Reflecting on Mark's Gospel - Mark 15:1-15

The sorry saga continues as the trumped-up charge allows the religious leaders to dispatch Jesus to the Roman governor in order that he might attract a punishment that was far greater than they were able to inflict. They want him dealt with once and for all, and that meant death. Pilate, according to Mark, does not take this matter terribly seriously. He asks Jesus about being the king of the Jews and about all the charges that the religious leaders are now bringing. Jesus remains silent, and a somewhat disinterested Pilate is described as amazed.

However, there is just a hint that Pilate might have preferred not to sign his death warrant. He makes use of a custom by which the governor would release a prisoner at festival time, and gives the crowd the choice of Jesus or a murderer named Barabbas. But it is not difficult to stir up a crowd and the chief priests have some expertise in influencing things their way. The shout becomes that Barabbas should be freed. I wonder if there are times when we have gone with the crowd, but really should have taken a different line.

Pilate has one more check as he asks what should happen to Jesus. The response comes back: crucify him! Despite his earlier comment about the charges against him, Pilate asks a question about what Jesus has done wrong. The question is not answered, but the death penalty is demanded. Pilate is not going to take chances with a crowd in this mood. Jesus is not worth it to him. He releases Barabbas and has Jesus flogged, before sending him to crucifixion, and he does not seem to have any qualms about it. I wonder what we would have done in Pilate’s place.

Joseph O’Hanlon (Mark My Words) comments on the different ways in which Pilate is portrayed – “the Pilate of Matthew who washes his hands of complicity in the death of an innocent man, the Pilate of Luke who finds nothing deserving of death, indeed, no crime at all, in this man, the Pilate of John who discusses endlessly with Jesus on the finer points of theological issues, is not the Pilate of history. Rather, he is the Pilate of Christian propaganda, the Pilate Christians would like to present to the Gentile world. But stories of Pilate’s reluctance to condemn an innocent man, stories of a weak-willed man overcome by a hostile and vindictive mob are far distant from the real Pilate. Mark’s Pilate may be nearer the callous truth.”