Jesus’ Trial Before Pilate

Rev. Sam Wirgau, pastor at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Ossian, IN, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Mark 15:1-15.

Jesus’ trial before the Sanhedrin has ended; His trial before the Roman authorities now begins in order to fulfill the Word of God concerning Jesus’ death on the cross. Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor, is skeptical of the charges against Jesus as he examines the case. The Lord’s silence amazes Pilate, as Jesus fulfills the words about Him from Isaiah 53. As the crowd calls for the release of Barabbas, this notorious murderer ends up as a picture of the great exchange that God gives in Jesus. Jesus is bound so that sinners can be set free. As the chief priests and scribes only stir up the crowd to demand Jesus’ crucifixion, Pilate finally relents, and the violence against Jesus only grows. As His Passion continues, the Lord endures it willingly in place of sinners.

“The Gospel in Action” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Gospel according to St. Mark. The Evangelist hits the ground running with the very first verse of his Gospel account, and he never lets up the pace. As one deed of Jesus comes right after another, always paired with His authoritative Word, St. Mark proclaims the good news that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, revealed conclusively by His death on the cross.