Mark 15:1-5 - Taken to Pilate

Mark 15:1-5
1 Early in the morning the chief priests with the elders and scribes and the whole Council, immediately held a consultation; and binding Jesus, they led Him away and delivered Him to Pilate. 2 Pilate questioned Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” And He *answered him, “It is as you say.” 3 The chief priests began to accuse Him harshly. 4 Then Pilate questioned Him again, saying, “Do You not answer? See how many charges they bring against You!” 5 But Jesus made no further answer; so Pilate was amazed.
Message: Taken to Pilate

Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.

What the Lord is Saying:

Preface - Jesus was arrested at night time after having spent time praying in the Garden of Gethsemane after the Passover meal and Lord's Supper in which he announced that someone among them would betray him. They all said, "not me." Despite this response when Jesus needed them to watch out while he was praying they fell asleep. And come evening there was the chief priests and elders showing up to arrest him. They took him Thursday night and immediately had a court of sort where they had witnesses to testify against him. But this didn't merit much until Caiaphas asked him if he was the Messiah, the son of God. He admitted he was and that he would sit at the right hand of God. Caiaphas called this blasphemy and others there started to spit on Jesus and fist pump him. At this point, Peter, who had followed Jesus there as well as John, was asked by the high priests servant girl if he was a part of Jesus group and Peter denied his affiliation or that he even knew Jesus. This was just as Jesus had predicted and Peter wept.

It is now Friday morning. Jesus has not slept. All night they have spent accusing him and then starting to spit on him and punch him. Early in the morning the chief priests with the elders and scribes and the whole Council, immediately held a consultation; and binding Jesus, they led Him away and delivered Him to Pilate. I wonder if interrogations like this always move this fast or because this is Jesus it is moving faster than normal. The chief priests and council ruled on religious matters but at some point they would then take an issue to Pilate, the Rome authority who would carry out capital punishment. Pilate was the Roman governor of Judea. He is in Jerusalem because of the major Jewish feasts because of the number of people in the city and having to deal with any issues.

Although blasphemy was the offense that the Sanhedrin Council had, blasphemy meant little to Pilate. Evidently, the Sanhedrin Council brought the issue of Jesus being king of the Jews to Pilate. Pilate questioned Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” This is the crime Pilate is concerned about because he thinks it has something to do with usurping the authority of Rome.

And He *answered him, “It is as you say.” Jesus' response to this was thou sayest. So he acknowledges that what has been said is valid. But then the accusations start rolling in even harsher towards Jesus and to these he does not respond. The chief priests began to accuse Him harshly. Then Pilate questioned Him again, saying, “Do You not answer? See how many charges they bring against You!” But Jesus made no further answer; so Pilate was amazed. He has said all that he needs to say. The fact that Jesus stands silent speaks more to the fact of his character because he was in fact blameless.

Summary - Now that the Sanhedrin, Jewish, Council has come to a conclusion that Jesus is a blasphemer, they take him before Pilate and pronounce before him that Jesus claims to be king of the Jews. Jesus admits this and the chief priests and scribes continue to assault him with accusations, but for these he remains silent. Jesus has said all that He needs to say.

Promise: Sometimes there is nothing more to be done when being accused than to be silent as Jesus was silent. Only other people can help with an acquittal though Jesus is carrying out a commission by the Father.

Prayer: O God thank you for taking the blame for my sin. The accusation were true that You are the Messiah, the Son of God, the Son of Man, King of the Jews, but people continually don't understand you well. But, it is for your children that you care for and I praise you and thank You for your great love for me. Help me to be a person of love and echo your message as is needed in the world I live in.