Release Barabbas - Mark 15:11

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? For he knew that the chief priests had delivered him for envy”, and in chapter fifteen and verse eleven of his book, Mark shared how, “the chief priests moved the people, that he should rather release Barabbas” where we read:

But the chief priests moved the people, that he should rather release Barabbas unto them.

The verse reads, “But the chief priests moved the people, ...”. Mark began with the words, “But the chief priests” which means “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding, moreover and the high priests” “moved the people” or “shook up, stirred, excited and roused the crowd of people”. Mark shared how the “high priests” influenced the people in the crowd to do the following.

The verse goes on to say, “... that he should rather release Barabbas unto them.” Mark continued with the words, “that he should rather release” which means “that Pilate should more willingly, sooner, and more readily set free, dismiss and bid depart” “Barabbas” or “the captive robber, insurrectionist and murderer whose name means son of a father or master” “unto them” which refers to “the multitude who had gathered”. Mark shared how the crowd was convinced by the “high priests” to “set” “Barabbas” free rather than Jesus.

When we think through Mark's words in this verse, we see how the “high priests” used their positions to “move” the people toward their line of thinking. Powerful people have powerful influence, but this is not a mandate on their being correct in what they are promoting. The Son of God, Jesus Christ, was offered as an option for “release”, and the “high priests” desired “Barabbas” instead. God knew the error of these “high priests” and eventually the crowd, and He allowed this to take place against His Only Begotten Son Jesus because the “salvation” of mankind depended upon it. Though these “high priests” were wrong, God Almighty used their error to fulfill His work of “salvation” in the world, and those who are wise will know and understand these things and yield their lives to Him as their personal “Savior and Lord”.

Next time Mark shares how Pilate asked the multitude, “What will you then that I shall do unto him whom you call the King of the Jews?”, 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".