Mark 15

Mark 15 details the final stages of Jesus’ trial, His suffering, crucifixion, and burial. It begins with Jesus being brought before Pilate, the Roman governor, and follows the events of His sentencing, mocking, crucifixion, and eventual death. The chapter concludes with His burial by Joseph of Arimathea, setting the stage for His resurrection.

Mark 15:1-5 (NKJV)
1 Immediately, in the morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council; and they bound Jesus, led Him away, and delivered Him to Pilate.
2 Then Pilate asked Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” He answered and said to him, “It is as you say.”
3 And the chief priests accused Him of many things, but He answered nothing.
4 Then Pilate asked Him again, saying, “Do You answer nothing? See how many things they testify against You!”
5 But Jesus still answered nothing, so that Pilate marveled.

This passage describes Jesus being brought before Pilate by the chief priests, who accuse Him of many things in an attempt to secure His execution. Pilate questions Jesus, asking if He is the King of the Jews, to which Jesus responds, “It is as you say.” This statement affirms the truth of the title but not in the political or military sense Pilate might assume, as Jesus’ kingship is spiritual and not of this world. Despite the many accusations from the chief priests, Jesus remains silent, astonishing Pilate. This silence reflects Jesus’ submission to God’s plan and His refusal to defend Himself against false charges, fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy about the suffering servant who would be led like a lamb to the slaughter, silent before His accusers. This moment highlights Jesus’ calm authority and unwavering commitment to His mission, even in the face of injustice.

Mark 15:6-15 (NKJV)
6 Now at the feast he was accustomed to releasing one prisoner to them, whomever they requested.
7 And there was one named Barabbas, who was chained with his fellow rebels; they had committed murder in the rebellion.
8 Then the multitude, crying aloud, began to ask him to do just as he had always done for them.
9 But Pilate answered them, saying, “Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?”
10 For he knew that the chief priests had handed Him over because of envy.
11 But the chief priests stirred up the crowd, so that he should rather release Barabbas to them.
12 Pilate answered and said to them again, “What then do you want me to do with Him whom you call the King of the Jews?”
13 So they cried out again, “Crucify Him!”
14 Then Pilate said to them, “Why, what evil has He done?” But they cried out all the more, “Crucify Him!”
15 So Pilate, wanting to gratify the crowd, released Barabbas to them; and he delivered Jesus, after he had scourged Him, to be crucified.

This passage recounts the events where Pilate offers to release a prisoner to the crowd, as was the custom during the Passover. Given the choice between Jesus, called the "King of the Jews," and Barabbas, a known criminal, the crowd—stirred by the chief priests—demands Barabbas' release and calls for Jesus to be crucified. Pilate repeatedly questions them, asking, “What then do you want me to do with Him whom you call the King of the Jews?” Pilate’s use of this title is mocking, as he neither believed Jesus was a literal king nor thought the people truly regarded Him as one. He likely used the title to ridicule both Jesus and the Jewish leaders, highlighting the absurdity of their charges. Despite recognizing Jesus’ innocence, Pilate ultimately yields to the crowd's demands, prioritizing political expediency over justice. This passage underscores the tragic rejection of Jesus by both the leaders and the people, as well as Pilate’s moral weakness in failing to act on what he knew to be right.

Mark 15:16-20 (NKJV)
16 Then the soldiers led Him away into the hall called Praetorium, and they called together the whole garrison.
17 And they clothed Him with purple; and they twisted a crown of thorns, put it on His head,
18 and began to salute Him, “Hail, King of the Jews!”
19 Then they struck Him on the head with a reed and spat on Him; and bowing the knee, they worshiped Him.
20 And when they had mocked Him, they took the purple off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him out to crucify Him.

The soldiers mock Jesus cruelly, dressing Him in a purple robe and a crown of thorns, mocking His claim as “King of the Jews.” They sarcastically bow and strike Him, adding humiliation to His physical suffering. This brutal treatment fulfills prophecy, such as Isaiah 50:6, which says, “I gave My back to those who struck Me, and My cheeks to those who plucked out the beard; I did not hide My face from shame and spitting.” This emphasizes the depth of Jesus’ suffering, as He endures mockery and abuse from those who fail to understand His true kingship.

Mark 15:21-32 (NKJV)
21 Then they compelled a certain man, Simon a Cyrenian, the father of Alexander and Rufus, as he was coming out of the country and passing by, to bear His cross.
22 And they brought Him to the place Golgotha, which is translated, Place of a Skull.
23 Then they gave Him wine mingled with myrrh to drink, but He did not take it.
24 And when they crucified Him, they divided His garments, casting lots for them to determine what every man should take.
25 Now it was the third hour, and they crucified Him.
26 And the inscription of His accusation was written above: THE KING OF THE JEWS.
27 With Him they also crucified two robbers, one on His right and the other on His left.
28 So the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “And He was numbered with the transgressors.”
29 And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads and saying, “Aha! You who destroy the temple and build it in three days,
30 save Yourself, and come down from the cross!”
31 Likewise the chief priests also, mocking among themselves with the scribes, said, “He saved others; Himself He cannot save.
32 Let the Christ, the King of Israel, descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” Even those who were crucified with Him reviled Him.

Jesus, weakened from flogging, is unable to carry His cross alone, so Simon of Cyrene is compelled to help. At Golgotha, He is crucified, fulfilling prophecies such as Isaiah 53:12, which states, “And He was numbered with the transgressors, and He bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.” Ironically, His title “King of the Jews” is placed above Him as an accusation, though it holds truth beyond what anyone there understood. The mockery from onlookers and religious leaders, along with their calls for Him to save Himself, underscores His sacrificial choice to remain on the cross, demonstrating obedience to the Father’s will and fulfilling His role as the Savior of humanity.

Mark 15:33-41 (NKJV)
33 Now when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour.
34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” which is translated, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”
35 Some of those who stood by, when they heard that, said, “Look, He is calling for Elijah!”
36 Then someone ran and filled a sponge full of sour wine, put it on a reed, and offered it to Him to drink, saying, “Let Him alone; let us see if Elijah will come to take Him down.”
37 And Jesus cried out with a loud voice, and breathed His last.
38 Then the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.
39 So when the centurion, who stood opposite Him, saw that He cried out like this and breathed His last, he said, “Truly this Man was the Son of God!”
40 There were also women looking on from afar, among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the Less and of Joses, and Salome,
41 who also followed Him and ministered to Him when He was in Galilee, and many other women who came up with Him to Jerusalem.

As darkness covers the land, Jesus experiences separation from God, crying out in anguish. His final breath and the tearing of the temple veil signify the completion of His mission and the opening of a direct way to God. The centurion’s proclamation of Jesus as “the Son of God” reveals an outsider’s recognition of His true identity, while loyal women followers watch faithfully from a distance.

Mark 15:42-47 (NKJV)
42 Now when evening had come, because it was the Preparation Day, that is, the day before the Sabbath,
43 Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent council member, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, coming and taking courage, went in to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.
44 Pilate marveled that He was already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him if He had been dead for some time.
45 So when he found out from the centurion, he granted the body to Joseph.
46 Then he bought fine linen, took Him down, and wrapped Him in the linen. And he laid Him in a tomb which had been hewn out of the rock, and rolled a stone against the door of the tomb.
47 And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses observed where He was laid.

Joseph of Arimathea, a member of the council and secret follower of Jesus, courageously requests Jesus’ body and provides a dignified burial. His actions reflect respect and devotion, even in a time of sorrow. The women’s presence further emphasizes their loyalty, and their observance of the tomb’s location sets the scene for the coming resurrection.