Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Mark 15

What seems to be spoken of here is not another gathering of the Sanhedrin but the final stages of the meeting that had begun late the night before. They now made a resolution to accuse Jesus before the civil authority, not of blasphemy, but of high treason. The Roman government would not have considered blasphemy a punishable crime. It had to do with the Jewish religion, and this was of little or no concern to the Roman authorities. But high treason was a crime they could not overlook. Note the irony of the situation. Jesus, who disappointed the crowds for failing to lead a political revolution, was now being charged with that very crime.

The members of the Sanhedrin then led Jesus away and handed him over to Pilate. The official residence of the Roman governors of Judea was at Caesarea on the Mediterranean coast. Whenever they came to Jerusalem, they occupied the palace of Herod, where the trial of Jesus before Pilate took place (the Praetorium of v.16). Early in the morning, because that is when Pilate held trials, Jesus was led to Herod’s palace. This explains why the Sanhedrin held their session late at night and very early in the morning.

Pilate’s first question to Jesus—“Are you the king of the Jews?”—shows that the charges against Jesus had already been made known to him. According to Luke, the Sanhedrin brought before Pilate three charges against Jesus: (1) he is “subverting our nation”; (2) he “opposes payment of taxes to Caesar”; and (3) he “claims to be Christ, a king” . Pilate was primarily interested in the third accusation. Jesus’ answer to Pilate’s question in effect said, “Yes, I am the king of the Jews; but your concept of what that means and mine are poles apart.”

The chief priests were now taking the lead in the attack against Jesus. Jesus, however, in his majestic serenity, refused to defend himself. His composure in the face of vicious accusations completely amazed Pilate.

The chief priests were now taking the lead in the attack against Jesus. Jesus, however, in his majestic serenity, refused to defend himself. His composure in the face of vicious accusations completely amazed Pilate.

The chief priests were now taking the lead in the attack against Jesus. Jesus, however, in his majestic serenity, refused to defend himself. His composure in the face of vicious accusations completely amazed Pilate.