Mark 15:11 tells us that the chief priests, who were powerful and influential religious leaders, actively incited the crowd to demand the release of Barabbas instead of Jesus. Let's break down the verse:
"But the chief priests": This identifies the main actors. They were the Jewish religious leaders who opposed Jesus and wanted him dead.
"stirred up the multitude": This means they agitated, incited, and persuaded the crowd. They likely used propaganda, fear-mongering, and appeals to nationalistic sentiment to manipulate the people's opinions. The crowd was likely a mix of people from different backgrounds, including those who might have initially been sympathetic to Jesus.
"that he should release Barabbas to them instead": This indicates the chief priests' objective. They wanted Pilate, the Roman governor, to release Barabbas, a known criminal (likely a rebel or insurrectionist), rather than Jesus. The "he" refers to Pilate, as he had the power to release prisoners as part of the Passover custom.
In summary: The chief priests used their influence to manipulate the crowd into demanding the release of Barabbas, a criminal, over Jesus. This was a calculated move to ensure Jesus would be condemned to death, as they feared his growing popularity and the challenge he posed to their authority. Their influence directly impacted the outcome of Jesus' trial, highlighting their active role in his crucifixion.
Mark 15:11 tells us that the chief priests, who were powerful and influential religious leaders, actively incited the crowd to demand the release of Barabbas instead of Jesus. Let's break down the verse:
"But the chief priests": This identifies the main actors. They were the Jewish religious leaders who opposed Jesus and wanted him dead.
"stirred up the multitude": This means they agitated, incited, and persuaded the crowd. They likely used propaganda, fear-mongering, and appeals to nationalistic sentiment to manipulate the people's opinions. The crowd was likely a mix of people from different backgrounds, including those who might have initially been sympathetic to Jesus.
"that he should release Barabbas to them instead": This indicates the chief priests' objective. They wanted Pilate, the Roman governor, to release Barabbas, a known criminal (likely a rebel or insurrectionist), rather than Jesus. The "he" refers to Pilate, as he had the power to release prisoners as part of the Passover custom.
In summary: The chief priests used their influence to manipulate the crowd into demanding the release of Barabbas, a criminal, over Jesus. This was a calculated move to ensure Jesus would be condemned to death, as they feared his growing popularity and the challenge he posed to their authority. Their influence directly impacted the outcome of Jesus' trial, highlighting their active role in his crucifixion.