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Mark 15 Bible study: The King of the Jews
In Mark, no one calls Jesus a king until Pilate asks, "Are you the King of the Jews?" (15:2). Then, in one chapter, the word is used of him six times, by Pilate, the soldiers, the words written over him and the chief priests (15:2-32). And when he breathed his last, a centurion said, "Truly this man was the Son of God!" (15:39).
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“When the centurion, who stood by opposite him, saw that he cried out like this and breathed his last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!””
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“Mark 15:21 names the sons of Simon of Cyrene, Alexander and Rufus.”
Is that in Mark 15, or not? Make your call.
What's really going on
"King of the Jews"
Pilate's first words to Jesus are a question: "Are you the King of the Jews?" (15:2) (tap King). Jesus answers, "So you say" (15:2). Then the word keeps coming. Pilate asks the multitude, "Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?" (15:9), and again, "What then should I do to him whom you call the King of the Jews?" (15:12). The soldiers "began to salute him, “Hail, King of the Jews!”" (15:18). "The superscription of his accusation was written over him: “THE KING OF THE JEWS.”" (15:26). And the chief priests, mocking among themselves with the scribes, say, "Let the Christ, the King of Israel, now come down from the cross" (15:31-32). Here is what almost everyone misses: before this chapter, no one in Mark calls Jesus a king. The WEB's Mark uses king only of King Herod (6:14-27) and in Jesus's words about "rulers and kings" (13:9). Then, in one chapter, the word is used of him six times: by Pilate, by the soldiers, in the words written over him, and by the chief priests. Five times the words are King of the Jews, and once King of Israel (15:32). Mark gives each one as it was said or written.
Where the Old Testament leads here
Counted with transgressors
Isaiah 53:12leads toMark 15:27-28
Isaiah says, "because he poured out his soul to death and was counted with the transgressors; yet he bore the sins of many and made intercession for the transgressors" (Isaiah 53:12). Mark tells of the cross: "It was the third hour when they crucified him" (Mark 15:25). "With him they crucified two robbers, one on his right hand, and one on his left" (Mark 15:27). "The Scripture was fulfilled which says, “He was counted with transgressors.”" (Mark 15:28). Mark doesn't name Isaiah; the words he gives are 53:12's, and the WEB words them a little differently: was counted with the transgressors (Isaiah 53:12) and He was counted with transgressors (Mark 15:28). Mark says the Scripture was fulfilled where Jesus was crucified between two robbers. Jesus had given the same words of himself before (Luke 22:37), and the go-deeper sets that out.
Honest questions
Questions people ask about Mark 15
That was a taste
The rest of Mark 15 is waiting in Favor
- What he had told them on the way
- The women who watched
- "He was counted with transgressors"
- "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?"
- The veil of the temple
- 22 questions as you read
- 14 more Greek words
- A short check at the end
- Your notes, saved as you go
Favor reads the Bible in order, so you'll reach Mark 15 with everything before it in view. First week free, then $10 a month per person.
The Greek word behind it
βασιλεύςbasileussay bas-il-YOOS
Strong's: "a sovereign (abstractly, relatively, or figuratively)". Thayer: "leader of the people, prince, commander, lord of the land, king". Pilate asks first: "Are you the King of the Jews?" (15:2). In this chapter the word comes in six verses (15:2, 15:9, 15:12, 15:18, 15:26, 15:32), and in each the WEB has King. Mark's Greek has it 12 times, counted in the Byzantine text the WEB translates. Before this chapter it is "King Herod" (6:14) and "the king" (6:22-27), and Jesus's "rulers and kings" (13:9); it is never said of Jesus. Strong's gives basileia, the word behind Kingdom, as formed from it: Joseph of Arimathaea "was looking for God’s Kingdom" (15:43).
For your group
Mark 15 Bible study questions
- 1"Pilate, wishing to please the multitude, released Barabbas to them" (15:15). Where do you feel the pull to go along with a crowd when you know what's right?
- 2The chief priests said, "He saved others. He can’t save himself" (15:31). Jesus had said he came "to give his life as a ransom for many" (10:45). What do you hear in their words when you set them beside his?
- 3Joseph "boldly went in to Pilate, and asked for Jesus’ body" (15:43), and the women "saw where he was laid" (15:47). What would it look like for you to stay near Jesus when it isn't easy?
Leading a group? In Favor, everyone reads Mark 15 during the week and answers these questions privately. Answers stay sealed until you meet, then appear together, and you can print the week's sheet.
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Questions
What is Favor?
Favor is a Bible study app that explains every chapter as you read: the Hebrew and Greek behind the words, the details most readers miss, and how each part of the Bible leads to Jesus. Read on your own, or start a Bible study with friends, family or your church.
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