Mark 15 8

Mark 15:8 kjv

And the multitude crying aloud began to desire him to do as he had ever done unto them.

Mark 15:8 nkjv

Then the multitude, crying aloud, began to ask him to do just as he had always done for them.

Mark 15:8 niv

The crowd came up and asked Pilate to do for them what he usually did.

Mark 15:8 esv

And the crowd came up and began to ask Pilate to do as he usually did for them.

Mark 15:8 nlt

The crowd went to Pilate and asked him to release a prisoner as usual.

Mark 15 verses

Mark 15 8 Meaning

Mark 15:8 depicts the fervent insistence of the crowd gathered before Pontius Pilate during Jesus' trial. They loudly demanded that Pilate uphold a specific tradition: the custom of releasing a prisoner during the Passover feast. This verse describes the initiation of their plea for this privilege, setting the stage for the consequential choice between Jesus and Barabbas.

Mark 15 8 Context

Mark 15 details Jesus' final hours, focusing on His trial before Pilate and subsequent crucifixion. Pilate, the Roman governor, recognizing Jesus' innocence and possibly fearing an uprising, sought to release Him. Chapter 15:6-7 mentions Pilate's Passover custom of releasing a prisoner and introduces Barabbas, a notable rebel and murderer. Mark 15:8 directly follows Pilate's general offer, capturing the immediate, clamorous response of the gathered multitude. This demand for the customary release precipitates the direct choice Pilate offers between Jesus and Barabbas, ultimately leading to Jesus' condemnation. Historically, Passover was a time of heightened nationalist sentiment, and the Romans would often try to maintain order through acts of clemency or intimidation, such as the eusebeia (reverence) or indulgentia (indulgence) extended to local populations. This custom served Pilate's purpose of attempting to appease the crowd while also seeking to release Jesus.

Mark 15 8 Word analysis

• And: Greek kai (καὶ). A simple conjunction, connecting the crowd's action directly to Pilate's prior statement about the custom (Mark 15:6). It emphasizes the immediate flow of events.
• the multitude: Greek ho ochlos (ὁ ὄχλος). Refers to a large, often undifferentiated crowd or common people. This term can suggest instability and susceptibility to influence. This was not the entirety of the city, but a significant gathering, likely influenced by various factors.
• crying aloud: Greek anaboēsas (ἀναβοήσας). A strong aorist participle, meaning "having shouted up" or "having vociferated." It denotes an intense, sudden, and collective outburst of noise, emphasizing the forceful nature of their demand, a cacophony intended to be heard and complied with.
• began to desire: Greek ērxanto aiteisthai (ἤρξαντο αἰτεῖσθαι). Ērxanto (they began) indicates the start of an action. Aiteisthai (to ask, to beg, to demand) can range from a polite request to a forceful demand, here carrying the latter connotation due to "crying aloud." They initiated the insistence.
• him: Referring to Pilate, indicating the subject of their demand.
• to do: Greek poiein (ποιεῖν). To make, to do, to perform. Implies carrying out an action, in this case, the custom.
• as he had ever done: Greek kathōs epoiei (καθὼς ἐποίει). Literally "just as he was doing" or "as he used to do." The imperfect tense indicates a repeated or habitual action in the past. It confirms this was an established and known custom by Pilate, not a spontaneous offer for that day alone. This strengthens the crowd's claim.
• unto them: Greek autois (αὐτοῖς). "For them" or "to them." Emphasizes that the custom benefited the Jewish people, who were now demanding this perceived right.

Words-group analysis:

• "And the multitude crying aloud began to desire him": This phrase dramatically portrays the sudden, powerful, and unified voice of the crowd, asserting their will directly to the Roman governor. Their loud shouting created an atmosphere of urgency and pressure.
• "to do as he had ever done unto them": This specifies the nature of their demand. They were not yet asking for a specific prisoner (that comes next), but rather invoking the general custom itself, emphasizing their "right" to a release given Pilate's historical practice. It highlights their reliance on tradition and established precedent.

Mark 15 8 Bonus section

The nature of the Passover "custom" itself has been a subject of scholarly discussion. While all four Gospels attest to it, direct corroboration in extra-biblical sources is limited. However, historical parallels of Roman governors granting clemency during festivals or for popular appeasement (like remissio) do exist, making the Gospel accounts highly plausible. Mark's Gospel presents the event vividly and swiftly, emphasizing the rapid unfolding of Jesus' trial and the direct involvement of the crowd. The scene underscores the pressure on Pilate and the manipulative power of those who incited the masses against Jesus, creating a sense of mob rule. This also highlights God's sovereignty, as even through the twisted will of men, His ultimate redemptive plan was brought to fruition for the salvation of humanity.

Mark 15 8 Commentary

Mark 15:8 is pivotal, illustrating the collective human will in opposition to God's redemptive plan. The crowd, perhaps swayed by nationalist fervor or manipulated by the chief priests (as revealed in Mark 15:11), clamorously demands the traditional Passover clemency. This custom, seemingly an act of good faith by the Romans, ironically becomes the vehicle for Jesus' condemnation. The people do not simply request; they "cry aloud" and "began to desire" (implying forceful insistence), showing a fervent determination for Pilate to follow precedent. Their focus is on external freedom—the release of a prisoner—rather than recognizing the spiritual freedom offered by Jesus. This verse powerfully sets the stage for the dramatic and tragic choice between Barabbas, a symbol of earthly rebellion, and Jesus, the Prince of Peace, revealing the fallen human tendency to choose superficial benefits over divine truth. This foreshadows a wider human tendency to choose political solutions or familiar traditions over a divine King and His challenging call to repentance and submission.