Mark 15:9
But Pilate answered them, saying, Will ye that I release unto you the King of the Jews?
Original Language Analysis
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 13
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀπεκρίθη
answered
G611
ἀπεκρίθη
answered
Strong's:
G611
Word #:
4 of 13
to conclude for oneself, i.e., (by implication) to respond; by hebraism (compare h6030) to begin to speak (where an address is expected)
αὐτοῖς
them
G846
αὐτοῖς
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
5 of 13
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
λέγων,
saying
G3004
λέγων,
saying
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
6 of 13
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
Θέλετε
Will ye
G2309
Θέλετε
Will ye
Strong's:
G2309
Word #:
7 of 13
to determine (as an active option from subjective impulse; whereas g1014 properly denotes rather a passive acquiescence in objective considerations),
ἀπολύσω
that I release
G630
ἀπολύσω
that I release
Strong's:
G630
Word #:
8 of 13
to free fully, i.e., (literally) relieve, release, dismiss (reflexively, depart), or (figuratively) let die, pardon or (specially) divorce
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 13
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
βασιλέα
the King
G935
βασιλέα
the King
Strong's:
G935
Word #:
11 of 13
a sovereign (abstractly, relatively, or figuratively)
Historical Context
Pilate's use of 'King of the Jews' was probably sarcastic—Roman sources portray him as contemptuous of Jewish sensibilities. He later antagonizes Jewish leaders by insisting the cross inscription remain 'King of the Jews' (John 19:21-22). Here he may be baiting the crowd: 'You want your king freed? Here he is!' Pilate underestimated both the crowd's volatility and the chief priests' influence (v. 11).
Questions for Reflection
- Is Pilate's use of 'King of the Jews' mocking Jesus, the Jewish people, or both?
- Why does Pilate think offering Jesus as 'your king' will secure His release?
- How does Pilate's political calculation demonstrate the weakness of compromise with evil?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
But Pilate answered them, saying, Will ye that I release unto you the King of the Jews? (ὁ δὲ Πιλᾶτος ἀπεκρίθη αὐτοῖς λέγων, Θέλετε ἀπολύσω ὑμῖν τὸν βασιλέα τῶν Ἰουδαίων; ho de Pilatos apekrithē autois legōn, Thelete apolysō hymin ton basilea tōn Ioudaiōn?)—Pilate's question uses the verb θέλω (thelō, to will, desire, want) with deliberate political calculation. He employs the title 'King of the Jews' (βασιλέα τῶν Ἰουδαίων, basilea tōn Ioudaiōn) with apparent irony or contempt—perhaps mocking both Jesus's claims and Jewish nationalism.
Pilate's strategy is transparent: offer the crowd their 'king' expecting they'll choose Jesus over a common criminal. John 18:39 makes this explicit: 'But ye have a custom, that I should release unto you one at the passover: will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews?' Pilate attempts to manipulate the amnesty tradition to extricate himself from condemning a man he knows is innocent. The plan backfires spectacularly.