King James Version

What Does Mark 15:1 Mean?

Mark 15:1 in the King James Version says “And straightway in the morning the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council, ... — study this verse from Mark chapter 15 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

And straightway in the morning the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council, and bound Jesus, and carried him away, and delivered him to Pilate.

Mark 15:1 · KJV


Context

1

And straightway in the morning the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council, and bound Jesus, and carried him away, and delivered him to Pilate.

2

And Pilate asked him, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answering said unto him, Thou sayest it.

3

And the chief priests accused him of many things: but he answered nothing.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And straightway in the morning (Καὶ εὐθὺς πρωΐ, Kai euthys prōi)—Mark's characteristic εὐθύς (euthys, 'immediately') emphasizes urgency. The word πρωΐ (prōi) indicates early morning, the fourth watch (3-6 AM). The chief priests held a consultation (συμβούλιον ποιήσαντες, symboulion poiēsantes)—they formed a συμβούλιον (symboulion), a council or plot. This was likely a formal morning session to ratify the illegal night verdict, providing legal veneer.

And bound Jesus, and carried him away, and delivered him to Pilate (δήσαντες τὸν Ἰησοῦν ἀπήνεγκαν καὶ παρέδωκαν Πιλάτῳ, dēsantes ton Iēsoun apēnenkan kai paredōkan Pilatō)—Three verbs trace Jesus's transfer: δέω (deō, bound), ἀποφέρω (apopherō, carried away), and παραδίδωμι (paradidōmi, delivered/betrayed). The last verb echoes Judas's betrayal (14:10)—now the Sanhedrin betrays Jesus to Rome. They needed Roman authority for execution (John 18:31).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The Sanhedrin lacked ius gladii (right of the sword)—Rome reserved capital punishment authority. Pilate, prefect of Judea (AD 26-36), resided in Caesarea but came to Jerusalem for major festivals to suppress potential unrest. He stayed at Herod's palace or the Antonia Fortress. The 'binding' fulfilled Isaiah 53:7 and demonstrated Jesus as a criminal defendant. Dawn consultations provided legal cover for the night trial's irregularities.

Reflection Questions

  1. Why did the Sanhedrin need a morning consultation after the night trial's verdict?
  2. How does the verb 'delivered' (paradidōmi) connect Judas's betrayal to the Sanhedrin's actions?
  3. What does the binding of Jesus symbolize theologically about His willing submission to the Father's plan?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 26 words
καὶ1 of 26

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

εὐθὲως2 of 26

straightway

G2112

directly, i.e., at once or soon

ἐπὶ3 of 26

in

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

τὸ4 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πρωῒ5 of 26

the morning

G4404

at dawn; by implication, the day-break watch

συμβούλιον6 of 26

a consultation

G4824

advisement; specially, a deliberative body, i.e., the provincial assessors or lay-court

ποιήσαντες7 of 26

held

G4160

to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)

οἱ8 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀρχιερεῖς9 of 26

the chief priests

G749

the high-priest (literally, of the jews; typically, christ); by extension a chief priest

μετὰ10 of 26

with

G3326

properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)

τῶν11 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πρεσβυτέρων12 of 26

the elders

G4245

older; as noun, a senior; specially, an israelite sanhedrist (also figuratively, member of the celestial council) or christian "presbyter"

καὶ13 of 26

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

γραμματέων14 of 26

scribes

G1122

a professional writer

καὶ15 of 26

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ὅλον16 of 26

the whole

G3650

"whole" or "all", i.e., complete (in extent, amount, time or degree), especially (neuter) as noun or adverb

τὸ17 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

συνέδριον18 of 26

council

G4892

a joint session, i.e., (specially), the jewish sanhedrin; by analogy, a subordinate tribunal

δήσαντες19 of 26

and bound

G1210

to bind (in various applications, literally or figuratively)

τὸν20 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Ἰησοῦν21 of 26

Jesus

G2424

jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

ἀπήνεγκαν22 of 26

and carried him away

G667

to bear off (literally or relatively)

καὶ23 of 26

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

παρέδωκαν24 of 26

delivered

G3860

to surrender, i.e yield up, entrust, transmit

τῷ25 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Πιλάτῳ26 of 26

him to Pilate

G4091

close-pressed, i.e., firm; pilatus, a roman


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Mark. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Mark 15:1 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Mark 15:1 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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