Mark Chapter 15

Updated: September 14, 2025

Jesus Delivered to Pilate

(Matthew 27:1-2)

1And straightway in the morning the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council, and bound Jesus, and carried him away, and delivered him to Pilate. 2And Pilate asked him, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answering said unto him, Thou sayest it. 3And the chief priests accused him of many things: but he answered nothing. 4And Pilate asked him again, saying, Answerest thou nothing? behold how many things they witness against thee. 5But Jesus yet answered nothing; so that Pilate marvelled.

The Crowd Chooses Barabbas

(Matthew 27:15-23; Luke 23:13-25)

6Now at that feast he released unto them one prisoner, whomsoever they desired. 7And there was one named Barabbas, which lay bound with them that had made insurrection with him, who had committed murder in the insurrection. 8And the multitude crying aloud began to desire him to do as he had ever done unto them. 9But Pilate answered them, saying, Will ye that I release unto you the King of the Jews? 10For he knew that the chief priests had delivered him for envy. 11But the chief priests moved the people, that he should rather release Barabbas unto them.

Pilate Delivers Jesus to Be Crucified

(Matthew 27:24-26)

12And Pilate answered and said again unto them, What will ye then that I shall do unto him whom ye call the King of the Jews? 13And they cried out again, Crucify him. 14Then Pilate said unto them, Why, what evil hath he done? And they cried out the more exceedingly, Crucify him. 15And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified.

The Soldiers Mock Jesus

(Isaiah 50:4-11; Matthew 27:27-31; Luke 22:63-65; John 19:1-15)

16And the soldiers led him away into the hall, called Praetorium; and they call together the whole band. 17And they clothed him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about his head, 18And began to salute him, Hail, King of the Jews! 19And they smote him on the head with a reed, and did spit upon him, and bowing their knees worshipped him. 20And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple from him, and put his own clothes on him, and led him out to crucify him.

The Crucifixion

(Psalm 69:1-36; Matthew 27:32-44; Luke 23:26-43; John 19:16-27)

21And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross.

22And they bring him unto the place Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, The place of a skull. 23And they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh: but he received it not. 24And when they had crucified him, they parted his garments, casting lots upon them, what every man should take. 25And it was the third hour, and they crucified him. 26And the superscription of his accusation was written over, THE KING OF THE JEWS.

27And with him they crucify two thieves; the one on his right hand, and the other on his left. 28And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, And he was numbered with the transgressors. 29And they that passed by railed on him, wagging their heads, and saying, Ah, thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, 30Save thyself, and come down from the cross. 31Likewise also the chief priests mocking said among themselves with the scribes, He saved others; himself he cannot save. 32Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe. And they that were crucified with him reviled him.

The Death of Jesus

(Psalm 22:1-31; Matthew 27:45-56; Luke 23:44-49; John 19:28-30)

33And when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. 34And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? 35And some of them that stood by, when they heard it, said, Behold, he calleth Elias. 36And one ran and filled a spunge full of vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink, saying, Let alone; let us see whether Elias will come to take him down. 37And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost. 38And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom. 39And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God.

40There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome; 41(Who also, when he was in Galilee, followed him, and ministered unto him;) and many other women which came up with him unto Jerusalem.

The Burial of Jesus

(Isaiah 53:9-12; Matthew 27:57-61; Luke 23:50-56; John 19:38-42)

42And now when the even was come, because it was the preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath, 43Joseph of Arimathaea, an honourable counseller, which also waited for the kingdom of God, came, and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus. 44And Pilate marvelled if he were already dead: and calling unto him the centurion, he asked him whether he had been any while dead. 45And when he knew it of the centurion, he gave the body to Joseph. 46And he bought fine linen, and took him down, and wrapped him in the linen, and laid him in a sepulchre which was hewn out of a rock, and rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulchre. 47And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses beheld where he was laid.

King James Bible

Text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.

Jesus Delivered to Pilate
(Matthew 27:1–2)

1 Immediately in the morning the chief priests, with the elders and scribes, and the whole council, held a consultation, and bound Jesus, and carried him away, and delivered him up to Pilate. 2 Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” He answered, “So you say.” 3 The chief priests accused him of many things. 4 Pilate again asked him, “Have you no answer? See how many things they testify against you!” 5 But Jesus made no further answer, so that Pilate marveled.

The Crowd Chooses Barabbas
(Matthew 27:15–23; Luke 23:13–25)

6 Now at the feast he used to release to them one prisoner, whom they asked of him. 7 There was one called Barabbas, bound with those who had made insurrection, men who in the insurrection had committed murder. 8 The multitude, crying aloud, began to ask him to do as he always did for them. 9 Pilate answered them, saying, “Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” 10 For he perceived that for envy the chief priests had delivered him up. 11 But the chief priests stirred up the multitude, that he should release Barabbas to them instead.

Pilate Delivers Up Jesus
(Matthew 27:24–26)

12 Pilate again asked them, “What then should I do to him whom you call the King of the Jews?” 13 They cried out again, “Crucify him!” 14 Pilate said to them, “Why, what evil has he done?” But they cried out exceedingly, “Crucify him!” 15 Pilate, wishing to please the multitude, released Barabbas to them, and handed over Jesus, when he had flogged him, to be crucified.

The Soldiers Mock Jesus
(Isaiah 50:4–11; Matthew 27:27–31; Luke 22:63–65; John 19:1–15)

16 The soldiers led him away within the court, which is the Praetorium; and they called together the whole cohort. 17 They clothed him with purple, and weaving a crown of thorns, they put it on him. 18 They began to salute him, “Hail, King of the Jews!” 19 They struck his head with a reed, and spat on him, and bowing their knees, did homage to him. 20 When they had mocked him, they took the purple off of him, and put his own garments on him. They led him out to crucify him.

The Crucifixion
(Psalm 22:1–31; Matthew 27:32–44; Luke 23:26–43; John 19:16–27)

21 They 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.

22 They brought him to the place called Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, “The place of a skull.” 23 They offered him wine mixed with myrrh to drink, but he didn’t take it. 24 Crucifying him, they parted his garments among them, casting lots on them, what each should take. 25 It was the third hour, and they crucified him. 26 The superscription of his accusation was written over him, “THE KING OF THE JEWS.”

27 With him they crucified two robbers; one on his right hand, and one on his left. 28 The Scripture was fulfilled, which says, “He was numbered with transgressors.” 29 Those who passed by blasphemed him, wagging their heads, and saying, “Ha! You who destroy the temple, and build it in three days, 30 save yourself, and come down from the cross!” 31 Likewise, also the chief priests mocking among themselves with the scribes said, “He saved others. He can’t save himself. 32 Let 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 insulted him.

The Death of Jesus
(Psalm 22:1–31; Matthew 27:45–56; Luke 23:44–49; John 19:28–30)

33 When the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. 34 At 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?” 35 Some of those who stood by, when they heard it, said, “Behold, he is calling Elijah.” 36 One 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.” 37 Jesus cried out with a loud voice, and gave up the spirit. 38 The veil of the temple was torn in two from the top to the bottom. 39 When 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!”

40 There 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; 41 who, when he was in Galilee, followed him, and served him; and many other women who came up with him to Jerusalem.

The Burial of Jesus
(Isaiah 53:9–12; Matthew 27:57–61; Luke 23:50–56; John 19:38–42)

42 When evening had now come, because it was the Preparation Day, that is, the day before the Sabbath, 43 Joseph of Arimathaea, a prominent council member who also himself was looking for the Kingdom of God, came. He boldly went in to Pilate, and asked for Jesus’ body. 44 Pilate marveled if he were already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he had been dead long. 45 When he found out from the centurion, he granted the body to Joseph. 46 He 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. 47 Mary Magdalene and Mary, the mother of Joses, saw where he was laid.

Jesus Delivered to Pilate
(Matthew 27:1–2)

1 Early in the morning, the chief priests, elders, scribes, and the whole Sanhedrin a 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.

The Crowd Chooses Barabbas
(Matthew 27:15–23; Luke 23:13–25)

6 Now it was Pilate’s custom at the feast to release to the people b 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.

Pilate Delivers Up Jesus
(Matthew 27:24–26)

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.

The Soldiers Mock Jesus
(Isaiah 50:4–11; Matthew 27:27–31; Luke 22:63–65; John 19:1–15)

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.

The Crucifixion
(Psalm 22:1–31; Matthew 27:32–44; Luke 23:26–43; John 19:16–27)

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. c

25 It was the third hour d 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, e one on His right and one on His left. f

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.

The Death of Jesus
(Psalm 22:1–31; Matthew 27:45–56; Luke 23:44–49; John 19:28–30)

33 From the sixth hour until the ninth hour g 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?” h

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. i He put it on a reed and held it up for Jesus to drink, j 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, k 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, l 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.

The Burial of Jesus
(Isaiah 53:9–12; Matthew 27:57–61; Luke 23:50–56; John 19:38–42)

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 m saw where His body was placed.

Jesus Delivered to Pilate

(Matthew 27:1-2)

1And immediately, in the morning, the chief priests having made a consultation, with the elders, and scribes, and the whole sanhedrim, having bound Jesus, did lead away, and delivered him to Pilate; 2and Pilate questioned him, 'Art thou the king of the Jews?' and he answering said to him, 'Thou dost say it.' 3And the chief priests were accusing him of many things, but he answered nothing. 4And Pilate again questioned him, saying, 'Thou dost not answer anything! lo, how many things they do testify against thee!' 5and Jesus did no more answer anything, so that Pilate wondered.

The Crowd Chooses Barabbas

(Matthew 27:15-23; Luke 23:13-25)

6And at every feast he was releasing to them one prisoner, whomsoever they were asking; 7and there was one named Barabbas, bound with those making insurrection with him, who had in the insurrection committed murder. 8And the multitude having cried out, began to ask for themselves as he was always doing to them, 9and Pilate answered them, saying, 'Will ye that I shall release to you the king of the Jews?' 10for he knew that because of envy the chief priests had delivered him up; 11and the chief priests did move the multitude, that he might rather release Barabbas to them.

Pilate Delivers Jesus to Be Crucified

(Matthew 27:24-26)

12And Pilate answering, again said to them, 'What, then, will ye that I shall do to him whom ye call king of the Jews?' 13and they again cried out, 'Crucify him.' 14And Pilate said to them, 'Why -- what evil did he?' and they cried out the more vehemently, 'Crucify him;' 15and Pilate, wishing to content the multitude, released to them Barabbas, and delivered up Jesus -- having scourged him -- that he might be crucified.

The Soldiers Mock Jesus

(Isaiah 50:4-11; Matthew 27:27-31; Luke 22:63-65; John 19:1-15)

16And the soldiers led him away into the hall, which is Praetorium, and call together the whole band, 17and clothe him with purple, and having plaited a crown of thorns, they put it on him, 18and began to salute him, 'Hail, King of the Jews.' 19And they were smiting him on the head with a reed, and were spitting on him, and having bent the knee, were bowing to him, 20and when they had mocked him, they took the purple from off him, and clothed him in his own garments, and they led him forth, that they may crucify him.

The Crucifixion

(Psalm 69:1-36; Matthew 27:32-44; Luke 23:26-43; John 19:16-27)

21And they impress a certain one passing by -- Simon, a Cyrenian, coming from the field, the father of Alexander and Rufus -- that he may bear his cross,

22and they bring him to the place Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, 'Place of a skull;' 23and they were giving him to drink wine mingled with myrrh, and he did not receive. 24And having crucified him, they were dividing his garments, casting a lot upon them, what each may take; 25and it was the third hour, and they crucified him; 26and the inscription of his accusation was written above -- 'The King of the Jews.'

27And with him they crucify two robbers, one on the right hand, and one on his left, 28and the Writing was fulfilled that is saying, 'And with lawless ones he was numbered.' 29And those passing by were speaking evil of him, shaking their heads, and saying, 'Ah, the thrower down of the sanctuary, and in three days the builder! 30save thyself, and come down from the cross!' 31And in like manner also the chief priests, mocking with one another, with the scribes, said, 'Others he saved; himself he is not able to save. 32The Christ! the king of Israel -- let him come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe;' and those crucified with him were reproaching him.

The Death of Jesus

(Psalm 22:1-31; Matthew 27:45-56; Luke 23:44-49; John 19:28-30)

33And the sixth hour having come, darkness came over the whole land till the ninth hour, 34and at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a great voice, saying, 'Eloi, Eloi, lamma sabachthani?' which is, being interpreted, 'My God, my God, why didst Thou forsake me?' 35And certain of those standing by, having heard, said, 'Lo, Elijah he doth call;' 36and one having run, and having filled a spunge with vinegar, having put it also on a reed, was giving him to drink, saying, 'Let alone, let us see if Elijah doth come to take him down.' 37And Jesus having uttered a loud cry, yielded the spirit, 38and the veil of the sanctuary was rent in two, from top to bottom, 39and the centurion who was standing over-against him, having seen that, having so cried out, he yielded the spirit, said, 'Truly this man was Son of God.'

40And there were also women afar off beholding, among whom was also Mary the Magdalene, and Mary of James the less, and of Joses, and Salome, 41(who also, when he was in Galilee, were following him, and were ministering to him,) and many other women who came up with him to Jerusalem.

The Burial of Jesus

(Isaiah 53:9-12; Matthew 27:57-61; Luke 23:50-56; John 19:38-42)

42And now evening having come, seeing it was the preparation, that is, the fore-sabbath, 43Joseph of Arimathea, an honourable counsellor, who also himself was waiting for the reign of God, came, boldly entered in unto Pilate, and asked the body of Jesus. 44And Pilate wondered if he were already dead, and having called near the centurion, did question him if he were long dead, 45and having known it from the centurion, he granted the body to Joseph. 46And he, having brought fine linen, and having taken him down, wrapped him in the linen, and laid him in a sepulchre that had been hewn out of a rock, and he rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulchre, 47and Mary the Magdalene, and Mary of Joses, were beholding where he is laid.

Jesus Before Pilate

¹ As dawn broke, the chief priests convened an urgent meeting with the elders, religious scholars, and the entire Sanhedrin council. After binding Jesus, they led Him away to stand trial before Pilate, the Roman governor. ² Pilate questioned Him directly: "Are You the King of the Jews?" And Jesus replied, "You have said so." ³ The chief priests hurled accusation after accusation at Him, their voices filled with bitter hatred. ⁴ Pilate, puzzled by Jesus' silence, pressed Him again: "Aren't You going to answer? Look at all these charges they're bringing against You!" ⁵ But Jesus remained silent before His accusers, amazing Pilate with His quiet dignity in the face of such hostility.

The Crowd Chooses Barabbas

⁶ Now it was customary during the Passover festival for the governor to release one prisoner - whoever the people requested. ⁷ A notorious prisoner named Barabbas was in custody with rebels who had committed murder during an insurrection against Rome. ⁸ The crowd gathered and began asking Pilate to follow his usual custom of releasing a prisoner. ⁹ Pilate, sensing an opportunity, asked them, "Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?" ¹⁰ For he clearly recognized that the chief priests had handed Jesus over out of envy.

¹¹ But the chief priests had stirred up the crowd to demand Barabbas' release instead of Jesus. ¹² "Then what should I do with the one you call the King of the Jews?" Pilate asked the manipulated crowd. ¹³ They shouted back with vicious intensity, "Crucify Him!" ¹⁴ "Why?" Pilate demanded. "What crime has He committed?" But they only shouted louder and louder, "Crucify Him!" ¹⁵ Wanting to satisfy the crowd and avoid a riot, Pilate released Barabbas. After having Jesus flogged with a brutal Roman whip, he handed Him over to be crucified.

The Soldiers Mock Jesus

¹⁶ The soldiers led Jesus into the Praetorium, the governor's headquarters, and called together the entire Roman cohort. ¹⁷ They dressed Him in a purple robe, twisted together a crown of thorns, and pressed it onto His head. ¹⁸ Then they began saluting Him with mock respect: "Hail, King of the Jews!" ¹⁹ Again and again they struck His head with a staff, spat on Him, and fell on their knees in mocking worship. ²⁰ When they grew tired of mocking Him, they stripped off the purple robe, put His own clothes back on Him, and led Him out to be crucified.

The Crucifixion of Jesus

²¹ A man named Simon from Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the countryside. The soldiers forced him to carry Jesus' cross. ²² They brought Jesus to Golgotha, which means "Place of the Skull." ²³ They offered Him wine mixed with myrrh - a mild painkiller - but He refused it, choosing to face the full cup of suffering. ²⁴ Then they crucified Him. The soldiers divided His clothes among themselves, casting lots to decide what each would take - fulfilling the ancient prophecy.

²⁵ It was nine in the morning when they crucified Him. ²⁶ The written notice of the charge against Him read: THE KING OF THE JEWS. ²⁷ They crucified two rebels with Him, one on His right and one on His left. ²⁸ And the scripture was fulfilled that said, "He was counted among the lawless ones."

²⁹ People passing by hurled insults at Him, shaking their heads in contempt: "So! You who were going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, ³⁰ come down from the cross and save Yourself!" ³¹ The chief priests and religious scholars also mocked Him among themselves: "He saved others, but He can't save Himself! ³² Let this Messiah, this King of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe." Even the men crucified with Him heaped insults on Him.

The Death of Jesus

³³ At noon, darkness fell across the whole land until three in the afternoon - nature itself responding to this cosmic moment. ³⁴ At three o'clock, Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?" which means, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" The depths of His suffering echoing Psalm 22. ³⁵ Some bystanders misunderstood, saying, "Listen, He's calling Elijah!" ³⁶ Someone ran and filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. "Now leave Him alone," he said. "Let's see if Elijah comes to take Him down."

³⁷ With a loud cry that shook the earth, Jesus breathed His last breath. ³⁸ At that moment, the thick temple curtain was torn in two from top to bottom. A supernatural event signalling the pathway to God's presence was now open to all. ³⁹ When the Roman centurion, who stood facing Jesus, saw how He died, he exclaimed in awe, "Surely this Man was the Son of God!"

The Burial of Jesus

⁴⁰ Some women were watching from a distance, including Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. ⁴¹ These women had followed Jesus in Galilee and cared for His needs. Many other women who had come up with Him to Jerusalem were also there. ⁴² It was Preparation Day (that is, the day before the Sabbath). As evening approached, ⁴³ Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the Council who was himself waiting for the Kingdom of God, gathered his courage and went to Pilate to ask for Jesus' body.

⁴⁴ Pilate was surprised to hear that Jesus was already dead. He summoned the centurion to verify whether Jesus had indeed died. ⁴⁵ When the centurion confirmed it, Pilate gave the body to Joseph. ⁴⁶ Joseph bought fine linen cloth, took down the body, wrapped it in the linen, and placed it in a tomb cut out of rock. Then he rolled a stone against the entrance. ⁴⁷ Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where Jesus was laid - faithful witnesses to both His death, burial and the next chapter.

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The F.O.G Commentary

When the Sky Went Dark: Understanding Mark 15’s Raw Portrait of the Cross

What’s Mark 15 about?

This is the chapter where everything falls apart and comes together at once. Mark gives us the rawest, most unflinching account of Jesus’ final hours – from Pilate’s political theater to the cross where the Son of God dies feeling abandoned by his Father.

The Full Context

Mark 15:1-47 sits at the climax of Mark’s entire Gospel narrative. Written around 65-70 AD, likely for Roman Christians facing persecution under Nero, Mark has been building toward this moment since chapter 1. His original audience would have known the brutal reality of Roman crucifixion firsthand – this wasn’t abstract theology but visceral, terrifying reality.

Mark’s Gospel moves with urgency (his favorite word is “immediately”), and nowhere is this more apparent than in chapter 15. After the betrayal, arrest, and Jewish trial of chapter 14, we’re thrust into the Roman legal machinery that will kill Jesus. The chapter divides into three main movements: the political trial before Pilate (Mark 15:1-15), the mockery and crucifixion (Mark 15:16-32), and the death and burial (Mark 15:33-47). Mark presents all this with his characteristic spare, almost journalistic style – letting the horror speak for itself.

What the Ancient Words Tell Us

The Greek text of Mark 15 is deceptively simple, but packed with layers of meaning that would have hit his original readers like a freight train. Take the opening verse: παρεδωκαν (paredōkan) – “they handed him over.” This isn’t just legal transfer; it’s the same word used for betraying someone to their enemies. The Jewish leaders aren’t just following procedure – they’re actively delivering Jesus to execution.

Grammar Geeks

When the crowd shouts σταυρωσον (staurōson) – “crucify him!” – the verb form is what grammarians call an “aorist imperative.” It’s not a suggestion or request, but a sharp, decisive command. Think less “please consider crucifying” and more “crucify him NOW!”

But here’s where it gets really interesting: Mark records Jesus’ final cry in Aramaic – Ελωι ελωι λεμα σαβαχθανι (Eloi, eloi, lema sabachthani). Why not translate it like he usually does? Because some words are too sacred, too raw to paraphrase. This is the moment the Son experiences what feels like cosmic abandonment, and Mark preserves the actual sounds that came from Jesus’ lips.

The centurion’s declaration at Mark 15:39 uses the phrase υἱὸς θεοῦ (huios theou) – “son of God.” In Roman culture, this was a title reserved for emperors. A Roman soldier calling a crucified Jewish peasant “son of God” isn’t just personal conviction – it’s political revolution.

What Would the Original Audience Have Heard?

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Picture yourself as a Roman Christian in the 60s AD. Nero has blamed Christians for burning Rome. Your neighbors view you with suspicion. Crucifixion isn’t an abstract concept – you’ve probably seen the crosses lining the roads outside the city, bodies left as warnings.

Did You Know?

Crucifixion was specifically designed as psychological warfare. Romans didn’t just want to kill rebels – they wanted to humiliate them so thoroughly that others would think twice about resistance. The victim was stripped naked, tortured publicly, and left to die slowly while crowds mocked.

When Mark’s audience heard about the soldiers dressing Jesus in purple and calling him “King of the Jews,” they’d recognize the bitter irony immediately. This was exactly how Romans humiliated defeated foreign leaders – mockery designed to crush not just the person, but any hope their followers might have.

The detail about Simon of Cyrene being “compelled” to carry the cross (Mark 15:21) uses the technical term ἀγγαρεύω (aggareuō) – the same word for when Roman soldiers forced civilians to carry their gear. Mark’s readers would have experienced this humiliation themselves. Here’s their Messiah, subject to the same degrading treatment they faced daily.

But Wait… Why Did They Mock Him as King?

Here’s something puzzling that deserves a closer look: the mockery throughout Mark 15 is specifically royal mockery. The soldiers don’t just beat Jesus – they dress him in purple, put a crown on his head, and bow before him sarcastically (Mark 15:17-19). The sign above the cross reads “The King of the Jews” (Mark 15:26).

Wait, That’s Strange…

Why focus so intensely on kingship? Jesus had actually avoided royal titles throughout Mark’s Gospel, often telling people to keep quiet about his identity. Yet here, in his moment of greatest apparent defeat, everyone suddenly can’t stop calling him king.

The answer reveals Mark’s brilliant irony: they’re mocking Jesus for exactly what he actually is, just not in the way they understand kingship. Roman kings ruled through violence and domination. Jesus is demonstrating a radically different kind of royal power – one that saves others by refusing to save himself (Mark 15:31).

This theme reaches its climax when the temple curtain tears from top to bottom (Mark 15:38). The curtain separated ordinary people from God’s presence in the Holy of Holies – only the high priest could enter, and only once a year. Its tearing announces that this dying “king” has opened access to God for everyone.

Wrestling with the Text

The hardest part of Mark 15 isn’t the physical suffering – it’s Mark 15:34. “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” This isn’t just emotional pain; it’s theological crisis. How can the Son of God experience abandonment by God?

Mark doesn’t explain it away or soften it. He presents the raw reality: at the moment of greatest cosmic significance, Jesus experiences what feels like complete divine abandonment. The one who had perfect communion with the Father throughout Mark’s Gospel now cries out in apparent desperation.

“The cross reveals that God’s power works through apparent powerlessness, and divine victory looks like absolute defeat.”

But here’s what Mark’s audience would have caught: Jesus is quoting Psalm 22:1. While it begins with abandonment, it ends with vindication and praise. Even in his agony, Jesus is locating his suffering within the framework of Scripture – suggesting that this apparent forsakenness serves a larger divine purpose.

The darkness from noon to 3 PM (Mark 15:33) recalls the plagues of Egypt and the day of judgment prophecies. This isn’t just weather – it’s cosmic sympathy, creation itself responding to the death of its Creator.

How This Changes Everything

Mark 15 doesn’t just record an execution – it redefines power, victory, and what it means to be human. The religious leaders think they’ve won by eliminating a threat (Mark 15:31-32). The Romans think they’ve demonstrated their dominance. But Mark shows us something else entirely.

The women who watch from a distance (Mark 15:40-41) represent faithfulness when the male disciples have all fled. In a culture where women’s testimony wasn’t legally valid, Mark makes them the primary witnesses to the crucifixion. This isn’t just historical reporting – it’s revolutionary.

Joseph of Arimathea’s actions (Mark 15:43-46) show how the cross creates unexpected courage. This respected council member risks his reputation to give Jesus a proper burial. The cross doesn’t just save us from something – it saves us for something, transforming cowards into heroes.

Most significantly, the centurion’s confession (Mark 15:39) represents the Gospel breaking through cultural barriers. Here’s a Gentile, a representative of the oppressive Roman system, recognizing divine truth in a crucified Jew. The very instrument of Roman power becomes the means of revelation.

Key Takeaway

Mark 15 reveals that God’s greatest victory looks exactly like defeat – and that changes how we understand every difficult moment in our own lives. When everything seems lost, we might actually be closest to breakthrough.

Mark Chapter 15

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