Mark

By Joyce Webb 2023

Chapter 15 Verse 21-38

Verse 21 (Jesus is on the way to be crucified. Jesus has been whipped with a whip that had pieces of metal tied into it. Every time the whip hit Jesus it tore out pieces of flesh.

Now it is time for Jesus to begin walking toward the place known as Calvary or Golgotha (The place of the skull.)

It will be a long walk and uphill. Jesus’ body is bleeding and torn. His strength is weak.)

The Roman soldiers command a man —who was passing by—-to carry Jesus’ cross.

Usually, the person being crucified had to carry his own cross.

The man commanded to carry the cross is named Simon who is a Cyrenian.
( Cyrene was a city in what is now Lybia. At the time of Jesus, it was ruled by the Greeks. Simon must have come to Jerusalem for the Passover.)

Verse 22 They came to the place called Golgotha—-it means the place of the skull.

(For many years, Bible teachers thought that the reason the place was called the “Place of the skull” was because of the way the stones were formed on the side of the hill—-looked a little like a skull.

Perry Stone, a Bible teacher, who has done much research, and who has much insight and understanding—says that he thinks it is called “The place of the skull” because that is where Goliath’s head is buried.

When David cut off Goliath’s head —-he took the head to Jerusalem. I Samuel 17:54

I would agree with Perry Stone. It seems to make more sense to me. Where Goliath’s head was buried would be a place remembered in Jewish history.)

Verse 23 The Roman soldiers gave a drink to Jesus. It was wine mixed with myrrh (in Matthew it says gall). Gall or myrrh was used as a perfume, and also—was used on a dead body before wrapping it up in cloth.

Gall or myrrh in wine—would act like a pain-killer—to dull the senses— help ease the pain. Jesus did not take this wine.

The second time Jesus was offered wine is told only in Luke. The soldiers offered wine to Jesus when they were mocking him—”offered him vinegar”.
Bible teachers think this was a sour wine.

The third time Jesus is offered wine is at the end of the crucifixion—Jesus said, “I thirst.” The soldiers gave him “vinegar”—on a sponge on the end of a reed or stick. That time Jesus took some, and then said, “It is finished.” and he died.
Verse 24 After the soldiers had nailed Jesus to the cross and the cross had been raised up—the soldiers took Jesus robe.

The robe woven as all one piece (John 19:23)—-the soldiers did not want to tear it—so they threw “lots”–coins—”heads or tails”—or some other gambling way—to see who would get the robe.

(Psalms 22: 18 made a prophecy that this would happen.)

Verse 25 According to the Jewish time—it was the third hour—meaning it was about 9:00am—when they crucified Jesus.

Verse 26 They put a small sign board on the cross—it said—”The King of the Jews”.

Verse 27 There were 2 men with Jesus—on each side—they were crucified also—the two men were thieves.

Verse 28 In Isaiah 53:12 the prophecy said—he was numbered (counted) with the transgressors (those who broke the law). That prophecy came true.

Verse 29 People who passed by —-would shake their head—they said, “You, who said you would destroy the temple and then build it again in 3 days.”

(When Jesus said those words about the temple—he was talking about his own body. Paul speaks about our body as being a “temple” for the Holy Spirit to dwell (live) in.

Jesus’ body would die and be made alive again in 3 days.)

Verse 30 “Save yourself—and come down from the cross.”

Verse 31 The Jewish priest and leaders also mocked Jesus. They said, “He saved others, himself he can not save.”

(That was true. If Jesus had saved himself—-he would not have died in our place. We would have to die—in hell forever—- to pay for our own sin.
Jesus could not save himself —he was going to die for us—in our place.)

Verse 32 They said, “Let Christ the King of Israel, come down from the cross so that we may see and believe.”

(The Jewish leaders had seen many of Jesus’ miracles—-even people raised from the dead—yet they still did not believe that Jesus was God’s Son.)

Verse 33 From the 6th hour to the 9th hour—-(At noon—until 3:00 pm) there was darkness. (That should have made everyone wonder. Why was it so dark at noon to 3:00pm?)

Verse 34 At the 9th hour—(3:00 pm) Jesus cried out–”My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

Verse 35 Some of the people thought he was called to Elijah.
(The hardest thing for Jesus —-was God turning his face away from him ——–when Jesus took the sins of the world onto himself.

God is holy. On Jesus was now all the awful sins that anyone, and everyone has done. God the father—looked away. Jesus was alone —bearing the awful sin by himself. His father—had turned away from him.)

Verse 36 One of the soldiers, filled a sponge with “vinegar”–(sour wine) and gave it to Jesus. One of them said, “Let him alone, let us see if Elijah comes to take him down.”

Verse 37 Jesus cried with a loud voice. (Luke says that Jesus said—”Father, into your hands I give my spirit.” and John says that Jesus also said “It is finished.”)
Then Jesus died.

Verse 38 At the same time that Jesus died—the veil in the temple was torn in two pieces—from the top to the bottom—now it was open —to see into and walk into —the Holy of Holies.

This was strange !! This had to get the attention of the Jewish priests.

There was a special small room at one end of the Holy Place in the temple.
In this small room, was the Ark of the Covenant. A wooden box covered in gold. On the cover were two cherubim (like angels)–their wings were forward –touching each other over the box.

God’s presence (spirit) rested between the two cherubim. It was a most holy place because of God’s spirit resting there.

This small end room was separated from the other part of the room by a thick veil.
No one ever—was allowed into the Holy of Holies—except—the High Priest—and he could only go in once a year.

No one looked on the Ark of the Covenant.—except the High Priest.

In Old Testament times, when the Jewish people were moving from place to place—the Ark of the Covenant was covered by a blue cloth.

We suppose that the High Priest covered the Ark with the cloth. Then there were certain priest chosen to carry the Ark.
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In New Testament times, in the temple, —–the Ark of the Covenant was in it’s special room called the Holy of Holies.

A woven thick veil as a “door”—separated it from the other part of the room called the Holy Place.

The veil now–according to Jewish history writer —- Josephus—-said the veil was about 4 inches thick.

Yet—-when Jesus died—-with no one near it—-the veil tore in two from top to bottom and hung open !!

This was a “sign” or “symbol”.

By Jesus dying and paying the death punishment for our sin—-It was finished ! —-the sin punished was paid.

People could now—-see into—and walk into—the very presence of God.
They did not need the priest any more to walk into God’s holy presence.

They could go in and talk to God themselves. They could be in God’s holy presence by themselves—they did not need a priest.