Mark 14:66 to Mark 15:21

Summary
In today text, we read how Peter denied Jesus and also how Jesus was carried away to be delivered up to Pilate. He was asked if he was the king of the Jew, Jesus knowing his identity gave him a direct answer “you said so” but, would not answer the witnesses’ allegations because the things they alleged were known to be false and Pilate was amazed at his silence. Though Pilate was convinced of Jesus’s innocence, he still sent him to Herod to get favour from him and also on political grounds and Herod in turn sent Jesus back to Pilate and they became friends because of their selfish motive at Jesus’ expense. At the feast, it was the Jewish custom to release a prisoner at Passover. When he asked the Priests and the people who to release to them they shouted Barabbas who had committed murder and cried that Jesus should be crucified and Pilate willing to satisfy the people and remain in their good books released Barabbas and delivered Jesus to be scourged and crucified as they desired.

Life Application
From the scripture Jesus was never bothered about the false allegations the chief priest and the scribes held against Him rather He was bothered about His identity, who people took him to be. We should not be bothered trying to defend ourselves when people throw false allegation against us rather we should be bothered about who we are in God, if we are walking according to Gods plan and purpose for our life. Jesus understood his purpose and walked in it without distraction.

Personal Declaration
I receive the grace to always walk in God’s plan and purpose for my life.

Reading – Mark 14:66 to Mark 15:21

Peter Disowns Jesus

⁶⁶ While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came by. ⁶⁷ When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked closely at him.

“You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus,” she said.

⁶⁸ But he denied it. “I don’t know or understand what you’re talking about,” he said, and went out into the entryway.^[a]

⁶⁹ When the servant girl saw him there, she said again to those standing around, “This fellow is one of them.” ⁷⁰ Again he denied it.

After a little while, those standing near said to Peter, “Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.”

⁷¹ He began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know this man you’re talking about.”

⁷² Immediately the rooster crowed the second time.^[b] Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows twice^[c] you will disown me three times.” And he broke down and wept.

Jesus Before Pilate

15 Very early in the morning, the chief priests, with the elders, the teachers of the lawand the whole Sanhedrin, made their plans. So they bound Jesus, led him away and handed him over to Pilate.

² “Are you the king of the Jews?” asked Pilate.

“You have said so,” Jesus replied.

³ The chief priests accused him of many things. ⁴ So again Pilate asked him, “Aren’t you going to answer? See how many things they are accusing you of.”

⁵ But Jesus still made no reply, and Pilate was amazed.

⁶ Now it was the custom at the festival to release a prisoner whom the people requested.⁷ A man called Barabbas was in prison with the insurrectionists who had committed murder in the uprising. ⁸ The crowd came up and asked Pilate to do for them what he usually did.

⁹ “Do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews?” asked Pilate, ¹⁰ knowing it was out of self-interest that the chief priests had handed Jesus over to him. ¹¹ But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have Pilate release Barabbas instead.

¹² “What shall I do, then, with the one you call the king of the Jews?” Pilate asked them.

¹³ “Crucify him!” they shouted.

¹⁴ “Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate.

But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!”

¹⁵ Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged,and handed him over to be crucified.

The Soldiers Mock Jesus

¹⁶ The soldiers led Jesus away into the palace (that is, the Praetorium) and called together the whole company of soldiers. ¹⁷ They put a purple robe on him, then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on him. ¹⁸ And they began to call out to him, “Hail, king of the Jews!” ¹⁹ Again and again they struck him on the head with a staff and spit on him. Falling on their knees, they paid homage to him. ²⁰ And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him out to crucify him.

The Crucifixion of Jesus

²¹ A certain man from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross.

Footnotes:

1. Mark 14:68 Some early manuscripts entryway and the rooster crowed
2. Mark 14:72 Some early manuscripts do not have the second time.
3. Mark 14:72 Some early manuscripts do not have twice.

All scriptural passages are taken from the NIV version of the bible.