Whose Fault?: Daily Thoughts from Mark (Mark 15:1-15)

Whose fault was it that Jesus was killed? This question has become rather a bugaboo. It has fueled persecution of Jews. Even asking the question has been viewed as a revelation of prejudice.

The account in Mark’s Gospel makes it clear who was responsible.

And as soon as it was morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council. And they bound Jesus and led him away and delivered him over to Pilate. And Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” And he answered him, “You have said so.” And the chief priests accused him of many things. And Pilate again asked him, “Have you no answer to make? See how many charges they bring against you.” But Jesus made no further answer, so that Pilate was amazed. 

Now at the feast he used to release for them one prisoner for whom they asked. And among the rebels in prison, who had committed murder in the insurrection, there was a man called Barabbas. And the crowd came up and began to ask Pilate to do as he usually did for them. And he answered them, saying, “Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?” For he perceived that it was out of envy that the chief priests had delivered him up. But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release for them Barabbas instead. And Pilate again said to them, “Then what shall I do with the man you call the King of the Jews?” And they cried out again, “Crucify him.” And Pilate said to them, “Why, what evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Crucify him.” So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified. (Mark 15:1-15, ESV) 

It was illegal for the Jews to execute someone without Roman consent.  Knowing also that many of the people would be enraged if they killed him, the Sanhedrin sent him to Pontius Pilate, who was the fifth Prefect of the Roman province of Judaea, from AD 26–36.  He later harshly put down a rebellion in Samaria, just to the north of Judea and was recalled to Rome for it.  The Jews hated him, but at this point they needed him to be the one who put Jesus to death.

It is obvious that Pilate did not think Jesus was worthy of death. The claim that he was king of the Jews was a direct rejection of Roman authority, but Pilate could see through this charge, even though Jesus admitted it was true.  In fact, he was able to discern that the leaders of Israel were envious of Jesus’ following and popularity among the people.  They saw Jesus as a threat to their influence.  Hence, he attempted to get Jesus released by offering to let him be the one he pardoned each Passover.  They turned this on him and requested Barabbas, an insurrectionist and murderer, a terrorist.  They demanded a crucifixion, one of the most painful and shameful deaths possible.

Pilate yields to the pressure, likely because he was on shaky ground with his superiors for his unpopular rule over the Jews.  He did not want to be accused by them of not maintaining the peace.  So he had Jesus whipped by lashes with imbedded bone and metal and had them prepare his crucifixion.

The leaders had succeeded in making Pilate responsible, but they of course were guilty of this crime against their Messiah.  Our rebellion against God could not be more evident in this despicable event.

It is evident that the Jewish leadership and the Roman government are responsible for Jesus’ death. To extrapolate from this that all Jews are responsible for Jesus’ death is ridiculous and reveals a weak mind as well as an internal prejudice against Jews. The persecution of Jews that has resulted from this kind of thinking is a splotch on the character of those who have called themselves Christians.

Paul had the right perspective…beloved enemies. Yes, at that time the Jews unfairly persecuted Christians. But they are the chosen people of God, beloved by Him and to be loved by us. All who persecute us are our beloved enemies. We pray for our enemies (Matthew 5:44). We don’t persecute them.