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?

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(12) Whom ye call the King of the Jews.—We note in St. Mark’s report something of the same determination to fasten upon the Jews the reproach that it was indeed their king whom he had condemned, as we see afterwards in the “title” which he placed upon the cross, and in his refusal to alter it (John 19:21-22).

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

15:1-14 They bound Christ. It is good for us often to remember the bonds of the Lord Jesus, as bound with him who was bound for us. By delivering up the King, they, in effect, delivered up the kingdom of God, which was, therefore, as by their own consent, taken from them, and given to another nation. Christ gave Pilate a direct answer, but would not answer the witnesses, because the things they alleged were known to be false, even Pilate himself was convinced they were so. Pilate thought that he might appeal from the priests to the people, and that they would deliver Jesus out of the priests' hands. But they were more and more urged by the priests, and cried, Crucify him! Crucify him! Let us judge of persons and things by their merits, and the standard of God's word, and not by common report. The thought that no one ever was so shamefully treated, as the only perfectly wise, holy, and excellent Person that ever appeared on earth, leads the serious mind to strong views of man's wickedness and enmity to God. Let us more and more abhor the evil dispositions which marked the conduct of these persecutors.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

See the principal events in this chapter explained in the notes at Matthew 27.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

CHAPTER 15

Mr 15:1-20. Jesus Is Brought before Pilate—At a Second Hearing, Pilate, after Seeking to Release Him, Delivers Him Up—After Being Cruelly Entreated, He Is Led Away to Be Crucified. ( = Mt 26:1, 2, 11-31; Lu 23:1-6, 13-25; Joh 18:28-19:16).

See on [1518]Joh 18:28-19:16.

Matthew Poole's Commentary

See Poole on "Mark 15:2"

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

And Pilate answered and said again unto them,.... Being astonished that they should ask the release of such an infamous person; and being very desirous of saving Jesus:

what will ye then that I shall do unto him, whom ye call the king of the Jews? at least many of you; would you have me put him to death? surely this can never be desired; or would you have me inflict some slight punishment on him, as scourging him, and so dismiss him? See Gill on Matthew 27:22.

Geneva Study Bible

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?

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Expositor's Greek Testament

Mark 15:12. It is presupposed that the people have intimated their preference for Barabbas perhaps by the cry: not Jesus, but Barabbas. Hence Pilate proceeds to ask: “what, then, am I to do with Him whom ye call (λέγετε) the King of the Jews?” That whom ye call was very astute. It ought to bring out the real feeling of the people, as from the next verse we learn that it did.

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

12. What will ye] This question seems to have been put in disdain and anger; disdain at their fickleness, anger at the failure of his efforts to stem the torrent.

whom ye call the King of the Jews] He may have hoped that the sound of the title might have not been in vain on the ears of those who had lately cried, “Blessed is the king that cometh in the name of the Lord,” “Blessed is the kingdom of our father David” (Luke 19:38; Mark 11:10). But he was bitterly deceived.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 12. - And Pilate again answered and said unto them, What then shall I do unto him whom ye call the King of the Jews? The word "again" has the support of three great uncials, and the best of the cursives. Pilate did not give way without many an inward struggle. And now at last he puts the matter, so to speak, in their own power; so that it might be an act of their clemency, and that they might have the honor of saving our Lord's life. But it was all in vain. For the chief priests had resolved to press for his crucifixion, little dreaming that they were doing what "God's hand and God's counsel had before determined to be done." Pilate puts the question before them with much shrewdness and tact. He speaks of our Lord as one whom "they called the King of the Jews." He appeals to their national pride and their national hopes. Would they degrade themselves, and extinguish their hopes, by giving up to the most ignominious of deaths one who had established such claims upon their reverence and their love? Mark 15:12