Mark 15
World English Bible
WEB1Immediately in the morning the chief priests, with the elders, scribes, and the whole council, held a consultation, bound Jesus, 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, whomever 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 cloak 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 when 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 was surprised to hear that he was 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.
World English Bible, 2020 stable text edition. Public domain; “World English Bible” is a trademark of eBible.org. eBible.org
Overview
Mark Chapter 15 presents the climactic events leading to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The chapter begins with Jesus being delivered to #Pilate, the Roman governor, where he faces accusations from the chief priests and elders. Despite the intense scrutiny and false charges against him, Jesus remains largely silent, fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah 53:7, which speaks of the suffering servant who does not open his mouth. Pilate, recognizing the envy of the religious leaders, offers to release a prisoner as was customary during the Passover. The crowd, influenced by the chief priests, chooses to free #Barabbas, a notorious criminal, instead of Jesus, highlighting the rejection of the Messiah by his own people. This moment underscores the fulfillment of #prophecy and the depth of human sinfulness in the face of divine grace. As the chapter progresses, Jesus is mocked and beaten by the soldiers, who crown him with thorns and dress him in a purple robe, sarcastically hailing him as the 'King of the Jews.' This mockery serves to fulfill the prophecies regarding the suffering of the Messiah. The narrative then shifts to the crucifixion, where Jesus is nailed to the cross between two criminals. The inscription above him reads, 'The King of the Jews,' further emphasizing the irony of his kingship in the eyes of the world. As Jesus hangs on the cross, he experiences profound suffering, both physically and spiritually, culminating in his cry of abandonment, 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?' This moment reflects the weight of sin he bears for humanity. The chapter concludes with the death of Jesus, the tearing of the temple veil, and the centurion's declaration, 'Truly this man was the Son of God,' marking a pivotal moment of revelation and faith amidst the darkness of the crucifixion.
Referenced by
- Matthew 27:54v39Matthew 27:54 and Mark 15:39 both record the centurion's declaration that Jesus is the Son of God, acknowledging His divine identity after witnessing the events surrounding His death.
- Luke 23:47v39The centurion's declaration of Jesus' righteousness in Luke 23:47 parallels Mark 15:39, where the centurion acknowledges Jesus as the Son of God.
Topics in this chapter
- Crucifixion
- Atonement
- Sacrifice
- Messiah
- Redemption
- Access to God
- Barabbas
- Faith
- Jesus
- Kingship
- New Covenant
- Suffering
- Witness
- Burial
- Discipleship
- Divinity
- Fulfillment
- Humility
- Jerusalem
- Joseph of Arimathea
- Pilate
- Prophecy
- Roman Governor
- Service
- Simon of Cyrene
- Son of God
- Suffering Servant
- The Cross
- Access
- Bearing Burdens
- Burial of Jesus
- Centurion
- Christian Art
- Commitment
- Communion
- Compassion
- Courage
- Covenant
- Crossbearer
- Crossbearing
- Crown of Thorns
- Cyrene
- Darkness
- Death of Jesus
- Desolation
- Devotion
- Divine Mystery
- Divine Plan
- Endurance
- Eucharist
- Faithfulness
- Forgiveness
- Forsaken
- Golgotha
- Good Friday
- Grace
- Human Nature
- Hymn
- Identity of Christ
- Injustice
- Jesus' Trial
- Judgment
- King
- King Jesus
- King of the Jews
- Lament
- Lent
- Love
- Passion Music
- Passion Narrative
- Passover
- Passover Customs
- Pontius Pilate
- Prophecy Fulfilled
- Psalm 22
- Recognition in the Bible
- Rejection
- Relationship with God
- Release
- Resurrection Hope
- Revelation
- Scripture
- Scripture Fulfillment
- Servant Leadership
- Sin
- Sovereignty of God
- Strength
- Substitution
- Temple
- Temple Curtain
- The Roman Empire
- Trial
- True Authority
- Trust
- Worship
Related chapters
- Matthew 27Passover CustomsCrown of ThornsForsaken
- Luke 23CrossbearerSimon of CyreneTemple Curtain
- John 19King of the JewsCrown of ThornsDeath of Jesus
- Psalms 22ForsakenPsalm 22Good Friday
- John 18PilateBarabbasPassion Narrative
- Isaiah 53Good FridaySubstitutionBurial
- Luke 22Pontius PilateRoman GovernorTrial
- Matthew 26Passion MusicPontius PilateRoman Governor
- Hebrews 10Access to GodCommunionEucharist
- Mark 14TrialSuffering ServantPassover
- 1 Peter 2Suffering ServantRejectionThe Roman Empire
- John 12Suffering ServantCrucifixionPassover
Your study
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