GOSPEL OF MARK

Lesson 10
JESUS DEATH, RESURRECTION, AND THE FUTURE
(Mark 15:1 - 16:20)
I. The TRIAL of Jesus before PILATE
(Mark 15:1-15). See also Matthew 27:1, 2,
11-26; Luke 23:1-25; John 18:28-40; 19:1.
A. The Council assembled as soon as it was day and pronounced a sentence against
Jesus
(Luke 22:66-71)
B. NOTE the CONTRAST in the approach of the Jews in their OWN ASSEMBLY of
rulers, and their accusations before Pilate, a Roman.
1. In the Council, they accused Jesus of BLASPHEMY (Read Mark 14:61-65).
However, this would mean nothing to Pilate, an unbelieving Gentile.
2. Now, before PILATE, they will accuse Jesus of SEDITION
1-5)

(Mark 15:

a. He was accused of subverting the nation (Luke 23:1-4)

b. Of claiming to be another King, opposing Caesar
c. Of opposing paying TAXES to Caesar. Of course, these were not
true. The latter was a very evident FALSEHOOD! Read again
Mark 12:17.
3. Pilate recognized that Jesus was NOT subverting the nation

(Luke 23:14)

C. The Jews did finally accuse him before Pilate of being the Son of God
(John 19:6, 7)
D. Pilate knew that Jesus was NOT in opposition to Caesar, for Jesus pointed out that
His kingdom was NOT OF THIS WORLD (John 18:36). Read also Luke
23:4 and John 18:38.
E. Barabbas was released instead of Jesus

(Mark 15:6-14)

1. He was a notable prisoner who was guilty of what they accused Jesus
of doing. He was guilty of insurrection, but also the group with
which he worked had committed MURDER (Mark 15:7) (Read also
Matthew 27:16).
2. Pilate wanted to release Jesus, for he knew that ENVY was the cause of
the actions of the Jewish leaders
(Mark 15:10; Matthew 27:18)
3. No doubt, Pilate was afraid that, if he released Jesus, an unfavorable report
would be sent to Rome about him.
4. The Jews urged Pilate to CRUCIFY Jesus. They cried out exceedingly
for Him to be crucified. This word exceedingly is the same root word
as abounding (Read I Corinthians 15:58).

5. Pilates question, What evil has he done? shows Pilates conviction about
Jesus innocence, but he was also too much a coward to stand for justice.
6. It was at this time that Pilates wife sent a message that Pilate should have
nothing to do with this righteous man (Read Matthew 27:19).

II. The CRUCIFIXION of Jesus

(Mark 15:15-39)

A. Jesus was SCOURGED

(Mark 15:15)

1. They usually used a flagellum, a whip of leather embedded with pieces

of bone or lead.
2. Josephus said that people often DIED from the whipping, their bodies so
torn that physical organs were visible.
B. The SOLDIERS MOCKED Jesus KINGSHIP

(Mark 15:16-20)

1. They mocked Him with a purple robe, a crown of thorns, and

mock WORSHIP.
2. The word worshiped is in a CONTINUOUS action form in Greek.
They continued to do this.
C. The CRUCIFIXION

(Mark 15:21-39)

1. Simon of Cyrene was compelled to assist with the cross. Evidently,

Rufus and Alexander, his sons, were known to people later. We do
not know if the Rufus of Romans 16:13 is the same man.
2. Golgotha is Hebrew for skull. The Latin word is Calvaria.
3. He was crucified at the THIRD HOUR (9:00 A. M.). (Mark 15:25)
4. Two ROBBERS were crucified with Him. Mark does not mention the
penitence of the thief on the cross (See this in Luke 23:39-43)
5. There was an inscription, The King of the Jews
6. The people passing by mocked Him

(Mark 15:26).

(Mark 15:29-32).

a. Note: Jesus had said that THEY, not He, would destroy the temple
of His body, and He would raise it
(John 2:19-21).
b. Note again: If Jesus had SAVED HIMSELF from crucifixion, He could
NOT HAVE SAVED US! (Read Hebrews 9:12-22)
7. There was DARKNESS from the SIXTH to the NINTH hour (Noon until
3:00 P. M.). This was the ACTION of GOD!
(Mark 15:33)
8. Mark only records ONE of the SEVEN SAYINGS of Jesus on the cross,
My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me? (Mark 15:34). Read
also Psalm 22:1

9. Jesus cried with a LOUD VOICE, and breathed out His last. (Mark 15:37).
Perhaps, part of what He cried with this loud voice was It is finished
(John 19:30), and Into they hands I commend my spirit (Luke 23:46)
10. The VEIL of the temple was torn. The OLD Jewish order was finished
(Mark 15:38). Read also Hebrews 8:6-13; 9:23-28.
11. The CENTURION said, Truly, this man was a Son of God
Note also Matthew 27:54 and Luke 23:47.
D. The WOMEN beheld Him at His CRUCIFIXION

(Mark 15:39)

(Mark 15:40, 41)

1. They were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the Less, and Salome
2. They had ministered to Jesus. This is diekonoun which is also seen in
Romans 16:1, etc.. Women had ministered to Jesus with their substance
(Luke 8:3).

III.. Joseph of Arimathea BURIED Jesus

(Mark 15:42-47)

A. He was a member of the Council, but a SECRET disciple of Jesus (John

19:38)
B. He had NOT consented to what the Council had done (Luke 23:50, 51).
He was looking for the kingdom.
C. Nicodemus also assisted in the burial of Jesus
(John 19:39)
D. A SEAL and GUARD was placed at the tomb of Jesus (Matthew 27:62-66)

IV. The RESURRECTION

(Mark 16:1-8)

A. After the Sabbath, the women brought spices. The ACTIONS of all show that they
did NOT YET believe in His Resurrection!
B. The WOMEN came about DAWN of the first day of the week (Mark 16:1;
Matthew 28:1; Luke 24:1; John 20:1)
C. An ANGEL had rolled away the STONE
(Matthew 28:2)
D. The angel said that HE IS RISEN and would go before them into Galilee
(Mark 16:7). It is touching that the angel said, Tell His disciples, and PETER.
E. It is interesting to NOTE that, in Jewish custom, the testimony of WOMEN was NOT
accepted. This is STRONG EVIDENCE that the early church did NOT invent
the RESURRECTION. If the church had invented His resurrection, it would
not place WOMEN in such a great position of TESTIMONY.

V. The APPEARANCES of Jesus after His RESURRECTION

(Mark 16:9-14)

A. See the INTRODUCTION of the research book concerning why these verses
(Mark 16:9-20) should be included in the text of Mark.
B. Appearances of Jesus which show the DISBELIEF of His disciples
1. He appeared to Mary Magdalene (Mark 16:9-11). The disciples did NOT
BELIEVE! He also appeared to another Mary
(Matthew 28:1-10)
2. He appeared to TWO DISCIPLES on the road to EMMAUS (Mark 16:12, 13)
Read a detailed account of this in Luke 24:13-35.
3. Jesus, when He appeared to the ELEVEN, upbraided them for their

UNBELIEF (Mark 16:14). They disbelieved for joy

VI. The GREAT COMMISSION and the ASCENSION

A. The GREAT COMMISSION

(Luke 24:41)

(Mark 16:15-20)

(Mark 16:15, 16)

1. This is spoken about 40 days later, shortly before the ascension

2. The word preach means to proclaim as a herald, the messenger of the king
(See also II Timothy 4:2 where the same word is found).
3. The one who believes the message of the king, and will be baptized will be
SAVED!
a. The word gospel means good news. Note that the gospel is the
death of Jesus for our sins, His burial and resurrection.
(I Corinthians 15:1-4)
b. Salvation is forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38, 47). There is also a
FUTURE salvation in HEAVEN (Romans 13:11)
c. The one who does NOT believe will be condemned. His sin will
condemn him (Read John 3:16, 17)
B. SIGNS would follow the BELIEVER

(Mark 16:17-20)

1. Jesus does not discuss here HOW LONG these miracles would continue, or
WHO would be able to perform WHICH sign.
2. Because the Word was NOT yet confirmed, these SIGNS would have a
wonderful purpose ----- to confirm the word (Mark 16:20)
3. NOTE that, when Philip preached in Samaria, the people believed WHEN
THEY HEARD and SAW the SIGNS HE DID (Acts 8:5-12)
4. The signs such as casting out demons, speaking with tongues, taking up
serpents, drinking deadly things, and healing sick DID confirm the
Word
(Read Hebrews 2:3, 4)
C. The ASCENSION of Jesus

(Mark 16:19, 20)

1. He ascended over against Bethany (Luke 24:50) on the Mount of Olives

(Acts 1:12)
2. After He ascended, they, the apostles, would be His witnesses
(Acts 1:8)
3. They were to WAIT in Jerusalem for power
(Luke 24:49)
4. Then, He BLESSED them
(Luke 24:50)
5. He ascended to sit at Gods right hand (Note Acts 2:33; Hebrews 1:3;
I Peter 3:22)
6. JESUS WILL RETURN!
(Acts 1:9-11)