PrevMark 15:37Next

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 15:37 mean?

Explanation

This verse from the Gospel of Mark describes the final moments of Jesus's life on the cross.

The phrase "Jesus cried with a loud voice" suggests that Jesus shouted out just before his death, although the text does not specify what he said. This shouting could be a demonstration of Jesus's agony or perhaps his final cry of humanity as he faced death.

The term "gave up the ghost" is an archaic way of saying that Jesus breathed his last breath and died. The significance of this event is profound for Christians, as it marks the culmination of Jesus's sacrificial death, which is believed to atone for the sins of humanity.

Top Rated Mark Books

Historical Context

Mark 15:37 is situated at the climax of the Passion narrative, which describes the suffering and crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

The verse takes place within a first-century Roman province of Judea.

Crucifixion was a Roman method of execution designed to maximize pain and humiliation.

In the narrative, Jesus had been arrested, tried, and condemned to death by crucifixion.

The gospels report various supernatural events that accompany Jesus's death, including darkness covering the land and the tearing of the Temple veil, indicating significant religious symbolism.

Theological Insights

Different theological viewpoints interpret this verse in diverse ways. The traditional Christian interpretation sees the death of Jesus as the ultimate sacrifice for the sins of humanity, and his loud cry is often associated with his humanity and the suffering he endured.

From a Trinitarian standpoint, this moment is seen as a profound mystery where the Son of God experiences death. The 'loud voice' is sometimes linked to Psalms 22:1, which Jesus quotes in Mark 15:34 "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?".

Furthermore, some theologians interpret "gave up the ghost" to imply Jesus's control over his own death, surrendering his spirit at the appointed time.

Practical Applications

The teachings of this verse can inspire believers to endure suffering with hope and courage, knowing that Jesus also suffered.

It serves as a reminder of the depth of God's love, evidenced by the willingness of Jesus to die for others.

This perspective can encourage empathy, sacrifice, and compassion in one's own life.

For those facing their mortality or the death of a loved one, this verse can provide comfort, suggesting that death is not the end and that there is a larger divine plan.

Cross-References

Matthew 27:50 "Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost."
Luke 23:46 "And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost."
John 19:30 "When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost."

Language Study

The original Greek text uses the words "φωνήσας φωνῇ μεγάλῃ" (phonēsas phōnē megale), literally meaning "having cried out with a loud voice." This suggests great emotion or strength in Jesus's final cry. "ἐξέπνευσεν" (exepneusen) is the term translated as "gave up the ghost," which specifically means "he expired" or "breathed out." The Greek allows for a vivid and visceral understanding of Jesus's death.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In comparing this verse to other ancient myths and religious interpretations, one might reflect on the concept of a dying and rising deity that exists in various forms across cultures, such as the tales of Osiris in Egyptian mythology or the Sumerian goddess Inanna.

Yet the Christian narrative of Jesus's death holds unique theological meanings within the context of Christian salvation history.

Scientific Perspectives

Scientifically, "giving up the ghost" can be framed within the physiological processes of death, where bodily functions cease, and life can no longer be sustained. The "loud voice" could signify a final expulsion of air from the lungs as a biological reaction.

While the scientific perspective provides an understanding of the physical aspects of death, it does not encompass the spiritual or theological implications of the verse.

Commentaries

Scholars and theologians offer various interpretations of Mark 15:37.

Some suggest that Jesus's loud cry illustrates his humanity and the real suffering he experienced.

Others, citing the abrupt nature of the cry followed by immediate death, postulate a significant spiritual or supernatural meaning.

The consensus is that Mark, by including the loud cry, emphasizes the intensity of the moment and underscores the significance of Jesus's death as a pivotal event in Christian theology.

Some commentaries also draw attention to the fact that Mark intends to show Jesus's death as one that fulfills prophetic scripture and divine plan.

Mark 15

Mark 15

What does Mark 15:37 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 15:37 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?