Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Mark 15:8
And the multitude crying aloud began to desire [him to do] as he had ever done unto them.
Verse 8. The multitude crying aloud] . The word itself strongly marks the vociferations, or, to come nearer the original word, the bellowing of the multitude. It signifies, properly, a loud and long cry, such as Christ emitted on the cross. See the whole history of these proceedings against our Lord treated at large, on Matt. 27. Mt 27:1-26, &c.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
And the multitude crying aloud,…. The Vulgate Latin and Ethiopic versions read, and when the “multitude”, or “people went up”, to the place called the pavement, where the judgment seat was; and so it is read in Beza’s most ancient copy; but the former reading is to be preferred:
began to desire [him to do] as he had ever done to them: that is, release a prisoner to them, as he had done at every passover, since he had been a governor over them.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
As he was wont to do unto them ( ). Imperfect of customary action again and dative case.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
Crying aloud [] . But the best texts read ajnabav, having gone up. So Rev., went up.
Ever [] . Omitted by the best texts.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “And the multitude crying aloud,” (kai anabas ho ochlos) “And the crowd arose, stood up,” (Gk. erksato) crying aloud boisterously, “all at once,” Luk 23:18.
2) “Began to desire him to do,”(erksatoaiteisthai) “And they began to request, to plead with him,” with Pilate to Joh, to again do, follow the practice, to repeat a practice, that had become a good-will necessity, Luk 23:19.
3) “As he had ever done unto them.” (karhos epoiei autois) “To do just as he formerly had done for them,” at the feast, on the occasion, Mat 27:17.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
(8) As he had ever done unto them.More accurately, as he ever used to do unto them.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
‘And the crowd went up and began to ask him to do as he was wont to do to them.’
The crowd began to ask him to fulfil his custom and make the customary release. But from where did this crowd come? Not from among the pilgrims who had kept the Passover, and having eaten their meal would be resting and preparing for the day ahead, not knowing of the drama that was being carried out. Rather it would come from those in Jerusalem who had a particular purpose in being there because of the custom and because of the men who were being held. They had probably come specifically seeking the freedom of one of the insurrectionists. The placement of Mar 15:7 before this explanation confirms their connection with them. No doubt there would also be a goodly crowd of High Priestly supporters, brought along by the Chief Priests. A crowd was always useful for convincing judges of which way to make their decisions, for they suggested the way that popular opinion was focused. And even in those days popular opinion could not be ignored.
If Barabbas was called Jesus Barabbas, and Pilate overheard the name Jesus being called out, he may well have mistaken it for a popular demand for the release of Jesus and seen this as a way out of his dilemma. This might explain why the choice was finally between Jesus and Barabbas and why Barabbas was favoured.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
8. ] This is also peculiar to Mark in Matt. it is Pilate who first offers them the choice in Luke they cry out, but it is . . . Mar 15:18 .
i.e. , . probably implies the rising of the crowd in excitement or perhaps their coming up towards the palace , as in Matt.
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Mar 15:8 . , etc.: Mk. assigns the initiative to the people. So Lk.; Mt. and John to Pilate. The difference is not important to the course of the history. The custom existing, this incident was bound to come about somehow. Nor does it greatly affect the question as to the attitude of Pilate. In either case he was simply feeling his way. The custom gave him a chance of feeling the popular pulse, a most important point for a ruler of his opportunist type. , here = that which.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
multitude = crowd.
crying aloud. All the texts read “having gone up”.
began. See note on Mar 1:1. him to do. Note the Ellipsis thus properly supplied.
as = according as.
ever. Om. by T. WH R.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
8.] This is also peculiar to Mark-in Matt. it is Pilate who first offers them the choice-in Luke they cry out, but it is … Mar 15:18.
-i.e. , . probably implies the rising of the crowd in excitement-or perhaps their coming up towards the palace, as in Matt.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Mar 15:8. ) having raised a cry. It is to this the reference is, Mar 15:13, They cried out again. Formerly the Vulg. read ; or even other paraphrasers: and that reading is consonant with Mat 27:17, therefore when they were gathered together. Certainly both the people gathered themselves together to the chief priests, who were accusing Jesus in an invidious manner, for the purpose of praying that some prisoner should be given up to them: and an ascent to the Pretorium [Governors Hall], and some cry, were begun by the people. whoever will compare with the words following, and with the words preceding, will perceive that either reading might have been formed from the other by alliteration.[8]-, to desire) Understand from the context, , that he should do. Often the verb is omitted, it being intended that it should be repeated from the following clause. Joh 5:21; Joh 6:32; Joh 6:35; Joh 12:25; Joh 12:35; Rom 5:16; Php 2:1-2; Tit 2:2, note. So LXX., 2Ki 9:27, (viz. ) . Comp. Glass., B. iv., Tract. 2, Observ. 5 and 12 all through: and, if you have a mind, the remarks which we formerly made on Cic. Ep., p. 143.
[8] is the reading of BDcd Vulg. Memph. Theb. a has accensa. A supports Rec. reading, .-ED. and TRANSL.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
Reciprocal: Exo 12:6 – the whole Mat 27:15 – General Joh 18:39 – ye have
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
8
While the governor was delaying his action the multitude began clamoring for him to follow up with the usual practice.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Mar 15:8. And the multitude went up, i.e., before the residence of Pilate, and began to ask. This picture of the mob in Jerusalem is true to the life. As the day wore on, the crowd collected, partly to see the trial, partly to call for the usual release of a prisoner, partly to be in a crowd, as is always the case on festival occasions. Pilate proposed to the rulers the choice between Jesus and Barabbas (Matthew, Luke), but the mob had probably already desired the latter as a political prisoner.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Evidently a large crowd of Jews had come to request the customary amnesty from Pilate. There is no indication in the text that they had come because they knew of Jesus’ arrest or because they wanted to observe the outcome of His trial. They appear to have been there for reasons unrelated to Jesus. [Note: Swete, p. 371.]