Bible Strands
Mark 15:3
And the chief priests began to accuse Him of many things.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The chief priests are formally bringing charges against Jesus before Pilate during His trial. This action follows Pilate’s initial inquiry about Jesus’ kingship and immediately precedes Pilate’s remark about the volume of the accusations.
The words — The Greek verb κατηγόρουν (katēgoroun) carries the literal sense of “were accusing” or “began to accuse,” denoting a continuous legal proceeding. It is directly modified by πολλὰ (polla), meaning “many things,” which quantifies the scope of the priests’ allegations.
The thread — The scene corresponds to Isaiah 53:7, which describes one who is oppressed yet does not open His mouth. It also parallels Matthew 27:12’s account of Jesus facing accusations from the chief priests and elders, and echoes Mark 14:60 where the high priest demands a response to the charges.
Why it lands — The text records the factual progression of the trial without offering Jesus’ defense or Pilate’s verdict. It requires a reader to note the precise sequence of accusations and the recorded silence before drawing any theological conclusion.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
And the chief priests accused him of many things: but he answered nothing.
Cross-references
- Isaiah 53:7 He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so He did not open His mouth.
- Matthew 27:12 And when He was accused by the chief priests and elders, He gave no answer.
- Mark 14:60 So the high priest stood up before them and questioned Jesus, “Have You no answer? What are these men testifying against You?”
- Mark 15:5 But to Pilate’s amazement, Jesus made no further reply.
- Luke 23:2 And they began to accuse Him, saying, “We found this man subverting our nation, forbidding payment of taxes to Caesar, and proclaiming Himself to be Christ, a King.”
- John 18:29 So Pilate went out to them and asked, “What accusation are you bringing against this man?”
- John 19:6 As soon as the chief priests and officers saw Him, they shouted, “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!” “You take Him and crucify Him,” Pilate replied, “for I find no basis for a charge against Him.”
- John 19:12 From then on, Pilate tried to release Him, but the Jews kept shouting, “If you release this man, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who declares himself a king is defying Caesar.”