Mar 15:2-5 | KingComments | STEP | The trial, verdict, and abuse of the Accused took place in the night. When the night is over and the first daylight begins to show, and the interrogators have mocked the Lord Jesus enough, the prosecutors and judges deliberate. They themselves do not have the right of execution. They must go with Him to Pilate for the official trial. They need Pilate’s permission to kill Him. His death will then take place in a Roman manner, that is, by crucifixion. For transport to Pilate, they bind the Lord Jesus. What foolishness to think they can bind the Almighty God. But the Almighty God lets Himself be bound in Christ. What a foolishness to bind Him Who has spread so much blessing, saying: ‘You may not bless again.’ With this, man establishes his own judgment. He who gave Samson the strength to get rid of his ropes ( ), willingly allows himself to be bound, led away and delivered to Pilate. When He stands before Pilate, Pilate interrogates Him. The high priest had asked Him if He was the Christ. That question was important to him as a religious leader. The chief priests know they can’t come to Pilate with that. That’s why they accuse Him before Pilate of proclaiming Himself King and thus a threat to the emperor. This is clear from Pilate’s question. For him as ruler the question is important whether Jesus is “the King of the Jews”. He asks that question. Like the high priest, the Lord also answers this question because it is a question about His Person. He answers only when it concerns the truth; He does not answer when it concerns the injustice done to Him. His answer is not ‘it is me’, but a more vague “[it is as] you say” by which He binds His answer to Pilate’s conscience. Mark does not describe the statements of the Jews before Pilate. He focuses his gaze entirely on the devoted Servant Who performs His service with complete dedication. The chief priests do their utmost to shovel as much dirt on Him as possible, so that Pilate must condemn Him. How deeply man has sunk when he tries to gather as much incriminating material as possible against Him Who God has revealed in the flesh and Who has come to save people from eternal judgment. They let themselves be led by nothing but hatred. Pilate is a totally indifferent man who thinks only of himself and his position. He also knows the reasons for the Jews to have Christ condemned, while he also knows and has even pronounced that Christ is innocent. Yet he has finally condemned Him. He sees a Prisoner in front of him like he has never had before. Here stands a Man before him Who does not respond to any accusation and does not do anything to defend Himself. He knows the savage scenes and insults between prosecutors and defendants that have taken place before him. This Prisoner is a great exception. The Jews want to present Him as a riot-maker, while He is the perfect Quiet One. “He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth; like a lamb that is led to slaughter, and like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, so He did not open His mouth” ( ). Pilate marvels at this attitude. Such surrender is totally incomprehensible to the unbeliever and unfortunately for many believers as well. For believers, the Lord Jesus is an example that they should follow ( ).

‏ Mark 15:2-5

Delivered to Pilate

The trial, verdict, and abuse of the Accused took place in the night. When the night is over and the first daylight begins to show, and the interrogators have mocked the Lord Jesus enough, the prosecutors and judges deliberate. They themselves do not have the right of execution. They must go with Him to Pilate for the official trial. They need Pilate’s permission to kill Him. His death will then take place in a Roman manner, that is, by crucifixion.

For transport to Pilate, they bind the Lord Jesus. What foolishness to think they can bind the Almighty God. But the Almighty God lets Himself be bound in Christ. What a foolishness to bind Him Who has spread so much blessing, saying: ‘You may not bless again.’ With this, man establishes his own judgment. He who gave Samson the strength to get rid of his ropes (Jdg 16:12), willingly allows himself to be bound, led away and delivered to Pilate.

When He stands before Pilate, Pilate interrogates Him. The high priest had asked Him if He was the Christ. That question was important to him as a religious leader. The chief priests know they can’t come to Pilate with that. That’s why they accuse Him before Pilate of proclaiming Himself King and thus a threat to the emperor. This is clear from Pilate’s question.

For him as ruler the question is important whether Jesus is “the King of the Jews”. He asks that question. Like the high priest, the Lord also answers this question because it is a question about His Person. He answers only when it concerns the truth; He does not answer when it concerns the injustice done to Him. His answer is not ‘it is me’, but a more vague “[it is as] you say” by which He binds His answer to Pilate’s conscience. Mark does not describe the statements of the Jews before Pilate. He focuses his gaze entirely on the devoted Servant Who performs His service with complete dedication.

The chief priests do their utmost to shovel as much dirt on Him as possible, so that Pilate must condemn Him. How deeply man has sunk when he tries to gather as much incriminating material as possible against Him Who God has revealed in the flesh and Who has come to save people from eternal judgment. They let themselves be led by nothing but hatred.

Pilate is a totally indifferent man who thinks only of himself and his position. He also knows the reasons for the Jews to have Christ condemned, while he also knows and has even pronounced that Christ is innocent. Yet he has finally condemned Him.

He sees a Prisoner in front of him like he has never had before. Here stands a Man before him Who does not respond to any accusation and does not do anything to defend Himself. He knows the savage scenes and insults between prosecutors and defendants that have taken place before him. This Prisoner is a great exception. The Jews want to present Him as a riot-maker, while He is the perfect Quiet One.

“He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth; like a lamb that is led to slaughter, and like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, so He did not open His mouth” (Isa 53:7). Pilate marvels at this attitude. Such surrender is totally incomprehensible to the unbeliever and unfortunately for many believers as well. For believers, the Lord Jesus is an example that they should follow (1Pet 2:21-23).