He Is The One
Mk 14:43–52
A mob showed up ready to fight, but this was not the time for swords or clubs or opposition. As it says in John 18:10–11 (LEB) Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear. (Now the name of the slave was Malchus.) 11 So Jesus said to Peter, “Put the sword into its* sheath! The cup that the Father has given me—shall I not drink it?”
Jesus does expose this mob for who they are, in Mark 14:49 he says “Every day I was with you in the temple courts …”. This is the way the evil ones work, not in the public eye, but in the dark, when no one is looking.
I Am
Mk 14:53–65
All of the priestly leaders were there. It says in Mark 14:55 (LEB) Now the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for testimony against Jesus in order to put him to death, and they did not find it.*
They weren’t talking to Jesus at all, they wanted someone to bring an accusation they could use against him. But they couldn’t find anything. Mark 14:59 (LEB) And their testimony was not even consistent about this.
Finally, the High Priest asks Jesus to respond to these accusers. Mark 14:60–61 (LEB) And the high priest stood up in the midst of them and* asked Jesus, saying, “Do you not reply anything? What are these people testifying against you?” 61 But he was silent and did not reply anything. Again the high priest asked him and said to him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?”.
Jesus now answered, Mark 14:63 And Jesus said, “I am, and you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power and coming with the clouds of heaven.”
I Do Not Know This Man
Mk 14:66–72
When someone we know is under accusation, our natural response is to protect ourselves, to pull away, to deny even the truth. If Peter had acknowledged Jesus, it would not have changed the outcome. But Peter did feel the guilt and shame of denial. Peter did face the truth of his weakness. And Peter did go on to stand for the gospel as we see in Acts 5:17-21.
Are You The King of The Jews?
Mk 15:1–5
All of the leaders, Mark 15:1 says “the chief priests, with the elders and scribes and the whole Sanhedrin, tied up Jesus”. And, they did this to take him as a prisoner to Pilate.
There was no foundation for any charges, and Pilate is a politician responding to the crowd of accusers in Mark 15:3. See John 18:29–39 (LEB) 33“Are you the king of the Jews?” 34 Jesus replied, “Do you say this from yourself, or have others said this* to you about me?” 35 Pilate replied, “I am not a Jew, am I?*
This was a true statement, “Pilate Refers to Pontius Pilate, who governed Judaea for the Roman Empire circa AD 26–36. As the emperor Tiberius’ prefect in the region, Pilate was responsible for resolving both civil and criminal cases, and he had authority to carry out capital punishments”. 1
And Pilates authority to carry out capital punishments was the reason the Jews came to him.
Crucify Him
Mk 15:6–15 LEB
Pilate placed Barabbas, a leader of rebellion and murderer, next to Jesus and asked the crowd in Mark 15:9 ” … Do you want me to release for you the king of the Jews?” 10 (For he realized that the chief priests had handed him over because of envy.) and the crowd cried “Crucify Him”.
Pilate, the legal authority, sought to protect his position, and wanted to please the people. There was no time for him to verify the facts, review proper sentencing, or for anyone to ask for mercy.
Hail, King of the Jews
Mk 15:16–20 LEB
The soldiers all gathered and dressed Jesus in purple and made a crown of thorns and mocked him. What did they know of his story? To them, he was just another prisoner.
The King of the Jews
Mk 15:21–32 LEB
They crucified him between two robbers. And, they taunted him, saying save yourself.
Study Verses
- Mark 14:43–52
- Mark 14:53–65
- Mark 15:6–15
Daily Reading
- Mark 14:43-72
- Mark 15:1-32
References
- 1. Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., … Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (Mk 15:1). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
