Mark 15:21-32
21 Then they compelled a certain man, Simon a Cyrenian, the father of Alexander and Rufus, as he was coming out of the country and passing by, to bear His cross. 22 And they brought Him to the place Golgotha, which is translated, Place of a Skull. 23 Then they gave Him wine mingled with myrrh to drink, but He did not take it. 24 And when they crucified Him, they divided His garments, casting lots for them to determine what every man should take. 25 Now it was the third hour, and they crucified Him. 26 And the inscription of His accusation was written above: THE KING OF THE JEWS. 27 With Him they also crucified two robbers, one on His right and the other on His left. 28 So the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “And He was numbered with the transgressors.” 29 And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads and saying, “Aha! You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, 30 “save Yourself, and come down from the cross!” 31 Likewise the chief priests also, mocking among themselves with the scribes, said, “He saved others; Himself He cannot save. 32 “Let the Christ, the King of Israel, descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” Even those who were crucified with Him reviled Him.
Devotional
The Roman soldiers having beaten and mocked Jesus in the Praetorium will now as they are leading Jesus out to crucify Him, compel a man named Simon; a native of Cyrene; to bear Jesus’ cross. Jesus likely being too weak at this point to do so Himself. The mention of Simon’s two sons Alexander and Rufus is important since it appears Rufus later became a Christian (Rom. 16:13). While Cyrene, Simon’s resident city, was located on the north coast of Africa; and though founded by Greeks it had a large Jewish population. Its significance was in being the capital city of the Roman province Cyrenaica; equivalent to ancient and modern Libya (Nelson’s). Luke’s gospel says that as they were leading Jesus out to crucify Him that they came across Simon coming from the country (maybe traveling from Cyrene on business since the city was an economic center). And so seeing him they seize him, and lay Jesus’ cross on him (Luke 23:26). Now the word used in Mark's gospel translated compel was of Persina origins and has legal implications in that the word indicated pressing one into public service. And having done so they bring Jesus, with Simon bearing his cross, to a place called Golgotha, which is translated, Place of a Skull (vs. 22).
Now Golgotha as the name implies was a gruesome place, located on a hill outside of the walls of Jerusalem, where the aura of death was likely only surpassed by the odor of it. It was here crucifixions took place. And it would be here that Jesus Christ the Son of God would bear our sins on the cross and fulfill the Scriptures as God’s Suffering Servant on our behalf (See Psalm 22:1, 16-18, 22; Isaiah 53; John 3:15-16). The very fact that the Son Man who being sent by God, who dwelt Holy in God, and was perfectly indwelt by God; and who came to bring Life to us all; who did no wrong either before God or man. Yet was betrayed by His own, and then sentenced to die by the rulers of this world in such a place, is as evil and dark as it gets. And is itself the pinnacle reflection of mankind’s depravity apart from God. For if ever there was a sin that cried out mankind’s spiritually dead and lost state, and our need to be Spiritually born again, this is it. Yet this was not unknown to God, or to the Lord Jesus Christ His Son. But is what God commanded, and what Jesus Christ was willing to do to save us all from eternal condemnation (Rom. 5:8). Now Marks gospel says that the soldiers offered Jesus wine mingled with myrrh, but He did not take it (vs. 23). This must have been a customary act to help deaden the pain, though one can scarcely see how it would do much of anything. Nonetheless any lessoning of Jesus’ Suffering would not take place on this day. Though the physical anguish of the cross being utterly unimaginable to us; is not the most terrifying aspect of the cross. It is Jesus’ bearing our sins on it. For that is something only He as the Sinless Son of Man could do and endure. That aspect of Jesus Suffering no one cannot fathom, we can only by faith and gratitude receive what He accomplished through it, for us all.
Moving then back to the scene at Golgotha verse twenty four says as they crucified Jesus they cast lots for His garments. That is to see who would get them. This again is a fulfillment of the Scriptures (Psalm 22:18). And a most sickening act on their part. That while the Son of Man was condemned and going to be crucified to death, they were coveting His clothing! What is it that you covet when faced with Jesus Christ’s crucifixion? Is it your soul’s salvation? Or are you just indifferent to the fact that this was done for you? Verses twenty five and six then give us the time of Christ’s crucifixion, “the third hour”; our 9:00 am, the day routinely beginning for them at 6:00am. And say that an inscription of His accusation was written above Jesus Christ’s cross: “THE KING OF THE JEWS” That is the “crime” for which Jesus was condemned to be crucified. Now John’s Gospel says that it was written in Hebrew, Latin and Greek (John 19:20); Hebrew being the native language of the Jews, Latin being the official language of the Roman Empire; and Greek being the universal dialect of the people in the Empire.
Now the Scripture says that crucified with Jesus were two robbers; one on His right hand, and the other on His left (vs. 27). “So the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “And He was numbered with the transgressors.” Vs. 28 The significance being that is what I and you are; that is sinners in need of redemption; in the eyes of God apart from Him justifying us through our faith in His Son Jesus (Rom. 3:23-26). Anyone who thinks otherwise, who thinks they have not transgressed the Law, has neither understood the Law. Nor have they seen themselves in the light of what the Law says about us all (Rom. 3:9-28, vs. 23; Gal. 3:22; James 2:10). Therefore though Jesus Christ was crucified according to human law, it was so that He might fulfill God’s Law and be God’s propitiation for all our sins (Rom. 3:24). And having done so we can all now receive the reconciliation work of Jesus Christ by His death on the cross, which restores us to God, and brings us to everlasting life, simply by faith in His Person (John 3:16-17; Gal. 3:21-26). “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” 2 Cor. 5:21
Now Mark’s gospel says that as Jesus was being crucified with those two criminals that the very people Jesus came to save. As they passed by that horrific sight blasphemed Him, and shaking their heads in a gestures of mocking said to Him: …“Aha! You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, 30 “save Yourself, and come down from the cross!” 31 Likewise the chief priests also, mocking among themselves with the scribes, said, “He saved others; Himself He cannot save. 32 “Let the Christ, the King of Israel, descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” Even those who were crucified with Him reviled Him. Vs. 29-32
How the Son of God, who loved so much, and did so much good, could be openly and brazenly treated that way; I cannot explain. Think of all the lives Jesus profoundly touched and made whole in every sense (and is profoundly touching and making whole), and all in just three short years of ministry. Yet here He is being mocked and reviled, even while dying on the cross for our sins. Even if people’s eyes are veiled to His Person, does the cruelty and pitilessness of mankind ever end? Now their antagonistic reference to Jesus destroying the Temple and building it in three days is in regards to what Jesus said to the Jews the first time He visited the Temple; which was also on a Passover; when He forcibly purged it of all the buying and selling that was going on in it (See John 2:13-22). While their declaring, along with the chief priests and scribes, that Jesus save Himself misses the point of His being crucified. For it is through Christ’s death that we live. When someone understands that, receives that for themselves, they will see both God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ His Son in a whole different light.
Scripture Quotations
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.) 1982.
Additional Resources
Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Dictionary
Word Studies
Compel STR 29; GK 30
A Guide To The Gospels; W. Graham Scroggie, Kregal Publications, pages 660-661
21 Then they compelled a certain man, Simon a Cyrenian, the father of Alexander and Rufus, as he was coming out of the country and passing by, to bear His cross. 22 And they brought Him to the place Golgotha, which is translated, Place of a Skull. 23 Then they gave Him wine mingled with myrrh to drink, but He did not take it. 24 And when they crucified Him, they divided His garments, casting lots for them to determine what every man should take. 25 Now it was the third hour, and they crucified Him. 26 And the inscription of His accusation was written above: THE KING OF THE JEWS. 27 With Him they also crucified two robbers, one on His right and the other on His left. 28 So the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “And He was numbered with the transgressors.” 29 And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads and saying, “Aha! You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, 30 “save Yourself, and come down from the cross!” 31 Likewise the chief priests also, mocking among themselves with the scribes, said, “He saved others; Himself He cannot save. 32 “Let the Christ, the King of Israel, descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” Even those who were crucified with Him reviled Him.
Devotional
The Roman soldiers having beaten and mocked Jesus in the Praetorium will now as they are leading Jesus out to crucify Him, compel a man named Simon; a native of Cyrene; to bear Jesus’ cross. Jesus likely being too weak at this point to do so Himself. The mention of Simon’s two sons Alexander and Rufus is important since it appears Rufus later became a Christian (Rom. 16:13). While Cyrene, Simon’s resident city, was located on the north coast of Africa; and though founded by Greeks it had a large Jewish population. Its significance was in being the capital city of the Roman province Cyrenaica; equivalent to ancient and modern Libya (Nelson’s). Luke’s gospel says that as they were leading Jesus out to crucify Him that they came across Simon coming from the country (maybe traveling from Cyrene on business since the city was an economic center). And so seeing him they seize him, and lay Jesus’ cross on him (Luke 23:26). Now the word used in Mark's gospel translated compel was of Persina origins and has legal implications in that the word indicated pressing one into public service. And having done so they bring Jesus, with Simon bearing his cross, to a place called Golgotha, which is translated, Place of a Skull (vs. 22).
Now Golgotha as the name implies was a gruesome place, located on a hill outside of the walls of Jerusalem, where the aura of death was likely only surpassed by the odor of it. It was here crucifixions took place. And it would be here that Jesus Christ the Son of God would bear our sins on the cross and fulfill the Scriptures as God’s Suffering Servant on our behalf (See Psalm 22:1, 16-18, 22; Isaiah 53; John 3:15-16). The very fact that the Son Man who being sent by God, who dwelt Holy in God, and was perfectly indwelt by God; and who came to bring Life to us all; who did no wrong either before God or man. Yet was betrayed by His own, and then sentenced to die by the rulers of this world in such a place, is as evil and dark as it gets. And is itself the pinnacle reflection of mankind’s depravity apart from God. For if ever there was a sin that cried out mankind’s spiritually dead and lost state, and our need to be Spiritually born again, this is it. Yet this was not unknown to God, or to the Lord Jesus Christ His Son. But is what God commanded, and what Jesus Christ was willing to do to save us all from eternal condemnation (Rom. 5:8). Now Marks gospel says that the soldiers offered Jesus wine mingled with myrrh, but He did not take it (vs. 23). This must have been a customary act to help deaden the pain, though one can scarcely see how it would do much of anything. Nonetheless any lessoning of Jesus’ Suffering would not take place on this day. Though the physical anguish of the cross being utterly unimaginable to us; is not the most terrifying aspect of the cross. It is Jesus’ bearing our sins on it. For that is something only He as the Sinless Son of Man could do and endure. That aspect of Jesus Suffering no one cannot fathom, we can only by faith and gratitude receive what He accomplished through it, for us all.
Moving then back to the scene at Golgotha verse twenty four says as they crucified Jesus they cast lots for His garments. That is to see who would get them. This again is a fulfillment of the Scriptures (Psalm 22:18). And a most sickening act on their part. That while the Son of Man was condemned and going to be crucified to death, they were coveting His clothing! What is it that you covet when faced with Jesus Christ’s crucifixion? Is it your soul’s salvation? Or are you just indifferent to the fact that this was done for you? Verses twenty five and six then give us the time of Christ’s crucifixion, “the third hour”; our 9:00 am, the day routinely beginning for them at 6:00am. And say that an inscription of His accusation was written above Jesus Christ’s cross: “THE KING OF THE JEWS” That is the “crime” for which Jesus was condemned to be crucified. Now John’s Gospel says that it was written in Hebrew, Latin and Greek (John 19:20); Hebrew being the native language of the Jews, Latin being the official language of the Roman Empire; and Greek being the universal dialect of the people in the Empire.
Now the Scripture says that crucified with Jesus were two robbers; one on His right hand, and the other on His left (vs. 27). “So the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “And He was numbered with the transgressors.” Vs. 28 The significance being that is what I and you are; that is sinners in need of redemption; in the eyes of God apart from Him justifying us through our faith in His Son Jesus (Rom. 3:23-26). Anyone who thinks otherwise, who thinks they have not transgressed the Law, has neither understood the Law. Nor have they seen themselves in the light of what the Law says about us all (Rom. 3:9-28, vs. 23; Gal. 3:22; James 2:10). Therefore though Jesus Christ was crucified according to human law, it was so that He might fulfill God’s Law and be God’s propitiation for all our sins (Rom. 3:24). And having done so we can all now receive the reconciliation work of Jesus Christ by His death on the cross, which restores us to God, and brings us to everlasting life, simply by faith in His Person (John 3:16-17; Gal. 3:21-26). “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” 2 Cor. 5:21
Now Mark’s gospel says that as Jesus was being crucified with those two criminals that the very people Jesus came to save. As they passed by that horrific sight blasphemed Him, and shaking their heads in a gestures of mocking said to Him: …“Aha! You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, 30 “save Yourself, and come down from the cross!” 31 Likewise the chief priests also, mocking among themselves with the scribes, said, “He saved others; Himself He cannot save. 32 “Let the Christ, the King of Israel, descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” Even those who were crucified with Him reviled Him. Vs. 29-32
How the Son of God, who loved so much, and did so much good, could be openly and brazenly treated that way; I cannot explain. Think of all the lives Jesus profoundly touched and made whole in every sense (and is profoundly touching and making whole), and all in just three short years of ministry. Yet here He is being mocked and reviled, even while dying on the cross for our sins. Even if people’s eyes are veiled to His Person, does the cruelty and pitilessness of mankind ever end? Now their antagonistic reference to Jesus destroying the Temple and building it in three days is in regards to what Jesus said to the Jews the first time He visited the Temple; which was also on a Passover; when He forcibly purged it of all the buying and selling that was going on in it (See John 2:13-22). While their declaring, along with the chief priests and scribes, that Jesus save Himself misses the point of His being crucified. For it is through Christ’s death that we live. When someone understands that, receives that for themselves, they will see both God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ His Son in a whole different light.
Scripture Quotations
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.) 1982.
Additional Resources
Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Dictionary
Word Studies
Compel STR 29; GK 30
A Guide To The Gospels; W. Graham Scroggie, Kregal Publications, pages 660-661
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