MRK 15

Jesus Before Pilate

Matt. 27:1-2, 11-14; Lk. 23:1-5; Jn. 18:28-38

1 At daybreak, the chief priests convened with the elders, scribes, and the entire Sanhedrin. After reaching a decision, they bound Jesus, led Him away, and delivered Him to Pilate.

2 Pilate interrogated Him: "Are You the King of the Jews?" Jesus replied, "You have said so."

3 The chief priests levelled numerous accusations against Him.

4 Pilate questioned Him again: "Are You not going to respond? Consider how many charges they are bringing against You!"

5 Jesus offered no further response, which amazed Pilate.

Jesus Sentenced to Die

Matt. 27:15-26; Lk. 23:13-25; Jn. 18:39-19:16

6 During the festival, Pilate customarily released one prisoner chosen by the crowd.

7 A prisoner named Barabbas was incarcerated with rebels who had committed murder during an insurrection.

8 The crowd arrived and began requesting that Pilate follow his usual custom.

9 Pilate asked them, "Do you want me to release the King of the Jews for you?"

10 He recognised that the chief priests had delivered Jesus over because of envy.

11 However, the chief priests incited the crowd to request Barabbas' release instead.

12 Pilate asked them again, "Then what should I do with the one you call the King of the Jews?"

13 They shouted back, "Crucify Him!"

14 Pilate asked, "Why? What crime has He committed?" But they shouted even louder, "Crucify Him!"

15 Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas. After having Jesus flogged, he handed Him over for crucifixion.

Jesus Mocked by the Soldiers

Matt. 27:27-31; Jn. 19:2-3

16 The soldiers led Jesus inside the palace (the Praetorium) and assembled the entire regiment.

17 They dressed Him in a purple robe, twisted together a thorn crown, and placed it on His head.

18 They began saluting Him mockingly: "Hail, King of the Jews!"

19 They repeatedly struck His head with a reed, spit on Him, and knelt before Him in mock worship.

20 After mocking Him, they removed the purple robe and put His own clothes back on Him. Then they led Him out to crucify Him.

The Crucifixion of Jesus

Matt. 27:32-44; Lk. 23:26-43; Jn. 19:17-27

21 They forced a passerby named Simon from Cyrene—father of Alexander and Rufus—who was coming from the countryside, to carry Jesus' cross.

22 They brought Jesus to Golgotha (meaning "Skull Place").

23 They offered Him wine mixed with myrrh, but He refused it.

24 They crucified Him and divided His clothing among themselves, casting lots to determine each person's share.

25 It was nine o'clock in the morning when they crucified Him.

26 The written charge against Him read: "The King of the Jews."

27 They crucified two criminals with Him—one on His right, one on His left.*

29 Passersby hurled insults, shaking their heads and saying, "Ha! You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days,

30 save Yourself by coming down from the cross!"

31 Similarly, the chief priests and scribes mocked Him among themselves: "He saved others; He cannot save Himself!

32 Let the Christ, the King of Israel, descend from the cross now so we can see and believe!" Even those crucified with Him hurled insults at Him.

The Death of Jesus

Matt. 27:45-56; Lk. 23:44-49; Jn. 19:28-30

33 At the sixth hour (noon), darkness covered the entire land until the ninth hour (three o'clock in the afternoon).

34 At three o'clock, Jesus cried out loudly, "Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?"—which translates, "My God, My God, why have You abandoned Me?"

35 Some bystanders heard this and said, "Listen, He is calling Elijah!"

36 Someone ran, soaked a sponge in sour wine, put it on a reed, and offered Him a drink, saying, "Wait! Let us see if Elijah comes to take Him down."

37 Jesus uttered a loud cry and breathed His last.

38 The temple curtain tore in two from top to bottom.

39 When the centurion standing opposite Jesus saw how He died, he declared, "This man truly was God's Son!"

40 Women were watching from a distance, including Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and Joses, and Salome.

41 These women had followed Jesus and served Him while He was in Galilee. Many other women who had come to Jerusalem with Him were also there.

The Burial of Jesus

Matt. 27:57-61; Lk. 23:50-56; Jn. 19:38-42

42 Evening arrived. Since it was Preparation Day (the day before the Sabbath),

43 Joseph from Arimathea, a respected council member who was himself anticipating God's kingdom, courageously approached Pilate and requested Jesus' body.

44 Pilate was surprised that Jesus had already died. Summoning the centurion, he asked if Jesus was already dead.

45 After learning from the centurion, Pilate granted the body to Joseph.

46 Joseph purchased a linen cloth, took Jesus down from the cross, wrapped Him in the cloth, and placed Him in a tomb carved from rock. He rolled a stone against the tomb entrance.

47 Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses observed where Jesus was laid.

Notes

27 A textual variant present in part of the manuscript tradition expands the passage by inserting a fulfilment formula—“ And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, ‘And He was counted with the transgressors’ ”—thereby creating a new verse (v. 28 in some versions). This insertion achieves a degree of harmonisation with the parallel account in John 19:23-24.

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