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 15:12KJV
Know the Bible

Mark 15:12 (KJV)

What does Mark 15:12 mean?

Mark 15:12 shows Pilate asking the crowd what he should do with Jesus, whom they call the King of the Jews. Pilate is putting the decision back on the people, highlighting that he does not want to take full responsibility for Jesus’ fate.

In this scene, Pilate, the Roman governor, is addressing the crowd during Jesus’ trial. The crowd has just asked for Barabbas to be released instead of Jesus. Pilate’s question points out the title "King of the Jews," which the crowd has used for Jesus, and it shows his uncertainty or reluctance about condemning Jesus. This moment builds tension, as Pilate is caught between the demands of the crowd and his own judgment.

The Greek behind Mark 15:12

  • βασιλεὺς (basileus) — "King": Pilate repeats the crowd’s own words, emphasizing the title they have given Jesus. This underlines the political charge against Jesus and Pilate’s awareness of its seriousness.
  • πάλιν (palin) — "again": The word shows that Pilate has already addressed the crowd before, suggesting ongoing back-and-forth and his hesitation to act decisively.
  • θέλετε (thelete) — "you want": Pilate is directly asking what the crowd desires, making their will central to the decision and distancing himself from responsibility.

Why Mark 15:12 matters

  • Mark 15:12 highlights Pilate’s reluctance to condemn Jesus, showing that he is not acting out of personal conviction but under pressure from the crowd.
  • The verse emphasizes the political tension in the trial, with the title "King of the Jews" at the center of the accusation against Jesus.
  • This moment sets up the crowd’s decisive role in the events that follow, making clear that Jesus’ condemnation is not just a Roman action but also involves the people’s choice.

Where else these words appear

“Pilate” Greek G4091 · used in 53 verses

  • Matthew 27:2 And when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor.
  • Luke 3:1 Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judaea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene,
  • John 18:38 Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all.

“King” Greek G935 · used in 107 verses

  • Matthew 1:6 And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias;
  • Luke 14:31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?
  • Acts 26:7 Unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. For which hope's sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews.

“again” Greek G3825 · used in 138 verses

  • Matthew 4:7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
  • John 4:46 So Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum.
  • Acts 11:10 And this was done three times: and all were drawn up again into heaven.