Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Mark 15:9
But Pilate answered them, saying, Will ye that I release unto you the King of the Jews?
9. But Pilate answered them ] The proposition of the people that he should act according to his usual custom concurred with Pilate’s own wishes and hopes, and he resolved deliberately to give the populace their choice.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
But Pilate answered them; saying,…. Being satisfied of the innocence of Jesus, and being willing to dismiss him:
will ye that I release unto you the king of the Jews? he who is called so; and which he either said by way of derision both of Christ, and them; or else in order to prevail upon them to ask his release, it being scandalous and reproachful to put their king to death.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
The King of the Jews ( ). That phrase from this charge sharpened the contrast between Jesus and Barabbas which is bluntly put in Mt 27:17 “Barabbas or Jesus which is called Christ.” See discussion there.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
1) ”But Pilate answered them, saying,” (ho de Pilatos apekrithe autois legon) “Then Pilate answered to them saying, inquiring,” Mat 27:21 indicates that he inquired a second time to determine whether or not they preferred him to release Barabbas rather than Jesus.
2) “Will ye that I release unto you the King of the Jews?” (thelete apoluso humin ton Basilea ton loudaion) “Do you deeply wish that I may release to you the King of the Jews,” Luk 23:30; Joh 18:39. The phrase “King of the Jews,” was used by design, by Pilate, to feel the pulse-response from the masses, regarding a title so mortally offensive to the Sanhedrin. At this point he received a message from his wife, Mat 27:19.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
(9) Will ye that I release unto you . . .?The form of the question in the Greek implies (as the like form in Joh. 18:39) a half hope of an affirmative answer.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
‘And Pilate answered them saying, “Do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews?” For he realised that the chief priests had delivered him up out of envy.’
In his desire to release Jesus Whom he recognised as innocent, and possibly overhearing the name ‘Jesus’ being mentioned by the crowds as a contender for release, Pilate made the effort to have Him set free. He probably thought that someone acknowledged by the Chief Priests to be a ‘king of the Jews’ must be popular with this turbulent population. But the problem with this attempt was, of course, that by it Pilate was acceding to the suggestion that He might be guilty. It made clear that his resolution was faltering.
‘Out of envy.’ Because they were jealous of His influence over the people and the following He had obtained. Pilate was not a fool and recognised their motives.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
9. ] Here our account differs from Matt. and agrees with Joh 18:39 .
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Mar 15:9 . , etc.: Pilate makes the tentative suggestion that the favoured person should be Jesus; whom he designates “King of the Jews,” to see how the people would take a title which the Sanhedrists regarded as a mortal offence.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
Will ye. ? Are ye willing. ? Greek theIo, See App-102.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
9.] Here our account differs from Matt. and agrees with Joh 18:39.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Mar 15:9. , the King of the Jews) A Mimesis [i.e. a using of the words of an opponent in irony, or in order to refute him. See Append.]
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
Will: Mat 27:17-21, Joh 18:39, Joh 19:4, Joh 19:5, Joh 19:14-16, Act 3:13-15
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
9
Pilate thought this would give him an opportunity of releasing Jesus without clearing him of the sentence the Sanhedrin had pronounced against him.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Mar 15:9-14. See on Mat 27:17-23. Marks account is much briefer than the other three. In Mar 15:9 it agrees more closely with Joh 18:39; referring however to the first proposal of Pilate, before the message from his wife. Mar 15:12 describes the second, Mar 15:14 the third attempt of Pilate. In Mar 15:13, again does not mean a repetition of the same cry. The cry for the crucifixion of Jesus, was the answer to the second attempt of Pilate.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Pilate responded to this crowd’s request by asking if they wanted him to release Jesus, whom he contemptuously called "the King of the Jews" (cf. Mar 15:2). He recognized the chief priests’ motives in arresting Jesus as being self-seeking rather than loyalty to Rome. He hoped to frustrate the chief priests by getting the people to request the release of someone Pilate viewed as innocent. He could thereby retain real criminals such as Barabbas. Matthew wrote that Pilate gave the people the choice of Jesus or Barabbas (Mat 27:17). He evidently believed that Jesus had the greater popular following and would be the people’s choice.