Mark 15
GOD’S WORD Translation
Pilate Questions Jesus(A)
15 Early in the morning the chief priests immediately came to a decision with the leaders and the experts in Moses’ Teachings. The whole Jewish council decided to tie Jesus up, lead him away, and hand him over to Pilate.
2 Pilate asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”
“Yes, I am,” Jesus answered him.
3 The chief priests were accusing him of many things.
4 So Pilate asked him again, “Don’t you have any answer? Look how many accusations they’re bringing against you!”
5 But Jesus no longer answered anything, so Pilate was surprised.
The Crowd Rejects Jesus(B)
6 At every Passover festival, Pilate would free one prisoner whom the people asked for. 7 There was a man named Barabbas in prison. He was with some rebels who had committed murder during a riot. 8 The crowd asked Pilate to do for them what he always did. 9 Pilate answered them, “Do you want me to free the king of the Jews for you?” 10 Pilate knew that the chief priests had handed Jesus over to him because they were jealous.
11 The chief priests stirred up the crowd so that Pilate would free Barabbas for them instead.
12 So Pilate again asked them, “Then what should I do with the king of the Jews?”
13 “Crucify him!” they shouted back.
14 Pilate said to them, “Why? What has he done wrong?”
But they shouted even louder, “Crucify him!”
15 Pilate wanted to satisfy the people, so he freed Barabbas for them. But he had Jesus whipped and handed over to be crucified.
The Soldiers Make Fun of Jesus(C)
16 The soldiers led Jesus into the courtyard of the palace and called together the whole troop. 17 They dressed him in purple, twisted some thorns into a crown, and placed it on his head. 18 Then they began to greet him, “Long live the king of the Jews!” 19 They kept hitting him on the head with a stick, spitting on him, and kneeling in front of him with false humility.
The Crucifixion(D)
20 After the soldiers finished making fun of Jesus, they took off the purple cape and put his own clothes back on him. Then they led him out to crucify him. 21 A man named Simon from the city of Cyrene was coming ⌞into Jerusalem⌟ from his home in the country. He was the father of Alexander and Rufus. As he was about to pass by, the soldiers forced him to carry Jesus’ cross.
22 They took Jesus to Golgotha (which means “the place of the skull”). 23 They tried to give him wine mixed with a drug called myrrh, but he wouldn’t take it. 24 Next they crucified him. Then they divided his clothes among themselves by throwing dice to see what each one would get. 25 It was nine in the morning when they crucified him. 26 There was a written notice of the accusation against him. It read, “The king of the Jews.”
27 They crucified two criminals with him, one on his right and the other on his left.[a]
29 Those who passed by insulted him. They shook their heads and said, “What a joke! You were going to tear down God’s temple and build it again in three days. 30 Come down from the cross, and save yourself!” 31 The chief priests and the experts in Moses’ Teachings made fun of him among themselves in the same way. They said, “He saved others, but he can’t save himself. 32 Let the Messiah, the king of Israel, come down from the cross now so that we may see and believe.” Even those who were crucified with him were insulting him.
Jesus Dies on the Cross(E)
33 At noon darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. 34 At three o’clock Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”
35 When some of the people standing there heard him say that, they said, “Listen! He’s calling Elijah.” 36 Someone ran and soaked a sponge in vinegar. Then he put it on a stick and offered Jesus a drink. The man said, “Let’s see if Elijah comes to take him down.”
37 Then Jesus cried out in a loud voice and died. 38 The curtain in the temple was split in two from top to bottom.
39 When the officer who stood facing Jesus saw how he gave up his spirit, he said, “Certainly, this man was the Son of God!”
40 Some women were watching from a distance. Among them were Mary from Magdala, Mary (the mother of young James and Joseph), and Salome. 41 They had followed him and supported him while he was in Galilee. Many other women who had come to Jerusalem with him were there too.
Jesus Is Placed in a Tomb(F)
42 It was Friday evening, before the day of rest—a holy day, 43 when Joseph arrived. He was from the city of Arimathea and was an important member of the Jewish council. He, too, was waiting for God’s kingdom. Joseph boldly went to Pilate’s quarters to ask for the body of Jesus.
44 Pilate wondered if Jesus had already died. So he summoned the officer to ask him if Jesus was, in fact, dead. 45 When the officer had assured him that Jesus was dead, Pilate let Joseph have the corpse.
46 Joseph had purchased some linen cloth. He took the body down from the cross and wrapped it in the cloth. Then he laid the body in a tomb, which had been cut out of rock, and he rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. 47 Mary from Magdala and Mary (the mother of Joses) watched where Jesus was laid.
Footnotes
- 15:27 Some manuscripts and translations add verse 28: “And what the Scriptures said came true: ‘He was counted with criminals.’ ”
Mark 15
New King James Version
Jesus Faces Pilate(A)
15 Immediately, (B)in the morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council; and they bound Jesus, led Him away, and (C)delivered Him to Pilate. 2 (D)Then Pilate asked Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?”
He answered and said to him, “It is as you say.”
3 And the chief priests accused Him of many things, but He (E)answered nothing. 4 (F)Then Pilate asked Him again, saying, “Do You answer nothing? See how many things [a]they testify against You!” 5 (G)But Jesus still answered nothing, so that Pilate marveled.
Taking the Place of Barabbas(H)
6 Now (I)at the feast he was accustomed to releasing one prisoner to them, whomever they requested. 7 And there was one named Barabbas, who was chained with his fellow rebels; they had committed murder in the rebellion. 8 Then the multitude, [b]crying aloud, began to ask him to do just as he had always done for them. 9 But Pilate answered them, saying, “Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” 10 For he knew that the chief priests had handed Him over because of envy.
11 But (J)the chief priests stirred up the crowd, so that he should rather release Barabbas to them. 12 Pilate answered and said to them again, “What then do you want me to do with Him whom you call the (K)King of the Jews?”
13 So they cried out again, “Crucify Him!”
14 Then Pilate said to them, “Why, (L)what evil has He done?”
But they cried out all the more, “Crucify Him!”
15 (M)So Pilate, wanting to gratify the crowd, released Barabbas to them; and he delivered Jesus, after he had scourged Him, to be (N)crucified.
The Soldiers Mock Jesus(O)
16 (P)Then the soldiers led Him away into the hall called [c]Praetorium, and they called together the whole garrison. 17 And they clothed Him with purple; and they twisted a crown of thorns, put it on His head, 18 and began to salute Him, “Hail, King of the Jews!” 19 Then they (Q)struck Him on the head with a reed and spat on Him; and bowing the knee, they worshiped Him. 20 And when they had (R)mocked Him, they took the purple off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him out to crucify Him.
The King on a Cross(S)
21 (T)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 (U)And they brought Him to the place Golgotha, which is translated, Place of a Skull. 23 (V)Then they gave Him wine mingled with myrrh to drink, but He did not take it. 24 And when they crucified Him, (W)they divided His garments, casting lots for them to determine what every man should take.
25 Now (X)it was the third hour, and they crucified Him. 26 And (Y)the inscription of His [d]accusation was written above:
THE KING OF THE JEWS.
27 (Z)With Him they also crucified two robbers, one on His right and the other on His left. 28 [e]So the Scripture was fulfilled which says, (AA)“And He was numbered with the transgressors.”
29 And (AB)those who passed by blasphemed Him, (AC)wagging their heads and saying, “Aha! (AD)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, (AE)mocking among themselves with the scribes, said, “He saved (AF)others; Himself He cannot save. 32 Let the Christ, the King of Israel, descend now from the cross, that we may see and [f]believe.”
Even (AG)those who were crucified with Him reviled Him.
Jesus Dies on the Cross(AH)
33 Now (AI)when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. 34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” which is translated, (AJ)“My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”
35 Some of those who stood by, when they heard that, said, “Look, He is calling for Elijah!” 36 Then (AK)someone ran and filled a sponge full of sour wine, put it on a reed, and (AL)offered it to Him to drink, saying, “Let Him alone; let us see if Elijah will come to take Him down.”
37 (AM)And Jesus cried out with a loud voice, and breathed His last.
38 Then (AN)the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. 39 So (AO)when the centurion, who stood opposite Him, saw that [g]He cried out like this and breathed His last, he said, “Truly this Man was the Son of God!”
40 (AP)There were also women looking on (AQ)from afar, among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the Less and of Joses, and Salome, 41 who also (AR)followed Him and ministered to Him when He was in Galilee, and many other women who came up with Him to Jerusalem.
Jesus Buried in Joseph’s Tomb(AS)
42 (AT)Now when evening had come, because it was the Preparation Day, that is, the day before the Sabbath, 43 Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent council member, who (AU)was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, coming and taking courage, went in to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 44 Pilate marveled that He was already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him if He had been dead for some time. 45 So when he found out from the centurion, he granted the body to Joseph. 46 (AV)Then he bought fine linen, took Him down, and wrapped Him in the linen. And he laid Him in a tomb which had been hewn out of the rock, and rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. 47 And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses observed where He was laid.
Footnotes
- Mark 15:4 NU of which they accuse You
- Mark 15:8 NU going up
- Mark 15:16 The governor’s headquarters
- Mark 15:26 crime
- Mark 15:28 NU omits v. 28.
- Mark 15:32 M believe Him
- Mark 15:39 NU He thus breathed His last
Mark 15
English Standard Version
Jesus Delivered to Pilate
15 (A)And as soon as it was morning, the chief priests (B)held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council. And (C)they bound Jesus and (D)led him away and (E)delivered him over to (F)Pilate. 2 (G)And Pilate asked him, (H)“Are you the King of the Jews?” And he answered him, (I)“You have said so.” 3 And the chief priests accused him of many things. 4 And Pilate again asked him, (J)“Have you no answer to make? See how many charges they bring against you.” 5 But Jesus (K)made no further answer, so that Pilate was amazed.
Pilate Delivers Jesus to Be Crucified
6 (L)Now at the feast he used to release for them one prisoner for whom they asked. 7 And among the rebels in prison, who had (M)committed murder (N)in the insurrection, there was a man called Barabbas. 8 And the crowd came up and began to ask Pilate to do as he usually did for them. 9 And he answered them, saying, “Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?” 10 For he perceived that (O)it was out of envy that the chief priests had delivered him up. 11 But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release for them Barabbas instead. 12 And Pilate again said to them, “Then what shall I do with (P)the man you call the King of the Jews?” 13 And they cried out again, “Crucify him.” 14 And Pilate said to them, “Why? (Q)What evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Crucify him.” 15 So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released for them Barabbas, and having (R)scourged[a] Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.
Jesus Is Mocked
16 (S)And the soldiers led him away inside (T)the palace (that is, (U)the governor's headquarters),[b] and they called together the whole (V)battalion.[c] 17 And they clothed him in (W)a purple cloak, and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on him. 18 And they began to salute him, (X)“Hail, King of the Jews!” 19 And they were striking his head with a reed and (Y)spitting on him and (Z)kneeling down in homage to him. 20 And when they had (AA)mocked him, they stripped him of (AB)the purple cloak and put his own clothes on him. And they (AC)led him out to crucify him.
The Crucifixion
21 (AD)And they compelled a passerby, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his cross. 22 (AE)And they brought him to the place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull). 23 And they offered him wine mixed with (AF)myrrh, but he did not take it. 24 And they crucified him and (AG)divided his garments among them, casting lots for them, to decide what each should take. 25 And (AH)it was the third hour[d] when they crucified him. 26 And the inscription of the charge against him read, (AI)“The King of the Jews.” 27 And with him they crucified two (AJ)robbers, (AK)one on his right and one on his left.[e] 29 And (AL)those who passed by derided him, (AM)wagging their heads and saying, (AN)“Aha! (AO)You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, 30 save yourself, and come down from the cross!” 31 So also the chief priests with the scribes mocked him to one another, saying, (AP)“He saved others; (AQ)he cannot save himself. 32 Let (AR)the Christ, (AS)the King of Israel, come down now from the cross that we may (AT)see and believe.” (AU)Those who were crucified with him also reviled him.
The Death of Jesus
33 And when the sixth hour[f] had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour.[g] 34 And at the ninth hour Jesus (AV)cried with a loud voice, (AW)“Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” 35 And some of the bystanders hearing it said, “Behold, he is calling Elijah.” 36 And someone ran and filled a sponge with (AX)sour wine, put it on a reed (AY)and gave it to him to drink, saying, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to take him down.” 37 And Jesus (AZ)uttered a loud cry and (BA)breathed his last. 38 And (BB)the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. 39 (BC)And when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he[h] breathed his last, he said, (BD)“Truly this man was the Son[i] of God!”
40 There were also (BE)women looking on (BF)from a distance, among whom were (BG)Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and (BH)Salome. 41 When he was in Galilee, they followed him and (BI)ministered to him, and there were also many other women who (BJ)came up with him to Jerusalem.
Jesus Is Buried
42 (BK)And when evening had come, since it was (BL)the day of Preparation, that is, the day before the Sabbath, 43 Joseph of Arimathea, (BM)a respected member of the council, who (BN)was also himself looking for the kingdom of God, took courage and went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 44 Pilate was surprised to hear that he should have already died.[j] And summoning (BO)the centurion, he asked him whether he was already dead. 45 And when he learned from (BP)the centurion that he was dead, he granted the corpse to Joseph. 46 And Joseph[k] bought (BQ)a linen shroud, and taking him down, wrapped him in the linen shroud and (BR)laid him in a tomb (BS)that had been cut out of the rock. And he rolled (BT)a stone against the entrance of the tomb. 47 (BU)Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where he was laid.
Footnotes
- Mark 15:15 A Roman judicial penalty, consisting of a severe beating with a multi-lashed whip containing embedded pieces of bone and metal
- Mark 15:16 Greek the praetorium
- Mark 15:16 Greek cohort; a tenth of a Roman legion, usually about 600 men
- Mark 15:25 That is, 9 a.m.
- Mark 15:27 Some manuscripts insert verse 28: And the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “He was numbered with the transgressors”
- Mark 15:33 That is, noon
- Mark 15:33 That is, 3 p.m.
- Mark 15:39 Some manuscripts insert cried out and
- Mark 15:39 Or a son
- Mark 15:44 Or Pilate wondered whether he had already died
- Mark 15:46 Greek he
Copyright © 1995, 2003, 2013, 2014, 2019, 2020 by God’s Word to the Nations Mission Society. All rights reserved.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.
