April 6, 2025 – The Great Exchange – Mark 15:1-15
In Mark 15:1-15, the Jewish leaders, after a mock trial, hand Jesus over to Pilate for execution, and despite Pilate’s attempts to release him, the crowd demands Jesus’ crucifixion, leading to Pilate’s decision to release Barabbas instead.
Here’s a more detailed breakdown:
The Sanhedrin’s Decision:
After a trial, the chief priests, elders, and the entire Sanhedrin decide to hand Jesus over to Pilate, the Roman governor, for execution.
Pilate’s Question:
Pilate asks Jesus if he is the King of the Jews, to which Jesus replies, “You have said so”.
The Accusations:
The chief priests accuse Jesus of many things, but Jesus remains silent.
Pilate’s Attempts to Release Jesus:
Pilate, recognizing that the chief priests had brought Jesus to trial out of envy, attempts to release him, but the crowd demands the release of Barabbas, a murderer and insurrectionist.
The Crowds Demand Crucifixion:
The chief priests stir up the crowd to demand the release of Barabbas and the crucifixion of Jesus.
Pilate’s Yield:
Faced with the crowd’s demands and his own desire to maintain order, Pilate releases Barabbas and hands Jesus over to be crucified.
Mark 15:1-15
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Jesus before Pilate
15 As soon as it was morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council. They bound Jesus, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate. 2 Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” He answered him, “You say so.” 3 Then the chief priests accused him of many things. 4 Pilate asked him again, “Have you no answer? See how many charges they bring against you.” 5 But Jesus made no further reply, so that Pilate was amazed.
Pilate Hands Jesus Over to Be Crucified
6 Now at the festival he used to release a prisoner for them, anyone for whom they asked. 7 Now a man called Barabbas was in prison with the insurrectionists who had committed murder during the insurrection. 8 So the crowd came and began to ask Pilate to do for them according to his custom. 9 Then he answered them, “Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?” 10 For he realized that it was out of jealousy that the chief priests had handed him over. 11 But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release Barabbas for them instead. 12 Pilate spoke to them again, “Then what do you wish me to do[a] with the man you call[b] the King of the Jews?” 13 They shouted back, “Crucify him!” 14 Pilate asked them, “Why, what evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Crucify him!” 15 So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released Barabbas for them, and after flogging Jesus he handed him over to be crucified.
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