MARK CHAPTER 15 VERSE 1 TO 5. MARK 15:1-5

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As soon as it was morning the chief priests, with the elders and scribes, and the whole council held a consultation; and they bound, Jesus and led him away and delivered him to Pilate. And Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” And he answered him, “You have said so.” And the chief priests accused him of many things. And Pilate again asked him, “Have you no answer to make? See how many charges they bring against you.” But Jesus made no further answered, so that Pilate wondered.[1] (Mk 15:1-5)

 

Introduction

The book of mark 15:1-5, has three significant figures, The Religious Leaders, Jesus, and Pilate. The religious leaders wish to terminate Jesus and his ministry, thereby having consultation, and further moving ahead towards there plan of executing Jesus. This paper shall focus on three point, which include the following: why the Jews have to take Jesus to Pilate, why they had to deliver Jesus to Pilate as soon as it was morning, and finally, why they accused Jesus of being the king of the Jews. Before we kick off, we shall first of all, give a background of the text.
Background
In the passage above, the Jewish leaders meet to make a formal decision about Jesus and hand him over to Pilate, the Roman governor, whose interrogation of Jesus is then briefly described. All three synoptic gospels record a morning meeting of the Jewish council to deal with Jesus (cf. Matt. 27:1; Luke 22:66).
The reason for taking Jesus to Pilate is not given in the synoptic, but in John 18:31, we are told that the Jewish council did not then have the right to carry out executions. It is interesting to note, however, that although the charges against Jesus in the trial before the Jewish authorities are religious in nature (threats against the temple, 14:57-58; “blasphemy,” 14:64), Pilate’s question in 15:2 suggests that in bringing Jesus before the Roman court the Jewish authorities accused him of claiming to be the king of the Jews. Mark 15:3-4 simply refers to many things without specifying the charges, but Luke 23:2 is more specific, listing charges that Jesus advocated the withholding of taxes due to Rome and that he claimed to be the messiah, the king of the Jews. Certainly there is every reason to believe that at least the latter charge was made, for there is not only the tradition found in the Gospels but also the fact of Jesus’ execution by crucifixion, a means of execution used especially on those deemed by the Romans to be rebellious.[2]

Jesus taken to Pilate

Jews are subject to Roman law, and have limited authority. Rome offers subjects some measure of local rule, but retains authority over serious matters, including capital crimes.[3] The Jews doesn’t have the power to execute Jesus, and if they really wish to execute Jesus, they had to find a way of making Rome do it. Secondly, the Jews expected a favorable result, this is because secular history presents Pilate as a cruel, ruthless man, and completely insensitive to the moral feelings of others- surely, because of this two reasons, the Jews took Jesus to Pilate.[4]

Jesus Was Taken To Pilate As Soon As It Was Morning

It was necessary for the Sanhedrin to bring its business to Pilate as soon after dawn as possible because the working day of a Roman official began at the earliest hour of daylight. Legal trials in the Roman forum were customarily held shortly after sunrise.[5] Secondly, the council had their Sabbath in mind, and If the council is to get action from Pilate before the Sabbath, they need to hand Jesus over to him early in the morning, because time is short. First, they must get Pilate to agree to a crucifixion. Then the crucifixion must be carried out. Finally, the body must be removed from the cross and buried prior to sunset, when the Sabbath will begin, to comply with the requirements of Deuteronomy 21:23.[6]

Why Jesus Was Accused Of Being The King Of The Jews.

The Jews have no authority to impose death penalty, so they bring Jesus to Pilate, who has that authority. Pilate would not care about charges of blasphemy, so the council couches their charges against Jesus in terms actionable under Roman law—sedition—treason.[7] Pilate cannot ignore such charges of Jesus claiming to be king. Pilate would have to take Jesus seriously as a potential political threat, because there could be no king except Caesar, and Pilate was Caesar’s representative.[8]

Conclusion

from the above, one can clearly see the connections of all the actions of the Jews towards achieving their goal, without breaking their law. Nothing was done for the sake of just doing it, but for a reason geared to their plans, and without breaking the law of the Sabbath. They met, as early as possible, bundled Jesus to Pilate, accused him of claiming to be king, so that Pilate, who is known for his ruthlessness will condemn Jesus, and Jesus will be crucified as early as possible, will die, and the body removed from the cross before the observation of Sabbath begins. This also shows harmony between the gospel narratives.
Reference
Barclay, William, Gospel of Mark (Edinburgh: the Saint Andrew Press, 1954)
David Guzik, Enduring word, Mark 15- the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ.  2013. https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/mark-15/
Donahue, John R. and Harrington, Daniel J., Sacra Pagina: the Gospel of Mark (Collegeville: the Liturgical Press, 2002)
Hare, Douglas R. A., WestMinster Bible Companion: Mark (Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 1996)
Jensen, Richard A., Preaching Mark’s Gospel (Lima, OH: C.S.S Publishing Co., 1996)
Larry w. Hurtado, Understanding The Bible, Commentary Series. Mark, Bakerbooks Publishing Company. 1989
Richard Niell Donovan, Sermon Writter, Biblical Commentary, 2015 https://www.sermonwriter.com/biblical-commentary/mark-151-47/
The Revised Standard version.


[1] The Revised Standard version.
[2] Larry w. Hurtado, understanding the bible, Commentary series. Mark, Bakerbooks publishing company. 1989
[3] Richard Niell Donovan, Sermon Writter, Biblical Commentary, 2015.
[4] David Guzik, Enduring word, Mark 15- the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ.  2013.
[5] David Guzik, Enduring word, Mark 15- the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ.  2013.
[6] Richard Niell Donovan, Sermon Writter, Biblical Commentary,  2015.
[7] Richard Niell Donovan, Sermon Writter, Biblical Commentary,  2015.
[8] David Guzik, Enduring word, Mark 15- the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ.  2013.

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