15:2 Pilate had absolute authority over Jesus' fate under Roman law. Customarily trials such as this one took place in public.375First, the plaintiffs or accusers made their charges against the defendant. Then the prosecutor, in this case Pilate, examined the defendant who could speak in his own defense, and he heard the testimony of any witnesses. Next, the prosecutor consulted with his legal advisers and finally pronounced his verdict. The execution of the sentence followed immediately.376
Pilate's question shows that the Jews had charged Jesus with claiming to be a king. Claiming to be a king was tantamount to treason against Caesar and was a capital offense. Jesus admitted that He was the King of the Jews, but He implied that He was a different kind of king than Pilate thought (cf. Matt. 27:2). John wrote that Pilate discussed the nature of Jesus' kingship with Him further and concluded that Jesus was not guilty (John 18:34-38).
15:3-5 The chief priests, speaking for the Sanhedrin, brought many other charges against Jesus some of which Luke mentioned (cf. Luke 23:2). Jesus' failure to defend Himself against so many accusations amazed Pilate (cf. Isa. 53:7).
Ironically Pilate himself declared who Jesus was with his inscription over His cross: the king of the Jews (v. 28). Jesus did not need to tell Pilate who he was. Pilate was going to give Him His proper title anyway. This is another indication of Jesus' authority in the political realm.377
Mark used a double negative in the Greek text (ouketi ouden) to describe Jesus' absolute silence.378Mark recorded Jesus replying only briefly to Caiaphas (14:62) and to Pilate. This is consistent with Mark's emphasis on Jesus as the Servant of the Lord.
Only Luke recorded that Pilate now sent Jesus to Herod Antipas, who was also in Jerusalem for the feast, since Jesus was a Galilean and Herod ruled over Galilee (Luke 23:6-12). Herod then sent Jesus back to Pilate.
