But I Want What I Want

Scripture: (Mark 15:15)
Wishing to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas for them, and after having Jesus scourged, he handed Him over to be crucified.

Commentary:
What we read of the sufferings of Christ, in the foregoing chapter, was but the prologue or introduction; here we have the completing of them. We left him condemned by the chief priests; but they could only show their teeth, they could not bite. Here we have him, I. Arraigned and accused before Pilate the Roman governor (v. 1-5). II. Cried out against by the common people, at the instigation of the priests (v. 6–14). III. Condemned to be crucified immediately (v. 15). IV. Bantered and abused, as a mock-king, by the Roman soldiers (v. 16–19). V. Led out to the place of execution with all possible ignominy and disgrace (v. 20–24). VI. Nailed to the cross between two thieves (v. 25–28). VII. Reviled and abused by all that passed by (v. 29–32). VIII. Forsaken for a time by his father (v. 33–36). IX. Dying, and rending the veil (v. 37, 38). X. Attested and witnessed to by the centurion and others (v. 39–41). XI. Buried in the sepulchre of Joseph of Arimathea (v. 42–47) (Henry, 1996).


Here, I. Pilate, to gratify the Jews’ malice, delivers Christ to be crucified, v. 15. Willing to content the people, to do enough for them (so the word is), and make them easy, that he might keep them quiet, he released Barabbas unto them, who was the scandal and plague of their nation, and delivered Jesus to be crucified, who was the glory and blessing of their nation. Though he had scourged him before, hoping that would content them, and then not designing to crucify him, yet he went on to that; for no wonder that he who could persuade himself to chastise one that was innocent (Lu. 23:16), could by degrees persuade himself to crucify him (Henry, 1996).

Reflection:
Those that pushed for the crucifixion of Jesus, were so hell bent on having Him crucified, that it did not matter what He had done for them. It did not matter that He had, raised the dead, or healed the sick, or even feed thousands of people. What mattered to them, is having their own way; and they wanted him dead. The question remains, why were they so set on killing someone that had only accomplished good in their lives? We understand that calvary was in the plan of God. But let us go a little deeper in our train of thought. How many times have we done something just to satisfy someone, so that they would not complain; or, so that they would be quiet? We didn't want to rock the boat. Just like Pilate. Or, how many times have we wanted our own way, and pushed to get it, regardless if it was wrong, or right? Just like those during the times of the crucifixion of or Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Let us be mindful to always consider the motive of our hearts, and remember that nothing is more important than reflecting the mind of Christ, regardless of what we want.

Strong's Concordance Definition:

Wishing: 1014
1) to will deliberately, have a purpose, be minded

2) of willing as an affection, to desire

To satisfy: 4160
1) to make

a) with the names of things made, to produce, construct, form, fashion, etc.
b) to be the authors of, the cause
c) to make ready, to prepare
d) to produce, bear, shoot forth
e) to acquire, to provide a thing for one's self
f) to make a thing out of something
g) to (make i.e.) render one anything
1) to (make i.e.) constitute or appoint one anything, to appoint or ordain one that
2) to (make i.e.) declare one anything
h) to put one forth, to lead him out
i) to make one do something
1) cause one to
j) to be the authors of a thing (to cause, bring about)
2) to do
a) to act rightly, do well
1) to carry out, to execute
b) to do a thing unto one
1) to do to one
c) with designation of time: to pass, spend
d) to celebrate, keep
1) to make ready, and so at the same time to institute, the celebration of the passover
e) to perform: to a promise

The crowd: 3793
1) a crowd

a) a casual collection of people
1) a multitude of men who have flocked together in some place
2) a throng
b) a multitude
1) the common people, as opposed to the rulers and leading men
2) with contempt: the ignorant multitude, the populace
c) a multitude
1) the multitudes, seems to denote troops of people gathered together without order

Released: 630
1) to set free

2) to let go, dismiss, (to detain no longer)
a) a petitioner to whom liberty to depart is given by a decisive answer
b) to bid depart, send away
3) to let go free, release
a) a captive i.e. to loose his bonds and bid him depart, to give him liberty to depart
b) to acquit one accused of a crime and set him at liberty
c) indulgently to grant a prisoner leave to depart
d) to release a debtor, i.e. not to press one's claim against him, to remit his debt
4) used of divorce, to dismiss from the house, to repudiate. The wife of a Greek or Roman may divorce her husband.
5) to send one's self away, to depart

Barrabas: 912
Barabbas = "son of a father or master"

1) the captive robber whom the Jews begged Pilate to release instead of Christ

for them and having Jesus: 2424
Jesus = "Jehovah is salvation"

1) Jesus, the Son of God, the Saviour of mankind, God incarnate
2) Jesus Barabbas was the captive robber whom the Jews begged Pilate to release instead of Christ
3) Joshua was the famous captain of the Israelites, Moses' successor (Ac. 7:45, Heb. 4:8)
4) Jesus, son of Eliezer, one of the ancestors of Christ (Lu. 3:29)
5) Jesus, surnamed Justus, a Jewish Christian, an associate with Paul in the preaching of the gospel (Col. 4:11)

he handed: 3860
1) to give into the hands (of another)

2) to give over into (one's) power or use
a) to deliver to one something to keep, use, take care of, manage
b) to deliver up one to custody, to be judged, condemned, punished, scourged, tormented, put to death
c) to deliver up treacherously
1) by betrayal to cause one to be taken
2) to deliver one to be taught, moulded
3) to commit, to commend
4) to deliver verbally
a) commands, rites
b) to deliver by narrating, to report
5) to permit allow
a) when the fruit will allow that is when its ripeness permits
b) gives itself up, presents itself

Him over to be crucified: 4717
1) to stake, drive down stakes

2) to fortify with driven stakes, to palisade
3) to crucify
a) to crucify one
b) metaph. to crucify the flesh, destroy its power utterly (the nature of the figure implying that the destruction is attended with intense pain)

References:
Blue Letter Bible. "Gospel of Mark 15 - (NASB - New American Standard Bible)." Blue Letter Bible. 1996-2010. 16 Mar 2010. http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Mar&c=15&t=NASB


Henry, Matthew. "Commentary on Mark 15." . Blue Letter Bible. 1 Mar 1996. 2010. 16 Mar 2010.

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