Mark 15:9

But Pilate answered them, saying, Will ye that I release unto you the King of the Jews?

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(9) Will ye that I release unto you . . .?—The form of the question in the Greek implies (as the like form in John 18:39) a half hope of an affirmative answer.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

15:1-14 They bound Christ. It is good for us often to remember the bonds of the Lord Jesus, as bound with him who was bound for us. By delivering up the King, they, in effect, delivered up the kingdom of God, which was, therefore, as by their own consent, taken from them, and given to another nation. Christ gave Pilate a direct answer, but would not answer the witnesses, because the things they alleged were known to be false, even Pilate himself was convinced they were so. Pilate thought that he might appeal from the priests to the people, and that they would deliver Jesus out of the priests' hands. But they were more and more urged by the priests, and cried, Crucify him! Crucify him! Let us judge of persons and things by their merits, and the standard of God's word, and not by common report. The thought that no one ever was so shamefully treated, as the only perfectly wise, holy, and excellent Person that ever appeared on earth, leads the serious mind to strong views of man's wickedness and enmity to God. Let us more and more abhor the evil dispositions which marked the conduct of these persecutors.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

See the principal events in this chapter explained in the notes at Matthew 27.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

CHAPTER 15

Mr 15:1-20. Jesus Is Brought before Pilate—At a Second Hearing, Pilate, after Seeking to Release Him, Delivers Him Up—After Being Cruelly Entreated, He Is Led Away to Be Crucified. ( = Mt 26:1, 2, 11-31; Lu 23:1-6, 13-25; Joh 18:28-19:16).

See on [1518]Joh 18:28-19:16.

Matthew Poole's Commentary

See Poole on "Mark 15:2"

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

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.

Geneva Study Bible

But Pilate answered them, saying, Will ye that I release unto you the King of the Jews?

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Expositor's Greek Testament

Mark 15:9. θέλετε, 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.

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

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.

Bengel's Gnomen

Mark 15:9. Τὸν βασιλέα τῶν Ἰονδαίων, 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.]

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 9. - Pilate doubtless hoped that they would ask for Jesus. He knew that the chief priests had delivered our Lord for envy. That he could not help observing, as a shrewd Roman judge, from their gestures and manner. And then he knew also, at least by report, of the purity of Jesus, and of the holy freedom with which he rebuked their vices. So he thought, reasonably enough, that if the chief priests wished to destroy him for envy, the people, who had experienced so many kindnesses from him, would desire that he should live. Mark 15:9