Mark 15:11-15

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 15:1-20

The second trial. I. IT ELICITED THE INNOCENCE OF JESUS . Charges were made that he had excited sedition through the country, had prohibited the Roman tribute, and had claimed royalty. The last only had any show of plausibility in it. Jesus admitted his kingship, but declared it in immortal words to be the sovereignty of truth over the consciences of men. Reading the narratives of the other evangelists, we gain a clear impression of the innocence of Jesus, as it was exhibited... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 15:6-15

Christ or Barabbas. I. A REVELATION OF THE HATRED OF THE NATURAL MIND FOR TRUTH AND GOODNESS . Several ancient authorities are in favor of readings here and elsewhere which would give us, "Jesus Barabbas" ( i.e. son of a father or rabbi), as the full name of the "robber" who was here the favorite of the populace. ]f this be so, there would be two of the name Jesus, and the choice would thus be strikingly emphasized. The character of Barabbas as a rioter and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 15:6-15

Barabbas; or, the evil choice. A strange custom prevailed. To appease the anger of the rabble, and to curry favor with them, Pilate was wont, on the recurrence, of certain feasts, to release a prisoner, giving the mob permission to choose who should be the favored one. At this feast "the multitude went up and began to ask him to do as he was wont to do unto them." Knowing that "for envy the chief priests had delivered him up," he tested the feeling of the multitude by asking them if he... 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

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Mark 15:11-15

Mark 15:11-15. But the chief priests Being very solicitous to carry the plan they had formed for his destruction into execution; moved the people To desire the release of Barabbas, though he was a scandalous and outrageous criminal. Pilate said again Being willing, Luke says, to release Jesus; What will ye then that I shall do unto him whom ye call King of the Jews It seems strange that Pilate should so often repeat this title, King of the Jews; but perhaps he might do it partly to... read more

Donald C. Fleming

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

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