Mark 15:1-47 King James Bible KJV

Jesus Before Pilate, The Soldiers Mock Jesus, The Crucifixion, The Death of Jesus, The Burial of Jesus

Mark 15;1-47 King James Bible KJV. Mark 15 describes the final hours of Jesus’ earthly life, focusing on His trial, crucifixion, death, and burial. This chapter is central to the Passion narrative and highlights themes of rejection, suffering, and sacrifice.

Mark 15 is the heart of the Passion narrative, where the suffering and death of Jesus reach their climax. It depicts the final hours of Jesus’ life, emphasizing His role as the suffering Messiah who dies to bring salvation to humanity. His kingship is revealed in His willingness to lay down His life, and His death marks the fulfillment of God’s plan for the redemption of the world.

Mark 15 Reveals Several Theological Themes:

• The Suffering Servant: Jesus endures intense physical, emotional, and spiritual suffering, fulfilling the role of the Suffering Servant prophesied in Isaiah 53. His willingness to suffer and die for humanity is central to Christian beliefs about salvation and atonement.
• Divine Kingship: Although mocked as “King of the Jews,” Jesus’ crucifixion paradoxically demonstrates His true kingship. His reign is one of self-sacrifice and servant leadership, not worldly power or domination.
• Atonement for Sin: Jesus’ death on the cross is the ultimate atoning sacrifice, making reconciliation between God and humanity possible. The tearing of the temple curtain symbolizes the new access to God through Jesus’ sacrifice.
• Human Rejection and Divine Acceptance: The mockery, abandonment, and rejection Jesus faces emphasize the depth of human sin. Yet, in contrast to this rejection, the centurion’s confession “Surely this man was the Son of God” shows that even in death, Jesus is recognized for who He truly is – pointing to the universality of salvation.
• Hope Beyond Death: Though the chapter focuses on death and suffering, it also contains glimmers of hope. The presence of the women who witness Jesus’ burial and Joseph’s bold action in burying Him are hints that the story does not end in death. They set the stage for the resurrection, which will be revealed in the next chapter.

Mark 15:1-47 King James Bible KJV
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Jesus Before Pilate – verses 1-15
After the Sanhedrin, the Jewish council, condemns Jesus, they hand Him over to the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate, because only the Romans had the authority to execute someone. Pilate questions Jesus, asking if He is the King of the Jews, to which Jesus responds, “You have said so.” Despite Pilate’s reluctance and his awareness that the religious leaders are acting out of envy, he eventually bows to the crowd’s demand and releases the criminal Barabbas instead of Jesus. Pilate orders Jesus to be scourged and crucified.

This scene illustrates the political and religious rejection of Jesus. Pilate’s questioning centers on Jesus’ identity as King, yet he does not recognize the true nature of Jesus’ kingship. Pilate’s decision to release Barabbas and condemn Jesus shows how public pressure and political expediency often lead to injustice. It also reflects humanity’s choice of sin (Barabbas) over the Savior (Jesus).

The Soldiers Mock Jesus verses – 16-20
After Pilate’s sentence, Roman soldiers mock Jesus. They dress Him in a purple robe that symbolizes royalty, place a crown of thorns on His head, and sarcastically salute Him as “King of the Jews.” They strike Him, spit on Him, and kneel in mock homage. The soldiers’ mockery underscores the irony of Jesus’ situation. Though they mock Him as a king, Jesus is indeed the true King, but His kingship is not of this world. This section highlights the theme of humiliation and suffering that Jesus endures for the sake of humanity. The contrast between the soldiers’ mockery and Jesus’ true identity as King of Kings is poignant.

The Crucifixion – verses 21-32
Jesus is led to Golgotha, the place of the skull, to be crucified. Along the way, Simon of Cyrene is forced to carry the cross for Jesus. At Golgotha, Jesus is offered wine mixed with myrrh, which is a form of anesthesia, but He refuses. Jesus is then crucified between two criminals, with a sign above His head reading “The King of the Jews.” Passersby, the chief priests, and even the criminals mock Him, challenging Him to save Himself if He truly is the Messiah.

The crucifixion is the central act of Jesus’ sacrifice. The mockery from the crowd and religious leaders parallels earlier scenes, reinforcing the rejection of Jesus as Messiah. However, their taunts – “save yourself and come down from the cross” – misunderstand Jesus’ mission. His refusal to save Himself demonstrates that He came not to be served, but to serve and give His life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45). The crucifixion is the culmination of His mission to die for the sins of humanity.

The Death of Jesus verses 33-41
At noon, darkness covers the land until 3 p.m., a sign of the cosmic significance of the moment. At 3 p.m., Jesus cries out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” (which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”), quoting Psalm 22. Some bystanders think He is calling Elijah. Jesus lets out a final cry and breathes His last. At that moment, the curtain of the temple is torn in two from top to bottom. A Roman centurion standing nearby declares, “Surely this man was the Son of God!”

Jesus’ cry of abandonment reflects the depth of His suffering and His identification with human suffering and sin. He experiences the separation from God that sin brings, even though He Himself is sinless. The tearing of the temple curtain symbolizes the end of the separation between God and humanity, signifying that Jesus’ death opens the way for all people to have direct access to God. The centurion’s declaration, “Surely this man was the Son of God,” serves as an unexpected recognition of Jesus’ true identity from a Gentile, underscoring the universality of Jesus’ mission.

The Burial of Jesus verses 42-47
After Jesus dies, Joseph of Arimathea, a member of the council who was waiting for the kingdom of God, courageously asks Pilate for Jesus’ body. Pilate is surprised to hear that Jesus has already died, but after confirmation from the centurion, he grants Joseph the body. Joseph wraps Jesus in a linen cloth and lays Him in a tomb cut out of rock, sealing it with a stone. Mary Magdalene and Mary, the mother of Joseph, see where He is laid.

The burial of Jesus fulfills the prophecy that the Messiah would be buried with the rich (Isaiah 53:9), as Joseph was a wealthy and respected man. Joseph’s courage contrasts with the fear and abandonment of the disciples, showing that some remained faithful even in the darkest moments. The burial also sets the stage for the resurrection, as the women’s witnessing of the burial ensures that the empty tomb will later be verified.

Mark 15:1-47 King James Bible KJV

1 And 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.
2 And Pilate asked him, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answering said unto him, Thou sayest it.
3 And the chief priests accused him of many things: but he answered nothing.
4 And Pilate asked him again, saying, Answerest thou nothing? behold how many things they witness against thee.
5 But Jesus yet answered nothing; so that Pilate marvelled.
6 Now at that feast he released unto them one prisoner, whomsoever they desired.
7 And there was one named Barabbas, which lay bound with them that had made insurrection with him, who had committed murder in the insurrection.
8 And the multitude crying aloud began to desire him to do as he had ever done unto them.
9 But Pilate answered them, saying, Will ye that I release unto you the King of the Jews?
10 For he knew that the chief priests had delivered him for envy.
11 But the chief priests moved the people, that he should rather release Barabbas unto them.
12 And 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?
13 And they cried out again, Crucify him.
14 Then Pilate said unto them, Why, what evil hath he done? And they cried out the more exceedingly, Crucify him.
15 And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified.

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

21 And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross.
22 And they bring him unto the place Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, The place of a skull.
23 And they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh: but he received it not.
24 And when they had crucified him, they parted his garments, casting lots upon them, what every man should take.
25 And it was the third hour, and they crucified him.
26 And the superscription of his accusation was written over, THE KING OF THE JEWS.
27 And with him they crucify two thieves; the one on his right hand, and the other on his left.
28 And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, And he was numbered with the transgressors.
29 And they that passed by railed on him, wagging their heads, and saying, Ah, thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days,
30 Save thyself, and come down from the cross.
31 Likewise also the chief priests mocking said among themselves with the scribes, He saved others; himself he cannot save.
32 Let 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.

33 And when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour.
34 And 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?
35 And some of them that stood by, when they heard it, said, Behold, he calleth Elias.
36 And 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.
37 And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost.
38 And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom.
39 And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave upthe ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God.
40 There 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.

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