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Mark 15

And straightway in the morning the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council, and bound Jesus, and carried him away, and delivered him to Pilate.

And Pilate asked him, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answering said unto him, Thou sayest it.

And the chief priests accused him of many things: but he answered nothing.

And Pilate asked him again, saying, Answerest thou nothing? behold how many things they witness against thee.

But Jesus yet answered nothing; so that Pilate marvelled.

Now at that feast he released unto them one prisoner, whomsoever they desired.

And there was one named Barabbas, which lay bound with them that had made insurrection with him, who had committed murder in the insurrection.

And the multitude crying aloud began to desire him to do as he had ever done unto them.

But Pilate answered them, saying, Will ye that I release unto you the King of the Jews?

For he knew that the chief priests had delivered him for envy.

But the chief priests moved the people, that he should rather release Barabbas unto them.

And Pilate answered and said again unto them, What will ye then that I shall do unto him whom ye call the King of the Jews?

And they cried out again, Crucify him.

Then Pilate said unto them, Why, what evil hath he done? And they cried out the more exceedingly, Crucify him.

And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified.

And the soldiers led him away into the hall, called Praetorium; and they call together the whole band.

And they clothed him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about his head,

And began to salute him, Hail, King of the Jews!

And they smote him on the head with a reed, and did spit upon him, and bowing their knees worshipped him.

And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple from him, and put his own clothes on him, and led him out to crucify him.

And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross.

And they bring him unto the place Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, The place of a skull.

And they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh: but he received it not.

And when they had crucified him, they parted his garments, casting lots upon them, what every man should take.

And it was the third hour, and they crucified him.

And the superscription of his accusation was written over, THE KING OF THE JEWS.

And with him they crucify two thieves; the one on his right hand, and the other on his left.

And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, And he was numbered with the transgressors.

And they that passed by railed on him, wagging their heads, and saying, Ah, thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days,

Save thyself, and come down from the cross.

Likewise also the chief priests mocking said among themselves with the scribes, He saved others; himself he cannot save.

Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe. And they that were crucified with him reviled him.

And when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour.

And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

And some of them that stood by, when they heard it, said, Behold, he calleth Elias.

And one ran and filled a spunge full of vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink, saying, Let alone; let us see whether Elias will come to take him down.

And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost.

And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom.

And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God.

There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome;

(Who also, when he was in Galilee, followed him, and ministered unto him;) and many other women which came up with him unto Jerusalem.

And now when the even was come, because it was the preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath,

Joseph of Arimathaea, and honourable counseller, which also waited for the kingdom of God, came, and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus.

And Pilate marvelled if he were already dead: and calling unto him the centurion, he asked him whether he had been any while dead.

And when he knew it of the centurion, he gave the body to Joseph.

And he bought fine linen, and took him down, and wrapped him in the linen, and laid him in a sepulchre which was hewn out of a rock, and rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulchre.

And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses beheld where he was laid.

What does Mark 15:5 mean?

Explanation

The verse [But Jesus yet answered nothing; so that Pilate marvelled.] from Mark 15:5, presents a moment during Jesus' trial before Pontius Pilate, where Jesus remains silent in response to the accusations brought against Him.

Pilate, the Roman governor who is presiding over the trial, is bewildered by Jesus' decision not to speak in His own defense.

This silence is significant as it contrasts with the expectations of a typical trial where the accused would argue for their innocence.

Jesus' silence may be interpreted as a testament to His acceptance of the will of God, an indication of His inner peace, or as a fulfillment of prophecy.

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Historical Context

Mark 15:5 falls within the context of Jesus' trial before Pilate, which took place after His arrest and initial religious trial before the Jewish Sanhedrin. The Sanhedrin had accused Jesus of blasphemy, which was not punishable by death under Roman law.

Therefore, when they brought Jesus to Pilate, they presented charges that would be more relevant to Roman concerns, such as accusing Jesus of claiming to be a king and thus challenging Roman authority.

The silence of Jesus before Pilate is striking because it did not follow the typical process of Roman legal proceedings, where the accused would defend themselves vigorously.

Theological Insights

From a theological perspective, the silence of Jesus can have multiple significance:

Fulfillment of Prophecy: Jesus' silence fulfills the prophecy in Isaiah 53:7 that the Messiah would be like "a sheep before its shearers is silent" and not open his mouth in defense. 2.

Sovereignty of God: Jesus' silence may indicate His submission to God's sovereign plan for salvation, willingly accepting His fate as the sacrificial lamb. 3.

Judgement on the World: Jesus does not defend Himself, perhaps as a form of judgment on the world, symbolizing that there is no legitimate argument that could condemn Him. 4.

Divine Patience: His silence might also be reflective of God's patience and mercy, refraining from speaking out against His accusers and judges.

Practical Applications

Practically, this verse may hold several applications for everyday life:

Trust in God: Encourage believers to trust in God’s plan, even in the face of adversity or when human logic suggests they should be fighting. 2.

Meekness: Teach the value of meekness and the power of silence in certain situations rather than reacting defensively. 3.

Innocence: Remind individuals that true innocence and integrity might not need constant verbal defense. 4.

Endurance: Offer an example of endurance in suffering and injustice that can inspire personal perseverance.

Cross-References

Isaiah 53:7: "He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth."
Matthew 27:12-14: "And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing.

Then said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee? And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly."

John 19:9: "And went again into the judgment hall, and saith unto Jesus, Whence art thou? But Jesus gave him no answer."

Language Study

In the original Greek, the phrase "answered nothing" is translated from "ουκετι ουδεν απεκριθη" (ouketi ouden apekrithē). "Ουκετι" (ouketi) means "no longer" or "not...anymore", indicating that Jesus had previously spoken but chose to remain silent at this point. "Ουδεν" (ouden) means "nothing", and "απεκριθη" (apekrithē) is the aorist passive form of "αποκρινομαι" (apokrinomai), which means "to answer" or "to reply".

Together, the phrase emphasizes the total absence of a response from Jesus.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In other ancient religious traditions, figures who accept their fate without protest can be seen to embody certain virtues or to fulfill divine or cosmic purposes, similar to how Jesus' silence can be interpreted in a Christian context.

For example, in some versions of the Socrates' trial and death, Socrates accepts his fate without pleading for his life, suggesting a deeper philosophical peace with the concept of justice and the afterlife.

Scientific Perspectives

The study of human behavior might provide insight into the possible effects of Jesus' silence on both Pilate and the observers of the trial.

Psychologically, one might analyze the silence as a form of nonviolent protest or passive resistance, which can be profoundly unsettling to those in power, as it upends the expected dynamics of authority and submission.

Commentaries

Different commentators have offered various perspectives on Mark 15:5:

Matthew Henry's Commentary focuses on Jesus fulfilling the prophecy from Isaiah, highlighting His patience and submission to God's will.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible suggests that Jesus' silence was due to the nature of the accusations being so evidently false and malicious that they did not warrant a response.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary discusses how Pilate, accustomed to self-defense by other prisoners, was amazed at the composure and peace Jesus displayed, seeing it as an indication of innocence.

Mark 15

Mark 15

What does Mark 15:5 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Mark Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Mark 15:5 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Mark Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?