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Mark 
Day 
Day 315

Acts 3:25 "You are the sons of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying to Abraham, 'And in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed'" Acts 3:25"

Day 315 – Mark 15

“You are the sons of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘And in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed'”
Acts 3:25

THE TRIAL BEFORE PILATE

Pilate began his day very early. The Sanhedrin Council thus met hurriedly “in the morning” and brought Jesus to Him. The interrogation of Jesus by Pilate began on a different note.

“Then Pilate asked Him,
‘Are You the King of the Jews?’
He answered and said to Him,
‘It is as you say.'”
MARK 15:2

1. The concern about the identity of Jesus as the Christ

This was the chief concern of the high priest and the Council. Jesus was accused of blasphemy, and thus adjudged worthy of death.

2. The concern of the Roman court

If Jesus had been brought to trial for blasphemy, Pilate would not even have been interested! Roman law did no deal with such issues. These were considered religious problems, and Rome, by and large, left local councils to deal with their religious controversies.

However, if a person is charged with treasonable statements, such as “kingship”, then Rome would be very interested! The Sanhedrin Council must have informed Pilate that Jesus had considered Himself a King. If this charge was found to be true, then Rome could sentence any pretender to certain death.

3. “Are You the King of the Jews?”

a) Direct interrogation
Pilate decided that he would bring up this allegation made against Jesus as forthrightly as possible.
b) A puzzling answer
Jesus’ reply to Pilate did not seem to answer his question at all!
i) He did not deny the idea of kingship of the Jews.
ii) However, He did not elaborate further as to what He meant by His statement.
iii) At best, Jesus answer seemed ambiguous.
Pilate would need further evidence before he could pronounce judgment. (The Sanhedrin Council pronounced Jesus guilty on the basis of a single statement).