Mark 15:16-32: The Crucifixion

The soldiers led Jesus to the palace, clothed him in purple, crowned him with thorns, and mocked him saying "Hail, King of the Jews!"

They struck him, spat on him, and knelt in false homage before leading him out to crucify him.

Irony

The soldiers unknowingly proclaimed truth through their mockery.

Christ truly is King of Kings, and the crown of thorns represents what God's earthly kingdom actually looks like — suffering for sinners.

The entire scene drips with irony as everyone involved unwittingly confesses the gospel narrative.

Active vs. Passive

Jesus wasn't passively swept along by events. He remained in complete control, actively choosing to endure this suffering.

He could have called legions of angels but chose to be "a lamb led to the slaughter."

It was deliberate submission for our sake.

The Crucifixion

Simon of Cyrene was compelled to carry Jesus's cross.

The soldiers divided his garments by casting lots, fulfilling prophecy.

Jesus was crucified between two robbers while mockers demanded he save himself

Simon of Cyrene

This random man, pulled from his journey, unexpectedly bore Christ's cross.

Church history suggests he became a believer — the fact that he's named indicates the early church knew him.

The Thieves

Both likely mocked Jesus initially (in Mark's account), but one eventually recognized Jesus's innocence and asked to be remembered in his kingdom (in Luke's account).

The Central Truth

Every detail — from the crown of thorns to the divided garments — points to one reality: Christ is dying for sinners.

This is God's work of salvation.

The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit all participated in this redemptive act.

All Good Friday preaching must return to this core truth: Jesus died for you.

Contributor Rev. Harrison Goodman is the Higher Things Executive Director of Missions and Theology.

Contributor Eli Lietzau is the pastor at Wheat Ridge Evangelical Lutheran Church in Wheat Ridge, CO.

#higherthings #lcms #lutheran #jesus

Mark 15:1-15 Uncultured Saints Bible Study

Jesus Before Pilot

Pilate likely doesn't care about Jesus or Jewish religious disputes.

As a Roman proconsul dealing with occupied territory during times of insurrection, he's primarily concerned with security and Caesar's interests.

The charge against Jesus that he is claiming to be "King of the Jews" matters to him because it suggests political rebellion.

When Pilate asks if Jesus is the King of the Jews, Jesus responds, "You have said so."

This non-answer, combined with Jesus's refusal to defend himself against accusations, gradually disarms and confuses Pilate.

Pilate seems to recognize Jesus's innocence, but he likely feels politically trapped.

The Crowd

Who is the crowd? This might be the same Palm Sunday crowd, manipulated by chief priests and scribes.

These religious leaders likely gathered people early in the morning, exploiting their disappointment that Jesus failed to be the revolutionary they expected.

When Jesus doesn't overthrow Roman rule, the crowd turns against him.

Barabbas

Barabbas represents layered biblical irony.

His name literally means "son of the father," creating a striking parallel when the crowd chooses a false "son of the father" while rejecting the true Son of the Father.

Barabbas was an actual insurrectionist and murderer, the very thing they falsely accused Jesus of being.

Why is Jesus silent?

Jesus's silence fulfills Isaiah 53, where the suffering servant doesn't open his mouth.

The discussion emphasizes that Jesus simultaneously stands innocent before Pilate yet guilty before God not because he sinned, but because he took on humanity's sin.

In this section of Mark 15, the conversation highlights how God uses human schemes to accomplish divine purposes.

Contributor Rev. Harrison Goodman is the Higher Things Executive Director of Missions and Theology.

Contributor Eli Lietzau is the pastor at Wheat Ridge Evangelical Lutheran Church in Wheat Ridge, CO.

#higherthings #lcms #lutheran #jesus

📖 Mark 14:53-72

Jesus Before the High Priest

Jesus is led to the high priest, where the entire council seeks testimony against Him.

There is irony throughout the passion narrative — even when trying to lie about Jesus, the accusers can't get their stories straight.

They struggle to find consistent witnesses, highlighting the mob mentality and one-upmanship among the accusers.

The temple destruction claim becomes their focus since it was publicly witnessed.

When asked if He's "the Christ, the son of the blessed," Jesus responds with "I am" — potentially the divine name (Yahweh in Greek).

He adds that they'll see "the son of man seated at the right hand of power," a clearly divine Old Testament reference.

The high priest's dramatic response — tearing his garments and crying "blasphemy" — proves that Jesus' contemporaries understood His divine claims.

This refutes arguments that Jesus never claimed to be God.

Peter's Denial

Peter's threefold denial reveals how quickly human courage crumbles.

The same disciple who promised loyalty and drew his sword now denies even knowing Jesus.

Peter represents all believers. We're sinners in need of redemption, not heroes earning salvation.

Mark (possibly influenced by Peter) intentionally includes this failure to show that apostles weren't sinless leaders but redeemed sinners.

This prevents us from viewing ourselves as superior to Peter.

Jesus' prediction of Peter's denial demonstrates divine omniscience without fatalistic predestination.

The appropriate response isn't "I would never do that" but "thanks be to God" that Christ saves sinners.

We need the gospel preached continually, not just information from a book, because we forget our identity and need as redeemed sinners daily.

Contributor Rev. Harrison Goodman is the Higher Things Executive Director of Missions and Theology.

Contributor Eli Lietzau is the pastor at Wheat Ridge Evangelical Lutheran Church in Wheat Ridge, CO.

#higherthings #lcms #lutheran #jesus