Mark 14: Jesus is accused

The silence of Jesus speaks volumes, writes Major Matt Butler.

Key texts

• Mark 14:53 to 15:15

Will the accused please rise!’ Are you still sitting down? Standing accused of something is an uncomfortable place to be. Confession time – when I was around nine years old, I was in an argument with a boy in the playground, resulting in him chasing me. As I ran, I fell. (Do your laces up!) The pencil that was in my pocket went into my stomach as I fell. My response was to accuse the boy of stabbing me with the pencil. After his denial and undergoing questioning from the teacher, I stood accused of lying. I had to admit what I had done. I was punished at school and my parents were informed. Today, I still have that mark as a reminder.

Pause and reflect

• Can you recall a time when you wrongly accused someone? 
• Have you ever been wrongly accused by others? 
• How did you feel in either of those situations?

In our passage, we find Jesus at the end of a long week of accusations and questionings. In Mark’s Gospel alone, the week leading up to the cross included his authority being questioned (see Mark 11:28), questions about paying taxes (see Mark 12:13–17), questions about the resurrection of the dead (see Mark 12:18–27) and being pushed on what is the greatest commandment (see Mark 12:28–34).

This week of accusations and questioning, with attempts to trip up Jesus, concluded a three-year ministry where the teachings of Jesus and his purpose on Earth were often challenged. This campaign against Jesus is found in Mark 14:53 to 15:15.

Finally, the accusers have their man. Jesus was regarded as dangerous to the religious authorities. He taught and acted in ways that challenged their thinking and religious practices. Jesus appeared to break laws and taboos, resulting in him being labelled a ‘glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners’ (Matthew 11:19). Jesus forgave sins and healed on the Sabbath. He called out religious leaders for living so strictly by the Law of Moses that they had missed the essence of it. Ultimately, Jesus was accused of blasphemy. All of the four Gospels record Jesus revealing his identity as the Son of Man, the Son of God, the Messiah.

Pause and reflect

• Have your own actions and practices ever brought accusations from others?

In Mark 14:53, we find Jesus in the home of the high priest. The chief priests and whole Sanhedrin are gathered. They have determined to find witnesses to testify against Jesus in support of their accusations. To their dismay, they initially struggle to find anyone with a valid testimony and are then frustrated that others who testify contradict each other.

Despite their best efforts, the leaders are not in a position to punish Jesus – they have no evidence. Therefore, they push Jesus to offer a word of defence. Silence.

The high priest questions: ‘Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?’ (v61). Jesus replies: ‘I am and you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of Heaven’ (v62).

This is too much to hear for the high priest, who tears his clothes and declares: ‘You have heard the blasphemy’ (v64). With this confession from Jesus, they have all they need and condemn him to death. What next? Although the religious rulers condemn Jesus, they live under Roman rule. They need the Romans to execute the sentence.

Pause and reflect

• When we accuse others, are we willing to face the consequences of our accusations? 
• Do we pass on the accused for others to deal with?

Chapter 15 finds the religious leaders gathered very early in the morning. In the hours of darkness, a dark plan has been schemed. Jesus is taken before Pilate. As often happens with Mark, there is no time for setting the scene; we are straight into the questioning again.

Pilate’s question focuses on Jesus’ identity: ‘Are you the King of the Jews?’ (v2). Jesus affirms but in a way that leaves a little ambiguity. When pushed further regarding the wider accusations, Jesus again falls silent.

Pause and reflect

• If Jesus was who he said he was, then he had the power to stop his accusers in their tracks. Why did Jesus only answer to confirm his identity? 
• Why did Jesus not try to defend himself more strongly?

Jesus remains silent before Pilate. He faces the crowd who condemn him to death. Notice how the religious leaders defer punishment to Pilate, and then Pilate defers the option for the freedom or death of Jesus to the crowd. In Matthew 27:20, we read that the leading priests infiltrate the crowd and stir them up to call for Jesus to be crucified.

Jesus stands falsely accused. He is condemned by the noisy, ill-informed and stirred-up crowd. With this in mind, we continue to journey to the cross, where, once again, we will be reminded that Jesus is our suffering Saviour, as prophesied in Isaiah 53:3 – Jesus was accused and condemned for who he was.

Today, we might consider ourselves accused. Know this: Jesus has paid the penalty for our sins, no matter how big or small, no matter if the physical or mental marks remain.

Be encouraged – Romans 8:1 tells us: ‘There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.’

As I consider all that I have been – and could be – accused of, I am reminded of the words of ‘O Come to the Altar’ by Elevation Worship:

O come to the altar, 

The Father’s arms are open wide. 

Forgiveness was bought with 

The precious blood of Jesus Christ.