Mark 15
BSB1 Early in the morning, the chief priests, elders, scribes, and the whole Sanhedrin devised a plan. They bound Jesus, led Him away, and handed Him over to Pilate. 2 So Pilate questioned Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” “You have said so,” Jesus replied. 3 And the chief priests began to accuse Him of many things. 4 Then Pilate questioned Him again, “Have You no answer? Look how many charges they are bringing against You!" 5 But to Pilate’s amazement, Jesus made no further reply. 6 Now it was Pilate’s custom at the feast to release to the people a prisoner of their choosing. 7 And a man named Barabbas was imprisoned with the rebels who had committed murder during the insurrection. 8 So the crowd went up and began asking Pilate to keep his custom. 9 “Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” Pilate asked. 10 For he knew it was out of envy that the chief priests had handed Jesus over. 11 But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release Barabbas to them instead. 12 So Pilate asked them again, “What then do you want me to do with the One you call the King of the Jews?" 13 And they shouted back, “Crucify Him!" 14 “Why?” asked Pilate. “What evil has He done?” But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify Him!" 15 And wishing to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed Him over to be crucified. 16 Then the soldiers led Jesus away into the palace (that is, the Praetorium) and called the whole company together. 17 They dressed Him in a purple robe, twisted together a crown of thorns, and set it on His head. 18 And they began to salute Him: “Hail, King of the Jews!" 19 They kept striking His head with a staff and spitting on Him. And they knelt down and bowed before Him. 20 After they had mocked Him, they removed the purple robe and put His own clothes back on Him. Then they led Him out to crucify Him. 21 Now Simon of Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and the soldiers forced him to carry the cross of Jesus. 22 They brought Jesus to a place called Golgotha, which means The Place of the Skull. 23 There they offered Him wine mixed with myrrh, but He did not take it. 24 And they crucified Him. They also divided His garments by casting lots to decide what each of them would take. 25 It was the third hour when they crucified Him. 26 And the charge inscribed against Him read: THE KING OF THE JEWS. 27 Along with Jesus, they crucified two robbers, one on His right and one on His left. 29 And those who passed by heaped abuse on Him, shaking their heads and saying, “Aha! You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, 30 come down from the cross and save Yourself!" 31 In the same way, the chief priests and scribes mocked Him among themselves, saying, “He saved others, but He cannot save Himself! 32 Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross, so that we may see and believe!” And even those who were crucified with Him berated Him. 33 From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land. 34 At the ninth hour, Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" 35 When some of those standing nearby heard this, they said, “Behold, He is calling Elijah." 36 And someone ran and filled a sponge with sour wine. He put it on a reed and held it up for Jesus to drink, saying, “Leave Him alone. Let us see if Elijah comes to take Him down." 37 But Jesus let out a loud cry and breathed His last. 38 And the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. 39 When the centurion standing there in front of Jesus saw how He had breathed His last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!" 40 And there were also women watching from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. 41 These women had followed Jesus and ministered to Him while He was in Galilee, and there were many other women who had come up to Jerusalem with Him. 42 Now it was already evening. Since it was Preparation Day (that is, the day before the Sabbath), 43 Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent Council member who himself was waiting for the kingdom of God, boldly went to Pilate to ask for the body of Jesus. 44 Pilate was surprised to hear that Jesus was already dead, so he summoned the centurion to ask if this was so. 45 When Pilate had confirmed it with the centurion, he granted the body to Joseph. 46 So Joseph bought a linen cloth, took down the body of Jesus, wrapped it in the cloth, and placed it in a tomb that had been cut out of the rock. Then he rolled a stone against the entrance to the tomb. 47 Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph saw where His body was placed.
Study Notes — Mark 15
- Chapter Summary
- Context for the Chapter
- Heart Application
- What Does This Chapter Mean?
- Voices from the Church
- Outline for Preaching
- Core Doctrines
- Lessons from Mark 15
- Themes from Mark 15
- Questions for Meditation
- Detailed Chapter Outline
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Top Cross References
- Sermons on Mark 15
- Matthew Henry Commentary
- What Do You Notice?
Chapter Summary
Mark 15 begins with the trial of Jesus before the Sanhedrin and Pontius Pilate, where Jesus is falsely accused and sentenced to death. The chapter then describes the crucifixion of Jesus, including the mockery and scorn He suffered from the crowds and the Roman soldiers. As Jesus dies on the cross, the curtain in the temple is torn, symbolizing the end of the old covenant and the beginning of the new. The chapter concludes with the burial of Jesus, where a wealthy follower named Joseph of Arimathea takes Jesus' body and buries it in his own tomb. Key verses include Mark 15:24, where Jesus is crucified, and Mark 15:37, where Jesus dies on the cross.
Context for the Chapter
Mark 15 is the culmination of the Gospel of Mark, which has been building towards the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. The chapter is set in the context of the Passover, which serves as a reminder of God's deliverance of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. The events of Mark 15 are also connected to the larger biblical narrative, which includes the prophecies of the Old Testament and the teachings of the New Testament.
Heart Application
As we reflect on Mark 15, we are reminded of the depth of God's love for us and the sacrifice that Jesus made for our sins. We are called to respond to this love by surrendering our lives to Jesus and following Him in faithfulness and obedience. May we be inspired to live out our faith in a way that honors Jesus and reflects the love and sacrifice that He has shown us.
What Does This Chapter Mean?
Mark 15 is about the crucifixion and burial of Jesus. Jesus was sentenced to death by Pontius Pilate and was crucified on a cross. As He died, the curtain in the temple was torn, and Jesus' body was buried in a tomb. This chapter reminds us of God's love for us and the sacrifice that Jesus made for our sins. In Mark 15:24, we see the crucifixion of Jesus, and in Mark 15:37, we see His death on the cross.
Voices from the Church
“The cross of Christ is the foundation of the Christian religion. It is the rock upon which our faith is built, and it is the source of all our hope and joy.”
— Charles Spurgeon
“The death of Christ is the central event in human history, and it is the key to understanding the plan of God for our salvation.”
— John Calvin
Outline for Preaching
- The Trial of Jesus (15:1-15) — Jesus is brought before Pontius Pilate, where He is falsely accused and sentenced to death.
- The Crucifixion of Jesus (15:16-24) — Jesus is led to the cross, where He is crucified and mocked by the crowds.
- The Death of Jesus (15:25-37) — As Jesus dies on the cross, the curtain in the temple is torn, and the centurion confesses that Jesus is the Son of God.
- The Burial of Jesus (15:38-47) — Joseph of Arimathea takes Jesus' body and buries it in his own tomb, setting the stage for the resurrection.
- The Significance of the Cross (15:24-37) — The cross is a symbol of the sacrifice that Jesus made for our sins, and it serves as a reminder of the depth of God's love for us.
Core Doctrines
- Substitutionary Atonement
- Mark 15 teaches that Jesus died in our place, taking the punishment for our sins upon Himself. This is seen in Mark 15:24, where Jesus is crucified, and in Mark 15:37, where Jesus dies on the cross.
- The Deity of Christ
- The chapter highlights the divinity of Jesus, who is referred to as the Son of God. In Mark 15:39, the centurion confesses that Jesus is the Son of God.
- The Resurrection
- The burial of Jesus sets the stage for the resurrection, which is the ultimate victory of God over sin and death. This is seen in Mark 15:42-47, where Jesus is buried in the tomb.
- The New Covenant
- The tearing of the curtain in the temple symbolizes the end of the old covenant and the beginning of the new. This is seen in Mark 15:38, where the curtain is torn.
Lessons from Mark 15
- The Importance of Faithfulness — Jesus' faithfulness to His mission serves as a model for us to follow, even in the face of rejection and suffering.
- The Significance of the Cross — The cross is a symbol of the sacrifice that Jesus made for our sins, and it serves as a reminder of the depth of God's love for us.
- The Power of the Resurrection — The resurrection of Jesus is the ultimate victory of God over sin and death, and it serves as a reminder of the hope that we have in Jesus Christ.
- The Importance of Forgiveness — Jesus' forgiveness of those who crucified Him serves as a model for us to follow, and it reminds us of the importance of forgiving others as we have been forgiven.
- The Deity of Christ — The chapter highlights the divinity of Jesus, who is referred to as the Son of God, and it serves as a reminder of the importance of worshiping and following Jesus as our Lord and Savior.
Themes from Mark 15
- Redemption — Mark 15 teaches us about the redemption that Jesus provides for us through His death on the cross.
- Sacrifice — The chapter highlights the sacrifice that Jesus made for our sins, and it serves as a reminder of the depth of God's love for us.
- Faithfulness — Jesus' faithfulness to His mission serves as a model for us to follow, even in the face of rejection and suffering.
- Rejection — The rejection of Jesus by the Jewish leaders and the Roman authorities serves as a reminder of the fallen nature of humanity and our need for a Savior.
- Hope — The chapter reminds us of the hope that we have in Jesus Christ, who has conquered sin and death through His resurrection.
Questions for Meditation
- What does the crucifixion of Jesus teach us about the nature of God's love for us?
- How does the rejection of Jesus by the Jewish leaders and the Roman authorities serve as a reminder of the fallen nature of humanity?
- What is the significance of the curtain in the temple being torn when Jesus died?
- How does the burial of Jesus set the stage for the resurrection?
- What does the centurion's confession that Jesus is the Son of God teach us about the deity of Christ?
Detailed Chapter Outline
1. The Trial of Jesus (15:1-15)
| 15:1 | Jesus is brought before Pontius Pilate, where He is falsely accused and sentenced to death. |
| 15:2 | Pilate asks Jesus if He is the King of the Jews, and Jesus responds by saying that He is. |
| 15:3 | The chief priests accuse Jesus of many things, but Jesus remains silent. |
| 15:4 | Pilate is amazed that Jesus does not respond to the accusations, and he asks Jesus if He has anything to say for Himself. |
| 15:5 | But Jesus remains silent, and Pilate is even more amazed. |
| 15:6 | It was the custom at the Passover for the Roman governor to release one prisoner, and Pilate offers to release Jesus or Barabbas. |
| 15:7 | The crowd chooses to release Barabbas, and Pilate sentences Jesus to death. |
| 15:8 | The crowd demands that Jesus be crucified, and Pilate washes his hands of the matter. |
| 15:9 | Pilate asks Jesus if He is the King of the Jews, and Jesus responds by saying that He is. |
| 15:10 | The chief priests accuse Jesus of many things, but Jesus remains silent. |
| 15:11 | The crowd demands that Jesus be crucified, and Pilate sentences Jesus to death. |
| 15:12 | Pilate asks Jesus if He has anything to say for Himself, but Jesus remains silent. |
| 15:13 | The crowd demands that Jesus be crucified, and Pilate sentences Jesus to death. |
| 15:14 | Pilate asks Jesus if He has anything to say for Himself, but Jesus remains silent. |
| 15:15 | The crowd demands that Jesus be crucified, and Pilate sentences Jesus to death. |
2. The Crucifixion of Jesus (15:16-24)
| 15:16 | The Roman soldiers take Jesus into the palace and mock Him, dressing Him in a purple robe and a crown of thorns. |
| 15:17 | They lead Jesus out to be crucified, and they give Him wine mixed with myrrh to drink. |
| 15:18 | The soldiers crucify Jesus and divide up His clothes, casting lots to see what each would get. |
| 15:19 | The soldiers mock Jesus, saying that He is the King of the Jews, and they offer Him wine mixed with myrrh to drink. |
| 15:20 | The soldiers crucify Jesus and divide up His clothes, casting lots to see what each would get. |
| 15:21 | They compel a passerby, Simon of Cyrene, to carry Jesus' cross. |
| 15:22 | They bring Jesus to the place called Golgotha, where they crucify Him. |
| 15:23 | They offer Jesus wine mixed with myrrh to drink, but He does not take it. |
| 15:24 | The soldiers crucify Jesus and divide up His clothes, casting lots to see what each would get. |
3. The Death of Jesus (15:25-37)
| 15:25 | It was the third hour when they crucified Him. |
| 15:26 | The inscription of the charge against Him read, 'The King of the Jews.' |
| 15:27 | They crucified two robbers, one on His right and one on His left. |
| 15:28 | And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, 'And He was numbered with transgressors.' |
| 15:29 | Those who passed by were hurling abuse at Him, wagging their heads, and saying, 'Ha! You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save Yourself, and come down from the cross!' |
| 15:30 | In the same way the chief priests also, along with the scribes, were mocking Him among themselves and saying, 'He saved others; He cannot save Himself.' |
| 15:31 | Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross, so that we may see and believe!' And those who were crucified with Him were casting insults at Him. |
| 15:32 | At the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, 'Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?' which is translated, 'My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?' |
| 15:33 | When some of the bystanders heard it, they began saying, 'Behold, He is calling for Elijah.' |
| 15:34 | And someone ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a reed, and gave Him a drink, saying, 'Let us see if Elijah comes to take Him down.' |
| 15:35 | And Jesus let out a loud voice, and breathed His last. |
| 15:36 | And the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. |
| 15:37 | When the centurion, who was standing right in front of Him, saw the way He breathed His last, he said, 'Truly this man was the Son of God!' |
4. The Burial of Jesus (15:38-47)
| 15:38 | And the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. |
| 15:39 | When the centurion, who was standing right in front of Him, saw the way He breathed His last, he said, 'Truly this man was the Son of God!' |
| 15:40 | There were also some women looking on from a distance, among whom were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the Less and Joses, and Salome. |
| 15:41 | When He was in Galilee, they used to follow Him and minister to Him; and there were many other women who came up with Him to Jerusalem. |
| 15:42 | When it was already evening, because it was the preparation day, that is, the day before the Sabbath, Joseph of Arimathea came, a prominent member of the Council, who himself was waiting for the kingdom of God; and he gathered up courage and went in before Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus. |
| 15:43 | Pilate wondered if He was dead by this time, and summoning the centurion, he questioned him as to whether He was already dead. |
| 15:44 | And when he found out from the centurion that He was dead, he granted the body to Joseph. |
| 15:45 | Joseph bought a linen cloth, took Him down, wrapped Him in the linen cloth and laid Him in a tomb which had been hewn out in the rock; and he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. |
| 15:46 | Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses were looking on to see where He was laid. |
| 15:47 | And when the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, so that they might come and anoint Him. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the curtain in the temple being torn when Jesus died?
The tearing of the curtain symbolizes the end of the old covenant and the beginning of the new. It represents the new access that humanity has to God through Jesus Christ, as seen in Mark 15:38.
Why did the centurion confess that Jesus was the Son of God?
The centurion confessed that Jesus was the Son of God because he saw the way Jesus died, and he was convinced of Jesus' divinity. This is seen in Mark 15:39, where the centurion says, 'Truly this man was the Son of God!'
What is the significance of the cross in Mark 15?
The cross is a symbol of the sacrifice that Jesus made for our sins, and it serves as a reminder of the depth of God's love for us. In Mark 15:24, Jesus is crucified, and in Mark 15:37, Jesus dies on the cross.
Top Cross References
| Reference | Connection | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mark 15:24 → Psalm 22:18 | The dividing of Jesus' clothes and the casting of lots is a fulfillment of Psalm 22:18, which says, 'They divide my garments among them, and cast lots for my clothes.' |
| 2 | Mark 15:29 → Matthew 27:40 | The mockery of Jesus by the crowds is also seen in Matthew 27:40, where the crowds say, 'You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save Yourself, and come down from the cross!' |
| 3 | Mark 15:34 → Psalm 22:1 | Jesus' cry of 'My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?' is a quote from Psalm 22:1, which says, 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish?' |
| 4 | Mark 15:38 → Hebrews 10:20 | The tearing of the curtain in the temple is also seen in Hebrews 10:20, which says, 'By a new and living way which He opened for us through the veil, that is, His flesh.' |
| 5 | Mark 15:39 → Romans 1:4 | The centurion's confession that Jesus is the Son of God is also seen in Romans 1:4, which says, 'And who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.' |
| 6 | Mark 15:42 → John 19:31 | The burial of Jesus is also seen in John 19:31, which says, 'Now it was the day of Preparation, and the next day was to be a special Sabbath. Because the Jewish leaders did not want the bodies left on the crosses during the Sabbath, they asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken down.' |
| 7 | Mark 15:46 → | The women looking on to see where Jesus was laid is also seen in Luke 23:55, which says, 'The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it.' |
| 8 | Mark 15:47 → Matthew 28:1 | The buying of spices to anoint Jesus' body is also seen in Matthew 28:1, which says, 'After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.' |
| 9 | Mark 15:25 → John 19:14 | The time of Jesus' crucifixion is also seen in John 19:14, which says, 'Now it was the day of Preparation, and the next day was to be a special Sabbath.' |
| 10 | Mark 15:33 → Amos 8:9 | The darkness that fell over the land is also seen in Amos 8:9, which says, 'And on that day,' declares the Lord God, 'I will make the sun go down at noon and darken the earth in broad daylight.' |
Sermons on Mark 15
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Ger-10 the Principalities and Powers of Darkness by Art Katz | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding the true wisdom exhibited by Jesus on the cross. He highlights how Jesus forgave those who were crucifying hi |
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The Humility of Christ (Conference Call) by Brian Long | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of being true servants of Christ and being willing to get our hands dirty. He highlights the need for humility and brokenness |
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Preparing to Sing in a Difficult Time by Carter Conlon | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on their lack of passion and fruitfulness in sharing the message of Christ. They express a deep desire for forgiveness and a longing to be empo |
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Mark by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the preacher discusses various passages from the book of Mark in the Bible. He emphasizes the importance of giving cheerfully and sacrificially, using the example o |
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The Father’s Cup: A Crucifixion Narrative by Rick Gamache | In this sermon transcript, the preacher vividly describes the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Jesus is seen walking towards Golgotha, the Skull, where he will be crucified alongside t |
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The Common Blasphemy by Daniel Kenaston | In this sermon, the preacher begins by sharing a story about drilling through a rock to reach water, comparing it to the power of God's Word. He then introduces the passage from Ma |
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(Demonology) the Devil Against Christ - Part 2 by Willie Mullan | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of understanding and engaging in spiritual warfare against the devil and his dark forces. He mentions the charismatic movemen |
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The Violence Revolution by Winkie Pratney | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of paying attention to stories that are repeated four times in the Bible. He shares a personal anecdote about his mother repea |
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Lord, Abide With Us - Part 2 by Erlo Stegen | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the crucifixion of Jesus and the soldiers who took His garments. The soldiers played dice to determine who would get His seamless tunic, which |
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5 Resurrection Words for Action by George Verwer | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding and embracing the concept of being crucified with Christ. He highlights that it is not just Jesus who was cru |
Summary of Matthew Henry Commentary on Mark 15
In Mark 15, we see the culmination of Jesus' mission to save humanity from sin. The chapter begins with the trial of Jesus before Pontius Pilate, where He is falsely accused and sentenced to death. As Jesus is crucified, we see the depth of God's love for us and the sacrifice that Jesus made for our sins. The tearing of the curtain in the temple symbolizes the end of the old covenant and the beginning of the new. The centurion's confession that Jesus is the Son of God serves as a reminder of Jesus' divinity. The burial of Jesus sets the stage for the resurrection, which is the ultimate victory of God over sin and death. As we reflect on Mark 15, we are reminded of the importance of faithfulness, the significance of the cross, and the power of the resurrection. May we be inspired to live out our faith in a way that honors Jesus and reflects the love and sacrifice that He has shown us. Read the full unabridged Matthew Henry Commentary →
What Do You Notice?
The Rejection of Jesus
Throughout Mark 15, we see the rejection of Jesus by the Jewish leaders and the Roman authorities. This rejection serves as a reminder of the fallen nature of humanity and our need for a Savior.
The Faithfulness of Jesus
Despite the rejection and suffering He endured, Jesus remained faithful to His mission to save humanity. His faithfulness serves as a model for us to follow.
The Significance of the Cross
The cross is a symbol of the sacrifice that Jesus made for us, and it serves as a reminder of the depth of God's love for us. In Mark 15, we see the cross as the central event in human history.