Bible Commentaries
Mark 15

Introduction

Truly This Man Was The Son Of God

Mark Fifteen

Jesus was sent to Pilate for trial. Pilate judged Jesus for himself. He knew that Jesus was innocent yet he did not have enough backbone to release Him. He released Barabbas instead. Pilate scourged Jesus, likely hoping that this punishment would be enough to satisfy the people. He was mocked and humiliated in every possible way by the soldiers. They (1) Put a purple robe on Him, (2) Platted a crown of thorns for His head, (3) Saluted Him and said "Hail, King of the Jews," (4) Hit Him on the head with a reed, (5) Spit upon Him, and (6) They bowed their knees and worshipped Him.

The Romans accused Jesus of trying to contend for the throne in Judah. The charge that they made against Him was written over His head on the cross, "The King of the Jews." Jesus was crucified with two robbers. Death on a cross was a horrible physical experience. Bearing the sins of the world was a far more dreadful thing to go through. They taunted Jesus saying, "Save yourself, and come down from the cross!" "He saved others; he cannot save himself." Even "they that were crucified with him reviled him." At the death of Jesus there was an earthquake and the "curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom." One of those that helped with the crucifixion said, “Truly this man was the Son of God.”

A number of women that were faithful to Jesus followed Him to the end. Jesus was buried by Joseph of Arimathea. He laid Him in his own new tomb and sealed it with a large rock.

Verses 1-20

Jesus was tried and condemned -- Mar_15:1-20 : The Jews charged Jesus with blasphemy because He called Himself the Son of God. Jesus was tried before Pilate, a weak leader that would do anything to maintain peace. He even allowed a man that He knew was innocent to be crucified. Many false charges were made against Jesus. In what seemed like total disdain for Jesus Pilate asked, "Art thou the King of the Jews?" Pilate, like many today, did not understand that Jesus' kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. ( Joh_18:36 ) Upon examination Pilate found no bases for the charges made against Jesus. He desired to release Him. His custom was to release one prisoner at that time of the year. He asked, "Do you want me to free the king of the Jews?" He did this because he knew that envy or jealously had caused them to bring these charges against Jesus. The Jewish leaders asked that Barabbas be released. Concerning Jesus they shouted, "Crucify Him!" They said to him concerning Jesus, “If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar's friend." ( Joh_19:12 )

Verses 21-32

The Crucifixion of the Lord Jesus -- Mar_15:21-32 : Are you prepared to die? Death is the inevitable as far as this world is concerned. Jesus was prepared to die. However, His death was much different from ours. He died as a sacrifice for the sins of the world. As He stood trial before Pilate He was innocent of the charges, but He was condemned nevertheless. Jesus was mocked, mistreated, abused and misused in many horrifying ways. Crucifixion was a death reserved for the worst of criminals. "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree." ( Gal_3:13 ) Jesus was crucified outside of the city of Jerusalem at a place called Golgotha. This place was also called "a place of a skull." The person being crucified would carry their own cross. Simon of Cyrene was compelled to carry Jesus’ cross for Him. Simon was the father of Alexander and Rufus. Both of these were names of men that later were faithful in God's service. Jesus refuses to be drugged by wine mixed with myrrh. He bore our sins with His full consciousness. His pain was not deadened at all. He felt every ounce of suffering the pain of our sins. When they had crucified Him they parted His garments, casting lots for them. When they had crucified Him they wrote over Him, "The King of the Jews." When they had crucified Him they crucified two thieves with Him. This fulfilled the statement of Isa_53:12 , "He was numbered with the transgressors." When they had crucified Him they also mocked and humiliated Him. "Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins." ( 1Jn_4:10 ) Do you love Jesus? Are you serving Him as King of Kings?

Verses 33-41

The Death of the Lamb of God -- Mar_15:33-41 : Darkness was over the entire land from the sixth hour until the ninth hour. This darkness was another of the great miracles of the Bible. This was one of the many wonders that proved Jesus to be the Son of God. At about three in the afternoon "Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" ( Mar_15:34 ) Separation had taken place because Jesus was dying for our sins. As Jesus suffered for the sins of the world He gave this quote from Psa_22:1 . He felt separated and forsaken. When David wrote the psalm he felt that he was forsaken by God. However, he came through many events realizing that God was still there for him. "For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath he hid his face from him; but when he cried unto him, he heard." ( Psa_22:24 ) Jesus knew the psalm and He also knew that same powerful truth! When Jesus gave up the ghost the veil of the temple was torn in two from the top to the bottom. The response of the centurion was, "Truly this man was the Son of God." This was another powerful sign. It was designed to show that the Old Testament had been fulfilled.

Verses 42-47

The burial of Jesus by Joseph of Arimathaea -- Mar_15:42-47 : The burial of Jesus was also a significant event. When Paul described the gospel he said that "Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures. ( 1Co_15:3-4 ) It is amazing that none of the disciples came to claim the body of Jesus. Joseph of Arimathaea requested permission from Pilate to be allowed to give Jesus a proper burial. The Bible tells us that Joseph was a good and just man who also himself waited for the kingdom of God. When Pilate knew for certain that Jesus was dead he gave permission to Joseph to take the body. He buried the body of Jesus in a tomb in a garden. He was "with the rich in his death." ( Isa_53:9 ) Joseph "bought fine linen, and took him down, and wrapped him in the linen, and laid him in a sepulcher." As a large stone was rolled over the mouth of the grave "Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses beheld where he was laid." The Lord died so that you might live! What will you do with Jesus?