Final answer:
Pilate hands over Jesus to be crucified because of the pressure from Jewish leaders, not because he believed Jesus to be guilty, according to Mark's Gospel.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to Mark's Gospel, specifically verse 15, Pilate hands over Jesus to be crucified because he is pressured by the Jewish leaders. Despite questioning Jesus and finding no fault in him, Pilate still opts to satisfy the crowd that had gathered, which demanded Jesus' crucifixion. The passage illustrates the complex dynamics of authority, where Pilate seemingly prioritizes maintaining order and pacifying the populace over delivering absolute justice.