Mark 15:14

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

Then {G1161} Pilate {G4091} said {G3004} unto them {G846}, Why {G1063}, what {G5101} evil {G2556} hath he done {G4160}? And {G1161} they cried out {G2896} the more exceedingly {G4056}, Crucify {G4717} him {G846}.

He asked, "Why? What crime has he committed?" But they only shouted louder, "Put him to death on the stake!"

“Why?” asked Pilate. “What evil has He done?” But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify Him!”

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

Commentary

Mark 15:14 KJV captures a pivotal moment in the trial of Jesus before Pontius Pilate, highlighting the intense pressure faced by the Roman governor and the escalating hostility of the crowd.

Context

This verse occurs immediately after Pilate's attempt to release Jesus, leveraging the Passover custom of freeing a prisoner (Mark 15:6). Pilate, sensing no legitimate charge against Jesus and perhaps hoping to avoid a tumultuous situation, offers the crowd a choice between Jesus and Barabbas, a notorious insurrectionist (Mark 15:7). However, instigated by the chief priests, the crowd vehemently demands Barabbas's release instead (Mark 15:11). Pilate's question, "Why, what evil hath he done?", is a final, desperate attempt to find a reason to spare Jesus, or at least to justify his condemnation. It underscores his own conviction that Jesus was innocent, a sentiment echoed in other Gospel accounts (Luke 23:4).

Key Themes

  • Injustice and Mob Rule: The verse vividly portrays the power of a manipulated crowd overriding justice. Despite Pilate's repeated inability to find fault with Jesus, the shouts of the populace prevail, demonstrating the dangerous influence of collective irrationality and popular opinion over truth and law.
  • Rejection of Truth: Pilate's direct question seeks a factual basis for condemnation. The crowd's response, however, is not a logical argument but an intensified, irrational demand for crucifixion, signifying their outright rejection of Jesus and any evidence of His innocence. This foreshadows the world's continued opposition to divine truth.
  • Pilate's Compromise: This moment reveals Pilate's moral weakness and political expediency. He prioritizes appeasing the volatile crowd and maintaining Roman order over administering true justice, ultimately condemning an innocent man to avoid an uprising.
  • Fulfillment of Prophecy: Jesus's unjust suffering and condemnation by both Jewish and Roman authorities were central to Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah (Isaiah 53:7). This verse is a critical step in the Passion narrative, leading to His crucifixion.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "cried out the more exceedingly" translates from the Greek perissoteros ekrazon (περισσότερος ἔκραζον), indicating an intensified, louder, and more fervent shouting. It emphasizes the escalating pressure and the sheer volume of the crowd's demand for Jesus's death. The repeated cry of "Crucify him!" (Staurosan auton!) was a brutal demand for the most humiliating and painful form of Roman execution, showcasing the depth of their hatred and determination to see Jesus eliminated.

Practical Application

Mark 15:14 serves as a stark reminder of several timeless truths:

  • Guard Against Mob Mentality: It cautions against succumbing to popular opinion or groupthink, especially when it contradicts truth and justice. Believers are called to discern truth, not merely follow the loudest voices.
  • The Cost of Righteousness: Jesus's unjust condemnation highlights that following God's will can often lead to opposition and suffering from the world.
  • Reflect on Christ's Sacrifice: The verse underscores the profound injustice Jesus endured for humanity. His willingness to suffer such a fate, despite His innocence, reveals the immense love and sacrifice at the heart of the Gospel (John 3:16).
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Luke 23:41

    And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.

  • Psalms 69:4

    They that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of mine head: they that would destroy me, [being] mine enemies wrongfully, are mighty: then I restored [that] which I took not away.

  • Acts 7:54

    ¶ When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with [their] teeth.

  • Acts 7:57

    Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord,

  • Hebrews 7:26

    For such an high priest became us, [who is] holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;

  • Acts 19:34

    But when they knew that he was a Jew, all with one voice about the space of two hours cried out, Great [is] Diana of the Ephesians.

  • Matthew 27:23

    And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified.
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