Jesus Delivered for Envy - Mark 15:10

Mark wrote, “Now at that feast he released unto them one prisoner, whomsoever they desired. And there was one named Barabbas, which lay bound with them that had made insurrection with him, who had committed murder in the insurrection. And the multitude crying aloud began to desire him to do as he had ever done unto them. But Pilate answered them, saying, Will you that I release unto you the King of the Jews?”, and in chapter fifteen and verse ten of his book, Mark shared how Pilate, “knew that the chief priests had delivered him for envy” where we read:

For he knew that the chief priests had delivered him for envy.

The verse reads, “For he knew that the chief priests ...”. Mark began with the words, “For he knew” which means “because, since and on account that Pilate was aware, understood, perceived and had knowledge” “that the chief priests” or “the the high priests”. Mark shared how Pilate perceived the following from the “high priests”.

The verse continues, “... had delivered him for envy.” Mark added the words, “had delivered him” which means “had given, betrayed, committed and commended Jesus into Pilate's hands” “for envy” or “because, since and on account that the high priests were prompted by ill-will, jealousy and strife”. Mark shared how Pilate knew the reason the “high priests” brought Jesus to him was because they were “jealous” of Jesus.

When we meditate upon Mark's words in this verse, we see how “Pilate” perceived the motive within the “high priests” to “commit” Jesus to him. The “high priests” observed Jesus regularly, and when He did and said things they could not perform themselves, “envy” set in, and they desired to get rid of Him. God knew in advance the role of “Pilate” and the “high priests” in the presenting His Son Jesus as the “sacrifice” for the sins of mankind, and because He loves people so much, He allowed Jesus to be accused and abused even through His Son was perfect. Acts chapter four and verse twelve speaks of Jesus as it says “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (See Acts 4:12), and those who are wise will not “envy” Jesus as these “high priests” but will yield their lives to Him as their personal “Savior and Lord”.

Next time Mark shares how, “the chief priests moved the people, that he should rather release Barabbas”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".