Mark — Chapter 15
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1And straightway in the morning the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council, and bound Jesus, and carried him away, and delivered him to Pilate.
2And Pilate asked him, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answering said unto him, Thou sayest it.
3And the chief priests accused him of many things: but he answered nothing.
4And Pilate asked him again, saying, Answerest thou nothing? behold how many things they witness against thee.
5But Jesus yet answered nothing; so that Pilate marvelled.
6Now at that feast he released unto them one prisoner, whomsoever they desired.
7And there was one named Barabbas, which lay bound with them that had made insurrection with him, who had committed murder in the insurrection.
8And the multitude crying aloud began to desire him to do as he had ever done unto them.
9But Pilate answered them, saying, Will ye that I release unto you the King of the Jews?
10For he knew that the chief priests had delivered him for envy.
11But the chief priests moved the people, that he should rather release Barabbas unto them.
12And Pilate answered and said again unto them, What will ye then that I shall do unto him whom ye call the King of the Jews?
13And they cried out again, Crucify him.
14Then Pilate said unto them, Why, what evil hath he done? And they cried out the more exceedingly, Crucify him.
15And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified.
16And the soldiers led him away into the hall, called Praetorium; and they call together the whole band.
17And they clothed him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about his head,
18And began to salute him, Hail, King of the Jews!
19And they smote him on the head with a reed, and did spit upon him, and bowing their knees worshipped him.
20And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple from him, and put his own clothes on him, and led him out to crucify him.
21And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross.
22And they bring him unto the place Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, The place of a skull.
23And they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh: but he received it not.
24And when they had crucified him, they parted his garments, casting lots upon them, what every man should take.
25And it was the third hour, and they crucified him.
26And the superscription of his accusation was written over, THE KING OF THE JEWS.
27And with him they crucify two thieves; the one on his right hand, and the other on his left.
28And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, And he was numbered with the transgressors.
29And they that passed by railed on him, wagging their heads, and saying, Ah, thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days,
30Save thyself, and come down from the cross.
31Likewise also the chief priests mocking said among themselves with the scribes, He saved others; himself he cannot save.
32Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe. And they that were crucified with him reviled him.
33And when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour.
34And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
35And some of them that stood by, when they heard it, said, Behold, he calleth Elias.
36And one ran and filled a spunge full of vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink, saying, Let alone; let us see whether Elias will come to take him down.
37And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost.
38And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom.
39And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God.
40There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome;
41(Who also, when he was in Galilee, followed him, and ministered unto him;) and many other women which came up with him unto Jerusalem.
42And now when the even was come, because it was the preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath,
43Joseph of Arimathaea, an honourable counsellor, which also waited for the kingdom of God, came, and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus.
44And Pilate marvelled if he were already dead: and calling unto him the centurion, he asked him whether he had been any while dead.
45And when he knew it of the centurion, he gave the body to Joseph.
46And he bought fine linen, and took him down, and wrapped him in the linen, and laid him in a sepulchre which was hewn out of a rock, and rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulchre.
47And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses beheld where he was laid.
1And straightway in the morning the chief priests with the elders and scribes, and the whole council, held a consultation, and bound Jesus, and carried him away, and delivered him up to Pilate.
2And Pilate asked him, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answering saith unto him, Thou sayest.
3And the chief priests accused him of many things.
4And Pilate again asked him, saying, Answerest thou nothing? behold how many things they accuse thee of.
5But Jesus no more answered anything; insomuch that Pilate marvelled.
6Now at the feast he used to release unto them one prisoner, whom they asked of him.
7And there was one called Barabbas, [lying] bound with them that had made insurrection, men who in the insurrection had committed murder.
8And the multitude went up and began to ask him [to do] as he was wont to do unto them.
9And Pilate answered them, saying, Will ye that I release unto you the King of the Jews?
10For he perceived that for envy the chief priests had delivered him up.
11But the chief priests stirred up the multitude, that he should rather release Barabbas unto them.
12And Pilate again answered and said unto them, What then shall I do unto him whom ye call the King of the Jews?
13And they cried out again, Crucify him.
14And Pilate said unto them, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out exceedingly, Crucify him.
15And Pilate, wishing to content the multitude, released unto them Barabbas, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified.
16And the soldiers led him away within the court, which is the Praetorium; and they call together the whole band.
17And they clothe him with purple, and platting a crown of thorns, they put it on him;
18and they began to salute him, Hail, King of the Jews!
19And they smote his head with a reed, and spat upon him, and bowing their knees worshipped him.
20And when they had mocked him, they took off from him the purple, and put on him his garments. And they lead him out to crucify him.
21And they compel one passing by, Simon of Cyrene, coming from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to go [with them], that he might bear his cross.
22And they bring him unto the place Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, The place of a skull.
23And they offered him wine mingled with myrrh: but he received it not.
24And they crucify him, and part his garments among them, casting lots upon them, what each should take.
25And it was the third hour, and they crucified him.
26And the superscription of his accusation was written over, THE KING OF THE JEWS.
27And with him they crucify two robbers; one on his right hand, and one on his left.
28[And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, And he was reckoned with transgressors.]
29And they that passed by railed on him, wagging their heads, and saying, Ha! Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days,
30save thyself, and come down from the cross.
31In like manner also the chief priests mocking [him] among themselves with the scribes said, He saved others; himself he cannot save.
32Let the Christ, the King of Israel, now come down from the cross, that we may see and believe. And they that were crucified with him reproached him.
33And when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour.
34And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
35And some of them that stood by, when they heard it, said, Behold, he calleth Elijah.
36And one ran, and filling a sponge full of vinegar, put it on a reed, and gave him to drink, saying, Let be; let us see whether Elijah cometh to take him down.
37And Jesus uttered a loud voice, and gave up the ghost.
38And the veil of the temple was rent in two from the top to the bottom.
39And when the centurion, who stood by over against him, saw that he so gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God.
40And there were also women beholding from afar: among whom [were] both Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome;
41who, when he was in Galilee, followed him, and ministered unto him; and many other women that came up with him unto Jerusalem.
42And when even was now come, because it was the Preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath,
43there came Joseph of Arimathaea, a councillor of honorable estate, who also himself was looking for the kingdom of God; and he boldly went in unto Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus.
44And Pilate marvelled if he were already dead: and calling unto him the centurion, he asked him whether he had been any while dead.
45And when he learned it of the centurion, he granted the corpse to Joseph.
46And he bought a linen cloth, and taking him down, wound him in the linen cloth, and laid him in a tomb which had been hewn out of a rock; and he rolled a stone against the door of the tomb.
47And Mary Magdalene and Mary the [mother] of Joses beheld where he was laid.
1Early in the morning, after forming a plan, the chief priests with the elders and the experts in the law and the whole Sanhedrin tied Jesus up, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate.
2So Pilate asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” He replied, “You say so.”
3Then the chief priests began to accuse him repeatedly.
4So Pilate asked him again, “Have you nothing to say? See how many charges they are bringing against you!”
5But Jesus made no further reply, so that Pilate was amazed.
6During the feast it was customary to release one prisoner to the people, whomever they requested.
7A man named Barabbas was imprisoned with rebels who had committed murder during an insurrection.
8Then the crowd came up and began to ask Pilate to release a prisoner for them, as was his custom.
9So Pilate asked them, “Do you want me to release the king of the Jews for you?”
10(For he knew that the chief priests had handed him over because of envy.)
11But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release Barabbas instead.
12So Pilate spoke to them again, “Then what do you want me to do with the one you call king of the Jews?”
13They shouted back, “Crucify him!”
14Pilate asked them, “Why? What has he done wrong?” But they shouted more insistently, “Crucify him!”
15Because he wanted to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas for them. Then, after he had Jesus flogged, he handed him over to be crucified.
16So the soldiers led him into the palace (that is, the governor’s residence) and called together the whole cohort.
17They put a purple cloak on him and after braiding a crown of thorns, they put it on him.
18They began to salute him: “Hail, king of the Jews!”
19Again and again they struck him on the head with a staff and spit on him. Then they knelt down and paid homage to him.
20When they had finished mocking him, they stripped him of the purple cloak and put his own clothes back on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.
21The soldiers forced a passerby to carry his cross, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country (he was the father of Alexander and Rufus).
22They brought Jesus to a place called Golgotha (which is translated, “Place of the Skull”).
23They offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it.
24Then they crucified him and divided his clothes, throwing dice for them, to decide what each would take.
25It was nine o’clock in the morning when they crucified him.
26The inscription of the charge against him read, “The king of the Jews.”
27And they crucified two outlaws with him, one on his right and one on his left.
28[This verse is not included in the NET; see KJV/ASV for the traditional rendering.]
29Those who passed by defamed him, shaking their heads and saying, “Aha! You who can destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days,
30save yourself and come down from the cross!”
31In the same way even the chief priests—together with the experts in the law—were mocking him among themselves: “He saved others, but he cannot save himself!
32Let the Christ, the king of Israel, come down from the cross now, that we may see and believe!” Those who were crucified with him also spoke abusively to him.
33Now when it was noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon.
34Around three o’clock Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
35When some of the bystanders heard it they said, “Listen, he is calling for Elijah!”
36Then someone ran, filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a stick, and gave it to him to drink, saying, “Leave him alone! Let’s see if Elijah will come to take him down!”
37But Jesus cried out with a loud voice and breathed his last.
38And the temple curtain was torn in two, from top to bottom.
39Now when the centurion, who stood in front of him, saw how he died, he said, “Truly this man was God’s Son!”
40There were also women, watching from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome.
41When he was in Galilee, they had followed him and given him support. Many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem were there too.
42Now when evening had already come, since it was the day of preparation (that is, the day before the Sabbath),
43Joseph of Arimathea, a highly regarded member of the council, who was himself looking forward to the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.
44Pilate was surprised that he was already dead. He called the centurion and asked him if he had been dead for some time.
45When Pilate was informed by the centurion, he gave the body to Joseph.
46After Joseph bought a linen cloth and took down the body, he wrapped it in the linen and placed it in a tomb cut out of the rock. Then he rolled a stone across the entrance of the tomb.
47Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where the body was placed.
1Immediately in the morning the chief priests, with the elders and scribes, and the whole council, held a consultation, and bound Jesus, and carried him away, and delivered him up to Pilate.
2Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” He answered, “So you say.”
3The chief priests accused him of many things.
4Pilate again asked him, “Have you no answer? See how many things they testify against you!”
5But Jesus made no further answer, so that Pilate marveled.
6Now at the feast he used to release to them one prisoner, whom they asked of him.
7There was one called Barabbas, bound with his fellow insurgents, men who in the insurrection had committed murder.
8The multitude, crying aloud, began to ask him to do as he always did for them.
9Pilate answered them, saying, “Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?”
10For he perceived that for envy the chief priests had delivered him up.
11But the chief priests stirred up the multitude, that he should release Barabbas to them instead.
12Pilate again asked them, “What then should I do to him whom you call the King of the Jews?”
13They cried out again, “Crucify him!”
14Pilate said to them, “Why, what evil has he done?” But they cried out exceedingly, “Crucify him!”
15Pilate, wishing to please the multitude, released Barabbas to them, and handed over Jesus, when he had flogged him, to be crucified.
16The soldiers led him away within the court, which is the Praetorium; and they called together the whole cohort.
17They clothed him with purple, and weaving a crown of thorns, they put it on him.
18They began to salute him, “Hail, King of the Jews!”
19They struck his head with a reed, and spat on him, and bowing their knees, did homage to him.
20When they had mocked him, they took the purple off him, and put his own garments on him. They led him out to crucify him.
21They compelled one passing by, coming from the country, Simon of Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to go with them, that he might bear his cross.
22They brought him to the place called Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, “The place of a skull.”
23They offered him wine mixed with myrrh to drink, but he didn’t take it.
24Crucifying him, they parted his garments among them, casting lots on them, what each should take.
25It was the third hour, and they crucified him.
26The superscription of his accusation was written over him, “THE KING OF THE JEWS.”
27With him they crucified two robbers; one on his right hand, and one on his left.
28The Scripture was fulfilled, which says, “He was counted with transgressors.”
29Those who passed by blasphemed him, wagging their heads, and saying, “Ha! You who destroy the temple, and build it in three days,
30save yourself, and come down from the cross!”
31Likewise, also the chief priests mocking among themselves with the scribes said, “He saved others. He can’t save himself.
32Let the Christ, the King of Israel, now come down from the cross, that we may see and believe him.” Those who were crucified with him also insulted him.
33When the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour.
34At the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” which is, being interpreted, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
35Some of those who stood by, when they heard it, said, “Behold, he is calling Elijah.”
36One ran, and filling a sponge full of vinegar, put it on a reed, and gave it to him to drink, saying, “Let him be. Let’s see whether Elijah comes to take him down.”
37Jesus cried out with a loud voice, and gave up the spirit.
38The veil of the temple was torn in two from the top to the bottom.
39When the centurion, who stood by opposite him, saw that he cried out like this and breathed his last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!”
40There were also women watching from afar, among whom were both Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome;
41who, when he was in Galilee, followed him, and served him; and many other women who came up with him to Jerusalem.
42When evening had now come, because it was the Preparation Day, that is, the day before the Sabbath,
43Joseph of Arimathaea, a prominent council member who also himself was looking for God’s Kingdom, came. He boldly went in to Pilate, and asked for Jesus’ body.
44Pilate marveled if he were already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he had been dead long.
45When he found out from the centurion, he granted the body to Joseph.
46He bought a linen cloth, and taking him down, wound him in the linen cloth, and laid him in a tomb which had been cut out of a rock. He rolled a stone against the door of the tomb.
47Mary Magdalene and Mary, the mother of Joses, saw where he was laid.
Summary
Jesus is delivered to Pilate, the crowd chooses Barabbas, soldiers mock and crucify Him between two thieves, darkness covers the land, and at His death the temple veil is torn — prompting a centurion to declare, "Truly this man was the Son of God."
Authorship & Background
Map & Geography
- The Praetorium (v.16): The Roman governor's headquarters in Jerusalem where Jesus was mocked by the soldiers.
- Golgotha (v.22): "The place of a skull" — the execution site outside Jerusalem's walls.
- Cyrene (v.21): A city in North Africa (modern Libya). Simon was from there — showing the geographic diversity of Jerusalem's Passover crowds.
- The tomb (v.46): Joseph of Arimathea's rock-hewn tomb near Golgotha.
Commentary
- Enduring Word (David Guzik): enduringword.com Guzik examines Pilate's weakness, the Barabbas exchange, the mocking, the cry of dereliction, the torn veil, and the centurion's confession.
- Charles Spurgeon: Sermon: "The Cry from the Cross" on v.34 (MTP Vol. 36, No. 2133) "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? — the deepest depth of Christ's suffering. Not the nails, not the thorns, not the mocking — but the abandonment. He who had never known a moment's separation from the Father was cut off — bearing our sin, enduring our hell." Sermon: "The Centurion's Confession" on v.39 (MTP Vol. 22, No. 1333) "Truly this man was the Son of God — spoken by a pagan soldier who had just watched Him die. The cross did not hide Jesus' identity; it revealed it. It took the cross to show the world who He really was."
Reflection
- 1. "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" (v.34). Jesus was forsaken so that you would never be. He experienced the hell of separation from God so that you could experience eternal union with Him. Does the weight of what He endured for you move you?
- 2. The veil was torn "from the top to the bottom" (v.38). You now have direct access to God — no barrier, no mediator needed except Christ. Are you using that access? Are you coming boldly to God, or living as if there's still a wall between you?
- 3. The centurion — a pagan soldier — recognized Jesus as the Son of God (v.39). The religious leaders missed it; a Gentile outsider saw it. Sometimes those furthest from religion are closest to seeing the truth. How does that challenge your assumptions?
- 4. Joseph of Arimathea "went in boldly unto Pilate" (v.43). At the moment of greatest risk — after the crucifixion — he came forward publicly. What would bold faith look like for you right now?
- 5. Pilate knew Jesus was innocent (v.10 — "delivered him for envy") and still condemned Him. He chose political safety over justice. Where in your life are you choosing safety over what you know is right?
- 6. The soldiers mocked Jesus as King (vv.17-19) — crown of thorns, purple robe, mock worship. They didn't know they were telling the truth. He IS the King. How does the irony deepen your understanding of the cross?
- 7. Simon of Cyrene was "compelled" to carry the cross (v.21). He didn't volunteer. Yet tradition says he became a believer. Has God ever forced you into something painful that later became a blessing?
- 8. Jesus died with a "loud voice" (v.37) — not fading away in weakness but actively giving up His spirit with strength. He was in control even in death. How does knowing that Jesus chose to die — that no one took His life — affect your understanding of the cross?
- 9. Mark's Gospel begins with "Jesus Christ, the Son of God" (1:1) and reaches its climax when the centurion confesses "Truly this man was the Son of God" (15:39). The cross is where Jesus' identity is most fully revealed. Why does it take the cross — not miracles, not teaching — to reveal who He is?