The lion of St Mark

THE GOSPEL OF MARK

Soldiers in charge: Mk 15,16-39

Earlier we saw that we can read this middle section as one page because the soldiers are present especially at the beginning (15,16-27) when as we have seen "they" is the key pronoun. Then at the end we have the centurion, their commander, making his exclamation in verse 39. Thus the presence of the soldiers give a unity to these verses.

Look at what the soldiers are doing in verses 16-20 and compare this with the centurion's exclamation in 15,39. What is the contrast here?

We need to take a closer look at 15,29-38 and see what is happening there. Where might we divide these verses into two sections? What is happening in the two parts?

Then take a look at my response.

Jesus and the Soldiers: 15,16-27

In verse 17, the soldiers take over from Pilate. Note how many soldiers gather for what follows.

What is the signifcance of verses 18-19? What is indicated by the purple cloak? As we read these verses, we will be noting how irony is the key to the story.

Note what happens in verse 20 (see for contrast John 19,5).

For verse 21 and Simon of Cyrene, this may reflect 8,34. Again, the contrast is with John 19,17. Who might be Alexander and Rufus?

Note the sparse account in verses 22-24. The only details are the offering of the wine in verse 23 (see 10,38; 14,25) and the sharing of garments in verse 24. Look at Psalm 22,18. There is also a careful recording of the time in verse 25 whilst verse 26 repeats the title central to this chapter.

For those crucified with Jesus in verse 27, look back at 17,7. Note the pronoun that appears for the last time in this verse.

Verse 28 is omitted because the evidence is clear that it is a late addition to the text.

Then take a look at my response.

All of this has taken place before the third hour, 9 o'clock in the morning. More now remains to be told before Jesus dies at the ninth hour.

Jesus and the Jews: 15,29-32

Three groups of Jesus' own people now make their comments about Jesus on the cross. Who are the three groups?

In verse 29, we have the passers-by. They echo 15,13-14 and may have been part of that crowd. Now they echo the Jewish trial (14,57) and also (though not clear in the translations) the reaction of 14,64. Consider this in terms of irony.

The next group are the chief priests with the scribes, the leading enemies of Jesus. Who do they speak to? What is the implication of verse 32 (see 8,11-12)?

And finally, those crucified on either side of Jesus also taunt him. What is the effect of all this?

As we look back on these verses, what has happened to Jesus and what is the attitude of Jesus himself?

Then take a look at my response.

Jesus Dies: 15,33-39

Verse 33 tells of three hours of darkness. This is best read as a theological darkness, see Joel 2,10 or Amos 5,28; 8,9-10.

We then have in verse 34 Jesus' loud cry from the cross, first given in aramaic and then in translation as Mark has done before (5,41 for example). Look at psalm 22. How does Jesus address God?

The bystanders misunderstand Jesus in verse 35. Is there perhaps a reason for the evangelist to introduce Elijah at this stage (see 6,15; Malachi 3,1; 4,5)? See for the drink, Ps 69,21.

In verse 37, Jesus now repeats the loud cry from verse 34, see Ps 31,22 or Ps 39,12. What does the verse then say - and what does it not say?

For the veil of the sanctuary being split in verse 38, we again need to read this as theology and see it as the fulfilment of 11,12-21. See also the letter to the Ephesians, Ep 2,14-16.

If verse 38 is a Jewish reaction, what is then significant about verse 39?
Look at the various translations for the centurion's cry. Which version might I regard as incorrect? What led the centurion to make this cry? How does it bring the Gospel to a climax? See 1,1; 1,11; 9,7, what is different this time? Why is the story still incomplete (see 8,31, 9,31; 10,33; 9,9)?

Then take a look at my response.

Thus it is with the cry of the centurion that the passion story comes to its climax. This is therefore a good point to mark a break in the story. It may be unusual to make the break at this point but verse 40 introduces new characters as we saw in the chapter overview. Their presence is now that final stage of the story for which we can now move on to the scenes at the tomb, 15,40-16,8.