Jesus Before Pilate; Barabbas Released
Mark 15:1-15
Mark.15.1 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- Και: CONJ
- ευθυς: ADV
- πρωι: ADV
- συμβουλιον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- ποιησαντες: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,pl,m
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- αρχιερεις: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- μετα: PREP
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- πρεσβυτερων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- γραμματεων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- ολον: ADJ,acc,sg,m
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- συνεδριον: NOUN,nom,sg,n
- δησαντες: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,pl,m
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- Ιησουν: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- απηνεγκαν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- και: CONJ
- παρεδωκαν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- Πιλατω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
Parallels
- Matthew 27:1-2 (verbal): Same sequence and wording: early in the morning the chief priests and elders convene, bind Jesus, lead him away and deliver him to Pilate (close verbal and narrative parallel to Mark's account).
- Luke 22:66–23:1 (structural): Luke describes the transition from the Jewish council's proceedings to bringing Jesus before Pilate (daybreak and the council's role leading to Roman custody), paralleling Mark's structural movement from council to Pilate.
- John 18:28 (verbal): John likewise records that the Jewish leaders brought Jesus to Pilate early in the morning; similar detail about timing and handing Jesus over to the Roman governor echoes Mark 15:1.
- Mark 14:53-65 (thematic): Earlier in Mark the narrative depicts Jesus before the high priest and the council (the Jewish trial), which thematically connects to the subsequent handing over to Pilate in 15:1 as the continuation of the trial sequence.
Alternative generated candidates
- And immediately in the morning the chief priests held counsel with the elders and scribes and the whole council; and they bound Jesus and led him away and delivered him to Pilate.
- And immediately in the morning the chief priests, with the elders and the scribes and the whole council, held counsel; and they bound Jesus, led him away, and delivered him to Pilate.
Mark.15.2 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- επηρωτησεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- Πιλατος·Συ: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- βασιλευς: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- Ιουδαιων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- αποκριθεις: VERB,aor,pass,ptc,nom,sg,m
- αυτω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- λεγει·Συ: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- λεγεις: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
Parallels
- Matthew 27:11 (verbal): Direct synoptic parallel: Pilate asks if Jesus is 'the King of the Jews' and Jesus replies with the same brief formula ('You say so').
- Luke 23:3 (verbal): Another synoptic parallel with virtually identical wording for Pilate's question and Jesus' concise response ('You say so'), part of the trial motif.
- John 18:33-37 (structural): John preserves Pilate's question about Jesus' kingship but records a longer dialogue in which Jesus clarifies the nature of his kingdom (not of this world), so this passage parallels Mark thematically and structurally.
- Matthew 26:25 (verbal): Verbal parallel within Matthew: Jesus uses the same brief phrase ('You say so' / 'σὺ λέγεις') earlier in response to Judas, showing the Gospel's reuse of this formula of assent or elliptical affirmation.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Pilate questioned him, 'Are you the King of the Jews?' And he answered him, 'You say it.'
- And Pilate questioned him, 'Are you the King of the Jews?' And he answered him, 'You say so.'
Mark.15.3 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- κατηγορουν: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,pl
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- αρχιερεις: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- πολλα: ADJ,acc,pl,n
Parallels
- Matthew 27:12 (verbal): Same trial-before-Pilate scene: Jesus is accused by the chief priests (and elders); Matthew uses similar language and notes Jesus' silence in response to their accusations.
- Luke 23:2 (verbal): Luke records the chief priests' opening accusations before Pilate (e.g., ‘perverting the nation’), paralleling Mark's statement that the chief priests accused him of many things.
- Mark 14:55 (thematic): Earlier in Mark's Gospel the chief priests and council seek testimony against Jesus to put him to death, showing the same pattern of repeated accusations by the religious leaders.
- Matthew 26:59 (thematic): Matthew describes the chief priests and the council seeking false witnesses against Jesus—another account of the leaders' attempts to bring charges against him, paralleling Mark's remark about many accusations.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the chief priests accused him of many things.
- 'And the chief priests accused him of many things.'
Mark.15.4 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- Πιλατος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- παλιν: ADV
- επηρωτα: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- λεγων·Ουκ: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,sg,m
- αποκρινη: VERB,pres,mid,ind,2,sg
- ουδεν: PRON,acc,sg,n
- ιδε: VERB,pres,act,imp,2,sg
- ποσα: PRON,acc,pl,n
- σου: PRON,gen,sg,2
- κατηγορουσιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,pl
Parallels
- Matthew 27:13-14 (verbal): Matthew records the same exchange: Pilate asks if Jesus hears how many things they testify against him, and notes Jesus' silence—close verbal parallel to Mark's wording.
- John 19:10-11 (verbal): Pilate reproaches Jesus for not answering him and asserts his authority—another instance of Pilate's impatience with Jesus' silence during the trial.
- Mark 14:61 (structural): Earlier in Mark Jesus remains silent before the high priest when accused; this repetition in the trial narrative highlights the motif of Jesus' non‑response to charges.
- Isaiah 53:7 (allusion): The Suffering Servant 'opened not his mouth' when oppressed and afflicted—an Old Testament paradigm for the Messiah's silence in the face of accusations.
- Luke 23:2-4 (thematic): Luke presents the formal accusations brought to Pilate and Pilate's response ('I find no guilt in this man'), connecting to the broader theme of the trial and Pilate's questioning of Jesus' culpability.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Pilate again questioned him, saying, 'Have you no answer? See how many things they testify against you.'
- And Pilate again questioned him, 'Have you no answer? See how many things they testify against you.'
Mark.15.5 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- Ιησους: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ουκετι: ADV
- ουδεν: PRON,acc,sg,n
- απεκριθη: VERB,aor,mid,ind,3,sg
- ωστε: CONJ
- θαυμαζειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- Πιλατον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
Parallels
- Matthew 27:14 (verbal): Matthew records the same scene with nearly identical wording: 'But Jesus gave no answer,' leading to Pilate's astonishment—direct verbal parallel to Mark's report of Jesus' silence.
- Mark 14:61 (verbal): Earlier in Mark Jesus remains silent before the high priest ('he kept silent and answered nothing'), establishing a recurring motif of silence in the face of judicial questioning.
- Isaiah 53:7 (quotation): The Suffering Servant prophecy—'he was oppressed, and he opened not his mouth'—is a background text later applied to Jesus and provides the theological rationale for his silent suffering.
- 1 Peter 2:23 (allusion): Peter echoes the motif of Christ's non-retaliation and silence under abuse ('when he was reviled he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten'), alluding to Isaiah and the Gospel accounts of Jesus' silence.
Alternative generated candidates
- But Jesus made no further answer; so that Pilate wondered.
- But Jesus gave him no further answer, so that Pilate was amazed.
Mark.15.6 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- Κατα: PREP
- δε: CONJ
- εορτην: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- απελυεν: VERB,impf,mid/pass,ind,3,sg
- αυτοις: PRO,dat,pl,3
- ενα: NUM,acc,sg,m
- δεσμιον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- ον: PART,pres,act,nom,sg,m
- παρητουντο: VERB,impf,mid/pass,ind,3,pl
Parallels
- Matthew 27:15 (verbal): Parallel wording: Matthew also states that at the feast the governor would release one prisoner to the crowd.
- Matthew 27:16-17 (verbal): Continues the parallel by naming Barabbas as the prisoner the crowd asked to be released, directly tied to the custom mentioned in Mark 15:6.
- Luke 23:17 (verbal): Luke explicitly records the same custom — that Pilate was accustomed to release one prisoner at the festival — providing the same narrative background.
- John 18:39 (thematic): John comments on Pilate’s custom of freeing a prisoner at the feast, supplying the explanatory context for the choice presented to the crowd (Barabbas vs. Jesus).
Alternative generated candidates
- Now at the feast he used to release to them one prisoner whom they requested.
- Now at the feast he used to release for them one prisoner whom they asked.
Mark.15.7 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ην: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- δε: CONJ
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- λεγομενος: PART,pres,pass,nom,sg,m
- Βαραββας: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- μετα: PREP
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- στασιαστων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- δεδεμενος: PART,perf,pass,nom,sg,m
- οιτινες: PRO,rel,nom,pl,m
- εν: PREP
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- στασει: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- φονον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- πεποιηκεισαν: PART,perf,act,nom,pl,m
Parallels
- Matthew 27:16-17 (verbal): Nearly identical wording: identifies Barabbas as the prisoner 'who had been thrown into prison with the insurrectionists and had committed murder.'
- Luke 23:18-19 (verbal): Parallel description: Barabbas guilty of an insurrection in the city and of murder, matching Mark's characterization of his crimes.
- John 18:40 (thematic): Same scene of crowd choosing Barabbas over Jesus ('Not this man, but Barabbas!'), linking to Mark's account of Barabbas as the released prisoner.
- Matthew 27:15 (structural): Provides the broader festival context and Pilate's custom of releasing a prisoner at Passover, which frames why Barabbas was offered to the crowd.
Alternative generated candidates
- And there was one named Barabbas, who lay bound with those who had committed murder in the insurrection.
- And there was one named Barabbas, bound with them, who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection that had taken place in the city and for murder.
Mark.15.8 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- αναβας: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,m,sg
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- οχλος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ηρξατο: VERB,aor,mid,ind,3,sg
- αιτεισθαι: VERB,pres,mid,inf
- καθως: CONJ
- εποιει: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτοις: PRO,dat,pl,3
Parallels
- Matthew 27:15 (verbal): Same tradition about the governor’s custom to release a prisoner at the feast; parallels Mark’s note that the crowd began to ask for a release.
- Luke 23:17 (verbal): Luke likewise records the custom of releasing one prisoner at the feast, providing the same narrative setting for the crowd’s request.
- John 18:39 (allusion): John explicitly states Pilate’s custom of releasing a prisoner at the Passover, which undergirds the crowd’s demand in Mark 15:8.
- Matthew 27:20 (thematic): Describes how the chief priests stirred up the crowd to ask for Barabbas, thematically parallel to Mark’s depiction of the crowd’s request at the feast.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the crowd went up and began to ask him to do as he always did for them.
- And the crowd came up and began to ask him to do as he was wont to do for them.
Mark.15.9 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- Πιλατος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- απεκριθη: VERB,aor,mid,ind,3,sg
- αυτοις: PRO,dat,pl,3
- λεγων·Θελετε: VERB,pres,act,part,ms,sg+VERB,pres,act,ind,2,pl
- απολυσω: VERB,fut,act,ind,1,sg
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- βασιλεα: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- Ιουδαιων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
Parallels
- Matthew 27:17 (verbal): Pilate poses the crowd the question of whom to release at the feast, offering a choice between Barabbas and Jesus — a close verbal and situational parallel to Mark 15:9.
- John 18:39 (verbal): John records Pilate asking almost the same question about releasing 'the king of the Jews,' mirroring Mark's wording and intent.
- Luke 23:17 (structural): Luke explains the Passover custom of releasing one prisoner, providing the institutional and narrative framework that motivates Pilate's question in Mark 15:9.
- John 18:40 (thematic): John records the crowd's demand for Barabbas rather than Jesus, paralleling Mark's account of the crowd's choice that follows Pilate's offer.
- Matthew 27:26 (structural): Matthew reports Pilate releasing Barabbas and handing Jesus over to be crucified, the immediate outcome and fulfillment of the choice introduced by Pilate's question.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Pilate answered them, 'Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?'
- And Pilate answered them, 'Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?'
Mark.15.10 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- εγινωσκεν: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- γαρ: PART
- οτι: CONJ
- δια: PREP
- φθονον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- παραδεδωκεισαν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- αρχιερεις: NOUN,nom,pl,m
Parallels
- Matthew 27:18 (verbal): Direct verbal parallel — Matthew likewise states Pilate knew the chief priests had handed Jesus over out of envy (same motive wording).
- Acts 13:27 (structural): Similar language of 'delivered/handed him over' by Jewish leaders to the authorities, framing the leaders' role in Jesus' arrest and trial.
- Acts 7:9 (thematic): Stephen's speech recalls envy as the motive by which Joseph's brothers sold him — a precedent motif of 'envy' causing betrayal/handing over.
- Mark 3:6 (thematic): Earlier in Mark the Pharisees conspire with the Herodians to destroy Jesus — a parallel instance of Jewish leaders plotting his death, providing narrative background to their motive and hostility.
Alternative generated candidates
- For he perceived that the chief priests had handed him over because of envy.
- For he perceived that it was out of envy the chief priests had delivered him up.
Mark.15.11 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- δε: CONJ
- αρχιερεις: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- ανεσεισαν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- οχλον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- ινα: CONJ
- μαλλον: ADV
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- Βαραββαν: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- απολυση: VERB,aor,act,subj,3,sg
- αυτοις: PRO,dat,pl,3
Parallels
- Matthew 27:20-21 (verbal): The chief priests and elders persuade the crowd to ask for Barabbas and demand Jesus’ crucifixion—directly parallels the priests stirring up the crowd in Mark.
- Luke 23:18-19 (verbal): The crowd shouts for Barabbas to be released and for Jesus to be condemned; Luke records the same crowd-driven release motif.
- John 18:39-40 (verbal): Pilate offers to release one prisoner; the crowd chooses Barabbas. John gives the Barabbas-release episode from his perspective, matching Mark’s account.
- Mark 15:15 (structural): Later in the same narrative Pilate yields to the crowd and releases Barabbas—this verse completes the immediate outcome initiated in 15:11.
Alternative generated candidates
- But the chief priests stirred up the crowd that he should rather release Barabbas to them.
- But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release Barabbas instead.
Mark.15.12 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- Πιλατος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- παλιν: ADV
- αποκριθεις: VERB,aor,pass,ptc,nom,sg,m
- ελεγεν: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτοις·Τι: PRON,dat,pl,m
- ουν: CONJ
- θελετε: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,pl
- ποιησω: VERB,fut,act,ind,1,sg
- ον: PART,pres,act,nom,sg,m
- λεγετε: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,pl
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- βασιλεα: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- Ιουδαιων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
Parallels
- Matthew 27:22 (verbal): Pilate asks the crowd what to do with Jesus (called Christ/King of the Jews) using almost identical function and wording; direct Synoptic parallel to Mark’s question.
- Luke 23:17-25 (structural): Luke narrates the same Pilate–crowd exchange over Jesus and Barabbas, including Pilate’s interrogation and the crowd’s demand for crucifixion—parallel scene and outcome.
- John 18:39-40 (structural): John records the custom of releasing a prisoner and the crowd’s choice of Barabbas over Jesus, paralleling the decision point prompted by Pilate’s question.
- Psalm 118:22 (thematic): Themes of rejection of the rightful stone/king resonate with the crowd’s rejection of Jesus as ‘King of the Jews,’ an Old Testament motif frequently applied to the Messianic rejection.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Pilate again spoke to them, desiring to release Jesus.
- And Pilate again said to them, 'Then what shall I do with the one you call the King of the Jews?'
Mark.15.13 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- δε: CONJ
- παλιν: ADV
- εκραξαν·Σταυρωσον: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl+VERB,aor,act,imp,2,sg
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
Parallels
- Matthew 27:23 (verbal): Pilate asks what to do and the crowd replies 'Crucify him!' — direct verbal and narrative parallel to Mark's crowd cry.
- Luke 23:21 (verbal): The crowd shouts 'Crucify him!' in response to Pilate — same wording and scene in Luke's account.
- John 19:6-7 (verbal): The Jewish leaders and crowd cry out for crucifixion ('Crucify him!'), bringing about Jesus' condemnation — a direct verbal parallel in John.
- 1 Corinthians 2:8 (thematic): Paul reflects that the rulers 'crucified the Lord of glory,' thematically linking human actors' culpability in Jesus' crucifixion to the crowd's demand.
Alternative generated candidates
- But they cried out all the more, 'Crucify him!'
- And they cried out again, 'Crucify him.'
Mark.15.14 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- Πιλατος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ελεγεν: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτοις·Τι: PRON,dat,pl,m
- γαρ: PART
- εποιησεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- κακον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- δε: CONJ
- περισσως: ADV
- εκραξαν·Σταυρωσον: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl + VERB,aor,act,imp,2,sg
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
Parallels
- Matthew 27:23 (verbal): The crowd’s demand “Let him be crucified!” mirrors Mark’s cry “Crucify him,” showing the same vociferous insistence despite Pilate’s question about Jesus’ guilt.
- Luke 23:22 (verbal): Luke records Pilate’s reluctance/statement that Jesus has done nothing deserving death and the people’s renewed shout “Crucify him,” paralleling Mark’s exchange.
- John 19:6 (verbal): John also depicts the crowd shouting “Crucify him!” when Pilate questions Jesus’ guilt, using the same imperative demand found in Mark.
- Mark 15:15 (structural): The immediately following verse in Mark shows Pilate yielding to the crowd and delivering Jesus to be crucified, linking the crowd’s cry in 15:14 to its consequence.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Pilate said to them, 'Why, what evil has he done?' But they cried out the more, 'Crucify him!'
- And Pilate said to them, 'Why, what evil has he done?' But they shouted all the more, 'Crucify him.'
Mark.15.15 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- Πιλατος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- βουλομενος: VERB,pres,mid,ptc,nom,sg,m
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- οχλω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- ικανον: ADJ,acc,sg,n
- ποιησαι: VERB,aor,act,inf
- απελυσεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτοις: PRO,dat,pl,3
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- Βαραββαν: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- παρεδωκεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- Ιησουν: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- φραγελλωσας: VERB,aor,act,ptc,nom,sg,m
- ινα: CONJ
- σταυρωθη: VERB,aor,pass,subj,3,sg
Parallels
- Matthew 27:26 (verbal): Matthew records the same sequence—Pilate releases Barabbas, has Jesus flogged, and hands him over to be crucified; language and actions closely parallel Mark's account.
- Luke 23:24-25 (structural): Luke likewise emphasizes Pilate yielding to the crowd: he releases Barabbas and delivers Jesus to be crucified, mirroring Mark's structure of crowd pressure leading to Jesus' handing over.
- John 19:1,16 (verbal): John explicitly records Pilate's ordering of a scourging (19:1) and later delivering Jesus to be crucified (19:16), paralleling Mark's mention of flogging and handing Jesus over.
- Mark 10:33-34 (thematic): Earlier in Mark Jesus predicts he will be delivered (παραδοθήσεται), mocked, scourged, and killed by crucifixion—the same 'delivered' motif and crucifixion theme fulfilled in 15:15.
- Isaiah 53:7-8 (allusion): The Suffering Servant is described as oppressed, afflicted, and taken away by oppression and judgment—an Old Testament template echoed in the Gospel's depiction of Jesus being handed over, scourged, and led to death.
Alternative generated candidates
- And wishing to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released to them Barabbas, and after he had Jesus flogged, he delivered him to be crucified.
- And desiring to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them; and after he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.
Early in the morning the chief priests, with the elders, the scribes, and the whole council, took counsel; they bound Jesus, led him away, and delivered him to Pilate.
Pilate questioned him, "Are you the King of the Jews?" And Jesus answered, "You say it." And the chief priests accused him of many things.
Again Pilate questioned him, "Do you answer nothing? See how many charges they bring against you." But Jesus gave him no further answer, so that Pilate was amazed. Now at the festival he used to release for them one prisoner, whomsoever they asked.
There was one called Barabbas, bound with rebels who in the insurrection had committed murder. And the crowd, crying aloud, began to ask him to do as he always did for them.
Pilate answered them, "Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?"
(For he perceived that the chief priests had given him up through envy.) But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release Barabbas instead.
Pilate again said to them, "What then shall I do with the man you call the King of the Jews?"
They cried out again, "Crucify him!"
Pilate said to them, "Why, what evil has he done?" But they shouted the more, "Crucify him!"
Wishing to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them; and after he had Jesus flogged, he handed him over to be crucified.