Journey through the Book of Mark

There had been silence at the cross for three hours amid the darkness. When the darkness lifted, the voice of Jesus was heard again. What he said was his most enigmatic saying from the cross. The stage was set for the final scene. And at three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”)  – Mark 15:34

While people have tried to explain this darkness as an eclipse or as other forms of natural phenomenon, this was no natural darkness. This was nature itself hiding in the shame of what created creatures had done to the Creator. This was, in reality, the darkest hour of Earth’s history, when the creatures tortured and killed their Creator. There were in fact, two different things happening at the v...

Traditionally, we think Jesus was crucified between two thieves: a “good” thief and a “bad” thief. However, this is incorrect. Neither of them were “good”, and neither of them were actually just “thieves.” At the beginning of the crucifixion, Mark tells us that both men crucified with Christ insulted and mocked him, not just one of them. The Greek words that the other Gospels use for the men cruci...

Here, those at the Cross mockingly call Jesus both the “Messiah” and the “King of Israel.” The Messiah was the one whom God had anointed – the chosen one. The King of Israel was the one whom God had chosen to be his anointed and powerful ruler.  Those at the Cross are throwing both these titles into the face of the Saviour in his darkest hour, telling him that he is neither chosen or favoured by G...

The question has to be asked, “Why did the mob demand the death of Jesus?” After all, during the preceding days, the people of Jerusalem had been coming in their hundreds, and perhaps even thousands, to hear his teaching. A few days ago, they had hailed Jesus as their king, and now they called for his execution. What could have caused this change? The Chief Priests had rounded them up to influence...

Roman crucifixion sites were set up on prominent locations along the main roads and entrances to the cities. Crucifixion was a form of propaganda, to show people how powerful Rome was and what would happen to those who did not submit.  As horrific as it may seem to us, as they travelled here and there and went about their daily business, the people of that time would have been very used to walking...

The Romans didn’t build the most powerful empire the world had ever seen by being inefficient and wasteful. When they crucified people, they did it in batches. They crucified two rebels with him, one on his right and one on his left.  - Mark 15:27

Men who were being led to be crucified carried a placard which announced their crimes, often around their neck. When Jesus was crucified, this placard was then placed on the cross, above his head, for all to see. It was nine in the morning when they crucified him. 26 The written notice of the charge against him read: THE KING OF THE JEWS. – Mark 15:25-26 They crucified Jesus in the morning because...

Jesus has been taken to the place of execution. Now he is to be crucified. Unlike what we might expect, his crucifixion isn’t described in graphic, harrowing detail. Instead, it’s described in a few simple, stark words. And they crucified him. Dividing up his clothes, they cast lots to see what each would get. – Mark 15:24 When Mark says, “And they crucified him”, this is what he means. The soldie...

Jesus is being led through the streets of Jerusalem to the place of execution. After having been savagely beaten, he is staggering under the weight of the cross. Now we are going to meet one of the really interesting characters in the gospel of Mark. His name is a common one, yet his role in history is anything but common. A certain man from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was pa...

Every city in the Roman empire had its place of execution. In Jerusalem, it was called Golgotha. They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means “the place of the skull”).  – Mark 15:22 The people of ancient times were careful to keep death out of their cities. If you ever travel and visit the ruins of any Greek or Roman cities, you will see that the tombs are always outside the walls...

The Jews had a tradition of offering those about to be executed a strong narcotic made with wine mixed with frankincense and myrrh in order to ease the pain. It was probably the women who had followed him to the place of execution who offered Jesus this kindness. Then they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it. – Mark 15:23 The Jewish tradition of offering those about to be exe...

After Jesus had been savagely beaten and brutalised in the early hours of the morning, now it was time for the main event. Then they led him out to crucify him. – Mark 15:20

The Roman garrison is staging a mock coronation ceremony for Jesus because they have heard him called the “king of the Jews.” They placed a purple robe on him and pressed a crown of thorns onto his head. 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. 20 And when...

Now that Jesus has been sentenced to death, he is now handed over to the Roman garrison. But first, they have a little game they want to play. 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.  – Mark 15:16-17

Pilate has just asked the crowd what he should do with Jesus. And they have called for him to be crucified. So now, Pilate makes the fatal decision. "Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified". –  Mark 15:15

Pilate has just asked the crowd what he should do with Jesus. But it’s never a good idea to ask the crowd about moral issues. “Crucify him!” they shouted. “Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!” - Mark 15:13-14

The crowd has just asked Pilate to release Barabbas to them instead of Jesus. This doesn’t help Pilate with the problem of what to do with Jesus, and so he asks the crowd. What shall I do, then, with the one you call the king of the Jews?” Pilate asked them. – Mark 15:12

Pilate was a brutal prefect of Judaea. One of his key jobs was to keep the Jews peaceful and quiet, and in this he failed miserably. There were, however, some practices that he supported which aimed to keep the people happy. One of these was the custom of releasing a prisoner at Passover. Now it was the custom at the festival to release a prisoner whom the people requested. A man called Barabbas w...

Peter has just denied knowing Jesus three times, just as Jesus said he would. When the reality of who you really are, catches up with you, it can be a very sobering moment. And so it was for Peter. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times.” And he broke down and wept. – Mark 14:72

Now that they have their hands-on Jesus, his enemies make their plans for how to kill him. Let’s see what happens next. Very early in the morning, the chief priests, with the elders, the teachers of the law and the whole Sanhedrin, made their plans. So they bound Jesus, led him away and handed him over to Pilate. – Mark 15:1

Very early in the morning, Jesus has been handed over, bound, to Pilate. As the Roman Prefect of Judaea, Pilate was the only person in the nation with the authority to impose the death penalty, so what Jesus says to him is important. Again, we get to listen in. “Are you the king of the Jews?” asked Pilate. “You have said so,” Jesus replied. The chief priests accused him of many things. 4 So again...

Remember Peter? While Jesus is being tried before the Sanhedrin, and while he is being spat on and beaten, Peter is still there, warming himself by the fire. In fact, it’s probably because of Peter that we know what went on in Caiaphas’ palace, because Peter overheard the trial of Jesus from the courtyard. So, now the story turns to Peter.

The High Priest Caiaphas has just asked Jesus directly if he is the Messiah, the Son of God, and for the first time, Jesus has responded. In his response, he has gone way beyond identifying himself as the Messiah. In using the name, “I Am,” Jesus has unequivocally identified himself as being Jehovah God.  Not only that, but Jesus has identified himself as the divine Son of Man who defeats his enem...

During his trial before the High Priest Caiaphas, Jesus refuses to answer the many accusations made against him. An infuriated High Priest has just stood up and demanded that Jesus answer the charges. And still, Jesus says not a word. Caiaphas, who is used to being in charge, seems to have completely lost control of the situation. So, now Caiaphas intervenes again. And this time, Jesus will respon...