First thing in the morning, the chief priests, elders, law experts and the whole council came up with a plan. They tied Jesus, led him and gave him to Pilate.
Pilate asked Jesus, “Are you the Jew’s king?”
Jesus answered, “You say.”
The chief priests made many accusations against Jesus, so Pilate asked again, “Not going to answer anything? Look how much they are accusing you.”
But Jesus didn’t answer anything. Pilate was surprised.
During each feast, Pilate released to the people one prisoner they requested. Barabbas was in prison with the rebels who had committed murder during the rebellion. The crowd came and started asking Pilate to release a prisoner for them.
Pilate asked them, “Do you want the Jew’s king to be released?”
He saw the chief priests had delivered Jesus because of jealousy.
But the chief priests motivated the crowd to ask for Barabbas to be released. So Pilate asked again, “Then what do you want me to do with this one you name the Jew’s king?”
“Kill him on a cross!” they yelled.
“Because of what evil behaviour?” Pilate replied, but they yelled louder, “Kill him on a cross!”
So Pilate, wanting to make the crowd happy, released Barabbas to them.
Jesus was whipped and then sent to be killed on a cross.
The soldiers led Jesus to the palace, which is the governor’s house, and gathered the whole army cohort. They put purple clothes on Jesus, weaved a thorn crown and put it on him.
They started saying, “Hello, Jew king,” and they beat his head with a stick, spat on him and bowed down in front of him. After they mocked him, they took off his purple clothes and put his own clothes back on. They then led him to kill him on a cross. The soldiers forced someone passing by, Simon from Cyrene (Alexander and Rufus’ dad) who came from the countryside, to carry the cross.
They brought Jesus to Golgotha, which means ‘Skull Place’. They offered Jesus a wine and myrrh drink, but he didn’t have it. They crucified Jesus and distributed his clothes, gambling to see who should take the clothing. It was the third hour when they crucified Jesus. His charge was written as ‘The Jews’ king’. They crucified two rebels with him, one on the right and one on the left.
People passing by paid Jesus out, shook their heads and said, “Wow. You, the temple destroyer but will rebuild in three days, rescue yourself. Get down from the cross.”
The chief priests and the law experts also joked with each other, “He saved others but can’t save himself. The christ, Israel’s king; come off the cross now so we see and believe you.”
Those crucified with him mocked him.
The sixth hour came. Darkness came over the entire land until the ninth hour.
At the ninth hour, Jesus yelled loudly, “Eloi Eloi, lema sabachthani?”, which means, “My God, my god, why have you rejected me?”
Some people standing nearby heard this and said, “Look, he is asking for Elijah.”
Someone ran and filled a sponge with vinegar, attached it to a stick and gave it to Jesus. They said, “Leave him. See if Elijah comes and takes him down.”
Jesus gave a loud moan and died.
The temple curtain ripped into two pieces from top to bottom.
The soldier standing opposite Jesus saw he died like this and said, “This man really was God’s son.”
There were also women watching from afar, including Mary Magdalene, the younger James and Joses’ mother Mary, and Salome, who followed Jesus and served him in Galilee, and many other women who went with him to Jerusalem.
It became evening.
Because it was preparation day (the day before the Sabbath), Joseph of Arimathea (an important council member who was also waiting for the kingdom of God) daringly went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body.
Pilate was amazed he had already died. Calling the soldier, Pilate asked whether Jesus had already died. Pilate heard it was true from the soldier, so gave the body to Joseph.
Joseph bought linen sheets, took Jesus down and wrapped him in the sheets. He placed Jesus in a tomb cut into the rock and rolled a stone over the tomb’s entrance.
Mary Magdalene and Joses’ mum Mary saw where he was placed.
Mark Chapter 15 Summary
The chief priests and elders deliver Jesus to Pilate, accusing him of being the King of the Jews. Jesus does not defend himself against their accusations, which surprises Pilate. Pilate offers to release a prisoner during the feast, and the crowd, influenced by the chief priests, chooses Barabbas over Jesus. Despite Pilate’s reluctance, he agrees to the crowd’s demands to kill Jesus. Jesus is mocked, beaten, and dressed with a purple robe and a crown of thorns. Simon of Cyrene is forced to carry Jesus’ cross to Golgotha. There, Jesus is crucified alongside two rebels. As he hangs on the cross, he endures mockery from passersby and the religious leaders. At the ninth hour, Jesus dies, and the temple curtain tears in two. Joseph of Arimathea requests Jesus’ body from Pilate and, after confirmation of his death, buries Jesus in a tomb, which is then sealed with a stone.
Mark Chapter 15 Bible Study Questions and Answers
- What does Jesus’ silence before Pilate teach us about responding to unfair accusations?
Answer: Jesus’ silence teaches us the power of humility and trust in God’s justice, even when falsely accused. It shows a deep sense of purpose and the willingness to accept suffering for a greater good, which can inspire Christians to remain firm in their faith during trials.
- How does the choice of Barabbas over Jesus reflect human nature, and what can we learn from it?
Answer: The choice of Barabbas—a known rebel and murderer—over Jesus shows how easily people can be swayed by the crowd and choose wrongdoing over goodness. It suggests we think about our decisions and the influence of peer pressure on our lives.
- In what ways did Jesus’ treatment by the soldiers and the public challenge his identity as King, and how should this influence our understanding of what it means to be a true King?
Answer: The mockery and abuse Jesus endured were a contrast to his true identity and mission. This contrast redefines being a true king as one characterised by service, sacrifice, and love. It encourages Christians to seek a deeper meaning in leadership and honour—through service rather than being dominating.
- How does the soldier’s recognition of Jesus as the Son of God after his death challenge our faith?
Answer: The solider’s realisation came after seeing Jesus’ manner of death, which suggests we should consider how suffering can reveal power to us. It challenges Christians to recognise God not just in glory and power but also in moments of vulnerability and weakness.
- What lessons can we draw from Joseph of Arimathea’s courage in asking for Jesus’ body?
Answer: Joseph’s actions show the courage to stand up for one’s beliefs, even in the face of potential consequences from authorities. It serves as an example to Christians to be bold in their faith and to take risks for what is right, especially in giving care to others.
Mark Chapter 15 Explained
In Mark Chapter 15, the story moves through the final stages of Jesus’ human journey, underlining themes of unfairness, sacrifice, and prophecies coming true. The chapter begins with Jesus before Pilate, where he faces accusations without defending himself, showing his acceptance of his role as the sacrificial lamb. His silence can be seen as a reflection of his inner peace and resolve, as well the fulfilment of Isaiah’s prophecy of a suffering servant.
Pilate’s interaction with Jesus and the crowd reveals the tension between political power and being morally right. Pilate appears to recognise Jesus’ innocence but ultimately agrees to the crowd’s demands. This highlights the weakness of human judgment and the ease with which justice can be swayed by public opinion, a cautionary reminder of the need for individual consideration and integrity.
The brutal mocking and torture Jesus endures at the hands of the Roman soldiers contrast sharply with the title placed above his head: “The Jew’s king.” The Gospel writer uses it to illustrate the upside-down nature of God’s kingdom, where the last will be first, and the first, last; where true power lies in humility and sacrifice.
The crucifixion scene is central to Christian theology, as it is the moment of Jesus’ sacrifice. The darkness that covers the land and the tearing of the temple curtain symbolise a shift in the religious landscape; the barrier between God and humanity is removed, signifying the new agreement through Jesus’ death.
The recognition of Jesus as God’s son by the Roman soldier, a Gentile, highlights the universal scope of Jesus’ mission. It signifies the breaking down of barriers between Jew and Gentile, inviting all into the family of God.
Joseph of Arimathea’s bold request for Jesus’ body and the burial fulfil the customs of honouring the dead and further prove the reality of Jesus’ death, which is essential for the coming claim of resurrection. His actions demonstrate the impact Jesus had on even those in positions of power and influence, challenging believers to act fairly and with compassion.
Overall, Mark Chapter 15 presents a mixture of human cruelty and powerful love, setting the stage for the hope and triumph that is to come in the resurrection.
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Continue exploring Mark 15
If you’d like to read Mark 15 in other translations, here are a few BibleHub links:
For a translation that aims to be word-for-word, try Mark 15 in the English Standard Version.
For a translation that aims to be more thought-for-thought, try Mark 15 in the New International Version.
For a translation that aims to communicate the overall meaning, try Mark 15 in the Contemporary English Version.
If you prefer to read the Bible in a hard-copy format, here are cheaper versions from Amazon:
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For a translation that aims to be word-for-word, ESV Economy Bible
For a translation that aims to be more thought-for-thought, NIV, Economy Bible, Paperback: Accurate. Readable. Clear.
For a translation that aims to communicate the overall meaning, Holy Bible: Contemporary English Version
If you’d like to explore Mark in more depth, here are two commentaries I would recommend:
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Easy to access commentaries that include life applications:
The NIV Application Commentary: Mark
Mark (The Story of God Bible Commentary)
For a commentary that goes into more depth:
The Gospel of Mark (The New International Commentary on the New Testament)
Not My Life 