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Mark 15

And straightway in the morning the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council, and bound Jesus, and carried him away, and delivered him to Pilate.

And Pilate asked him, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answering said unto him, Thou sayest it.

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.

Now at that feast he released unto them one prisoner, whomsoever they desired.

And there was one named Barabbas, which lay bound with them that had made insurrection with him, who had committed murder in the insurrection.

And the multitude crying aloud began to desire him to do as he had ever done unto them.

But Pilate answered them, saying, Will ye that I release unto you the King of the Jews?

For he knew that the chief priests had delivered him for envy.

But the chief priests moved the people, that he should rather release Barabbas unto them.

And Pilate answered and said again unto them, What will ye then that I shall do unto him whom ye call the King of the Jews?

And they cried out again, Crucify him.

Then Pilate said unto them, Why, what evil hath he done? And they cried out the more exceedingly, Crucify him.

And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified.

And the soldiers led him away into the hall, called Praetorium; and they call together the whole band.

And they clothed him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about his head,

And began to salute him, Hail, King of the Jews!

And they smote him on the head with a reed, and did spit upon him, and bowing their knees worshipped him.

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.

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.

And they bring him unto the place Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, The place of a skull.

And they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh: but he received it not.

And when they had crucified him, they parted his garments, casting lots upon them, what every man should take.

And it was the third hour, and they crucified him.

And the superscription of his accusation was written over, THE KING OF THE JEWS.

And with him they crucify two thieves; the one on his right hand, and the other on his left.

And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, And he was numbered with the transgressors.

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,

Save thyself, and come down from the cross.

Likewise also the chief priests mocking said among themselves with the scribes, He saved others; himself he cannot save.

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.

And when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour.

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?

And some of them that stood by, when they heard it, said, Behold, he calleth Elias.

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.

And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost.

And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom.

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.

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;

(Who also, when he was in Galilee, followed him, and ministered unto him;) and many other women which came up with him unto Jerusalem.

And now when the even was come, because it was the preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath,

Joseph of Arimathaea, and honourable counseller, which also waited for the kingdom of God, came, and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus.

And Pilate marvelled if he were already dead: and calling unto him the centurion, he asked him whether he had been any while dead.

And when he knew it of the centurion, he gave the body to Joseph.

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.

And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses beheld where he was laid.

What does Mark 15:19 mean?

Explanation

The verse Mark 15:19 is a description of Jesus Christ's mocking by Roman soldiers after his sentencing and prior to his crucifixion.

The verse captures the cruelty and scorn with which the soldiers treated Jesus.

They hit him on the head with a reed stick, spat on him, and mockingly paid homage to him, which was a deeply sarcastic act considering they had dressed him in a purple garment and placed a crown of thorns on his head to mock his claim of being a king, specifically the King of Jews.

The hitting with a reed likely added pain to the already painful crown of thorns.

Spitting on someone was a significant act of disrespect and contempt in the cultural context of the time.

The mock worship indicated a parody of actual reverence and worship, as bowing the knee was a gesture reserved for true honor and worship.

This verse reflects the physical and emotional abuse that Jesus endured.

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Historical Context

The events described in Mark 15:19 occurred during the first century Roman Empire's occupation of Judea.

Jesus has been arrested, tried, and condemned to death.

The Roman soldiers are seen to be carrying out the punishment reserved for those convicted of serious crimes, and part of this punishment included humiliation and physical abuse.

Crucifixion was not only a form of execution but also a method of deterrence through public shaming.

Theological Insights

From a Christian theological viewpoint, this verse often evokes reflection on the sacrificial suffering of Jesus.

It is seen as an act of humility and redemption, with Jesus allowing himself to be subjected to such treatment for the salvation of mankind.

In stark contrast to the soldiers' mock worship, Christians see this moment as one where Jesus is indeed deserving of true worship due to his willingness to take on the punishment for humanity's sins.

Practical Applications

This verse can serve as a reminder for individuals to respond to mockery and suffering with humility and grace, following the example of Jesus.

It teaches about enduring hardships and maintaining faith in God through trying times.

This passage also challenges believers to recognize and respect the sacrifice made by Jesus and to stand firm against injustice and scorn.

Cross-References

Isaiah 53:3: "He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not."
Matthew 27:29-30: "And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head."
Luke 18:32-33: "For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on: And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again."

Language Study

"Smote": A past tense of "smite", which historically means to strike or hit hard.
"Reed": In the context of this verse, a reed is a long, thin, flexible plant stalk that would have been used as a mock scepter before being used to hit Jesus, adding to the ridicule.
"Spit": Spitting is a universal sign of disgust and disrespect.
"Worshipped": The original Greek word used for 'worshipped' is a form of 'proskuneo' which means to bow down or to prostrate oneself in homage, but here it is used in a derisive manner.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The act of a mock king can be compared with other ancient traditions where a person was temporarily treated as a king, only to be subsequently humiliated or sacrificed, sometimes found in the rituals of "sacred kingship." In many ancient Near Eastern religions, a figure might be treated as a deity, only to endure suffering or death symbolically representing the death of an actual god or a harvest cycle.

Scientific Perspectives

While not directly connected to scientific perspectives, the physical aspects described (the hitting, spitting, and mockery) can be analyzed through the lens of psychology and the effects of torture and humiliation on an individual's psyche and physical being.

Studies on trauma and abuse often reference physical and emotional outcomes similar to those that Jesus might have experienced.

Commentaries

Biblical scholars and theologians offer various perspectives on this verse.

Some see in the soldiers' actions an ironic truth about Jesus's real identity and eventual exaltation.

They also point to this verse as fulfilling Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah's suffering.

Commentaries emphasize Jesus's non-retaliatory response as an example of perfect humility and discuss the extreme degradation as part of God's broader plan for redemption through Christ's death on the cross.

Mark 15

Mark 15

What does Mark 15:19 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Mark Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Mark 15:19 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Mark Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?