OIA 15.1-20

Observations
• Who: the chief priests, elders, law teachers – all the Sanhedrin; Jesus; Pilate; Barabbas; crowd; soldiers
• When: early in the morning on Friday, Passover;
• Where: before Pilate; in the Praetorium
• What: Jesus bound and delivered to Pilate; Pilate’s decision to crucify Jesus and release Barabbas; soldier’s mocking; Jesus led to crucifixion site.
• Repeated words: delivered (Strong’s #3860; used 20 timed in Mark; 3 x here, 7x in 14 translated as ‘betray’, 3x I 13 as warnings to disciples; 3x in death predictions in 9.31 and 10.33, of John in 1.14, and of the grain in 4.29).; King of the Jews, chief priests, Pilate, Barabbas, crowd;
• Contrasts: priests’ accusations/Jesus’ silence; Barabbas the radical murderer/Jesus the King of the Jews
• Connections: amazed (here ‘marveled’ Strong’s #2296; used of ‘all men’ in 5.20, Jesus in 6.6 about lack of faith; here and in 15.44 of Pilate), crowds, once interested in Jesus but now become a mob;
• Responses to Jesus: murder conspiracy by religious leaders; Pilate marvels at Jesus’ silence; soldiers mock him.

Interpretation
• The priests and Sanhedrin did not have authority to execute criminals. So they appeal to Rome’s territorial ruler, Pilate who ‘was probably in town for the feast…Pontius Pilate was the fifth procurator of Judea…served from A.D. 26-36’ (Gospel of Mark: 88; Serendipity study guide).
• Pilate’s behavior demonstrates political expediency. He knows the motivation behind the priests’ accusations – envy - and that Barabbas was a convicted terrorist. But like all politicians Pilate takes a poll of the priest-enflamed crowd and bows to popular sentiment. How little the political process has changed over the years! Pilate’s disdain is seen further in his command to flog Jesus.
• Why is Jesus silent? Mark’s use of ‘delivered’ is a clue. Jesus knows exactly what is taking place: the Father’s will is being carried out, as are his death prophecies in chapters 8, 9, and 10. The priests and Pilate think they are in control of events. Instead their evil motivation and craven playing to the mindless crowds are used by God to accomplish the salvation of both Israel and Rome!
• Barabbas was a nationalist extremist, a man of violence willing to sacrifice others for political/nationalistic purposes. His name means ‘son of the father’ (cf. bar Timaeus, 10.46, where Mark prepares his listeners to catch the irony of Barabbas’ name). Abba is the term Jesus used of his father in 14.36. What tragic irony that the priests and crowd choose Barabbas rather than Jesus as the King of the Jews. One wonders if this choice by Jewish religious leadership and their manipulated crowds is still being lived out down to this day as contemporary Israel remains enmeshed in violence, oppression, and bloodshed.

Application
• Jesus cooperates with his Father’s intentions to deliver Jesus to an unjust death.
• The contrast between Jesus’ kingdom and the kingdoms of men, and Satan, is clearly displayed. To which do we subscribe?