These small group studies of the gospel of Mark 15 contain commentary, cross-references, Bible study discussion questions, and applications to encourage life change. Visit our library of inductive Bible studies for more practical studies on this and other books of the Bible you can use in your small group.
Mark 15:1-20 Bible Study And Questions – Jesus’ Trial By Pilate
Outline
I. Jesus delivered to Pilate (1-5)
II. Pilate delivers Jesus to be crucified (6-15)
III. Jesus is mocked by the Roman soldiers (16-20)
I. Jesus delivered to Pilate (1-5)
Discussion Questions
• What was the Jewish religious leaders’ goal in sending Jesus to Pilate?
• Who is Pilate?
• What do you observe about Jesus’ character?
• Why did Jesus not defend Himself?
• Why was Pilate amazed at Jesus’ silence?
• Does Jesus’ example teach us that we should never defend ourselves? Why or why not?
Cross-References
Isaiah 53:7 – He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth.
Verse by Verse Commentary
1. As soon as it was morning – The Jewish leaders were in a hurry to have Jesus sentenced and executed. It is possible they were motivated to act before the crowds whom Jesus was popular with knew about it and organized any type of resistance.
2. They delivered him over to Pilate – The Roman government gave the Jews some amount of autonomy to enforce their own religious laws. However, the Jews were not allowed to execute people.
This fact is referenced in the Gospel of John.
John 18:31-32 – Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law.” The Jews said to him, “It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death.” This was to fulfill the word that Jesus had spoken to show by what kind of death he was going to die.
Pilate didn’t want anything to do with Jesus. He wasn’t interested in mediating Jewish religious disputes. The Roman’s preference was to stay out of religious matters and let the Sanhedrin deal with those things.
But the Jewish religious leaders had taken this case to Pilate expressly because they wanted the death sentence and only the Roman government had the power to give that.
A number of prophecies point to the Messiah’s death by crucifixion (Psalm 22:14-18) rather than by stoning, which was the Jewish method of execution. Therefore we see that God was sovereign even over the minutiae of how Jewish and Roman laws intersected. The Lord is not surprised by anything. Every eventuality is taken into account as He providentially works all things out for His good purpose.
Application – God’s Word is unbreakable. The crucifixion was described a thousand years ahead of time (Psalm 22:14-18) and was fulfilled in the life of Christ. Scripture will stand against every attack. All of God’s promises will come to pass.
We should trust firmly in God’s Word without wavering.
3. The Pilate stone – Another evidence for the credibility of the Bible is found in archaeology. In the past, many Bible critics claimed that Pilate was a fictional character. They said that there was no evidence in other books for his existence as an important governor in Judah.
In 1961, a team led by Dr. Frova discovered an important inscription on a stone in Caesarea. It has since been dubbed as the “Pilate Stone.”
It dates to the time of Jesus and translated from Latin reads:
To the Divine Augusti [this] Tiberieum
…Pontius Pilate
…prefect of Judea
…has dedicated [this]
Pilate was not only proved to be a person. But he was proved to be a prefect/governor in Judea at the same time as Jesus. Another important piece of the Bible was authenticated, providing more evidence of its ultimate truth.
Application – We should be prepared to defend the truth of the Bible. Spend some time to watch some Biblical archaeology videos. Many are accessible on YouTube for free. One recommended channel is “Expedition Bible.”
4. Are you the king of the Jews? – In Mark 15:2, it records Jesus answer as, “You have said so.”
John records this conversation in more detail.
John 18:36-38 – Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” Pilate said to him, “What is truth?”
Jesus rarely answered questions according to expectations. He didn’t say, “Yes, I am a king” or “No, I am not a king.” Instead He explained to Pilate that His kingdom is not of this world.
His goal was never to set up a political kingdom. That is what many Jews were hoping for. They wanted a political hero to save them from Rome. When Jesus did not fulfill this expectation, many turned against Him. Pilate also would have feared political revolution.
Jesus had far higher and longer lasting goals than setting up a political entity. He was not interested in the world’s system. His kingdom is not of this world. It is a spiritual kingdom.
Reflect – Is this kingdom here already?
Both Jesus and John the Baptist often said that the kingdom of God is “at hand.”
Mark 1:15 – “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”
Jesus brought an invitation into this spiritual kingdom. Entrance was made possible by His death and resurrection and can be gained by placing faith in Him.
Application – Believers should remember that His kingdom is not of this world. The Lord is more interested in winning souls than elections. Jesus Himself had opportunity to create a political party, but He didn’t. Christians should try to influence their country for good through elections or politics. However, we should remember that this is not the end goal. Politics should never distract us from the far more important task of winning souls into Jesus’ kingdom by sharing the gospel.
4. The chief priests accused him of many things –
Mark 15:3-5 – 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 answer, so that Pilate was amazed.
Matthew 27:14 – But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed.
Jesus could have zealously defended Himself. But unlike most people being tried of a crime, Jesus was not interested in getting free. To save the world, He had to die.
Jesus was more like a worm than a snake.
Psalms 22:6-7 – But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by mankind and despised by the people. All who see me mock me; they make mouths at me; they wag their heads.
He was like a gentle sheep.
Isaiah 53:7 – He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth.
Reflect – Should a believer ever defend himself? Why or why not?
Jesus did not defend Himself. However, Paul sometimes did. There are times when it might be necessary to defend oneself for the sake of the gospel.
But if we are honest with ourselves, much of the time we do so out of pride. Other times we defend ourselves when we are in the wrong instead of humbly listening to correction.
Jesus practiced self-control. He knew it was not beneficial to defend Himself and so He didn’t.
Application – Control your spirit. Humbly receive correction. Do not defend yourself unless it is necessary for the sake of the gospel.
Proverbs 16:32 – Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.
II. Pilate delivers Jesus to be crucified (6-15)
Discussion Questions
• What was the Roman political goal in releasing a prisoner each year at the feast?
• What kind of person was Barabbas?
• What can you learn in this passage about Pilate?
• Why did he go straight to the crowds instead of asking the Jewish leaders?
• Why do you think he offered to release either Jesus or Barabbas?
• What does Pilate believe about the charges leveled against Jesus?
• Why did Pilate agree to allow Jesus to be crucified?
• Why do you think the crowds supported this so strongly?
• What does this passage teach us about peer pressure?
Cross-References
Galatians 1:10 – For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.
Psalms 56:11 – In God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me?
Proverbs 13:20 – Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise,
but the companion of fools will suffer harm.
1 Corinthians 15:33 – Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”
Verse by Verse Commentary
1. Barabbas or Jesus? –
There was a custom at the Passover to release one prisoner to the crowd. This custom was likely a way to appease the local people and maintain good relations.
He did not desire to see an innocent man put to death. This reluctance to convict Jesus is seen throughout the gospels.
Matthew 27:22-23 – Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said, “Let him be crucified!” And he said, “Why? What evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified!” So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves.”
Pilate knew that the religious leaders were jealous schemers. Therefore He went straight to the crowds. Jesus was popular with them. Surely if he gave them a choice between a wicked murderer like Barabbas and Jesus they would logically choose to have Jesus released!
It was a very clever maneuver. One can easily see that Pilate was an experienced politician.
However, the leaders incited the crowd and poisoned them against Jesus. How fickle a crowd can be!
Mark 15:11 – But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release for them Barabbas instead.
Very likely, many of the same people who warmly welcomed Jesus into Jerusalem and shouted His praises days before now shouted to “Crucify Him!”
Reflect – What does show us about human nature and the power of peer pressure?
Application – Be careful about following the crowd or groupthink.
Exodus 23:2 – You shall not fall in with the many to do evil.
2. A picture of salvation – The crowds chose to free Barabbas and Jesus was condemned. This is a picture of the cross. Barabbas was guilty. He was basically waiting on death row for his execution. There was nothing he could do to earn his freedom.
Jesus died in his place while Barabbas went off totally free. It was through no doing of his own.
Salvation is like that. Each of us is like Barabbas. If we rely on ourselves, we have no hope.
3. Pilate wished to satisfy the crowd –
Mark 15:15 – So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.
The gospel accounts make it clear that Jesus was not guilty of the charges against Him. These often contradicted each other. Pilate knew that Jesus did not deserve to die.
Yet he was in a difficult position politically. The Jewish leaders accused him of being disloyal to Caesar if he released Jesus. They intensely pressured Him.
John records Jesus’ acknowledgement of this external pressure.
John 19:11 – Jesus answered him, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above. Therefore he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin.”
Nonetheless, Pilate caved. He knew the right thing to do and he did not have the backbone to do it. It is very important for everyone, but especially for leaders, to stand up for what is right and not back down in the face of pressure. Pilate is a good example of the spineless type of leadership we should avoid.
Application – There will be times in your life when others will pressure you to do something you know is wrong. By standing up for what you believe in, you may anger many people. Perhaps they will riot. Perhaps they will claim that their feelings are hurt. Maybe they will complain. Their reactions are not relevant. That is on them. Your job is to do what you know is right and for the good of you, your family, your church, your company, or your country never back down.
James 4:17 – So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.
Reflect – Have you ever caved to pressure? Why? How can believers gain strength to stand firm against pressure?
4. Jesus was severely scourged – He was so severely mangled by this that He was nearly unrecognizable and Pilate said, “Behold the man” (John 19:5). The whips that Romans used contained pieces of bone or metal for the express purpose of ripping out human flesh.
III. Jesus is mocked by the Roman soldiers (16-20)
Discussion Questions
• What would these Roman soldiers have against Jesus? Why would they treat Him this way?
• What does reveal about human nature?
• What would your reaction be if you were treated like this?
• What can we learn from Jesus’ non reaction about how we should react to others?
• How was Jesus able to keep calm in the face of such cruel treatment?
• How can you keep calm and exercise self-control when you are ill-treated?
Cross-References
Matthew 5:38-39 – You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.
1 Peter 2:21-23 – For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.
Matthew 5:11-12 – “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Romans 12:19 – Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”
Verse by Verse Commentary
1. The Roman soldiers mocked Jesus –
It is important for us to know that it was not only the Jews who had Jesus crucified. The Romans participated. It wasn’t only a soldier or two. It was the “whole battalion.”
Jesus’ crucifixion was not the responsibility of one people group. It was the responsibility of humankind as a whole. The Roman soldiers were likely composed of many different ethnicities and regions. The way they eagerly joined in to torture this innocent man shows the depravity of human hearts.
Jesus had done nothing to them. He wasn’t a prisoner of war. They likely knew very little about Him prior to that day. If they did hear something before, it was probably about His miracles.
One could say that they had “no skin in the game.” To them, He was a person whom they were commanded to execute. But it does not appear that they were instructed to first torture and mock Him. That they did of their own accord. It appears that they mocked Him eagerly and energetically.
What they did was unprofessional and goes against human decency. They didn’t care. They enjoyed mocking this man. He was under their power and they made sure He knew it.
Thus they went “above and beyond” their duty in the most reprehensible fashion.
Execution is at times necessary. God commanded governments to exercise corporate punishment for murderers. However, it should be a solemn and serious thing. No executioner should ever delight in his duty. It should be done with great gravity and a sense of sadness. That is true even when the convict is guilty of heinous crimes, which Jesus was not.
The soldiers’ behavior clearly reveals how sinful the heart is.
Jeremiah 17:9 – The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?
It is that sinful human heart which is why Jesus had to die.
2. The mocking of Jesus was predicted –
Psalms 22:7 – All who see me mock me; they make mouths at me; they wag their heads.
It took great self-control for Jesus to not strike down His torturers where they stood.
Reflect – What motivated Him to restrain Himself?
3. The methods of abuse –
• The robe – They had heard that Jesus was a king. Therefore they mocked Him by forcing Him to wear a purple robe and insulting Him.
• The crown of thorns – This was likely forced into his head and caused significant pain and bleeding.
• Verbal abuse – They laughed at Him, calling Him “King of the Jews.”
• Striking His head with a reed – This was likely a mock scepter, like the mock crown and kingly garments.
• Spitting on Him – This is highly insulting.
• Kneeling down in homage to Him – There was more scornful mockery.
Reflect – Consider the contrast between the behavior of Jesus and the soldiers. What do we learn about Jesus? What do we learn about people?
4. They led Him out to crucify Him – The trial was over. The innocent man was condemned to death. The darkest and brightest hour in human history had arrived.
