Jesus' Death Sentence for Our Salvation (Mark 14:66 – 15:20a)

[Stephan Choe]

November 6, 2025

Key verses 15:14-15:

“Pilate said to them, ‘What evil has he done?’ But they shouted all the more, ‘Crucify him!’ But Pilate, wanting to please the crowd, released Barabbas to them and had Jesus flogged and handed him over to be crucified.”

Today we want to learn about Jesus' arrest and interrogation. Many people believe that Jesus died because of the injustice of Jewish high priests and the Roman governor Pilate. That is not true! He allowed himself to be arrested voluntarily so that he could be the scapegoat for the sins of all people who believe in him as Christ, redeeming them from sin and giving them eternal life. Through this interrogation, we are to correctly understand the meaning of Jesus' death and gratefully accept God's grace.

1. Peter’ Denial (14.66-72)

Peter had said, „Even if everyone else turns away from you –I stand by you!“ (14.29, translation from „Hope for All“). When Jesus was captured and led away to the high priest's court, Peter followed Jesus, but at a distance.

Peter was now in the courtyard (i.e. Court) of the high priest.

To better understand this incident, it is useful to know about the layout of an oriental palace or house of wealthy people:

An open courtyard lies in the middle of the house, and rooms are located around this courtyard, making the house look like a round terraced house from the inside. An arched entrance led to the outer courtyard, called the forecourt, which was surrounded by a high outer wall and the large entrance gate.

Let's go back to the Bible text.

When Peter was in the court, one of the high priest's maids came and noticed him warming himself by the fire. She said to Peter: „You were also with Jesus from Nazareth!“

But he denied and answered her: „I don't know what you're talking about!“ and he went out into the court.

When Peter was in the court, a maid of the high priest again said to those who stood by, „This was also with Jesus of Nazareth.“ Peter denied again and swore, „I don't know man.“

After a little while, those standing there said: „You are one of them too, because your language betrays you.“ Then he began to curse himself and swear: I don't know man. (Mt. 26,69-75).

Let's start verse 72: „And immediately the rooster crowed for the second time. Then Peter remembered the word that Jesus had said to him: Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.“

Peter had previously considered himself faithful and proud of himself. Now he realized that he had been an unfaithful person and had not trusted Jesus, but himself. Because he had realized his infidelity to Jesus and false confidence, he became very sad and wept bitterly. This was his penance before Jesus. This penance for his realization of his infidelity and self-confidence was an important turning point in Peter's life of faith. Since then, he no longer trusted himself, but in Jesus. He was no longer proud of himself, but was humble. Because he became humble, he was able to thank and faithfully follow Jesus' grace and faithfulness.

2. Jesus before Pilate (15.1-15)

How did the chief priests deliver Jesus to Pilate?

Chapter 15 verse 1 tells us: „And immediately in the morning the chief priests healed counsel with the elders and scribes and all the chief counsel, and they bound Jesus, and led him away, and delivered him to Pilate.“

It was against the law for a defendant to be interrogated at night. That's why they took advice again a little later in the morning so that they could claim that they were interrogating Jesus during the day under normal circumstances. They condemned Jesus again, bound him, led him away, and delivered him to Pilate, the Roman governor, and handed Jesus over to Pilate because the Romans denied them the right to pass or execute a death sentence. Only the Roman governor had these powers.

The Gospel of Mark tells us briefly about Pilate's interrogation of Jesus. 

Pilate asked Jesus: „Are you the king of the Jews?“ because the chief priests had accused Jesus of claiming that Jesus was the king of the Jews. The Gospel of Luke, chapter 23, verse 2 gives us in detail the words of the chief priests: „We have found that he incites our people and forbids them from giving taxes to the emperor, saying that he is Christ, a king.“

The chief priests deliberately twisted Jesus' words and accused him of saying that he was a political king of the Jews.

For the word „Christ“ meant both „Savior“ and „King“.

Jesus answered: „You say it“ (15:2).

According to the Gospel of John, Jesus stated of his kingship this: „My kingdom is out of this world...“ (John. 18,36).

Jesus has come to announce God's kingdom to us.

The dawning of the Kingdom of God was the central message of Jesus. Jesus proclaimed that the season of salvation foretold in the Old Testament (Isaiah 35:5–6) was begun by his work: „The blind see and the lame walk, lepers will be clean, and the deaf will hear, the dead will rise, and the gospel will be preached to the poor“ (Matthew 11.5).

The entire proclamation of Jesus is shaped by the "Kingdom of God". This "royal reign of God", as one could also translate, has a future aspect ("Your kingdom come!") and also a present one, as Jesus said. "The kingdom of God is among you". His work is a sign that the kingdom of God has already begun, that God himself is coming, taking care of people and putting an end to the rage of dark forces.

Early Christianity lived in the expectation that Jesus would soon return for good to establish his kingdom on earth. The global proclamation and healing miracles of the apostles were seen as a continuation of Jesus' work and as preparation for his return.

Because the risen Jesus is always with us through the Holy Spirit and guides us to the perfect kingdom of heaven, we thank Jesus Christ for his kingdom. That's why we can already enjoy God's kingdom and are on the way to the perfect kingdom of heaven. 

Jesus also professed himself King of the Jews because he led Pilate to believe in him. Jesus also loved Pilate and saved him from sin and led him into the kingdom of God. This shows that Jesus loves all people and wants to lead them to faith in him and save them.

Faith in Jesus Christ is the path of eternal life and victory. For Jesus Christ sacrificed his life to give us forgiveness of sins and God's kingdom. This is a great grace from God. But the chief priests and Pilate, although they knew of Jesus' innocence, did not believe in Jesus as the Son of God and Christ. Therefore, they became enemies of God, and delivered Jesus to die on the cross, and were condemned to the wrath of God.

We should believe in Jesus Christ and confess him. Even if our lives are in danger, we should not deny Jesus Christ. This is the path of victory. This requires us to be prepared to accept difficulties or disadvantages. But the reward of victory is great: eternal life and the kingdom of heaven! Amen!