willing = determining. Greek. boulomai. See App-102 .2. to content the people = to satisfy the crowd. This is the motto of the present day, but it always ends in judgment. See and compare Exodus 32:1 with Exodus 26:27 . Acts 12:3 with Acts 12:23 ; 2 Timothy 4:3 with 2 Timothy 4:1 and 2 Timothy 4:8 . So here. read more
And Pilate wishing to content the multitude, released unto them Barabbas, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified.Mark here passed over a great deal of material, in all probability out of respect to the fact of its prior publication in Matthew. See the introduction to this chapter.Scourged him ... From the manner of the sacred authors' mentioning it, some have supposed that Jesus was scourged twice, but this is not true. As Bickersteth said:Pilate anticipated the time of... read more
Mark 15:15. Willing to content the people,— Pilate had given them too much cause of disgust before, as appears from what Josephus says concerning him; and probably he was afraid of a general insurrection, therefore he was desirous to remove all cause of complaint: notwithstanding which, the complaints of this very people afterwards pursued him to his ruin. See on Matthew 27:19. Whipping or scourging was a punishment frequently used both by the Jews and Romans; the Jews commonly inflicted it by... read more
2. Jesus’ Roman trial 15:2-20During the Jewish trial Jesus had affirmed His messiahship and the Sanhedrin had condemned Him for blasphemy. During His Roman trial He affirmed His kingship and Pilate condemned Him for treason. The Roman trial, like the Jewish trial, had three stages: an interrogation before Pilate, an attempted interrogation before Herod, and an arraignment and sentencing before Pilate. [Note: For helpful insights into Roman law as it affected Jesus’ trial, see R. Larry... read more
Jesus’ second appearance before Pilate 15:6-15 (cf. Matthew 27:15-26; Luke 23:13-25; John 18:39-19:16)Mark’s brief account of Jesus’ arraignment and sentencing concentrates on Pilate’s offer to release Jesus or Barabbas. read more
Pilate had had problems in his relations with the Jewish people that he governed (cf. Luke 13:1-2). He saw the present situation as an opportunity to gain popular support. This overrode his sense of justice and his wife’s warning.Evidently Pilate flogged Jesus in the presence of the crowd hoping that that punishment would satisfy them. John recorded that after the flogging Pilate tried again to persuade the people against crucifixion (John 19:1-7). Flogging was not a necessary preparation for... read more
The Trial Before Pilate. The Crucifixion1-15. Trial before Pilate (Matthew 27:1, Matthew 27:11; Luke 23:1, Luke 23:13; John 18:28). See on Mt and Jn. For the trial before Herod see on Luke 23:6.16-20. The mockery (Matthew 27:27). See on Mt.16. Prætorium] see on John 18:28.21-41. The Crucifixion (Matthew 27:31; Luke 23:26; John 19:16). See on Mt, Lk, Jn.21. Alexander and Rufus] These names occur only in Mk. They were clearly Christians of eminence, well known in the Roman Church for which this... read more
(15-21) And so Pilate, willing to content the people.—The word which St. Mark uses for “content” appears to be the Greek equivalent for the Latin satisfacere, and so takes its place in the evidence for St. Mark’s connection with Rome and the Roman Church.Scourged him.—The word, like that in St. Matthew, is formed from the Latin flagellum, and forms another link in the chain of evidence just referred to. read more
Mark 15:5 There are few tests of a man's spiritual condition more searching and decisive than the temper with which he bears unmerited insult and railing speech. I do not refer to mere self-command, to the self-respect which forbids an answer in kind, and imposes an external calmness of manner on a swelling indignation within.... The question is not one of self-mastery under, but of superiority to, insult, which feels no anger or resentment at insolence or contempt; and this not from an abject... read more
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Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Mark 15:6-20
156. Jesus before the people (Matthew 27:15-31; Mark 15:6-20; Luke 23:13-25; John 18:39-19:16)Although assured that Jesus was innocent, Pilate felt it wise to give the Jews some satisfaction; for by this time a crowd had gathered and he did not want a riot to break out. He therefore offered to punish Jesus by flogging, and consider the matter finished (Luke 23:13-16).But the people yelled for Jesus to be crucified. Pilate did not want the situation to get out of control, so made another offer.... read more