Mar 15:1-15 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Mark 15:1-15: 15:1-15 Following the story of Peter’s denial, Mark turns back to Jesus and what happened at his trial. Pilate’s wavering under pressure fits what is known of him from other sources. 15:1 Very early in the morning: Roman trials usually began at dawn. It is not clear whether this was a second meeting of the entire high council , or whether the account refers back to the decision of the council in 14:63-64 and resumes at this point. • Since the high council lacked authority to institute capital punishment (John 18:31 ), they had to take Jesus to Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea from AD 26–36. Pilate’s normal residence was on the coast at Caesarea, but he stayed in Jerusalem during Passover, when Israel’s celebration of the Exodus raised hopes of deliverance from Roman rule.

Summary for Mark 15:1-15: 15:1-15 ^a Following the story of Peter’s denial, Mark turns back to Jesus and what happened at his trial. Pilate’s wavering under pressure fits what is known of him from other sources. 15:1 ^b Very early in the morning: Roman trials usually began at dawn. It is not clear whether this was a second meeting of the entire high council, or whether the account refers back to the decision of the council in 14:63-64 ^c and resumes at this point.

• Since the high council lacked authority to institute capital punishment (John 18:31 ^d), they had to take Jesus to Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea from AD 26–36. Pilate’s normal residence was on the coast at Caesarea, but he stayed in Jerusalem during Passover, when Israel’s celebration of the Exodus raised hopes of deliverance from Roman rule.
15:2 ^e The phrase king of the Jews is the Gentile equivalent of the Jewish title, “King of Israel” (15:32 ^f).

• You have said it: Jesus’ reply to Pilate’s question is found in all four Gospels; Jesus clearly understood himself to be a king (10:37-38 ^g; 11:9-10 ^h; 12:35-37 ⁱ), and Pilate eventually crucified him on this charge (15:26 ^j), although Pilate understood that Jesus was not a political threat (John 18:33-39 ^k).
Summary for Mark 15:3-5: 15:3-5 ^l Pilate sought a self-defense from Jesus concerning the charges.
Summary for Mark 15:6-8: 15:6-8 ^m The custom described in 15:6-8 ⁿ is not known outside of the Gospels, but all four Gospels refer to it (Matt 27:15-21 ^o; Luke 23:18-25 ^p; John 18:37-40 ^q); in many instances prisoners in the ancient world were released on special holidays.

• Barabbas: See also Matt 27:16-17 ^r; Luke 23:19 ^s.

• who had committed murder in an uprising: Pilate’s willingness to release Barabbas (Matt 15:15 ^t) probably indicates that he had not killed Roman citizens or soldiers.
Summary for Mark 15:9-14: 15:9-14 ^u Pilate apparently hoped to release Jesus, but the crowd was stirred up beyond discussion.
15:15 ^v to pacify the crowd: To protect his job, Pilate ordered a completely innocent man to be crucified.

• He ordered Jesus flogged: Flogging was preliminary to crucifixion. It was done with leather thongs tipped with metal, stone, or bone. This laceration of the flesh could itself bring death. Jesus’ prediction in 10:34 ^w was now being fulfilled.