Mark 15:14
New International Version
“Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!”

New Living Translation
“Why?” Pilate demanded. “What crime has he committed?” But the mob roared even louder, “Crucify him!”

English Standard Version
And Pilate said to them, “Why? What evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Crucify him.”

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

Berean Literal Bible
And Pilate was saying to them, "Why? What evil did He commit?" But they shouted much more, "Crucify Him!"

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

New King James Version
Then Pilate said to them, “Why, what evil has He done?” But they cried out all the more, “Crucify Him!”

New American Standard Bible
But Pilate said to them, “Why, what evil has He done?” But they shouted all the more, “Crucify Him!”

NASB 1995
But Pilate said to them, “Why, what evil has He done?” But they shouted all the more, “Crucify Him!”

NASB 1977
But Pilate was saying to them, “Why, what evil has He done?” But they shouted all the more, “Crucify Him!”

Legacy Standard Bible
But Pilate was saying to them, “Why? What evil did He do?” But they shouted all the more, “Crucify Him!”

Amplified Bible
But Pilate asked them, “Why, what has He done that is evil?” But they screamed all the more, “Crucify Him!”

Christian Standard Bible
Pilate said to them, “Why? What has he done wrong? ” But they shouted all the more, “Crucify him! ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then Pilate said to them, “Why? What has He done wrong?” But they shouted, “Crucify Him!” all the more.

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

Contemporary English Version
Pilate asked, "But what crime has he done?" "Nail him to a cross!" they yelled even louder.

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

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Pilate said to them, "Why? What has he done wrong?" But they shouted even louder, "Crucify him!"

Good News Translation
"But what crime has he committed?" Pilate asked. They shouted all the louder, "Crucify him!"

International Standard Version
"Why?" Pilate asked them. "What has he done wrong?" But they shouted even louder, "Crucify him!"

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

NET Bible
Pilate asked them, "Why? What has he done wrong?" But they shouted more insistently, "Crucify him!"

New Heart English Bible
Pilate said to them, "Why, what evil has he done?" But they shouted all the louder, "Crucify him."

Webster's Bible Translation
Then Pilate said to them, Why, what evil hath he done? And they cried out the more exceedingly, Crucify him.

Weymouth New Testament
"Why, what crime has he committed?" asked Pilate. But they vehemently shouted, "Crucify Him!"

World English Bible
Pilate said to them, “Why, what evil has he done?” But they cried out exceedingly, “Crucify him!”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Pilate said to them, “Why—what evil did He do?” And they cried out the more vehemently, “Crucify Him!”

Berean Literal Bible
And Pilate was saying to them, "Why? What evil did He commit?" But they shouted much more, "Crucify Him!"

Young's Literal Translation
And Pilate said to them, 'Why -- what evil did he?' and they cried out the more vehemently, 'Crucify him;'

Smith's Literal Translation
And Pilate said to them, But what evil has he done? And they cried out more excessively, Crucify him.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Pilate saith to them: Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more: Crucify him.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Yet truly, Pilate said to them: “Why? What evil has he done?” But they cried out all the more, “Crucify him.”

New American Bible
Pilate said to them, “Why? What evil has he done?” They only shouted the louder, “Crucify him.”

New Revised Standard Version
Pilate asked them, “Why, what evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Crucify him!”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then Pilate said to them, What evil has he done? but they cried aloud the more, Crucify him!

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
But Pilate said to them, “What evil has he done?” And they were crying out even more, “Crucify him!”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
But Pilate said to them: Why, what evil has he done? But they cried vehemently: Crucify him.

Godbey New Testament
And Pilate said to them, For what evil hath He done? And they cried out uproariously, Crucify Him.

Haweis New Testament
Then Pilate said unto them, But what criminal act hath he done? And they cried the more vociferously, Crucify him.

Mace New Testament
Pilate replied, why, what harm has he done? but they cried out more furiously, crucify him.

Weymouth New Testament
"Why, what crime has he committed?" asked Pilate. But they vehemently shouted, "Crucify Him!"

Worrell New Testament
And Pilate said to them, "Why, what evil did He do?" But they cried out vehemently, "Crucify Him!"

Worsley New Testament
But Pilate said unto them, Why, what ill has He done? And they cried out the more vehemently, Crucify Him.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Pilate Delivers up Jesus
13And they shouted back, “Crucify Him!” 14“Why?” asked Pilate. “What evil has He done?” But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify Him!” 15And wishing to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed Him over to be crucified.…

Cross References
Matthew 27:23
“Why?” asked Pilate. “What evil has He done?” But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify Him!”

Luke 23:22
A third time he said to them, “What evil has this man done? I have found in Him no offense worthy of death. So after I punish Him, I will release Him.”

John 19:4-6
Once again Pilate came out and said to the Jews, “Look, I am bringing Him out to you to let you know that I find no basis for a charge against Him.” / When Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe, Pilate said to them, “Here is the man!” / As soon as the chief priests and officers saw Him, they shouted, “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!” “You take Him and crucify Him,” Pilate replied, “for I find no basis for a charge against Him.”

Acts 3:13-15
The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified His servant Jesus. You handed Him over and rejected Him before Pilate, even though he had decided to release Him. / You rejected the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. / You killed the Author of life, but God raised Him from the dead, and we are witnesses of this fact.

Isaiah 53:9
He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with a rich man in His death, although He had done no violence, nor was any deceit in His mouth.

1 Peter 2:22-23
“He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in His mouth.” / When they heaped abuse on Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats, but entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly.

Psalm 69:4
Those who hate me without cause outnumber the hairs of my head; many are those who would destroy me—my enemies for no reason. Though I did not steal, I must repay.

John 18:38
“What is truth?” Pilate asked. And having said this, he went out again to the Jews and told them, “I find no basis for a charge against Him.

Matthew 27:24
When Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but that instead a riot was breaking out, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “You bear the responsibility.”

Luke 23:4
Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no basis for a charge against this man.”

John 19:12-15
From then on, Pilate tried to release Him, but the Jews kept shouting, “If you release this man, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who declares himself a king is defying Caesar.” / When Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out and sat on the judgment seat at a place called the Stone Pavement, which in Hebrew is Gabbatha. / It was the day of Preparation for the Passover, about the sixth hour. And Pilate said to the Jews, “Here is your King!” ...

Acts 13:28
And though they found no ground for a death sentence, they asked Pilate to have Him executed.

Psalm 94:21
They band together against the righteous and condemn the innocent to death.

Isaiah 53:7
He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so He did not open His mouth.

Jeremiah 26:15
But know for certain that if you put me to death, you will bring innocent blood upon yourselves, upon this city, and upon its residents; for truly the LORD has sent me to speak all these words in your hearing.”


Treasury of Scripture

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

Why.

Isaiah 53:9
And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.

Matthew 27:4,19,24,54
Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that

Luke 23:4,14,15,21,41,47
Then said Pilate to the chief priests and to the people, I find no fault in this man…

And.

Psalm 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.

Isaiah 53:3
He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

Matthew 27:23-25
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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Mark 15
1. Jesus brought bound, and accused before Pilate.
6. Upon the clamor of the people, the murderer Barabbas is released,
12. and Jesus delivered up to be crucified.
16. He is crowned with thorns, spit on, and mocked;
21. faints in bearing his cross;
27. hangs between two thieves;
29. suffers the triumphing reproaches of the crowd;
39. but is confessed by the centurion to be the Son of God;
42. and is honorably buried by Joseph.














Why?
This question posed by Pilate reflects a moment of incredulity and confusion. In the Greek, the word "τί" (ti) is an interrogative pronoun, often used to express inquiry or seek clarification. Pilate, a Roman governor, is bewildered by the crowd's insistence on crucifying Jesus, whom he finds innocent of any crime deserving death. This highlights the irrationality and injustice of the situation, emphasizing the innocence of Christ amidst the clamor for His execution.

What evil has He done?
The Greek word for "evil" here is "κακόν" (kakon), which denotes something morally wrong or harmful. Pilate's question underscores the absence of any legitimate accusation against Jesus. Historically, Roman law required a clear and justifiable reason for execution, especially crucifixion, which was reserved for the most heinous criminals. Pilate's inquiry serves to highlight the baselessness of the charges against Jesus, pointing to His sinlessness and the fulfillment of His role as the spotless Lamb of God.

Pilate asked
Pontius Pilate, the Roman prefect of Judea, is a pivotal figure in the Passion narrative. His role is historically corroborated by various sources, including archaeological findings such as the Pilate Stone. Pilate's questioning reveals his internal conflict and the political pressure he faces. Despite recognizing Jesus' innocence, Pilate is caught between justice and the demands of the crowd, illustrating the moral and ethical dilemmas leaders often face.

But they shouted all the louder
The crowd's increasing volume and intensity, captured by the Greek verb "περισσῶς" (perissōs), meaning "all the more" or "exceedingly," reflects the growing fervor and determination of the mob. This phrase indicates a collective, irrational momentum that overrides reason and justice. It serves as a poignant reminder of the dangers of mob mentality and the ease with which truth can be drowned out by sheer volume and persistence.

Crucify Him!
The cry for crucifixion, "σταύρωσον αὐτόν" (staurōson auton), is a chilling demand for the most brutal form of Roman execution. Crucifixion was a method designed to maximize pain and humiliation, reserved for the lowest of criminals. Theologically, this moment is profound, as it marks the culmination of Jesus' mission to bear the sins of humanity. The crowd's insistence on crucifixion, despite Jesus' innocence, fulfills prophetic scriptures such as Isaiah 53, which foretold the suffering of the Messiah for the redemption of mankind.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
“Why?”
γὰρ (gar)
Conjunction
Strong's 1063: For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.

asked
ἔλεγεν (elegen)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2036: Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.

Pilate.
Πιλᾶτος (Pilatos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4091: Pilate. Of Latin origin; close-pressed, i.e. Firm; Pilatus, a Roman.

“What
Τί (Ti)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5101: Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.

has He done
ἐποίησεν (epoiēsen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 4160: (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.

wrong?”
κακόν (kakon)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 2556: Bad, evil, in the widest sense. Apparently a primary word; worthless, i.e. depraved, or injurious.

But
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

they shouted
ἔκραξαν (ekraxan)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 2896: To cry aloud, shriek. A primary verb; properly, to 'croak' or scream, i.e. to call aloud.

all the louder,
περισσῶς (perissōs)
Adverb
Strong's 4057: Greatly, exceedingly, abundantly, vehemently. Adverb from perissos; superabundantly.

“Crucify
Σταύρωσον (Staurōson)
Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 4717: From stauros; to impale on the cross; figuratively, to extinguish passion or selfishness.

Him!”
αὐτόν (auton)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.


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NT Gospels: Mark 15:14 Pilate said to them Why what evil (Mar Mk Mr)
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