15:1 – The reason that they did this was that the Sanhedrin could condemn Jesus to die, but they could not carry out the execution. Only Rome could do that. Therefore, this body had to appeal to the Roman court for the execution of the death penalty that they had decided upon.
You see, Pilate is the Roman governor who is in Jerusalem at this time. His headquarters were down at Caesarea because he liked that place—it was on the seacoast and had a delightful climate.
Pilate was a politician. Expediency rather than Roman justice was the motivating force in his life.
15:2 – That would be the same as saying, “You’re right. I am.”
15:3-6 – Pilate was amazed and shocked at a prisoner who would stand before him and not defend himself. I imagine that other prisoners went to get lengths to defend themselves, but this Prisoner was different. He didn’t defend Himself and Pilate wanted to know the reason.
15:7 – Here was a man guilty of murder and guilty of leading an insurrection. He was the chief prisoner at that time. He was actually to be crucified along with the others.
I think the Lord Jesus was crucified on the cross intended for Barabbas.
15:9-13 – A very remarkable and unheard of thing is taking place here. It was evident to Pilate that the charges brought against Jesus were false. Here he had on his hands a prisoner who was an outstanding criminal, and so he makes the comparison between Jesus and Barabbas. He was so shocked when they asked for Barabbas to be released that he, the judge, asked the people in consternation what he should do then with Jesus.
15:14 – The mob had been instructed to demand that Jesus be crucified. Here we see mob rule with a vengeance. When Pilate asked what evil Jesus had done, they simply cried out more and more, “Crucify him.” No mob is prepared to reason or to use its head or use good judgment. All they can do is cry out, “Crucify him.”
15:15 – Pilate obviously was a weak, vacillating politician. He yielded to the cry of the mob, and he delivered the Lord Jesus to be crucified. Roman justice certainly went awry here. An innocent man is to die. But wait a minute—He is taking my place and I am not innocent. He’s taking your place also.