1. Jesus Crucified (Mark 15:16-32) 

2. Jesus Dead and Buried (Mark 15:33-47) 

3. Jesus Resurrected and Ascended (Mark 16:1-20) 

Central Truth: Jesus is alive! 

Focus: Acknowledge and believe in Jesus’ triumph over death. 

Evangelism Emphasis: Jesus offers life to all who will believe. 

Text: “Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him” (Mark 16:6). 

There is only one grave in history that needs no epitaph. If one were to insist on engraving something on the stone in front of the tomb where Jesus’ body was laid, it might read, “No One Buried Here” or “Risen, As He Said.” Every other major religion—including Buddhism, Hinduism, and Islam—has its followers point to the tombs of their leaders. They honor dead men, still in their graves. But Christianity bases its reason for existence on the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the grave. 

The resurrection of Jesus ensures the future of believers. Philippians 3:20-21 says, “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body” (NKJV). 

The Resurrection is the most significant fact of human history. There is no other explanation. Jesus died for our sins, and this gives us the potential of peace of mind and heart in this life. Jesus also rose from the grave, and this gives us the potential of an eternal existence in a place prepared by the One who died for us. 

1. JESUS CRUCIFIED 

A.  Mockery by the Soldiers (Mark 15:16-20) 

16 And the soldiers led him away into the hall, called Praetorium; and they call together the whole band.  

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. 

After Jesus was sentenced to die, Pilate delivered Him to be scourged (v. 15). The Roman scourging was horribly severe. Bits of lead and small, sharp-pointed bones were often plaited into the whips, and the sufferers frequently died under the infliction. 

After the sentencing and the scourging ordered by Pilate, the entire cohort which formed Pilate’s guard was brought together. The news had spread that they had their prisoner—the King of the despised Jews—and He was to be crucified. The soldiers thought of Him as a strange aspirant to a kingly office, so in jest they clothed Him with a purple robe. Taking one of the many thorny bushes which grew in Palestine, they made a crown of it in imitation of the laurel wreath worn by the emperor. They pressed it over His forehead till the blood gushed from the wounds of the thorns. They put a reed in His hand for a scepter, and bowed before Him in mock obedience. Then they snatched the reed from Him and beat Him with it over the head, and showed their contempt by spitting on Him. The divine Sufferer bore all of this in silence. 

The routine of crucifixion was always the same. When the case had been heard, and the criminal condemned, the judge uttered the fateful sentence: “You will go to the cross.” The verdict was carried out there and the criminal was placed in the center of a quaternion—a company of four Roman soldiers. His own cross was placed upon his shoulders. Often the criminal had to be lashed and goaded along the road to keep him on his feet, as he staggered to the place of crucifixion. An officer walked in front with a placard indicating the crime of the condemned person. 

—Why do you suppose the soldiers took such delight in mocking Jesus? 

B. Suspended Between Two Thieves (Mark 15:21-28) 

22 And they bring him unto the place Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, The place of a skull. 23 And they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh: but he received it not. 24 And when they had crucified him, they parted his garments, casting lots upon them, what every man should take. 25 And it was the third hour, and they crucified him. 26 And the superscription of his accusation was written over, THE KING OF THE JEWS. 27 And with him they crucify two thieves; the one on his right hand, and the other on his left. 

As our Lord passed through the city gate, He fell beneath His burden, being broken by the horrible scourging. The soldiers conscripted a man named Simon, who was coming in from the country, and compelled him to carry Christ’s cross the rest of the way. 

In Jerusalem the place of execution was called “The Place of a Skull,” which was known as Golgotha in Hebrew and Calvary in Latin (v. 22). It must have been outside the city walls, because it was not lawful to crucify a man within the boundaries of the city. The place probably received its name because it was on a hill which was shaped like a skull. It was a grim name for a place where grim things were done. 

A strong aromatic wine was offered to those condemned to crucifixion. The purpose was to lessen their agony by deadening their faculties. Our Lord chose to keep His mind unclouded to the last, and therefore refused the poison. 

Crucifixion was a horrible form of execution. While the cross was on the ground, the victim was stretched naked upon it, his hands nailed to the arms of the cross, and his feet (one on top of the other) nailed to the foot of it. A wooden peg in the center partially supported the body, which hung mainly from the wounds in the hands and feet. Then the cross, bearing its agonized burden, was lifted and dropped with a sickening thud into the hole prepared for it. There it remained until the pain and awful thirst, along with starvation, finally released the sufferer. 

The clothing of the condemned was a perquisite of the soldiers. This they threw dice for. According to John 19:23-24, they separated Christ’s outer garment into four parts at the seams, and they divided it among them. But when they came to His inner garment they found that it, like a priest’s robe, was woven in one piece. If they had cut it into four parts they would have ruined it, and so they cast lots for it—thus, unwittingly fulfilling the prophecy of Psalm 22:18. 

With Jesus were crucified “two thieves” (v. 27)—rather, “two robbers.” A robber is one who takes by force. These two robbers, one on each side of Christ, were probably associated with Barabbas in his revolution. There is little doubt that Barabbas was destined for the middle cross; but Jesus died in his place. Verse 28 indicates this was a fulfillment of Isaiah 53:12. 

—Why was Jesus “counted among the rebels” (Isa. 53:12 NLT)? 

C. Scorned by the Witnesses (Mark 15:29-32) 

31 Likewise also the chief priests mocking said among themselves with the scribes, He saved others; himself he cannot save. 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. 

At Calvary there were taunts, jeers, and sneering that Christ had met the fate He deserved. The priests, the Pharisees, and the leaders of the Jews were not ashamed to lower themselves by shouting with the crowd. 

Among the statements by the crowd were these: “If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross” (Matt. 27:40); “Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe” (Mark 15:32); “He saved others; himself he cannot save” (v. 31). 

Jesus heard the taunts and jeers. He knew that He must not save Himself. He had to die on the cross in order to provide redemption for all people—including those who were mocking Him around the cross. 

—In what ways is Jesus being mocked today? 

2. JESUS DEAD AND BURIED 

A. The Climax of Agony (Mark 15:33-36) 

33 And when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. 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? 

From the sixth hour (noon) until the ninth hour (3 p.m.), there was darkness over “the whole land”—probably meaning Palestine (v. 33). Since the Passover always came at the time of the full moon, this could not have been an eclipse of the sun. It is likely that the sky was covered with extraordinarily heavy black clouds as a symbol of God’s judgment on sin. 

The Gospel of Mark only gives us one statement of Jesus from the cross (v. 34). The cry was given in Aramaic, which was apparently the language used by Jesus. It was translated by Mark for the benefit of his Gentile readers. It was a prophetic quotation from Psalm 22:1, in which David expressed his sorrow in feeling that God had forsaken him. 

These bystanders (Mark 15:35) either misunderstood the first word of Christ’s cry or pretended to. It was the general expectation among the Jews that the great prophet Elijah would return to earth before the coming of the Messiah. 

The “vinegar” (v. 36) was the sour wine used by the soldiers, a vessel which was standing near. It was used to assuage the intense agony of thirst. Matthew tells us the bystanders called out to the man to let Jesus alone (27:48-49), while John pictures several joining in the act of mercy (19:29). 

Love Hurts 

Sometimes love really hurts. It broke the heart of God to demonstrate His love to us through Christ; but its ultimate end was salvation.—Beth Moore 

B. The Shout of Triumph (Mark 15:37-39) 

37 And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost. 38 And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom. 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. 

Even after our Lord had hung upon the cross for six hours, His body was strong enough to cry with a loud voice, “It is finished!” (John 19:30). It was a victorious shout. He knew He had accomplished the conquest of sin which He came to fulfill. 

At that moment, the veil of the Temple was rent from top to bottom. This symbolized the fact that the way was now opened through Christ’s death for all His followers to enter into the very presence of God at all times. Hebrews 10:20 calls it “a new and living way.” 

On Golgotha, the centurion in charge of the Roman soldiers stood facing the three crosses to see that the decreed punishments were carried out. This centurion appears to have been a man of noble character, ready to respond to good influences. The accounts in the other Gospels hardly lead us to think that he used the term “Son of God” in a messianic sense, but he was tremendously impressed by the heroic and majestic bearing of Jesus, and by the supernatural accomplishments of His death. He was ready to believe that Jesus was more than a mere man. 

—How did Jesus’ death affect the Temple? 

C.  The Burial (Mark 15:40-47) 

43 Joseph of Arimathaea, an honourable counsellor, which also waited for the kingdom of God, came, and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus. 

The faithful women described in verses 40-41 “to their everlasting honor . . . evidenced more courage to their Lord and Master, than the disciples did, who had promised to die with Him rather than forsake Him,” observed Adam Clarke. 

The Mosaic Law required that the body of an executed man hanged on a tree must not remain there overnight. This would be a desecration of the land (Deut. 21:22-23). The Romans had no such restrictions and would leave bodies for days to rot; but they were not anxious to press for such in this situation. Take the body if the Jews willed; it mattered not to the Romans. 

Joseph of Arimathea, a member of the Sanhedrin but not a resident of Jerusalem, had purchased a tomb just outside of Jerusalem. The location of the town of Arimathea is not known, but either it was close to Jerusalem, or Joseph simply wanted to be buried in the city so special to God’s heart. 

Joseph had to ask for permission to bury the body, an act of courage that identified him as a follower of Jesus. Pilate could not believe Jesus was already dead and asked the Roman officer in charge for verification (see Mark 15:44). The officer confirmed such—a fact ignored by many who try to argue that Jesus never actually died. Pilate granted the request, likely because he didn’t believe Jesus had been guilty of treason. 

Jesus died around 3 p.m., and the Sabbath would begin at 6 p.m. Joseph was helped by Nicodemus, another member of the Sanhedrin and also a secret follower of Jesus. The job of burial had to be completed before the Sabbath began. John 19:39 tells us Nicodemus provided the necessary myrrh and aloes for preparing the body. The two men apparently set their hearts to carry out this matter before Jesus had died. 

—How should all Christians be like Joseph of Arimathea? 

3. JESUS RESURRECTED AND ASCENDED 

A. The Empty Tomb (Mark 16:1-6) 

1 And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.  

4 And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great. 5 And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted. 6 And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him. 

The anointing of Jesus’ dead body was done by Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, but the women who came to the tomb thought that was insufficient, or they felt anointing Him was now the least they could do. If these women had thought there was any hope of His being alive, they would not have come to anoint Him. 

They had seen the size of the stone that covered the entrance to the tomb, so they wondered how they would move it (v. 3). The resurrection of the Lord Jesus had made this worry unnecessary. God had rolled away the stone. The stone, however, was not rolled away to let Jesus out, but to let the disciples in. It was the miracle of rolling away the stone that gave to all the evidence of the empty tomb. 

An angel sent by God explained to them the empty tomb. If the angel had not been there, the women would have thought someone had stolen His body. The sudden surprise of seeing an angel instead of the body of Jesus frightened them. It was common for human beings to be frightened by the appearance of angels, but then came the most uncommon announcement: “He is risen” (v. 6). 

No announcement could have brought greater joy to the hearts of Jesus’ faithful followers. At first, however, it brought confusion. They were not prepared for such news. Nothing like this had ever occurred before. 

—Describe how God uniquely honored the women who faithfully followed Jesus to the end. 

B. The Mission (Mark 16:7-11) 

7 But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you. 8 And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they any thing to any man; for they were afraid. 

The women were not to keep such wonderful news to themselves. It is the responsibility of everyone who hears the good news to tell it to others. They especially were to tell this to Peter. Our Lord is always the most concerned with the individual, even one who has been unfaithful. 

The women did not know what to make of all this, so they fled in fear and amazement. Without saying anything to anyone else, they rushed to tell the Eleven what they had seen and heard. 

Because of her love for Christ, Mary Magdalene apparently remained outside the tomb weeping. She had great affection for the Lord, for He had cast seven demons from her. It seems the other women left her alone at the tomb. While she was lingering near, Jesus appeared to her (see John 20:11-18). The appearance of Jesus in person dispelled doubt from her mind. 

When Mary went to the disciples, however, they did not believe her testimony. Their unbelief means they did not believe the words of Jesus either, for He had said He would rise from the dead. 

A Muslim woman said to a missionary, “What did you do to my daughter?” The sixteen-year-old girl had died a few days before. The missionary, thinking the mother was accusing him, replied, “Why, we didn’t do anything to her!” But the woman said, “Yes, you did! She died smiling, and our people don’t die like that” (The Supreme Beatitude, Earle V. Pierce). 

The Lord Jesus Christ, by His resurrection, has removed the terrors of death for those who put their trust in Him, and we die smiling. Because the Lord Jesus died and rose again, death has no sting. 

C. Appearances of the Risen Jesus (Mark 16:12-14) 

12 After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country.

Jesus joined the conversation of two men walking down the road from Jerusalem to Emmaus (v. 12; Luke 24:13-35). These two did not believe Jesus was alive on the basis of hearsay, for He revealed Himself to them. They hurried to tell the Eleven, but they still did not believe. 

When Jesus “appeared unto the eleven” (Mark 16:14), He strongly rebuked them for not believing the sufficient evidence of His resurrection. Matthew Henry tells us, “The evidences of the truth of the Gospel are so full, that those who receive it not, may justly be ‘upbraided’ with their unbelief; and it is owing, not to any weakness or deficiency in the proofs, but to senselessness and stupidity.” 

D. The Commission Given (Mark 16:15-20) 

15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 

Jesus gave the disciples the responsibility of convincing the world of the truth concerning the gospel of Jesus Christ. It was necessary that they first be fully convinced. They were so committed to this task that no amount of sacrifice was too great. They were later called on to give their lives as a seal to their testimony. 

The Gospel is no longer to be limited to Israel; it is now for “all the world” (v. 15). The fact that people everywhere are sinners is reason enough to support the universal claims of the Gospel. All need Christ; therefore, He must be preached to all. 

The Lord assured His disciples that He would assist them in the spreading of the Gospel by giving miraculous signs, confirming the truth of the Gospel (vv. 17-18). The Lord promised He would be with the Church, by His spiritual presence and power, “unto the end of the world [age]” (Matt. 28:20). He kept His word, for, as Mark tells us, “they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following” (16:20). 

SPREAD THE GOOD NEWS 

The story of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ is the foundation stone of our Christian faith. The Lord took great pains to establish this truth in His disciples; for “he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days” (Acts 1:3). 

The Resurrection further proves that His death on the cross was able to meet the demand of the Law and thereby set us free from condemnation. Let us spread the Good News, fully assured that “he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned” (Mark 16:16). 

Daily Devotions:  

M.  The Savior’s Victory Foretold (Genesis 3:13-15)

T.   Not Abandoned to Death (Psalm 16:9-11) 

W.  On the Third Day (Hosea 6:1-3) 

T.  Resurrection Proclaimed ( Acts 2:22-28) 

F.  Resurrection Believed (Acts 2:29-41) 

S.  Resurrection Promised (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18) 

 *Adopted from the Evangelical Sunday School Lesson Commentary 2020-2021