Mark
15:20-47
Lesson 98
15:20-47
Lesson 98
In this lesson:
Jesus delivers the gift of salvation.
Jesus delivers the gift of salvation.
Simon helps Jesus carry the cross.
From the Movie "The Passion of the Christ."
From the Movie "The Passion of the Christ."
The slow death.
Crucifixion!
Crucifixion!
Crucifixion wasn't just a means of execution; it was a psychological weapon used to intimidate anyone who challenged the authority of the Roman empire. Crucifixion was designed by the Romans to inflict maximum pain while slowly killing. Death on the cross was reserved for traitors, slaves, foreigners, and the lowest of criminals. Rome allowed slavery but considered crucifixion so horrendous it was illegal to crucify a Roman citizen, no matter what their crime. The first public crucifixions took on a carnival atmosphere and attracted large, boisterous crowds. But by the time Jesus hung on the cross crucifixions had become routine. The loud curious mobs had long disappeared leaving only Jesus' mother, and a handful of followers and accusers to watch the Messiah die. To most of the people of Jerusalem, the Messiah's death was just another ho-hum execution.
With the jeers of the crowd filling their ears, the ill-fated prisoners were led to their execution site and stripped naked, adding to their humiliation. Then primitive iron nails six to eight inches long with two inch sharpened points were pounded through their hands or wrists with a heavy mallet. Experienced executioners knew precisely where to place the
nails to cut the tendons that run the length of the arm up to the shoulders. With severed tendons, the crucified were forced to use their back and shoulder muscles to support their weight as they hung on the up-righted cross. Once the wrists of the struggling victim were hammered down, a single nail was then driven through both feet to anchor them to the wooden cross. The crucifix was then raised, and the base of the cross dropped into a three-foot-deep hole with a jarring thud. If they were unlucky enough to have inexperienced or hurried executioners, one or both of the struggling
prisoner's wrists could come loose as the cross dropped into place, causing them to fall forward with their feet still fastened to the crucifix. They were then brought back down screaming and re-nailed.
After the helpless victim was secured and the cross set upright in the air, the crucified would be on full display to the eyes of the taunting crowd and the death watch would begin. Death on the cross was slow. Their gradual physical decline gave the condemned time to think about their death as they writhed in agony. The intense physical and psychological misery steadily increased as the sufferer slowly succumbed to dehydration, loss of blood, trauma, shock, fear, pain, and sheer exhaustion. Most died from suffocation when they couldn't hold themselves up on the cross any longer. As the weight of the weakening upper torso collapsed over the diaphragm breathing became difficult. The victims found they could take air in but couldn't exhale it. The only way to catch a breath was to pull themselves up the cross by their nailed wrists. Pulling themselves up caused horrific pain as the punctured wrists bore the entire weight of the fading body. Once the crucified raised themselves up on the cross, their arm and shoulder muscles quickly cramped and weakened. When they could take the pain no longer the condemned would sink back down and rest their weight on the nail driven through their feet. This relieved the pain in the upper torso, but the agony in their feet, ankles, and legs sent throbbing shivers through their body, and the pectoral muscles in the chest again became temporarily paralyzed. In the panic for another breath, they would again pull themselves back up the cross by their wrists. If a man passed out, he was quickly jarred awake as his body gasped for air. This up and down struggling was repeated over and over until death finally came. In Jesus' case, it took over three hours. If the crucified were still alive when the executioners were ready to leave their legs were broken to keep them from pushing themselves up the cross for another breath. With shattered legs, death came quickly. It was not until 313 AD, two hundred and eighty years after Jesus died on the cross, that Rome finally outlawed crucifixion.
With the jeers of the crowd filling their ears, the ill-fated prisoners were led to their execution site and stripped naked, adding to their humiliation. Then primitive iron nails six to eight inches long with two inch sharpened points were pounded through their hands or wrists with a heavy mallet. Experienced executioners knew precisely where to place the
nails to cut the tendons that run the length of the arm up to the shoulders. With severed tendons, the crucified were forced to use their back and shoulder muscles to support their weight as they hung on the up-righted cross. Once the wrists of the struggling victim were hammered down, a single nail was then driven through both feet to anchor them to the wooden cross. The crucifix was then raised, and the base of the cross dropped into a three-foot-deep hole with a jarring thud. If they were unlucky enough to have inexperienced or hurried executioners, one or both of the struggling
prisoner's wrists could come loose as the cross dropped into place, causing them to fall forward with their feet still fastened to the crucifix. They were then brought back down screaming and re-nailed.
After the helpless victim was secured and the cross set upright in the air, the crucified would be on full display to the eyes of the taunting crowd and the death watch would begin. Death on the cross was slow. Their gradual physical decline gave the condemned time to think about their death as they writhed in agony. The intense physical and psychological misery steadily increased as the sufferer slowly succumbed to dehydration, loss of blood, trauma, shock, fear, pain, and sheer exhaustion. Most died from suffocation when they couldn't hold themselves up on the cross any longer. As the weight of the weakening upper torso collapsed over the diaphragm breathing became difficult. The victims found they could take air in but couldn't exhale it. The only way to catch a breath was to pull themselves up the cross by their nailed wrists. Pulling themselves up caused horrific pain as the punctured wrists bore the entire weight of the fading body. Once the crucified raised themselves up on the cross, their arm and shoulder muscles quickly cramped and weakened. When they could take the pain no longer the condemned would sink back down and rest their weight on the nail driven through their feet. This relieved the pain in the upper torso, but the agony in their feet, ankles, and legs sent throbbing shivers through their body, and the pectoral muscles in the chest again became temporarily paralyzed. In the panic for another breath, they would again pull themselves back up the cross by their wrists. If a man passed out, he was quickly jarred awake as his body gasped for air. This up and down struggling was repeated over and over until death finally came. In Jesus' case, it took over three hours. If the crucified were still alive when the executioners were ready to leave their legs were broken to keep them from pushing themselves up the cross for another breath. With shattered legs, death came quickly. It was not until 313 AD, two hundred and eighty years after Jesus died on the cross, that Rome finally outlawed crucifixion.
Study Tip:
We tend to read as if we're in a race. But when you read the Bible, take the time to meditate on each passage. Allow the true meaning of God's word to enter you.
We tend to read as if we're in a race. But when you read the Bible, take the time to meditate on each passage. Allow the true meaning of God's word to enter you.
The Gospel According to St. Matthew
The King James Bible
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Mark 15:20-47
Jesus Christ dies 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. Many ancient Greek manuscripts don't include verse 15:28. 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 up the 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 Arimathaea, an honourable counsellor, 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. |
Margin notes:
"Simon a Cyrenian." (15:21) - Simon was from Cyrene, a city in North Africa founded by Greeks in 630 BC. Cyrene boasted a large Jewish population and was the capital of Cyrenaica (present- day Libya). A Hellenistic Jew, Simon was either visiting the Holy City during the Passover holiday or had moved to Jerusalem and was part of the synagogue of the Cyrenians mentioned in Acts 6:9. His son Rufus became a prominent member of the early Christian church (Romans 16:13). "Golgotha." (15:22) - Aramaic for "the place of the skull" (Matthew 27:33; Mark 15:22; John 19:17), also called Calvary (Luke 23:33). Golgotha was a small hill, located northwest of Jerusalem just outside the gates of the city (Hebrews 13:12), where criminals were executed. It was commonplace to hold crucifixions on hilltops so people could easily see the execution and be warned. The main road into Jerusalem ran past Golgotha giving travelers a good view of Jesus' crucifixion (Mark 15:29). There was also a garden nearby and a fresh grave where Jesus was buried (John 19:41). "Wine mingled with myrrh." (15:23) - A narcotic drink to help lessen pain. Choosing to endure the full pain of His execution, Jesus refused to drink it. "They parted his garments, casting lots upon them." (15:24) - Roman soldiers routinely divided up the property of the crucified. This was prophesized in Psalm 22:18 centuries earlier. "It was the third hour." (15:25) - "It was 9 AM." "They crucified him." (15:25) - Hundreds of years before the Jews knew about crucifixion, Psalm 22:16 prophesized how the Messiah would die. "The superscription of his accusation." (15:26) - The condemned had their crime written on the cross above their head so everyone could see. "And the scripture was fulfilled." (15:28) - The Scripture referred to is Isaiah 53:12. "They that passed by railed on him....." (15:29) - Jesus was mocked, just as prophesied centuries earlier in Psalm 22:7. "Thou that destroyest the temple..." (15:29) - Jesus did not say He would destroy the Temple. He predicted the Temple (His body) would be destroyed and resurrected in three days (John 2:19). "They that were crucified with him reviled him." (15:32) - Fortunately, one thief repented, asked Jesus to remember him in heaven and was quickly forgiven (Luke 23:39-43). "The sixth hour." (15:33) - "Twelve noon." "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" (15:34) - As written in Psalm 22:1. "One ran and filled a spunge full of vinegar." (15:36) - As prophesied in Psalm 69:21. Vinegar was a cheap sour wine (Numbers 6:3) popular with Roman soldiers. "And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom." (15:38) - The Temple had two main areas; the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place (reserved for God). Only the high priest could enter the Most Holy Place once a year with a blood sacrifice to ask God to forgive the people for their sins. The two areas were separated by a large blue, purple, and scarlet veil (Exodus 26:31). At the moment of Jesus' death, the veil was torn in two to show that mankind was no longer separated from God and could approach Him without a sacrifice or intermediaries (Hebrews 10:19-20). See Hebrews 9 for more information. "Over against him." (15:39) - Means "across from him." "There were also women looking on afar off." (15:40) - "There were also women watching from a distance." "Mary Magdalene." (15:40) - From the village of Magdala, she is one of seven Mary's mentioned in the New Testament. After Jesus freed her from seven demons (Mark 16:9; Luke 8:2), Mary became a devoted follower and traveled with Jesus and His group right up to and including the final trip to Jerusalem and crucifixion (Matthew 27:55; Mark 15:40; John 19:25). When others fled, Mary bravely stood vigil beside the cross until Jesus died (Luke 23:46-49). Mary was still on Calvary when Jesus was taken off the cross and buried (Matthew 27:61; Mark 15:47; Luke 23:55). Three days later, with Salome and Mary (the mother of James), she went to anoint Jesus' body and found the grave empty. Mary Magdalene was among the first to hear that Jesus had been resurrected from the dead (Matthew 28:1-8; Mark 16:1-8) and the first to see Him after He had arisen (Mark 16:9; John 20:10-16). "Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses." (15:40) - "Mary, the mother of James the younger and Joses." "Salome." (15:40) - Zebedee's wife, the mother of the disciples James and John (Mark 10:35), and Jesus' aunt (she was the Virgin Mary's sister). Salome was a devoted follower of Christ. While most of the disciples fled when Jesus was crucified, Salome not only went to Calvary to witness the crucifixion but stayed until the agonizing end (Matthew 27:54-56; Mark 15:40; John 19:25). Three days later, she went to Jesus' tomb with Mary Magdalene to anoint His body with spices but found it empty (Mark 16:1-8). And ministered unto him." (15:41) - "And looked after Him." "When the even was come." (15:42) - "When evening had come." "The day before the sabbath." (15:42) - The Sabbath ran from sundown on Friday to sundown Saturday. "Joseph of Arimathaea." (15:43) - A wealthy (Matthew 27:57) member of the influential Jewish high council, the Sanhedrin (Mark 15:43) and a secret follower of Jesus Christ (John 19:38). Joseph kept his faith secret out of fear of the Pharisees' (John 12:42) and was absent the night the Sanhedrin falsely convicted the Messiah of blasphemy (Luke 23:50-51). In accordance with Jewish custom (Deuteronomy 21:22-23), Joseph "begged" Pilate for Jesus' crucified body, removed Him from the cross, prepared Him for burial, and supplied the tomb for Jesus to be buried in (Matthew 27:57-60; Mark 15:43-46; Luke 23:50-53; John 19:38-42). Joseph appears in all four Gospels. "Craved the body." (15:43) - "Asked for the body." "Pilate marvelled if he were already dead." (15:44) - "Pilate was surprised Jesus was already dead." "Laid him in a sepulchre." (15:46) - "Laid Him in a tomb." Joseph was helped by Nicodemus, another member of the Sanhedrin (John 19:39-40). |
Read more about the crucifixion in Matthew 27:33-44 (lesson 60), Luke 23:33-47 and John 19:17-24. You can also read Psalm 22 (written centuries earlier) for a prophetic glimpse of Jesus' suffering.
New Living Translation
Mark: 15:20-47
20 When they were finally tired of mocking him, they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes on him again. Then they led him away to be crucified.
The Crucifixion
21 A passerby named Simon, who was from Cyrene, was coming in from the countryside just then, and the soldiers forced him to carry Jesus' cross. (Simon was the father of Alexander and Rufus.)
22 And they brought Jesus to a place called Golgotha (which means "Place of the Skull").
23 They offered him wine drugged with myrrh, but he refused it.
24 Then the soldiers nailed him to the cross. They divided his clothes and threw dice to decide who would get each piece.
25 It was nine o'clock in the morning when they crucified him.
26 A sign was fastened to the cross, announcing the charge against him. It read, "The King of the Jews."
27 Two revolutionaries were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left.
29 The people passing by shouted abuse, shaking their heads in mockery. "Ha! Look at you now!" they yelled at him. "You said you were going to destroy the Temple and rebuild it in three days.
30 Well then, save yourself and come down from the cross!"
31 The leading priests and teachers of religious law also mocked Jesus. "He saved others," they scoffed, "but he can't save himself!
32 Let this Messiah, this King of Israel, come down from the cross so we can see it and believe him!" Even the men who were crucified with Jesus ridiculed him.
The Death of Jesus
33 At noon, darkness fell across the whole land until three o'clock.
34 Then at three o'clock Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?" which means "My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?"
35 Some of the bystanders misunderstood and thought he was calling for the prophet Elijah.
36 One of them ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, holding it up to him on a reed stick so he could drink. "Wait!" he said. "Let's see whether Elijah comes to take him down!"
37 Then Jesus uttered another loud cry and breathed his last.
38 And the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.
39 When the Roman officer who stood facing him saw how he had died, he exclaimed, "This man truly was the Son of God!"
40 Some women were there, watching from a distance, including Mary Magdalene, Mary (the mother of James the younger and of Joseph), and Salome.
41 They had been followers of Jesus and had cared for him while he was in Galilee. Many other women who had come with him to Jerusalem were also there.
The Burial of Jesus
42 This all happened on Friday, the day of preparation, the day before the Sabbath. As evening approached,
43 Joseph of Arimathea took a risk and went to Pilate and asked for Jesus' body. (Joseph was an honored member of the high council, and he was waiting for the Kingdom of God to come.)
44 Pilate couldn't believe that Jesus was already dead, so he called for the Roman officer and asked if he had died yet.
45 The officer confirmed that Jesus was dead, so Pilate told Joseph he could have the body.
46 Joseph bought a long sheet of linen cloth. Then he took Jesus' body down from the cross, wrapped it in the cloth, and laid it in a tomb that had been carved out of the rock. Then he rolled a stone in front of the entrance.
47 Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph saw where Jesus' body was laid.
This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
20 When they were finally tired of mocking him, they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes on him again. Then they led him away to be crucified.
The Crucifixion
21 A passerby named Simon, who was from Cyrene, was coming in from the countryside just then, and the soldiers forced him to carry Jesus' cross. (Simon was the father of Alexander and Rufus.)
22 And they brought Jesus to a place called Golgotha (which means "Place of the Skull").
23 They offered him wine drugged with myrrh, but he refused it.
24 Then the soldiers nailed him to the cross. They divided his clothes and threw dice to decide who would get each piece.
25 It was nine o'clock in the morning when they crucified him.
26 A sign was fastened to the cross, announcing the charge against him. It read, "The King of the Jews."
27 Two revolutionaries were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left.
29 The people passing by shouted abuse, shaking their heads in mockery. "Ha! Look at you now!" they yelled at him. "You said you were going to destroy the Temple and rebuild it in three days.
30 Well then, save yourself and come down from the cross!"
31 The leading priests and teachers of religious law also mocked Jesus. "He saved others," they scoffed, "but he can't save himself!
32 Let this Messiah, this King of Israel, come down from the cross so we can see it and believe him!" Even the men who were crucified with Jesus ridiculed him.
The Death of Jesus
33 At noon, darkness fell across the whole land until three o'clock.
34 Then at three o'clock Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?" which means "My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?"
35 Some of the bystanders misunderstood and thought he was calling for the prophet Elijah.
36 One of them ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, holding it up to him on a reed stick so he could drink. "Wait!" he said. "Let's see whether Elijah comes to take him down!"
37 Then Jesus uttered another loud cry and breathed his last.
38 And the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.
39 When the Roman officer who stood facing him saw how he had died, he exclaimed, "This man truly was the Son of God!"
40 Some women were there, watching from a distance, including Mary Magdalene, Mary (the mother of James the younger and of Joseph), and Salome.
41 They had been followers of Jesus and had cared for him while he was in Galilee. Many other women who had come with him to Jerusalem were also there.
The Burial of Jesus
42 This all happened on Friday, the day of preparation, the day before the Sabbath. As evening approached,
43 Joseph of Arimathea took a risk and went to Pilate and asked for Jesus' body. (Joseph was an honored member of the high council, and he was waiting for the Kingdom of God to come.)
44 Pilate couldn't believe that Jesus was already dead, so he called for the Roman officer and asked if he had died yet.
45 The officer confirmed that Jesus was dead, so Pilate told Joseph he could have the body.
46 Joseph bought a long sheet of linen cloth. Then he took Jesus' body down from the cross, wrapped it in the cloth, and laid it in a tomb that had been carved out of the rock. Then he rolled a stone in front of the entrance.
47 Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph saw where Jesus' body was laid.
This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
Today's question:
1. Could Jesus have saved himself? (15:31)
You can receive these lessons up to five times per week. Let me know if you would like to change the number of times you receive them.
1. Could Jesus have saved himself? (15:31)
You can receive these lessons up to five times per week. Let me know if you would like to change the number of times you receive them.
Answer: (Do you agree?)
1. Absolutely, Jesus could have saved Himself. But then, God's plan of salvation would not have been fulfilled. Christ
took the pain and suffering of His crucifixion out of love for us. When Jesus died on the cross, He paid the debt we incurred. After all, it was our sins that nailed Jesus to the cross. What is expected from us in return for His sacrifice? All we need to do is accept Jesus' gift of salvation.
Application thought for the day:
Joseph of Arimathaea risked his position and his life when he asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. The Jewish Sanhedrin now knew he stood with Christ. What are you willing to risk for God?
1. Absolutely, Jesus could have saved Himself. But then, God's plan of salvation would not have been fulfilled. Christ
took the pain and suffering of His crucifixion out of love for us. When Jesus died on the cross, He paid the debt we incurred. After all, it was our sins that nailed Jesus to the cross. What is expected from us in return for His sacrifice? All we need to do is accept Jesus' gift of salvation.
Application thought for the day:
Joseph of Arimathaea risked his position and his life when he asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. The Jewish Sanhedrin now knew he stood with Christ. What are you willing to risk for God?
Thanks to the writings and commentary of John Wesley and Adam Clarke. Also, "The Layman's Bible Study Notebook" by Irving Jensen published by Harvest House Publishing, Irvine, California; the "Life Change Series" published by NavPress Books, Colorado Springs, Colorado; the "Life Application Study Bible" published by Tyndale House Publishing, Carol Stream, Illinois; "The Quest Study Bible" published by The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "Robertson's New Testament Word Studies"; "The MacArthur Bible Commentary" by John MacArthur published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee; "Wisdom of the Bible" CD by Topics Entertainment, Inc., Renton, Washington for their inspiring pictures; "My utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers published by Barbour publishing, Inc., Uhrichsville, Ohio; The "Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge" by Reuben Archer Torrey; "Hope For Each Day" by Billy Graham published by J. Countryman, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee; "Easton's Bible Dictionary" by Matthew George Easton; "Unger's Bible Dictionary" by Merrill F. Unger, published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois; "Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The Living New Testament" published by Tyndale house; "The New Living Translation" published by Tyndale House; BibleGateway.com for all their wonderful links; and of course the "King James Bible". All were critical in putting these lessons together.
© 2020 evolke
© 2020 evolke