Daily Devotions
Mark
Acts 4:1 "Now as they spoke to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees came upon them." Acts 4:1"
Day 317 – Mark 15
“Now as they spoke to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees came upon them.” Acts 4:1
A SPECIAL CONCESSION
Pilate had instituted a special concession as governor of Judea. He did not always get along well with the people he ruled in the name of Rome. Nevertheless, he imagined that he would at least be better regarded if he were to release one prisoner of the people’s choice at every Passover celebration. It was to this custom that the following text alluded.
“Now at the feast he was accustomed to releasing one prisoner
to them, whomsoever they requested.”
MARK 15:6
There seemed no reason why Jesus could not be that prisoner released at this year’s Passover feast, or so Pilate thought!
THE EXTENT OF PILATE’S LARGESSE
What was the extent of the largesse of the Roman governor?
“And there was one named Barabbas, who was chained
with his fellow rebels, they had committed murder
in the rebellion.”
MARK 15:7
Would Pilate’s clemency extend to such a prisoner as Barabbas? Yes! Pilate would even release Barabbas, even if he was a rebel and had murdered. In Pilate’s mind, Jesus could not be compared to this notorious Barabbas who had to be kept chained! Surely, the leaders could see the difference between Barabbas and Jesus!
TAKING UP PILATE’S OFFER
This yearly release of a prisoner at Passover was apparently popular with the people. As Pilate made reference to this new custom, the multitude began to murmur.
“Then the multitude, crying aloud, began to ask him
to do just as he had always done for them.”
MARK 15:8
The multitudes warmed up to Pilate’s offer. They expressed their desire to have Pilate release a prisoner of their choice.
PILATE’S PERCEPTION
Pleased with this response from the multitude, Pilate went one step further.
“But Pilate answered them, saying,
‘Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?’
For he knew that the chief priests had handed Him over
because of envy.”
MARK 15:9
Pilate addressed the multitude rather than the chief priests. He was sharp enough to perceive that the chief priests had set Jesus up; they had delivered Him up simply because of their pettiness. They were plainly envious of Jesus!