Pilate Hands an Innocent Man to Crucifixion

Pilate holds the release and still hands him over

Straightway in the morning the chief priests hold a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council, bind Jesus, carry him away, and deliver him to Pilate. Pilate asks, Art thou the King of the Jews? He answering says, Thou sayest it. The chief priests accuse him of many things. Pilate asks again, Answerest thou nothing? behold how many things they witness against thee. Jesus answers nothing, so that Pilate marvels. Now at that feast he released unto them one prisoner, whomsoever they desired. There was one named Barabbas, which lay bound with them that had made insurrection with him, who had committed murder in the insurrection. The multitude, crying aloud, begin to desire him to do as he had ever done unto them. Pilate answers, Will ye that I release unto you the King of the Jews? For he knew that the chief priests had delivered him for envy.

The chief priests move the people, that he should rather release Barabbas unto them. Pilate answers again, What will ye then that I shall do unto him whom ye call the King of the Jews? They cry out, Crucify him. Pilate says, Why, what evil hath he done? They cry out the more exceedingly, Crucify him. Pilate, willing to content the people, releases Barabbas unto them, scourges Jesus, and delivers him to be crucified. Crucifixion is a Roman execution. Pilate knows envy, asks what evil he has done, and still yields. The crowd scene does not assign collective guilt to Jewish people. Named leaders, a stirred crowd, and a Roman governor share this hour. Blame that turns into antisemitism is a betrayal of the gospel Mark is telling.