Mark 15ESV
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Mark15

English Standard Version

1 as soon as it , the a the the . And they and led him to .

2 , the of the ? he , have so.

3 the of .

4 , Have you no answer to ? how they against .

5 made , that was .

6 the he used to for for they .

7 the in , had the , there a man .

8 the came up to Pilate to do he for .

9 , , Do you me to for the of the ?

10 he it was out that the had up.

11 the the to for instead.

12 to , shall with the you the of the ?

13 they , .

14 to , , has he ? they all the , .

15 , to the , for , , he him to .

16 the the (that , the ), they the .

17 they in a cloak, together a of , they it on .

18 they to , , of the !

19 they were with a on in to .

20 they had , they of the cloak his . they .

21 they a , of , who was in the , the of , .

22 they the called ( of a ).

23 they mixed with , he it.

24 they and among them, , to decide should .

25 it the they .

26 the of the against , The King of the .

27 they , his .

29 those who , , ! You who would the it ,

30 , the !

31 the the him to , saying, He ; he .

32 the , the of , the we may . Those who were with .

33 the had , there the the .

34 at the with a , , , ? , , , you ?

35 of the it , , he is .

36 a , put it a and it to to , , , let us will to .

37 a and breathed his .

38 the of the was , .

39 when the , , in this he breathed his , he , the of !

40 on from a , , the of the of , .

41 he , they to , and there were women with .

42 when had , it the , , the day before the ,

43 , a member of the , himself the of , and the of .

44 was to hear he should . the , he he .

45 when he the that he was dead, he the to .

46 Joseph a , taking him , in the a had out the . he a the of the .

47 the mother of he was .

Study Guide

Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Mark 15.

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Chapter Summary

In this chapter: Christ before Pilate. (1–14). Christ led to be crucified. (15–21). The crucifixion. (22–32). The death of Christ. (33–41). His body buried. (42–47).

vv1-14

They bound Christ. It is good for us often to remember the bonds of the Lord Jesus, as bound with him who was bound for us. By delivering up the King, they, in effect, delivered up the kingdom of God, which was, therefore, as by their own consent, taken from them, and given to another nation. Christ gave Pilate a direct answer, but would not answer the witnesses, because the things they alleged were known to be false, even Pilate himself was convinced they were so. Pilate thought that he might appeal from the priests to the people, and that they would deliver Jesus out of the priests' hands. But they were more and more urged by the priests, and cried, Crucify him! Crucify him! Let us judge of persons and things by their merits, and the standard of God's word, and not by common report. The thought that no one ever was so shamefully treated, as the only perfectly wise, holy, and excellent Person that ever appeared on earth, leads the serious mind to strong views of man's wickedness and enmity to God. Let us more and more abhor the evil dispositions which marked the conduct of these persecutors.

vv15-21

Christ met death in its greatest terror. It was the death of the vilest malefactors. Thus the cross and the shame are put together. God having been dishonoured by the sin of man, Christ made satisfaction by submitting to the greatest disgrace human nature could be loaded with. It was a cursed death; thus it was branded by the Jewish law, De 21:23. The Roman soldiers mocked our Lord Jesus as a King; thus in the high priest's hall the servants had mocked him as a Prophet and Saviour. Shall a purple or scarlet robe be matter of pride to a Christian, which was matter of reproach and shame to Christ? He wore the crown of thorns which we deserved, that we might wear the crown of glory which he merited. We were by sin liable to everlasting shame and contempt; to deliver us, our Lord Jesus submitted to shame and contempt. He was led forth with the workers of iniquity, though he did no sin. The sufferings of the meek and holy Redeemer, are ever a source of instruction to the believer, of which, in his best hours, he cannot be weary. Did Jesus thus suffer, and shall I, a vile sinner, fret or repine? Shall I indulge anger, or utter reproaches and threats because of troubles and injuries?

vv22-32

The place where our Lord Jesus was crucified, was called the place of a scull; it was the common place of execution; for he was in all respects numbered with the transgressors. Whenever we look unto Christ crucified, we must remember what was written over his head; he is a King, and we must give up ourselves to be his subjects, as Israelites indeed. They crucified two thieves with him, and him in the midst; they thereby intended him great dishonour. But it was foretold that he should be numbered with the transgressors, because he was made sin for us. Even those who passed by railed at him. They told him to come down from the cross, and they would believe; but they did not believe, though he gave them a more convincing sign when he came up from the grave. With what earnestness will the man who firmly believes the truth, as made known by the sufferings of Christ, seek for salvation! With what gratitude will he receive the dawning hope of forgiveness and eternal life, as purchased for him by the sufferings and death of the Son of God! and with what godly sorrow will he mourn over the sins which crucified the Lord of glory!

Cross References

Mark 15
v28Isaiah 53:12fulfillment

Directly cited in verse 28: Christ was numbered with the transgressors.

Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin

v34Psalms 22:1quotation

Jesus quotes the opening verse of Psalm 22 in His cry of dereliction.

Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin

v24Psalms 22:18fulfillment

Prophetic description of Roman soldiers casting lots for His garments.

Supported by John Calvin

v5Isaiah 53:7fulfillment

Prophesies Jesus' silence before His accusers and judges like a lamb.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v23Psalms 69:21allusion

Prophetic parallel to the custom of offering gall and vinegar during suffering.

Supported by John Calvin

v38Exodus 26:31-34typology

Describes the construction of the Temple veil, which was split at Christ's death.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v21Romans 16:13thematic

Mentions Rufus, likely the son of Simon the Cyrenian who carried the cross.

Crucifixion was cursed under Jewish law; Christ became accursed to redeem us.

Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin

v29Psalms 22:7fulfillment

Prophesies onlookers wagging their heads and railing at Him in derision.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v38Hebrews 10:19-23thematic

Explains theological meaning of rent veil: a new, living way to God.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v21 Timothy 6:13thematic

Refers to Christ's bold, good confession before Pontius Pilate.

v11Acts 3:14thematic

Peter accuses the crowd of choosing a murderer over the Holy and Just One.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v33Matthew 27:45thematic

Synoptic parallel detail of darkness over the land during the same hours.

v43Isaiah 53:9fulfillment

Prophesied Christ would be with a rich man in His death (Joseph of Arimathea).

Supported by Matthew Henry

v43Luke 2:25thematic

Like Simeon, Joseph of Arimathea is characterized as one waiting for the kingdom.

Supported by Matthew Henry