Mark 15:8 Commentary and Bible Study

The multitude began to desire that he follow tradition and released a prisoner at the time of the feast. Pilate was still trying to find a way out. He appealed directly to the crowds. He remonstrated with them, ‘Will ye that I release unto you the King of the Jews? for he knew that the chief priests had delivered him for envy.’ He could see they had no substantial charge to bring against Jesus. He could understand what was going on: that the crowds were drawn to Christ and the Pharisees who loved the praise of men were being starved of that praise. Thery wanted Jesus dead – out of the way. They thought it would solve the problems. Pilate understood that the Jewish leaders were manipulating the crowds and were trying to manipulate him. They knew his weak spot, and he was being forced towards a decision he did not want to give. He was trapped by their skilful and phoney pretence to be concerned about a threat to the Roman authority from Jesus of Nazareth. In a sense Christ died instead of Barabbas – dying for sinners.The suggestion that Pilate would release Jesus relates to the custom of releasing one prisoner at the time of the feast which all four Gospels explain. It may have happened at all feasts, but certainly at this one. Mark tells us that in making this offer Pilate referred to Jesus as ‘the King of the Jews’. That was obviously supposed to be an argument with them, that national honour ought to make them prefer one who was their king. Furthermore Pilate would likely have thought, ‘Surely they will want me to release Jesus of Nazareth. He has done so much good among them. He has healed so many of them, by his amazing power. He has such standing among the people. Surely this vast crowd; there is no question – they will choose to release Jesus of Nazareth, against the wishes of the chief priests who want him dead.’ But Pilate was wrong, because a further humiliation was that the people by choice – what a momentous choice! – freely, voluntarily reject Jesus of Nazareth and prefer Barabbas.