The Cross (Mark 15)

How did Jesus answer false accusations? Why did they release an insurrectionist instead of Jesus? What time was the crucifixion? Who else was crucified with Jesus? Did people mock Jesus? Did Jesus quote a Psalm on the cross? After about 6 hours on the cross, when did Jesus die? What happened to the veil in the temple? Who did they compel to carry Jesus’ cross? Do we carry our cross? Let’s discuss Mark 15.

Where was Jesus taken next? How did He answer Pilate?

As soon as it was morning, the high priests convened a meeting with the elders and scribes and the whole Council. They bound Jesus with chains, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate. Pilate asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” Jesus answered him, “You say so.” (Mark 15:1-2 ISV)

Did Jesus answer false accusations? Are there times when we might wisely follow His example here?

And the chief priests accused him of many things: but he answered nothing. And Pilate asked him again, saying, Answerest thou nothing? behold how many things they witness against thee. But Jesus yet answered nothing; so that Pilate marvelled. (Mark 15:3-5 KJV)

Why did they release an insurrectionist instead of Jesus?

Now at the feast he used to release for them any one prisoner whom they requested. And the man named Barabbas had been imprisoned with the insurrectionists who had committed murder in the insurrection. And the crowd went up and began asking him to do as he had been accustomed to do for them. And Pilate answered them, saying, “Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?” For he was aware that the chief priests had delivered Him over because of envy. But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to ask him to release Barabbas for them instead. (Mark 15:6-11 LSB)

Did Pilate make the cowardly decision or the right one?

And responding again, Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Him whom you call the King of the Jews?” They shouted back, “Crucify Him!” But Pilate said to them, “Why, what evil has He done?” But they shouted all the more, “Crucify Him!” Intent on satisfying the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas for them, and after having Jesus flogged, he handed Him over to be crucified. (Mark 15:12-15 NASB)

Did the soldiers then proceed to mock Jesus and abuse Him?

The soldiers led Jesus away into the palace (that is, the Praetorium) and called together the whole company of soldiers. They put a purple robe on him, then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on him. And they began to call out to him, “Hail, king of the Jews!” Again and again they struck him on the head with a staff and spit on him. Falling on their knees, they paid homage to him. And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him out to crucify him. (Mark 15:16-20 NIV)

Who did they compel to carry Jesus’ cross? What was his name?

Then they compelled a certain man, Simon a Cyrenian, the father of Alexander and Rufus, as he was coming out of the country and passing by, to bear His cross. (Mark 15:21 NKJV)

Where did they crucify Jesus? Was it outside the gate?

And they brought Jesus to a place called Golgotha (which means “Place of the Skull”). (Mark 15:22 NLT)

A strong sour wine mixed with bitter herbs was meant to numb those suffering on a cross. Did Jesus refuse to lessen His suffering?

They offered him wine mixed with myrrh to drink, but he didn’t take it. (Mark 15:23 WEB)

What did they do with His clothes as they crucified Jesus?

They crucified him. They divided up his clothes, drawing lots for them to determine who would take what. (Mark 15:24 CEB)

What time was the crucifixion? What did a sign say? Who else was crucified with Jesus?

It was about nine o'clock in the morning when they nailed him to the cross. On it was a sign that told why he was nailed there. It read, “This is the King of the Jews.” The soldiers also nailed two criminals on crosses, one to the right of Jesus and the other to his left. (Mark 15:25-28 CEV)

Did people mock Jesus mercilessly while He suffered on the cross?

And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads and saying, “Aha! You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself, and come down from the cross!” So also the chief priests with the scribes mocked him to one another, saying, “He saved others; he cannot save himself. Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross that we may see and believe.” Those who were crucified with him also reviled him. (Mark 15:29-32 ESV)