Mark 15:21-47

New International Reader's Version

Jesus Is Nailed to a Cross

²¹ A man named Simon was passing by. He was from Cyrene. He was the father of Alexander and Rufus. Simon was on his way in from the country. The soldiers forced him to carry the cross. ²² They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha. The word Golgotha means the Place of the Skull. ²³ Then they gave him wine mixed with spices. But he did not take it. ²⁴ They nailed him to the cross. Then they divided up his clothes. They cast lots to see what each of them would get.

²⁵ It was nine o’clock in the morning when they crucified him. ²⁶ They wrote out the charge against him. It read,

The King of the Jews.

^27-28 They crucified with him two rebels against Rome. One was on his right and one was on his left. ²⁹ Those who passed by shouted at Jesus and made fun of him. They shook their heads and said, “So you are going to destroy the temple and build it again in three days? ³⁰ Then come down from the cross! Save yourself!” ³¹ In the same way the chief priests and the teachers of the law made fun of him among themselves. “He saved others,” they said. “But he can’t save himself! ³² Let this Messiah, this king of Israel, come down now from the cross! When we see that, we will believe.” Those who were being crucified with Jesus also made fun of him.

Jesus Dies

³³ At noon, darkness covered the whole land. It lasted three hours. ³⁴ At three o’clock in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” This means “My God, my God, why have you deserted me?” (Psalm 22:1)

³⁵ Some of those standing nearby heard Jesus cry out. They said, “Listen! He’s calling for Elijah.”

³⁶ Someone ran and filled a sponge with wine vinegar. He put it on a stick. He offered it to Jesus to drink. “Leave him alone,” he said. “Let’s see if Elijah comes to take him down.”

³⁷ With a loud cry, Jesus took his last breath.

³⁸ The temple curtain was torn in two from top to bottom. ³⁹ A Roman commander was standing there in front of Jesus. He saw how Jesus died. Then he said, “This man was surely the Son of God!”

⁴⁰ Not very far away, some women were watching. Mary Magdalene was among them. Mary, the mother of the younger James and of Joseph, was also there. So was Salome. ⁴¹ In Galilee these women had followed Jesus. They had taken care of his needs. Many other women were also there. They had come up with him to Jerusalem.

Jesus Is Buried

⁴² It was the day before the Sabbath. That day was called Preparation Day. As evening approached, ⁴³ Joseph went boldly to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. Joseph was from the town of Arimathea. He was a leading member of the Jewish Council. He was waiting for God’s kingdom. ⁴⁴ Pilate was surprised to hear that Jesus was already dead. So he called for the Roman commander. He asked him if Jesus had already died. ⁴⁵ The commander said it was true. So Pilate gave the body to Joseph. ⁴⁶ Then Joseph bought some linen cloth. He took down the body and wrapped it in the linen. He put it in a tomb cut out of rock. Then he rolled a stone against the entrance to the tomb. ⁴⁷ Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph saw where Jesus’ body had been placed.