King James Version

What Does Mark 15:12 Mean?

Mark 15:12 in the King James Version says “And Pilate answered and said again unto them, What will ye then that I shall do unto him whom ye call the King of the Je...” — study this verse from Mark chapter 15 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“And Pilate answered and said again unto them, What will ye then that I shall do unto him whom ye call the King of the Jews?”

Mark 15:12 · KJV

Context

10

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

11

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

12

And Pilate answered and said again unto them, What will ye then that I shall do unto him whom ye call the King of the Jews?

13

And they cried out again, Crucify him.

14

Then Pilate said unto them, Why, what evil hath he done? And they cried out the more exceedingly, Crucify him.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This verse reveals the tragic irony of Christ's trial: Pilate recognized Jesus' innocence but yielded to political pressure, while the Jews rejected their true King. "Pilate answered and said again" shows this was ongoing dialogue, not a single exchange. Pilate had already examined Jesus and found no fault (Luke 23:4, 14, 22). "What will ye then that I shall do" exposes Pilate's moral cowardice. As Roman governor, he held absolute judicial authority. He needn't ask the crowd's will—he should pronounce justice. But political calculation overrode legal duty. "Unto him whom ye call the King of the Jews" drips with irony. Pilate distanced himself by saying "whom ye call"—he didn't personally affirm Jesus' kingship, but he recognized the accusation's absurdity. The inscription he later placed on the cross was meant mockingly but spoke profound truth. The phrase "King of the Jews" appears repeatedly in the Passion narrative. The accusation before Pilate was political sedition—claiming kingship challenged Caesar. But Jesus told Pilate, "My kingdom is not of this world" (John 18:36). He was indeed the Messiah-King prophesied in Scripture, but the Jews rejected Him.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Pontius Pilate governed Judea AD 26-36, appointed by Emperor Tiberius. Historical sources (Philo, Josephus) describe him as cruel, corrupt, and contemptuous of Jewish customs. Roman law gave governors absolute judicial authority (imperium) in their provinces. Pilate could execute, pardon, or release at will. His question to the crowd was political theatre, not legal necessity. The title "King of the Jews" was politically charged. Rome's client kings (like Herod) ruled only by Caesar's permission. Any unauthorized claim to kingship was treason (crimen maiestatis), punishable by crucifixion. Ironically, Jesus was the rightful King of Israel, descended from David (Matthew 1:1), heir to the eternal throne promised in 2 Samuel 7:12-16. But His kingship wasn't political-territorial. He came first to suffer (Isaiah 53) before returning to reign (Revelation 19:16). The crowd's choice of Barabbas over Jesus fulfilled prophetic typology. Barabbas ("son of the father") was a rebel and murderer—representing sinful humanity. Jesus (the true Son of the Father) died in Barabbas' place, just as He died in our place.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Pilate's question 'What will ye then that I shall do' reveal his moral cowardice, and what modern parallels exist where people know what is right but yield to public pressure?
  2. What does the crowd's rejection of Jesus as 'King of the Jews' teach us about human nature's tendency to reject God's authority?
  3. How does the irony of Pilate's phrase 'whom ye call the King of the Jews' demonstrate that even Jesus' enemies spoke truth unknowingly?
  4. In what ways did Jesus demonstrate a different kind of kingship than what both the Romans and the Jews expected or understood?
  5. How should understanding Christ as our rejected King shape our expectations of how the world will respond to the gospel today?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 16 words
ὁ1 of 16
G3588

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

δὲ2 of 16

“And”

G1161

but, and, etc

Πιλᾶτος3 of 16

“Pilate”

G4091

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

ἀποκριθεὶς4 of 16

“answered”

G611

to conclude for oneself, i.e., (by implication) to respond; by hebraism (compare h6030) to begin to speak (where an address is expected)

πάλιν5 of 16

“again”

G3825

(adverbially) anew, i.e., (of place) back, (of time) once more, or (conjunctionally) furthermore or on the other hand

εἶπεν6 of 16

“and said”

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

αὐτοῖς7 of 16

“unto them”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

Τί8 of 16

“What”

G5101

an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)

οὖν9 of 16

“then”

G3767

(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly

θέλετε10 of 16

“will ye”

G2309

to determine (as an active option from subjective impulse; whereas g1014 properly denotes rather a passive acquiescence in objective considerations),

ποιήσω11 of 16

“that I shall do”

G4160

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

ὃν12 of 16

“unto him whom”

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

λέγετε13 of 16

“ye call”

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

βασιλέα14 of 16

“the King”

G935

a sovereign (abstractly, relatively, or figuratively)

τῶν15 of 16
G3588

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

Ἰουδαίων16 of 16

“of the Jews”

G2453

judaean, i.e., belonging to jehudah

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 15:12 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 15:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 23:5-6Isaiah 9:6-7Acts 5:31Matthew 2:2-4Matthew 27:22-23Matthew 21:5

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