A Little Too Ironic: Mark 15:6-15
Jesus knew what He was talking about when on the cross He utters, “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.” Those words are still true. Each time we choose sin over God’s ways, we don’t know the full ramifications of the choice. Jesus died because we don’t know what we do.
With Jesus’ interrogation completed, Pilate goes before the crowd. There are few passages in the Bible containing more irony than these verses. Everything that happens in these verses contains explanations for the events diametrically opposed to the actual action.
Take Pilate’s question for the crowd. Pilate offers the option to release Jesus or Barabbas. The name Barabbas means “son of the father.” The crowd literally chants for the release of the son of the father. Unfortunately, they don’t realize they are completely blind to Jesus’ identity as the Son of the Father. Their words couldn’t be closer to the truth; their intent couldn’t be farther from understanding.
Speaking of the crowd, Mark tells us the crowd gathered for the purpose of asking for a captive to be freed. They knew Pilate’s custom and came. The religious elite knew this, too. Thus, the religious elite inspire the crowd to choose Barabbas instead of Jesus. Remember that the religious elite were afraid that Jesus might rile the crowd up, create an insurrection, and draw Roman attention to the land. Yet, this is exactly what the religious elite do! The religious elite create an insurrection. The religious elite intentionally go to Pilate and involve the Romans.
Speaking of insurrection, the religious elite incite the crowd to free a known insurrectionist. The religious elite were afraid of the possibility that Jesus would do something to cause Rome to tighten their grip on the Hebrew people. Instead, they incite the crowd to free a known insurrectionist. In fact, Barabbas was already in prison, so he had already done something to cause Rome to pay attention to him. While the religious leaders fear insurrection from Jesus, they intentionally let a known insurrectionist free!
Finally, Pilate asks the crowd what should be done with Jesus. The crowd yells for Jesus to be crucified. Even when Pilate reminds them no crime had been committed, they chant for crucifixion all the more. Seeking to please the crowd, Pilates hands Jesus over to be crucified. The crowd is happy to see Jesus die; they don’t realize that Jesus’ senseless death will soon be what brings salvation to humanity.
Every moment of the interaction between Pilate, the crowd, and the religious elite is laced with ironic meaning. Pilate doesn’t know what He’s doing. The crowd doesn’t know what they’re saying. The religious elite do exactly what they fear Jesus will do. Through all these people who don’t know what they’re doing, God’s plan unfolds. Jesus knew what He was talking about when on the cross He utters, “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.”
