Mark 15:12

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 {G1161} Pilate {G4091} answered {G611} and said {G2036} again {G3825} unto them {G846}, What {G5101} will ye {G2309} then {G3767} that I shall do {G4160} unto him whom {G3739} ye call {G3004} the King {G935} of the Jews {G2453}?

Pilate again said to them, "Then what should I do with the man you call the King of the Jews?"

So Pilate asked them again, “What then do you want me to do with the One you call the King of the Jews?”

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

Mark 15:12 captures a critical juncture in the trial of Jesus before Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor. This verse reveals Pilate's continued efforts to understand and manage the volatile situation, pushing back against the demands of the Jewish religious leaders and the agitated crowd regarding Jesus, whom they ironically refer to as "the King of the Jews."

Context

This scene unfolds during the Passover festival in Jerusalem, a time when a large Jewish population gathered, and tensions between Roman authority and Jewish nationalism often ran high. According to custom, Pilate had the option to release one prisoner to the crowd, hoping they would choose Jesus, whom he found innocent (as seen in Luke 23:14). However, the chief priests and elders, driven by envy and fear of Jesus' influence, had already persuaded the crowd to demand the release of Barabbas, a notorious rebel and murderer, instead of Jesus (see Mark 15:11). Pilate's question in Mark 15:12 is a final, desperate attempt to appeal to their reason, or perhaps to expose the absurdity of their choice, by reiterating the charge against Jesus.

Key Themes

  • Pilate's Dilemma: The verse powerfully illustrates Pontius Pilate's unenviable position. He was caught between his duty to uphold Roman justice (finding no fault in Jesus) and the immense political pressure from the Jewish leadership who threatened to report him to Caesar if he released Jesus. His repeated questioning shows his reluctance to condemn an innocent man.
  • Jesus' Kingship: The title "King of the Jews" is central to this verse. It was the formal accusation against Jesus (as noted in Mark 15:26) and the very reason Pilate was interrogating Him. Pilate's use of this title, even as the crowd rejected Jesus, underscores the profound irony of the situation: the people were demanding the crucifixion of their true Messiah and King.
  • The Crowd's Rejection: This verse sets the stage for the crowd's ultimate, manipulated cry for Jesus' crucifixion. It highlights the volatile nature of public opinion and how easily a mob can be swayed by influential figures, choosing rebellion and injustice over righteousness and truth.
  • Clash of Powers: The scene depicts a clash between Roman political power, the religious authority of the Jewish Sanhedrin, and the divine, spiritual authority embodied in Jesus. Pilate's question reveals the tension as these different powers collide.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "King of the Jews" (Greek: Basileus ton Ioudaiōn) carries significant weight. For the Romans, it was a political charge implying sedition against Caesar. For many Jews, it was a messianic title, referring to the promised deliverer from the line of David. Pilate's repeated use of this title, even in a seemingly rhetorical question, highlights the central issue of Jesus' identity and claim to authority, which was both a political threat to Rome and a theological challenge to the Jewish establishment.

Practical Application

Mark 15:12 reminds us of the immense pressure to conform to popular opinion, even when it goes against truth and justice. It challenges us to consider whether we, like the crowd, might reject Christ's true kingship in favor of worldly desires or popular trends. The verse calls believers to acknowledge Jesus as King, regardless of societal acceptance or political convenience, and to stand for righteousness even when it is unpopular. It also serves as a poignant reminder of the lengths to which human beings will go to reject God's chosen one, a theme that continues to resonate today as the world often rejects Jesus, the true King of kings.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Jeremiah 23:5

    Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.

  • Jeremiah 23:6

    In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this [is] his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.

  • Isaiah 9:6

    For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

  • Isaiah 9:7

    Of the increase of [his] government and peace [there shall be] no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

  • Acts 5:31

    Him hath God exalted with his right hand [to be] a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.

  • Matthew 21:5

    Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.

  • Zechariah 9:9

    ¶ Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he [is] just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.

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