1.
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.
straightway . See notes on Mark 1:10 , Mark 1:12 .
in . Greek. epi. App-104 . Not the same word as in verses: Mark 15:7 , Mark 15:29 , Mark 15:38 , Mar 7:41 , Mar 7:46 .
in the morning = any time before sunrise, while yet dark, Compare Mark 1:35 ; Mark 16:2 , Mark 16:9 . John 20:1 . The Lord must have been led to Pilate before our midnight, because it was "about the sixth hour" of the night when Pilate said "Behold your king "(John 19:14 ). It was there fore in the night, at which time it was unlawful to try a prisoner. See the Talmud, Sanhedrin, c App-4 . It was also unlawful on the eve of the Sabbath, and this was the eve of the High Sabbath. See App-165 . held a consultation having formed a council. See note on Matthew 12:14 .
with = in association with. Greek. meta. App-104 . Same as in verses: Mark 15:7 , Mark 15:28 , Mark 15:31 . Not the same as in Mark 15:27 .
and. Note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton ( App-6 ) to emphasize the fact that it was the act of the whole council.
Jesus. App-98 .
carried Him away . Matthew 27:2 has apegagon = to lead away what is alive (in contrast with pherein, which is generally used of what is inanimate). Luke has egagon = they led (Luke 23:1 ). Mark has apenegkun = carried, as though from faintness.
2.
And Pilate asked him, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answering said unto him, Thou sayest it.
Pilate asked Him. Matthew and Mark carefully distinguish between this interview with the Lord and the rulers alone, and a subsequent interview with the multitude (Luke 23:4 ). answering said. See note on Deuteronomy 1:41 . ct ea eayest = Thou thyself sayest [it).
3.
And the chief priests accused him of many things: but he answered nothing.
accused = kept accusing.
of many things = urgently.
nothing = not (Greek. ou. App-105 .) anything. All the texts omit this clause.
4.
And Pilate asked him again, saying, Answerest thou nothing? behold how many things they witness against thee.
5.
But Jesus yet answered nothing; so that Pilate marvelled.
yet . nothing = not anything any longer (Greek. ouden ouketi).
6.
Now at that feast he released unto them one prisoner, whomsoever they desired.
at. Greek. kata App-104 .
that feast = a feast: i.e. any of the three great feasts.
he released = he used, or was wont, to release. Imperf. Tense.
7.
And there was one named Barabbas, which lay bound with them that had made insurrection with him, who had committed murder in the insurrection.
Barabbas. Aramaic. App-94 .
made &c. = been fellow insurgents.
who . Denoting a class of criminals.
in . Greek. en App-104 . As in verses: Mark 15:29 , Mark 15:41 , Mark 15:46 : not the same as in verses: Mark 15:1 , Mark 15:38 .
8.
And the multitude crying aloud began to desire him to do as he had ever done unto them.
multitude = crowd.
crying aloud. All the texts read "having gone up".
began. See note on Mark 1:1 . him to do. Note the Ellipsis thus properly supplied.
as = according as.
ever . Om. by T. WH R.
9.
But Pilate answered them, saying, Will ye that I release unto you the King of the Jews?
Will ye . ? Are ye willing. ? Greek theIo, See App-102 .
10.
For he knew that the chief priests had delivered him for envy.
he knew = he was beginning to know. Greek ginosko. App-132 .
delivered Him = delivered Him up.
for = on account of. Greek. dia . App-104 .Mark 15:2 .
11.
But the chief priests moved the people, that he should rather release Barabbas unto them.
moved = vehemently stirred up (as by an earth quake). Greek. anaseio, connected with seismos , an earth quake.
people = crowd. as in Mark 15:8 .
12.
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?
13.
And they cried out again, Crucify him.
Crucify Him . Stoning was the proper Jewish death for blasphemy. Compare John 18:31 , John 18:32 . Crucifixion was the Roman punishment for treason. Note the addresses of Pilate:
TO THE COUNCIL: Matthew 27:17-20 , Matthew 27:21-23 , Matthew 27:24 , Matthew 27:25
TO THE PEOPLE: Mark 15:8-11 , Mark 15:12-14
TO THE PRIESTS (specially). Luke 23:13-19 , Luke 23:20 , Luke 23:21 , Luke 23:22 , Luke 23:23 .
Then Pilate's final attempt to rescue the Lord. Matthew 27:26 . Matthew 15:15 .Luke 23:24 , Luke 23:25 .
14.
Then Pilate said unto them, Why, what evil hath he done? And they cried out the more exceedingly, Crucify him.
evil. Greek kakos. App-128 .
hath He done = did He do (at any time). Aorist.
15.
And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified.
willing = determining. Greek. boulomai. See App-102 .2.
to content the people = to satisfy the crowd. This is the motto of the present day, but it always ends in judgment. See and compare Exodus 32:1 with Exodus 26:27 . Acts 12:3 with Acts 12:23 ; 2 Timothy 4:3 with 2 Timothy 4:1 and 2 Timothy 4:8 . So here.
16.
And the soldiers led him away into the hall, called Praetorium; and they call together the whole band.
into = within.
the hall = the court. See Matthew 26:3 .
band. Greek. speira = a company bound or assembled round a standard: Latin. manipulus = a handful of hay or straw twisted about a pole as a standard: and, by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6 , put for the men-at -arms gathered round it.
17.
And they clothed him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about his head,
purple . See Matthew 27:28 .
18.
And began to salute him, Hail, King of the Jews!
Hail. See note on Matthew 26:49 .
19.
And they smote him on the head with a reed, and did spit upon him, and bowing their knees worshipped him.
smote = kept smiting.
did spit = kept spitting.
worshipped = did homage to. App-137 .
20.
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.
to = to the end that they might.
21.
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.
compel . See note on Matthew 27:32 .
passed by = was passing by.
out of = away from. Greek. apo. App-104 . Not the same word as in Mark 15:46 .
the country = a field.
Rufus. This may be the Rufus of Romans 16:1 Romans 16:3 .
22.
And they bring him unto the place Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, The place of a skull.
unto. Greek. epi. App-104 . As in Mark 15:46 . Not the same word as in verses: Mark 15:41 , Mark 15:43 .
Golgotha. See note on Matthew 27:33 .
23.
And they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh: but he received it not.
they gave, &c. = they were offering. See notes on Matthew 27:34 , Matthew 27:48 .
not. Greek. ou . App-105 .
24.
And when they had crucified him, they parted his garments, casting lots upon them, what every man should take.
when they had, &c. The two robbers of Mark 15:27 , and Matthew 27:38 , not yet brought. See App-164 .
parted = divided.
upon. Greek. epi . App-104 .
25.
And it was the third hour, and they crucified him.
the third hour . Of the day (John 11:9 ), i.e. 9am. No discrepancy; for the sixth hour of John 19:14 was the sixth hour of the night (from about sunset), viz. "about" midnight (in the midst of the trial), when Pilate said "Behold your King". The context there and here explains and settles the matter. Here, the trial was over; in John 19:14 the trial was going on. See App-156 and App-165 . It was the hour of the morning sacrifice.
26.
And the superscription of his accusation was written over, THE KING OF THE JEWS.
superscription, &c. = inscription of His indictment. Not the writing put "over His head "(Matthew 27:37 ). See App-163 .
written over = written down (or inscribed, as in Acts 17:23 .Hebrews 8:10 ; Hebrews 8:10 , Heb 8:16 ). Greek epigrapho. Occ, else-where only in Revelation 21:12 . See App-163 .
THE KING , &c. See App-163 for the "inscriptions on the cross", and App-48 for the difference of types.
27.
And with him they crucify two thieves; the one on his right hand, and the other on his left.
with = together with. Greek. sun. App-104 .
they crucify . Present Tense, describing what was done then (after the dividing of the garments), not when they put the Lord on the cross in Mark 15:24 .
thieves = robbers, not malefactors as in Luke 23:32 , who were "led with Him". See App-164 .
one on His right hand, &c.: i.e. outside the two "malefactors" of Luke 23:32 . See App-164 , and note on John 19:18 .
on = at. Greek. ek. App-104 .
the other = one.
28.
And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, And he was numbered with the transgressors.
the scripture . Isaiah 53:12 . See App-107 .
transgressors = lawless ones. App-128 .
railed on = were blaspheming.
29.
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,
Ah, or Aha.
destroyest . As in Mark 13:2 .
Temple = Naos. See notes on Matthew 4:5 ; Matthew 23:16 .
30.
Save thyself, and come down from the cross.
come down. See note on "descend", Mark 15:32 .
from = off. Greek. apo . App-104 . As in Mark 15:32 .
31.
Likewise also the chief priests mocking said among themselves with the scribes, He saved others; himself he cannot save.
also the chief priests the chief priests also (as well as the passers by).
said = kept saying.
among themselves to (Greek. pros. App-101 .) each other.
others. Greek allos. App-124 .
cannot = is not (Mark 15:23 ) able to.
32.
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.
Christ = the Messiah. App-98 .
the King of Israel . Referring to the confession in Mark 15:2 .
descend. Same as "come down "in Mark 15:30 . see ( App-133 .)
believe ( App-150 .) Vain promise. For they did not believe, though He came up from the grave.
they that were . . . reviled Him . Both the "robbers", but only one of the "malefactors", reviled (Luke 23:39 ).
33.
And when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour.
the sixth hour of the day. (John 11:9 .) From sunrise: i.e. noon. See note on Mark 15:25 , and App-165 .
was = became.
over. Greek. epi. App-104 .
the ninth hour . The hour of offering the evening sacrifice: i.e. 3pm. So that the darkness was from noon till 3pm. See App-165 .
34.
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?
Eloi, &c. Quoted from Psalms 22:1 . See note on Matthew 27:46 .
35.
And some of them that stood by, when they heard it, said, Behold, he calleth Elias.
Behold. Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6 .
Elias = Elijah.
36.
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.
gave Him = - was giving. See note on Matthew 27:34 .
37.
And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost.
cried with a loud voice, and = having uttered a loud cry,
He gave up the ghost = expired. Greek. ekpneo = to breathe out, or expire. Occurs only here, Mark 15:39 , and Luke 23:46 .
38.
And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom.
veil . See note on Matthew 27:51
in = into. Greek. eis. App-104 .
twain = two.
the top = above. Greek. anothen, as in Luke 1:3 . See note there.
39.
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.
which = who.
the Son of God = a Son of God: i.e. a supernatural or Divine being. App-98 . Found frequently in the Fayyum Papyri as a title of the Emperor Augustus, in Latin as well as Greek inscriptions.
40.
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;
also women = women also.
afar off = from (Greek. apo. App-104 .) afar.
among. Greek. en App-104 .
Magdalene . See Matthew 27:56 .
the less = junior. Divinely supplied only in Mark to distinguish him from James the Apostle (compare Matthew 13:55 , and Matthew 27:56 ). See also Acts 12:17 ; Acts 15:13 ; Acts 21:18 , Galatians 1:2 , Galatians 1:12 .
Salome . See Matthew 27:56 .
41.
(Who also, when he was in Galilee, followed him, and ministered unto him;) and many other women which came up with him unto Jerusalem.
also, when He was in Galilee = whenHe was in Galilee also.
followed . . . ministered = used to follow and minister.
unto. Greek eis App-104 . Not the same word as in verses: Mar 22:43 , Mar 22:46 .
42.
And now when the even was come, because it was the preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath,
when the even was come evening already having come. Compare Matthew 27:57 .
the preparation : i.e. the 14th of Nisan, the day before the Passover (on the 15th), which took place on the 14th at even, and ushered in the High Sabbath, which commenced after sunset on the 14th.
the day before the sabbath: i.e. the day before the High Sabbath. See App-156 .
43.
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.
of = he from. Greek. ho apo. App-104 .
honourable = honourable (in rank), as in Acts 13:50 ; Acts 17:12 .
counsellor . A member of the Sanhedrin. See Luke 23:51 .
which also waited = who himself also was waiting. the kingdom of God. See App-114 .
went in boldly . = took courage and went in; i.e. braving all consequences.
unto = to. Greek. pros. App-104 . Not the same word as in Mar 22:41 , Mar 22:46 .
craved the body . Because in the usual course the Lord would have been buried with other criminals. See note on Isaiah 53:9 .
44.
And Pilate marvelled if he were already dead: and calling unto him the centurion, he asked him whether he had been any while dead.
marvelled = wondered. This verse and the next are a Divine supplement, peculiar to Mark.
if He were, &c. Implying a hypothesis which he did not yet expect. App-118 .
any while = long.
45.
And when he knew it of the centurion, he gave the body to Joseph.
knew . = having got to know. Greek. ginsoko. See App-132 .
gave = made a gift of (Greek. doreo). Occurs only here and 2 Peter 1:3 , I.
body. Greek. some = body. But all the texts read ptoma = corpse.
46.
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.
fine linen . Greek. sindon. See note on Mark 14:61 , Mark 14:62 .
sepulchre memorial tomb.
out of . Greek. ek. App-104 . Not the same word as in Mark 15:21 .
rock . Greek. petra , as in Matthew 16:18 .
a stone. See note on Matthew 27:60 .
47.
And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses beheld where he was laid.
beheld = were (attentively) looking on so as to see exactly. Greek. thereo, App-133 .