Mark 15
Summary. This chapter clearly illustrates that the King of kings has been born, yet He has been treated worse than criminals. He has been mocked, spat upon, and slapped back and forth. The Lord Jesus, who is the King of Kings, was born on earth, and this is how humanity treated Him. Despite enduring all this abuse, the Lord Jesus did so out of His true love for humans. He holds no grudges against anyone, even those who drove the nails into Him; instead, He forgave them all. This summary highlights some of the actions taken against the Lord Jesus. 1) The chief priests and the leaders of the people bound the Lord Jesus and delivered Him to Pilate, the governor. 2) The chief priests accused the Lord Jesus of many things in front of Pilate. 3) The chief priests stirred the crowd to demand that the Lord Jesus be crucified. 4) Pilate ordered that the Lord Jesus be scourged and delivered to be crucified. 5) The soldiers led the Lord Jesus to the governor’s headquarters, mocked Him, beat Him, spat on Him, and abused Him. 6) They took the Lord Jesus to a place called Golgotha. 7) At the third hour, they crucified the Lord Jesus between two criminals. At the same time, they glorified Him as king and criminal; it was written upon Him that He was “The King of the Jews,” but they crucified Him between criminals. 8) While on the cross, soldiers, crowd, those who passed by, chief priests, and the scribes derided Him, abused Him, and mocked Him. 9) At the ninth hour, the Lord Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” and breathed His last. 10) Joseph of Arimathea went to Pilate and asked for the Lord Jesus’ body, then he took the Lord Jesus down from the cross, wrapped His body in a linen cloth, and laid Him in a new tomb cut out of the rock; at the end, he rolled a large stone against the entrance of the tomb.
[1]
And straightaway in the morning the chief priests with the elders and scribes, and all the Council, having formed a counsel, having bound Jesus , they led Him away, and delivered Him to Pilate.
[2]
And Pilate asked Him , Are Thou the King of the Jews? And answering to him He says, You have said.
[3]
And the chief priests accused Him of many things.
[4]
And Pilate again questioned Him , saying, Answer Thou nothing? Behold how many things they accuse Thee of.
[5]
But Jesus no more answered anything; so that Pilate marveled.
[6]
Then at the feast he used to release to them one prisoner, whom they requested.
[7]
And there was one called Barabbas, having been bound with those that had made insurrection, who in the insurrection had committed murder.
[8]
And the multitude, having cried out, began to demand him to do as usually he did for them.
[9]
But Pilate answered them, saying, Do you wish that I release to you the King of the Jews?
[10]
For he knew that because of envy the chief priests had delivered Him up.
[11]
But the chief priests stirred up the multitude, so that he should rather release Barabbas to them.
[12]
And Pilate again answering, said to them, What then shall I do to Him you call the King of the Jews?
[13]
And they cried out again, Crucify Him !
[15]
And Pilate, wishing to content the multitude, released to them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus , delivered Him to be crucified.
Comments Mark 15:6-15
For Mark 15:6-15, refer to Comments Matthew 27:15-26 and Comments Luke 23:18-25.
Comparison Analysis
Mark 15:6-7, Matthew 27:15-16. See Comments Matthew 27:16.
Mark 9, Matthew 27:17. See Comments Matthew 27:17. Q: In the Gospels of Mark and Matthew, Pilate addresses the crowd in different ways. In Matthew, he asks if they want him to release “Barabbas or Jesus who is called Christ.” In contrast, in Mark, he asks if they want him to release “the King of the Jews.” How should we understand the difference between these verses in light of the belief that the Bible is dictated by the Holy Spirit? A: The meaning of these verses is the same; just the wording of Pilate in the Gospels is given differently. In the Bible, it is said many times that people have called the Lord Jesus in many ways. And Pilate has heard the way people have been calling the Lord Jesus. Here, both names refer to One person, the same person, who, according to Pilate’s belief, will come to take his power away.
The fear of Pilate is just to do the right thing or the wrong thing for himself, not for the people. So Pilate made his own decision, but people nowadays are confused about how the Bible has condemned him when he himself, inside, wants to release the Lord Jesus. However, the decision was not made by the crowd; the decision belonged to Pilate, who wanted to do it. The Lord is fair to Pilate as well. Also, if we link to the Gospel of Matthew, the meaning is complete here. In the Bible, the Gospel of Mark gives the overall ending question that Pilate used, not the word-by-word complete question. Pilate’s question to the people was the same question, a one-time question, but when he asked it, he used different words, speaking to one side and another. You say the same way, one time question when you talk to people, but when you turn to the right or to the left, you emphasize it differently. People were not staying in one group; they were spread all over the area. On one side, they heard the part of the question given in Matthew, and on the other side, they heard the part of the question given in Mark. As Pilate addressed the multitude, he spoke, addressing the multitude from one side to the other.
Mark 15:10-11, Matthew 27:18-20. These passages from the Scriptures are similar (see Comments Matthew 27:18-20). In Matthew, we receive additional details regarding the wife of Pilate (see Comments Matthew 27:19).
Matthew 27:21.
Mark 15:12-13, Matthew 27:22. See Comments Matthew 27:22. This portion of Scripture clearly shows that Pilate could make the decision, but he chose to throw it out to the people; that is not the way of a leader. Even if he did it this way, the fault is upon him, because it was his duty to decide, not the people’s duty to tell him what to do. In his position, he takes the responsibility for what happened; not the people who crucified the Lord Jesus, but he is the one who crucified the Lord of Life.
Mark 15:14, Matthew 27:23. See Comments Matthew 27:23.
Mark 15:15, Matthew 27:24-26. In the Gospel of Matthew, we have more details. Still, the main point is the same: Pilate, wishing to please the crowd, delivered the Lord Jesus to be crucified and released Barabbas. See Comments Matthew 27:24-26.
Comparison Analysis
Mark 15:6-7, Matthew 27:15-16. See Comments Matthew 27:16.
Mark 9, Matthew 27:17. See Comments Matthew 27:17. Q: In the Gospels of Mark and Matthew, Pilate addresses the crowd in different ways. In Matthew, he asks if they want him to release “Barabbas or Jesus who is called Christ.” In contrast, in Mark, he asks if they want him to release “the King of the Jews.” How should we understand the difference between these verses in light of the belief that the Bible is dictated by the Holy Spirit? A: The meaning of these verses is the same; just the wording of Pilate in the Gospels is given differently. In the Bible, it is said many times that people have called the Lord Jesus in many ways. And Pilate has heard the way people have been calling the Lord Jesus. Here, both names refer to One person, the same person, who, according to Pilate’s belief, will come to take his power away.
The fear of Pilate is just to do the right thing or the wrong thing for himself, not for the people. So Pilate made his own decision, but people nowadays are confused about how the Bible has condemned him when he himself, inside, wants to release the Lord Jesus. However, the decision was not made by the crowd; the decision belonged to Pilate, who wanted to do it. The Lord is fair to Pilate as well. Also, if we link to the Gospel of Matthew, the meaning is complete here. In the Bible, the Gospel of Mark gives the overall ending question that Pilate used, not the word-by-word complete question. Pilate’s question to the people was the same question, a one-time question, but when he asked it, he used different words, speaking to one side and another. You say the same way, one time question when you talk to people, but when you turn to the right or to the left, you emphasize it differently. People were not staying in one group; they were spread all over the area. On one side, they heard the part of the question given in Matthew, and on the other side, they heard the part of the question given in Mark. As Pilate addressed the multitude, he spoke, addressing the multitude from one side to the other.
Mark 15:10-11, Matthew 27:18-20. These passages from the Scriptures are similar (see Comments Matthew 27:18-20). In Matthew, we receive additional details regarding the wife of Pilate (see Comments Matthew 27:19).
Matthew 27:21.
Mark 15:12-13, Matthew 27:22. See Comments Matthew 27:22. This portion of Scripture clearly shows that Pilate could make the decision, but he chose to throw it out to the people; that is not the way of a leader. Even if he did it this way, the fault is upon him, because it was his duty to decide, not the people’s duty to tell him what to do. In his position, he takes the responsibility for what happened; not the people who crucified the Lord Jesus, but he is the one who crucified the Lord of Life.
Mark 15:14, Matthew 27:23. See Comments Matthew 27:23.
Mark 15:15, Matthew 27:24-26. In the Gospel of Matthew, we have more details. Still, the main point is the same: Pilate, wishing to please the crowd, delivered the Lord Jesus to be crucified and released Barabbas. See Comments Matthew 27:24-26.
[16]
And the soldiers led Him away within the court, which is the Praetorium; and they call together the whole band.
[17]
And they clothe Him with purple, and having twisted together a crown of thorns, they put it on Him ;
[19]
And they struck His head with a reed, and spat on Him , and bending the knees they worshipped Him .
[20]
And 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 .
Comments Mark 15:16-20
For Mark 15:16-20, refer to Comments Matthew 27:27-31. This earthly time of the Lord Jesus was also the most hurtful time in heaven, not only for the Lord on earth. The Lord Jesus’ crucifixion was beyond hurt for the Father Himself as well.
[21]
And they compel one passing by, Simon of Cyrene, coming from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, that he might carry His cross.
[22]
And they bring Him to the place Golgotha, which is interpreted, The place of a skull.
[24]
And having crucified Him , also they divided His garments, casting lots for them, what each should take.
[25]
And it was the third hour, and they crucified Him .
[28]
And the Scripture was fulfilled, which says, And He was reckoned with transgressors.
[29]
And those passing by railed at Him , shaking their heads, and saying, Aha! Thou that destroys the temple, and builds it in three days,
[30]
save Thyself , come down from the cross!
[31]
In like manner also the chief priests, mocking among one another, with the scribes, said, He saved others; Himself He is not able to save.
[32]
The Christ , the King of Israel , let Him come down now from the cross, that we might see and believe! And those being crucified with Him insulted Him .
Comments Mark 15:21-32
For Mark 15:21-32, refer to Comments Matthew 27:32-51 and Luke 23:32-38, 44-46. They have crucified the Lord Jesus between two robbers; at the same time, they have glorified Him as King and criminal. It was written over Him, “The King of the Jews,” but they crucified Him between criminals; their guilt is double.
Comparison Analysis
Mark 15:21, Matthew 27:32. See Comments Matthew 27:32.
Mark 15: 22-23, Matthew 27:33-34. See Comments Matthew 27:33.
Mark 15:24, Matthew 27:35. See Comments Matthew 27:35.
Mark 15:25-26, Matthew 27:37. See Comments Matthew 27:37. In Mark 15:25, we learn that the crucifixion took place at the third hour of the day. The Gospel of Mark records the accusation as “THE KING OF THE JEWS,” while the Gospel of Matthew notes it as “THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS.” The most straightforward explanation for this difference is that Mark provides a shortened version of the accusation. Therefore, there is no error in either Gospel.
Mark 15:27-28, Matthew 27: 38. See Comments Matthew 27:38.
Mark 15:29-30, Matthew 27:39-40. See Comments Matthew 27:39-40.
Mark 15:31-32, Matthew 27:41-44. See Comments Matthew 27:41-44. Though there are differences in wording between these verses, the main point is that all have mocked the Lord Jesus, and the leaders attempted to discredit Him, even though they knew who He was.
Comparison Analysis
Mark 15:21, Matthew 27:32. See Comments Matthew 27:32.
Mark 15: 22-23, Matthew 27:33-34. See Comments Matthew 27:33.
Mark 15:24, Matthew 27:35. See Comments Matthew 27:35.
Mark 15:25-26, Matthew 27:37. See Comments Matthew 27:37. In Mark 15:25, we learn that the crucifixion took place at the third hour of the day. The Gospel of Mark records the accusation as “THE KING OF THE JEWS,” while the Gospel of Matthew notes it as “THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS.” The most straightforward explanation for this difference is that Mark provides a shortened version of the accusation. Therefore, there is no error in either Gospel.
Mark 15:27-28, Matthew 27: 38. See Comments Matthew 27:38.
Mark 15:29-30, Matthew 27:39-40. See Comments Matthew 27:39-40.
Mark 15:31-32, Matthew 27:41-44. See Comments Matthew 27:41-44. Though there are differences in wording between these verses, the main point is that all have mocked the Lord Jesus, and the leaders attempted to discredit Him, even though they knew who He was.
[33]
And the sixth hour having arrived, darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour.
[34]
And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? Which is, being interpreted, My God , My God , why have Thou forsaken Me ?
[35]
And some of those standing by, having heard, said, Behold, He calls Elijah.
[36]
And one ran, and filling a sponge full of vinegar, having put it on a reed, gave Him to drink, saying, Let be; let us see if Elijah comes to take Him down.
[38]
And the veil of the temple was torn into two from top to bottom.
[39]
Then the centurion, who stood by, from opposite of Him , having seen that He gave up the Ghost , he said, Truly this Man was the Son of God !
[40]
And there were also women looking on from afar off, among whom also Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joseph, and Salome;
[41]
who, when He was in Galilee, followed Him , and ministered to Him ; and many others who came up with Him to Jerusalem.
Comments Mark 15:33-41
For Mark 15:33-41, refer to Comments Matthew 27:45-56 and Comments Luke 23:44-49.
[42]
And now evening having come, since it was the Preparation, that is, the day before the Sabbath,
[43]
having come Joseph of Arimathea, a noble Council member, who also himself was waiting for the kingdom of God , having courage went in to Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus .
[44]
And Pilate marveled if He were already dead; and calling to him the centurion, he inquired of him whether He had died already.
[45]
And having known it from the centurion, he granted the Body to Joseph.
[46]
And having bought a linen cloth, having taken Him down, he wrapped Him in the linen cloth, and laid Him in a tomb which had been cut out of a rock; and he rolled a stone against the door of the tomb.
[47]
And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph beheld where He was laid.
Comments Mark 15:42-47
For Mark 15:42-47, refer to Comments Matthew 27:57-61 and Comments Luke 23:50-56. Amen!
Life and Faith Applications. 1) All Christians should remember that the King of kings, the Lord Jesus, has been born but has been treated worse than the criminals, has been mocked, spat on, and slapped back and forth. He took all that humiliation just because of His true love for humans. He did not take any grudge against them, even against those who pierced the nails on Him; the Lord Jesus has forgiven them all. How much more will He forgive us if we come to Him with a sincere heart? 2) Everyone should watch; even today, one can still mock and disrespect the blood of the Lord Jesus that He shed for humanity by using His name in vain. 3) When the Lord puts something in your heart to do, small or big, do it with all your strength and without expecting anything in return. Amen!