Handed Over

In preparation for the sermon on Sunday (4/21), read the passage below from Mark 15:1-20 (NASB).  It's been a long night for Jesus, the Passover, the Last Supper, the washing of feet, praying in the Garden, being arrested, and appearing before the High Priest. He now faces Pilate. 

What words or phrases would you use to describe the people in the scene? What is the mood of each person or group?  What is each's goal? Can you gain any insight into the character of each? 

• Jewish leaders
• Pilate
• The crowds
• Barrabbas
• Roman soldiers
• Jesus

Early in the morning the chief priests with the elders, scribes, and the entire Council immediately held a consultation; and they bound Jesus and led Him away, and turned Him over to Pilate. Pilate questioned Him: “So You are the King of the Jews?” And He answered him, “It is as you say.” And the chief priests started accusing Him of many things. But Pilate questioned Him again, saying, “Do You offer nothing in answer? See how many charges they are bringing against You!” But Jesus said nothing further in answer, so Pilate was amazed.

Now at the Passover Feast he used to release for them any one prisoner whom they requested. And the one named Barabbas had been imprisoned with the rebels who had committed murder in the revolt. And the crowd went up and began asking Pilate to do as he had been accustomed to do for them. Pilate answered them, saying, “Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?” For he was aware that the chief priests had handed Him over because of envy. But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to ask him to release Barabbas for them instead. And responding again, Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Him whom you call the King of the Jews?” They shouted back, “Crucify Him!” But Pilate said to them, “Why, what evil has He done?” But they shouted all the more, “Crucify Him!” Intent on satisfying the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas for them, and after having Jesus flogged, he handed Him over to be crucified.

Now the soldiers took Him away into the palace (that is, the Praetorium), and they *called together the whole Roman cohort. And they *dressed Him in purple, and after twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on Him; and they began saluting Him: “Hail, King of the Jews!” And they repeatedly beat His head with a reed and spit on Him, and kneeling, they bowed down before Him. And after they had mocked Him, they took the purple cloak off Him and put His own garments on Him. And they *led Him out to crucify Him.