Bible Commentaries
Mark 15

Verse 7

Them that had made insurrection with him [συστασιαστων] .

Fellow - rioters. But the better texts read stasiastwn, rioters, omitting the sun with (fellow) : and the Rev. accordingly omits with him.

Who [οιτινες] . Denoting a class of criminals.

The insurrection. Note the article : the insurrection for which Barabbas and his fellows had been imprisoned.

Verse 8

Crying aloud [αναβοησας] . But the best texts read ajnabav, having gone up. So Rev., went up.

Ever [αει] . Omitted by the best texts.

Verse 11

Moved [ανεσεισαν] . A feeble translation. Seiw is to shake. Hence seismov, an earthquake. See on Matthew 13:8. Better as Rev., stirred up. Wyc., The bishops stirred the company of people.

Verse 15

To content [το ικανον ποιησαι] . Lit., to do the sufficient thing. Compare the popular phrase, Do the right thing. A Latinism, and used by Mark only. Wyc., to do enough to the people.

Verse 16

Into the hall called Pretorium. Mark, as usual, amplifies. Matthew has simply the Pretorium. The courtyard, surrounded by the buildings of the Pretorium, so that the people passing through the vestibule into this quadrangle found themselves in the Pretorium.

Band (speiran). Originally anything wound or wrapped round; as a ball, the coils of a snake, a knot or curl in wood. Hence a body of men - at - arms. The same idea is at the bottom of the Latin manipulus, which is sometimes (as by Josephus) used to translate speira. Manipulus was originally a bundle or handful. The ancient Romans adopted a pole with a handful of hay or straw twisted about it as the standard of a company of soldiers; hence a certain number or body of soldiers under one standard was called manipulus.

Verse 17

Purple. See on Matthew 27:28. Matthew adds the word for soldier 's cloak. Mark has simply purple.

Verse 21

Compel. Better impress, as Rev. in margin. See on Matthew 5:41. Note the accuracy in designating Simon.

Verse 22

Golgotha. See on Matthew 27:33.

Verse 23

They gave [εδιδουν] . The imperfect tense is used in the same sense as in Matthew 3:14 (Rev.), "John would have hindered." They were for giving; attempted to give. So Rev., excellently, offered.

Wine mingled with myrrh [εσμυρνισμενον οινον] . Lit., myrrhed wine. See on Matthew 27:34.

Verse 24

What each should take [τις τι αρη] . Lit., who should take what. An addition of Mark.

Verse 26

The superscription of his accusation. Matthew, simply accusation; Luke, superscription; John, title. See on Matthew 27:37.

Verse 27

Thieves. Rev., robbers. See on Matthew 27:38.

Verse 29

Ah! [ουα] . The Latin vah!

Destroyest. The same word as at Mark 13:2.

Verse 32

The Christ. See on Matthew 2:1. Referring to the confession before the high - priest (xiv. 62).

King of Israel. Referring to the confession before Pilate (xv. 2).

Verse 36

Vinegar. See on Matthew 27:48.

Verse 38

The veil. See on Matthew 27:51.

Verse 39

Son of God. Not the Son of God, which Rev. has retained, but a son of God. To the centurion Christ was a hero or demigod. See on Matthew 27:54.

Verse 40

Magdalene. See on Matthew 27:56.

Verse 41

Followed - ministered [ηκολουθουνδιηκονουν] . Both imperfects : were in the habit, accustomed to.

Verse 42

Even. See on Matthew 27:57.

The day before the Sabbath [προσαββατον] . The fore Sabbath. Peculiar to Mark, and only here.

Verse 43

Joseph of Arimathaea [ιωσηφ ο απο αριμαθαιας] . Lit., Joseph, he from Arimathaea : the article indicating a man well known.

Honorable [ευσχημων] . Compounded of eu, well, and schma, form, shape, figure. On the latter word, see on Matthew 17:2. In its earlier use this adjective would, therefore, emphasize the dignified external appearance and deportment. So Plato, noble bearing (" Republic, " 413). Later, it came to be used in the sense of noble; honorable in rank. See Acts 13:50; Acts 17:12.

Counsellor. A member of the Sanhedrim, as appears from Luke 23:51. Went in boldly [τολμησας εισηλθεν] . Lit., having dared went in. Daring all possible consequences.

Verse 44

Wondered. This query and the asking the centurion are peculiar to Mark.

Verse 45

Body [πτωμα] . Better, Rev., corpse; as the word is used only of a dead body. See on Matthew 24:28.

Verse 46

Stone. See on Matthew 27:60.

Verse 47

Beheld [εθεωρουν] . Imperfect tense. Were looking on meanwhile. The verb also implies steady and careful contemplation. They took careful note.