Mark 15

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 15:7

And there was one called Barabbas, lying bound with them that had made insurrection, men who in the insurrection had committed murder. Pilate appears to have thought of Barabbas, not doubting but that, by limiting their choice between him and Jesus, he would secure the liberation of our Lord. But Pilate little knew the temper of the chief priests and scribes, and their bitter hostility to Christ. The word "Barabbas," better written "Bar-Abbas," means "son of father." read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 15:8

And the multitude went up and Began to ask him to do as he was wont to do unto them. Went up ( ἀναβὰς ). This is the reading to be preferred to the old reading, "crying aloud" ( ἀναβοήσας ). The reading ἀναβὰς is supported by the Sinaitic, the Vatican, and the Cambridge manuscripts; also by the Old Italic, the Gothic, and other versions. The AE thiopic Version combines the two," going up and crying aloud." The geographical position of Pilate's residence quite justifies... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 15:9

Pilate doubtless hoped that they would ask for Jesus. He knew that the chief priests had delivered our Lord for envy. That he could not help observing, as a shrewd Roman judge, from their gestures and manner. And then he knew also, at least by report, of the purity of Jesus, and of the holy freedom with which he rebuked their vices. So he thought, reasonably enough, that if the chief priests wished to destroy him for envy, the people, who had experienced so many kindnesses from him, would... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 15:10

Envy was the low passion that influenced the chief priests. They saw that Jesus was gaining a great and increasing influence over the people by the sublime beauty of his character, by the fame of his miracles, and the constraining power of his words. And hence they concluded that, unless he was arrested in his course, and put out of the way, their own influence would soon be gone. The whole world was going after him. Therefore he must be destroyed. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 15:11

But the chief priests stirred up the multitude ( ἀνέσεισαν τὸν ὄχλον ), that he should rather release Barabbas unto them. St. Matthew ( Matthew 27:20 ) says, "They persuaded the multitudes" ( ἔπεισαν τοὺς ὄχλους ). St. Mark's word ( ἀνέσεισαν ) implies a rousing of their bad passions; agitating them to a blind zeal for his crucifixion. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 15:11-12

The foes of Jesus. It is remarkable that the evangelists speak of their Lord's enemies with such unruffled calmness. If our dearest friend had been subjected to inhuman treatment, ending in his death, we should have held up the names of his oppressors to the execration of the world. But in the Gospels we look in vain for a strong epithet, or a burst of indignant declamation. This was not because the evangelists were deficient in love to their Lord, but because they had caught something of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 15:12

And Pilate again answered and said unto them, What then shall I do unto him whom ye call the King of the Jews? The word "again" has the support of three great uncials, and the best of the cursives. Pilate did not give way without many an inward struggle. And now at last he puts the matter, so to speak, in their own power; so that it might be an act of their clemency, and that they might have the honor of saving our Lord's life. But it was all in vain. For the chief priests had resolved to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 15:13

And they cried out again, Crucify him . These words might seem at first to justify the old reading, in Mark 15:8 , adopted in the Authorized Version," crying aloud." But there the word was ἀναβοήσας , here it is ἔκραξαν . Moreover, in Mark 15:14 , it is not ( περισσοτέρως ) "the more exceedingly," but ( περισσῶς ) "they cried exceedingly." read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 15:15

And Pilate, wishing βουλόμενος to content the multitude, released unto them Barabbas, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified . St. Luke and St. John are more full in details here. From their narratives it appears that when Pilate found that his attempt to rescue our Lord, by putting Barabbas in contrast with him, had failed, he next hoped to move the multitude to pity by the terrible punishment of scourging, after which he trusted that they would relent.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 15:16

And the soldiers led him away within the court, which is the Praetorium; and they call together the whole band. This was the principal court of the palace, where a large number of soldiers were always quartered. "The whole band" would be the "cohors praetoria" of Cicero; Pilate's body-guard. read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 15:7

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 15:8

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 15:9

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 15:10

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 15:11

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 15:11-12

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 15:12

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 15:13

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 15:15

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 15:16

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