. 4 Then Pilate asked Him again, saying, “Do You answer nothing? See how many things they testify against You!” 5 But Jesus still answered nothing, so that Pilate marveled.
V1 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.”
They wasted no time. The faster Jesus is killed, the better. Maybe, they think, there will be no protest about it. These evil people have found an accusation against Rome—Jesus claims to be king. They lie. Jesus is the King of kings, but His first mission was to be the Passover Lamb given for the sins of the world (John 1:29 and 1 Corinthians 5:7).
V2 Then Pilate asked Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” He answered and said to Him, “It is as you say.”
Jesus is the King of the Jews. This is true for the first coming (Matthew 2:1-3, Isaiah 9:6-7, and Luke 1:32). It is also true of His second coming (Zechariah 14:3-9, 1 Peter 1:11, and Revelation 19:11-16). “It is as you say” means “yes.”
Wuest Word Studies adds: “The question of Pilate, “Art thou the King of the Jews?” Expositors say “reveals the secret of the morning meeting. The crafty Sanhedrists put a political construction on the confession of Jesus. The Christ therefore is a pretender to the throne of Israel.” This is the only one of the charges which the Jews brought against Jesus which Pilate notices (Luke 23:2). He is forced to deal with this one, since neglect on his part in this case would involve him in a dereliction of duty towards the throne of the Caesars, for Jesus was accused by the Jews of setting himself up as a king in opposition to Caesar.”
V3 And the chief priests accused Him of many things, but He answered nothing.”
Compare Isaiah 53:7. Jesus gave no defense. He knew that He was not guilty. The chief priests didn’t care if Jesus was guilty or not; they just wanted Him dead.
Day by Day commentary has on this verse: “Our Lord did not plead His own cause but committed Himself to the One who judges righteously, 1 Peter 2:23. It was only when Pilate asked questions for his own guidance that Jesus sought to help him, and then He relapsed into silence. “Like a sheep dumb before her shearers, so He opened not His mouth.” Men like Barabbas, embodiments of brute force, are ever the darlings of the crowd. By narrowing the people’s choice to the murderer and Jesus, Pilate expected to bring them to demand the release of the lover and helper of men. But he failed to gauge the malice of which men are capable. Perhaps he hoped that the marks of extreme suffering would soften their hatred. As well as appeal to a pack of hungry wolves!”
V4 Then Pilate asked Him again, saying, “Do You answer nothing? See how many things they testify against You!”
Pilate is shocked. Since Jesus is innocent, there is nothing to say. These Jewish leaders brought the charges but offered no proof. Shame on Pilate for not requiring any.
V5 But Jesus still answered nothing, so that Pilate marveled.”
See Ecclesiastes 3:7. It takes supreme wisdom to answer questions like this. When we must face such accusations, we tell the truth and leave it there.
We learn:
- The awesomeness of Jesus Christ in everything He did.
- The total hate the chief priests had for Jesus.
- How to deal with persecutions.
Quote:
- How have you dealt with persecution?
- Do you pray when persecuted for God’s wisdom?