Mark 15: Trial, Crucifixion, and Burial

Short answer: Mark 15 narrates Jesus' trial before Pilate, where the crowd demands Barabbas and calls for crucifixion, leading to Jesus' flogging, mockery, and death on the cross. It concludes with His burial by Joseph of Arimathea and the witness of the women.

What Mark 15 says

Mark 15 opens with the chief priests, elders, and scribes binding Jesus and delivering Him to Pilate. Pilate questions Him about being the King of the Jews, and Jesus answers briefly. The chief priests accuse Him of many things, but Jesus remains silent, amazing Pilate. At the feast, Pilate offers to release a prisoner, and the crowd asks for Barabbas, an insurgent and murderer. Pilate perceives envy among the chief priests and asks what to do with Jesus. The crowd, stirred up, shouts for crucifixion. Pilate, wishing to please them, releases Barabbas and hands Jesus over to be flogged and crucified. This section shows the unjust trial and the crowd's choice of a rebel over Jesus.

The soldiers take Jesus into the Praetorium, call the whole cohort, and mock Him. They clothe Him in purple, crown Him with thorns, salute Him as King of the Jews, strike His head with a reed, spit on Him, and bow in mock homage. After mocking, they put His own garments on Him and lead Him out to crucify Him. They compel Simon of Cyrene to carry His cross. At Golgotha, they offer Him wine mixed with myrrh, which He refuses. They crucify Him and divide His garments by casting lots. The inscription reads, The King of the Jews. Two robbers are crucified with Him, one on each side, fulfilling Scripture that He was counted with transgressors. This passage highlights the humiliation and the fulfillment of prophecy.

Those passing by blaspheme Jesus, wagging their heads and challenging Him to save Himself and come down from the cross. The chief priests and scribes mock among themselves, saying He saved others but cannot save Himself, and call for Him to come down so they may believe. Even those crucified with Him insult Him. From the sixth to the ninth hour, darkness covers the land. At the ninth hour, Jesus cries out, asking why God has forsaken Him. Some think He calls Elijah. One offers Him vinegar, and others wait to see if Elijah comes. Jesus cries out and gives up His spirit. The temple veil tears in two from top to bottom. The centurion, seeing how He died, declares Him the Son of God. Women watch from afar, including Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and Salome, who had followed and served Him in Galilee. This section captures the mockery, the darkness, the cry of dereliction, and the centurion's confession.

When evening comes, Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent council member looking for God's Kingdom, boldly asks Pilate for Jesus' body. Pilate is surprised He is already dead and confirms with the centurion. He grants the body to Joseph, who buys a linen cloth, takes Jesus down, wraps Him, and lays Him in a rock-hewn tomb, rolling a stone against the door. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses see where He is laid. This final section shows the respectful burial and the women's witness, setting the stage for the resurrection.

Verses that carry the chapter

• “Pilate, wishing to please the multitude, released Barabbas to them, and handed over Jesus, when he had flogged him, to be crucified.” (Mark 15:15) — This verse captures Pilate's decision to release Barabbas and hand Jesus over to be crucified, highlighting the injustice and the substitutionary choice that mirrors the gospel.
• “Crucifying him, they parted his garments among them, casting lots on them, what each should take.” (Mark 15:24) — The soldiers crucify Jesus and divide His garments by casting lots, fulfilling prophecy and showing the callous treatment of the Son of God.
• “At the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” (Mark 15:34) which is, being interpreted, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mark 15:34)” (Mark 15:34) — Jesus' cry of forsakenness reveals the depth of His suffering and the mystery of His bearing sin, quoting Psalm 22 and expressing anguish.
• “When the centurion, who stood by opposite him, saw that he cried out like this and breathed his last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!” (Mark 15:39)” (Mark 15:39) — The centurion's confession after witnessing Jesus' death declares Him the Son of God, a pivotal moment of recognition from an unexpected source.

Gospel connection

Mark 15 stands at the heart of the gospel story, showing Jesus as the innocent King who is rejected, mocked, and crucified. The crowd's choice of Barabbas, a murderer, over Jesus illustrates the great exchange: the guilty go free while the righteous suffers. Jesus' silence before His accusers fulfills the prophecy of the suffering servant. His cry of forsakenness echoes Psalm 22, pointing to the weight of sin He bore. The tearing of the temple veil signifies the end of separation between God and humanity, opening access through His death. The centurion's confession hints that even Gentiles will recognize Him. This chapter connects to the wider biblical narrative of redemption, where the promised Messiah suffers for the sins of many, as foretold in Isaiah and the Psalms, and anticipates the resurrection hope.

Application

This chapter asks readers to confront the cost of their own sin and the depth of Jesus' love. It challenges us to see ourselves in the crowd, sometimes choosing the easy way over the true King, and in Pilate, sometimes yielding to pressure rather than standing for justice. It calls us to reflect on Jesus' silence and suffering, and to respond with repentance and faith. The centurion's confession invites us to recognize Jesus as the Son of God, not just in words but in lives surrendered to Him. The women's faithful watching and Joseph's bold request for the body encourage us to serve and honor Christ even when it is costly. Ultimately, it points us to the cross as the place where our sin is dealt with and where we find forgiveness and hope.

Biblical fidelity check

The chapter does not explain the theological meaning of Jesus' cry of forsakenness, nor does it describe the interior thoughts of Pilate, the crowd, or the disciples. It does not state where the disciples were during the crucifixion, except that they are absent from the narrative. It does not describe the resurrection or the significance of the torn veil beyond the fact. It does not name the two robbers or give details about their crimes beyond being robbers. It does not say whether the centurion's confession was a full conversion. It does not mention any appearance of angels or divine intervention at the cross. The text is silent on the reaction of the women beyond their presence and watching.

Questions for study

1. Why do you think the crowd chose Barabbas over Jesus, and what does that reveal about human nature?
2. What is the significance of Jesus' silence before Pilate and the accusations?
3. How do the mockeries and insults against Jesus contrast with who He truly is?
4. What does the centurion's statement after Jesus' death mean to you?
5. Why is the burial of Jesus by Joseph of Arimathea important for the gospel story?

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Related studies: Mark 1 Bible Study, Mark 10 Bible Study, Mark 11 Bible Study, Mark 12 Bible Study.

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FAQ

Why did Pilate release Barabbas instead of Jesus?

Pilate wanted to please the crowd and saw that the chief priests had handed Jesus over out of envy, so he released Barabbas, a murderer, and handed Jesus over to be crucified.

What was the significance of the temple veil tearing?

The veil tearing from top to bottom at Jesus' death symbolized the removal of the barrier between God and humanity, granting direct access to God through Jesus' sacrifice.

Who were the women watching from afar?

Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the less and Joses, and Salome, who had followed and served Jesus in Galilee and had come with Him to Jerusalem.