οἱ δὲ ἀρχιερεῖς ἀνέσεισαν τὸν ὄχλον ἵνα μᾶλλον τὸν Βαραββᾶν ἀπολύσῃ αὐτοῖς
Mark 15:11 delivers a moment of tragic persuasion: the chief priests successfully sway the crowd to ask for the release of Barabbas instead of Jesus. The Greek here carries the weight of incitement, preference, and power dynamics. The vocabulary is strong, and the grammar is deliberate, laying bare the corruption of both leadership and public sentiment.
Grammatical Foundations
The sentence begins with οἱ δὲ ἀρχιερεῖς—“but the chief priests.” The subject is plural, with δέ signaling contrast with the preceding verse, where Pilate offers to release Jesus. The main verb ἀνέσεισαν (from ἀνασείω) is aorist active indicative, 3rd person plural: “they stirred up.” It connotes agitation or provocation, often with emotional intensity or unrest. The object of their incitement is τὸν ὄχλον—“the crowd.”
The purpose clause is introduced with ἵνα, which governs a subjunctive verb: ἀπολύσῃ (aorist active subjunctive, 3rd person singular, from ἀπολύω)—“that he might release.” The subject is understood to be Pilate. The indirect object is αὐτοῖς—“to them.” The direct object is τὸν Βαραββᾶν—Barabbas. The adverb μᾶλλον (“rather” or “more”) intensifies the preference: “that he might release Barabbas instead.”
The phrase μᾶλλον… ἀπολύσῃ clarifies that Pilate had offered a choice, but the priests strategically influenced the outcome by turning the people’s voices in favor of a criminal.
Exegetical and Theological Implications
The verse captures a sinister irony: the religious leaders, meant to represent holiness and justice, actively manipulate the people to demand the release of a known rebel. The grammar reinforces this manipulation—ἀνέσεισαν is not neutral; it’s inciting. It’s not honest counsel, but strategic coercion.
Moreover, the contrast is made sharper by μᾶλλον. It isn’t simply that Barabbas is acceptable—it’s that he is preferred over the innocent Messiah. The grammatical structure underlines the reversal of values: rebellion is rewarded, righteousness rejected.
Linguistic and Historical Perspectives
ἀνασείω is a vivid verb meaning “to shake up,” used in classical Greek for political or social agitation. It suggests that the chief priests didn’t merely speak to the crowd—they stirred them into action. In historical terms, this reflects mob psychology in a Roman trial setting, where crowd pressure could influence a governor’s decision.
μᾶλλον is often used in comparative contexts, and here it clearly denotes choice. In the Roman practice of releasing a prisoner at Passover, this preference was decisive. The Greek syntax preserves the formal structure of a legal-political moment infused with deep theological tension.
Table: Verbal and Structural Features in Mark 15:11
| Text | Greek Verb / Phrase | Form | Function / Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mark 15:11 | ἀνέσεισαν | Aorist active indicative, 3rd person plural | “They stirred up”; denotes emotional agitation or incitement |
| Mark 15:11 | ἵνα… ἀπολύσῃ | Purpose clause with aorist subjunctive | “In order that he might release”; expresses intended outcome |
| Mark 15:11 | μᾶλλον | Adverb | “Rather”; expresses preference of Barabbas over Jesus |
The Verse as a Paradigm of Koine Greek Richness
Mark 15:11 shows how Greek grammar can capture human drama in motion. The incitement verb ἀνέσεισαν, the subjunctive of political decision-making, and the loaded adverb μᾶλλον form a compact account of injustice. The crowd is not merely misguided—they are manipulated. And the Greek records not just an event, but a miscarriage of justice wrapped in syntax and stirred by leaders who should have known better.
