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 pict