Mark 15 Free Bible Version
Audio: World English Bible (WEB), read by Winfred W. Henson · About the recordings
1 Early the next morning, the chief priest, elders, and religious teachers—the whole governing council—came to a decision. They had Jesus bound and sent him to be handed over to Pilate.
1 Immediately in the morning the chief priests, with the elders, scribes, and the whole council, held a consultation, bound Jesus, carried him away, and delivered him up to Pilate.
2 Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” “You said it,” Jesus replied.
2 Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” He answered, “So you say.”
3 The chief priests kept on making many accusations against him.
3 The chief priests accused him of many things.
4 Pilate questioned him again, “Aren't you going to answer? See how many charges they're bringing against you!”
4 Pilate again asked him, “Have you no answer? See how many things they testify against you!”
5 But Jesus didn't give any more answers, much to Pilate's surprise.
5 But Jesus made no further answer, so that Pilate marveled.
6 Now it was Pilate's custom at the Passover feast to release a prisoner to the people, whoever they requested.
6 Now at the feast he used to release to them one prisoner, whomever they asked of him.
7 One of the prisoners was a man called Barabbas who belonged to a group of rebels who had committed murder during an uprising.
7 There was one called Barabbas, bound with his fellow insurgents, men who in the insurrection had committed murder.
8 The crowd went to Pilate and asked him to release a prisoner following his usual custom.
8 The multitude, crying aloud, began to ask him to do as he always did for them.
9 “Do you want me to release to you the King of Jews?” he asked them,
9 Pilate answered them, saying, “Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?”
10 for he realized that it was because of their jealousy of Jesus that the chief priests had handed Jesus over to him.
10 For he perceived that for envy the chief priests had delivered him up.
11 But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release Barabbas to them instead.
11 But the chief priests stirred up the multitude, that he should release Barabbas to them instead.
12 “Then what should I do with the one you call the King of the Jews?” he asked them.
12 Pilate again asked them, “What then should I do to him whom you call the King of the Jews?”
13 “Crucify him!” they shouted back.
13 They cried out again, “Crucify him!”
14 “Why? What crime has he committed?” Pilate asked them. “Crucify him!” they shouted back even louder.
14 Pilate said to them, “Why, what evil has he done?” But they cried out exceedingly, “Crucify him!”
15 Wanting to please the mob, Pilate released Barabbas to them. First he had Jesus flogged and then handed him over to be crucified.
15 Pilate, wishing to please the multitude, released Barabbas to them, and handed over Jesus, when he had flogged him, to be crucified.
16 The soldiers took him away into the Praetorium courtyard, where they called out the whole battalion.
16 The soldiers led him away within the court, which is the Praetorium; and they called together the whole cohort.
17 They put royal purple robes on him and made a crown of thorns that they placed on him.
17 They clothed him with purple; and weaving a crown of thorns, they put it on him.
18 Then they saluted him, saying, “Hail King of the Jews!”
18 They began to salute him, “Hail, King of the Jews!”
19 They repeatedly beat him around the head with a rod, spat at him, and fell on their knees before him as if in worship.
19 They struck his head with a reed and spat on him, and bowing their knees, did homage to him.
20 After they finished mocking him, they took off the purple robes, and put his own clothes back on him. Then they led him away to be crucified.
20 When they had mocked him, they took the purple cloak off him, and put his own garments on him. They led him out to crucify him.
21 They forced a passer-by, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming from the countryside, to carry his cross. Simon was the father of Alexander and Rufus.
21 They compelled one passing by, coming from the country, Simon of Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to go with them that he might bear his cross.
22 They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha, which means “the Place of the Skull.”
22 They brought him to the place called Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, “The place of a skull.”
23 They offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he refused it.
23 They offered him wine mixed with myrrh to drink, but he didn’t take it.
24 Then they crucified him. They divided his clothes, and threw dice to decide who would have what.
24 Crucifying him, they parted his garments among them, casting lots on them, what each should take.
25 It was nine in the morning when they crucified him.
25 It was the third hour when they crucified him.
26 A sign with the written charge against him read: “The King of the Jews.”
26 The superscription of his accusation was written over him: “THE KING OF THE JEWS.”
27 They crucified two rebels with him, one on his left and one on his right.
27 With him they crucified two robbers, one on his right hand, and one on his left.
28 Not in this translation
28 The Scripture was fulfilled which says, “He was counted with transgressors.”
29 People passing by shouted insults at him, shaking their heads, and saying. “Aha! You who claimed you were going to destroy the Temple and rebuild it in three days;
29 Those who passed by blasphemed him, wagging their heads and saying, “Ha! You who destroy the temple and build it in three days,
30 save yourself and come down from the cross!”
30 save yourself, and come down from the cross!”
31 Likewise the chief priests and the religious teachers made fun of him, saying to each other, “He saved others, but he can't save himself.
31 Likewise, also the chief priests mocking among themselves with the scribes said, “He saved others. He can’t save himself.
32 If he really is the Messiah, the King of Israel, then why doesn't he come down from the cross so we can see and believe!” Even those who were crucified with him insulted him.
32 Let the Christ, the King of Israel, now come down from the cross, that we may see and believe him.” Those who were crucified with him also insulted him.
33 At noon darkness fell over the whole land until three in the afternoon.
33 When the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour.
34 At three o'clock Jesus cried out, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani,” which means, “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”
34 At the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” which is, being interpreted, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
35 Some of those standing there heard this, and said, “He's calling for Elijah.”
35 Some of those who stood by, when they heard it, said, “Behold, he is calling Elijah.”
36 One man ran and filled a sponge with vinegar, put it on a stick, and tried to give it to Jesus to drink. “Leave him alone,” he said. “Let's see if Elijah will come to take him down.”
36 One ran, and filling a sponge full of vinegar, put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink, saying, “Let him be. Let’s see whether Elijah comes to take him down.”
37 Then Jesus groaned loudly, and died.
37 Jesus cried out with a loud voice, and gave up the spirit.
38 The Temple veil was ripped in two from top to bottom.
38 The veil of the temple was torn in two from the top to the bottom.
39 When the centurion standing there in front of Jesus saw how he died, he said, “This man was truly the Son of God.”
39 When the centurion, who stood by opposite him, saw that he cried out like this and breathed his last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!”
40 Some women were watching from a distance including Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and Joses, and Salome.
40 There were also women watching from afar, among whom were both Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome;
41 They had followed Jesus and had taken care of him while he was in Galilee. Many other women who had come with him to Jerusalem were also there.
41 who, when he was in Galilee, followed him and served him; and many other women who came up with him to Jerusalem.
42 It was Friday, the day before the Sabbath. When evening came,
42 When evening had now come, because it was the Preparation Day, that is, the day before the Sabbath,
43 Joseph of Arimathea, a member of the governing council who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, had the courage to go to Pilate and ask for Jesus' body.
43 Joseph of Arimathaea, a prominent council member who also himself was looking for God’s Kingdom, came. He boldly went in to Pilate, and asked for Jesus’ body.
44 Pilate was surprised that Jesus had died so soon, so he summoned the centurion and asked him if Jesus had already died.
44 Pilate was surprised to hear that he was already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he had been dead long.
45 Once he had confirmation from the centurion, Pilate gave permission for Joseph to take the body.
45 When he found out from the centurion, he granted the body to Joseph.
46 Joseph bought a linen sheet. Then he took Jesus' body down from the cross and wrapped it in the sheet, and placed it in a tomb that had been cut out of rock. Then he rolled a heavy stone up against the entrance.
46 He bought a linen cloth, and taking him down, wound him in the linen cloth and laid him in a tomb which had been cut out of a rock. He rolled a stone against the door of the tomb.
47 Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses were watching where he was laid.
47 Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses, saw where he was laid.
People & places in this chapter
From this site's family tree and Bible maps, only where those guides cite this chapter.
People
Alexander
Named in Mark 15:21 as a son of Simon of Cyrene.
Cited in the guide: Mark 15:21
Barabbas
A notorious prisoner, an insurrectionist, whom the crowd chose to be released rather than Jesus.
Cited in the guide: Matthew 27:16; Matthew 27:17; Mark 15:7
James the younger
Called James the younger in Mark 15:40, the son of a Mary who watched at the crucifixion; the text does not say whether he is James son of Alphaeus or James the brother of Jesus.
Cited in the guide: Mark 15:40
Joseph of Arimathea
A rich man and member of the council from the Judean town of Arimathea, a disciple of Jesus (secretly, for fear of the Jews), who asked Pilate for the body and laid it in a new…
Cited in the guide: Matthew 27:57; Mark 15:43; Luke 23:50
Joses
Named in Mark 15:40 and 15:47 (Joses; Joseph in Matthew 27:56) as a son of the Mary who watched the crucifixion; the text does not identify him with Joses the brother of Jesus in…
Cited in the guide: Matthew 27:56; Mark 15:40
Mary
A woman who followed Jesus from Galilee and was at the cross, called the mother of James the younger and of Joses (Joseph) and seen at the burial and at the tomb; the text does…
Cited in the guide: Matthew 27:56; Mark 15:40; Mark 15:47
Rufus
Named in Mark 15:21 as a son of Simon of Cyrene.
Cited in the guide: Mark 15:21
Salome
A woman who followed Jesus from Galilee, named at the crucifixion and with Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James who bought spices for the body; Matthew 27:56 names the…
Cited in the guide: Mark 15:40; Mark 16:1
Simon of Cyrene
A man from Cyrene coming in from the country whom the soldiers forced to carry the cross of Jesus; Mark calls him the father of Alexander and Rufus.
Cited in the guide: Matthew 27:32; Mark 15:21; Luke 23:26
Cross references (43)
Related passages for each verse, from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge as collected and ranked by readers at OpenBible.info.
- 1 Matthew 27:1–2; Luke 22:66; Luke 23:1–5; Acts 3:13; John 18:28–38
- 2 Matthew 2:2; Matthew 27:11–14; 1 Timothy 6:13; Mark 15:26; Mark 15:18
- 3 Isaiah 53:7; John 19:12; John 19:6–7; Mark 14:60–61; Luke 23:2–5
- 4 John 19:10; Matthew 27:13; Matthew 26:62
- 5 Isaiah 53:7; Zechariah 3:8; Matthew 27:14; 1 Corinthians 4:9; Psalm 71:7
- 6 John 18:39–40; Acts 24:27; Acts 25:9; Matthew 27:15–26; Luke 23:16–25
- 7 Luke 23:18–19; Matthew 27:16; Luke 23:25
- 9 Matthew 27:17–21; John 19:14–16; John 19:4–5; John 18:39; Acts 3:13–15
- 10 Proverbs 27:4; 1 Samuel 18:8–9; Matthew 27:18; Genesis 4:4–6; Titus 3:3
- 11 Acts 3:14; Matthew 27:20; Hosea 5:1; John 18:40
- 12 Isaiah 9:6–7; Jeremiah 23:5–6; Matthew 27:22–23; Zechariah 9:9; John 19:14–16
- 14 Luke 23:41; Matthew 27:23–25; 1 Peter 1:19; Luke 23:4; Isaiah 53:3
- 15 Matthew 27:26; John 19:1; Isaiah 50:6; Mark 10:34; Psalm 129:3
- 16 Matthew 27:27–31; John 19:9; John 18:28; Matthew 26:3; Acts 10:1
- 17 Matthew 27:28–30; John 19:2–5; Luke 23:11
- 18 Matthew 27:42–43; Luke 23:36–37; Mark 15:29–32; Mark 15:2; Genesis 37:10
- 19 Mark 14:65; Isaiah 53:3–5; Psalm 35:15–17; Hebrews 12:2–3; Isaiah 50:6
- 20 John 19:16; Matthew 27:31
- 21 Matthew 27:32; Luke 23:26; Romans 16:13; Acts 13:1; Acts 11:20
- 22 Matthew 27:33–44; John 19:17–27; Luke 23:27–38
- 23 Matthew 27:34; Luke 22:18; John 19:28–30; Luke 23:36; Mark 14:25
- 24 Luke 23:34; John 19:23–24; Matthew 27:35–36; Isaiah 53:4–8; Psalm 22:16–18
- 25 John 19:14; Matthew 27:45; Mark 15:33; Luke 23:44; Acts 2:15
- 26 Matthew 27:37; John 19:18–22; Luke 23:37–38; Zechariah 9:9; Matthew 2:2
- 27 Luke 23:32–33; Matthew 27:38; John 19:18
- 29 Mark 14:58; Psalm 109:25; Lamentations 1:12; John 2:18–22; Lamentations 2:15
- 31 John 12:23–24; Matthew 27:41–43; Psalm 22:16–17; Psalm 2:1–4; 1 Peter 3:17–18
- 32 Matthew 27:44; Luke 23:39–43; Zephaniah 3:15; Isaiah 44:6; Matthew 1:17
- 33 Matthew 27:45; Luke 23:44–45; Amos 8:9–10; Mark 15:25; Isaiah 50:3–4
- 34 Psalm 22:1; Matthew 27:46; Hebrews 5:7; Psalm 27:9; Isaiah 41:17
- 35 Matthew 27:47–49; Matthew 17:11–13; Mark 9:11–13
- 36 Psalm 69:21; Mark 15:23; Luke 23:36; John 19:28–30
- 37 John 19:30; Luke 23:46; Matthew 27:50
- 38 Hebrews 10:19–23; Luke 23:45; Hebrews 9:3–12; Matthew 27:51–53; Leviticus 16:2–19
- 39 Luke 23:47–48; Matthew 27:54; Matthew 27:43; Acts 10:1; Acts 27:1–3
- 40 Matthew 27:55–56; Luke 23:49; Luke 8:2–3; Mark 16:9; Mark 15:47–16:1
- 41 Luke 8:2–3; Matthew 27:55–56
- 42 Luke 23:50–56; John 19:31; John 19:38–42; Matthew 27:57–62
- 43 Luke 2:38; Luke 2:25; Luke 23:51; John 19:38; Acts 17:12
- 44 John 19:31–37
- 45 John 19:38; Mark 15:39; Matthew 27:58
- 46 Isaiah 53:9; Matthew 27:59–60; John 11:38; Mark 16:3–4; Isaiah 22:16
- 47 Mark 15:40; Mark 16:1; Matthew 27:61; Luke 23:55–24:2; Matthew 28:1
Cross references: OpenBible.info (CC BY), drawn mainly from the public-domain Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. · Sources & licences
What the Fathers said
Passages from the Church Fathers that expound or quote this chapter, verbatim from the public-domain Schaff edition (19th-century English translations).
How these were chosen
“Commentary” is the opening of a homily or exposition on this chapter (John Chrysostom’s homilies, Augustine’s tractates, sermons and expositions of the Psalms). “Quotes” are sentences where the edition’s own footnotes identify a quotation of a verse here, kept only when the wording matches the verse. Only works whose authorship is not in doubt are used. Psalms follow the Hebrew/English numbering (Augustine numbers them as the Septuagint does: his Psalm 50 is Psalm 51 here).
… in the person of the Jews that Isaiah said this, "We saw Him, and He had no beauty nor comeliness." When it was said, "If He be the Son of God, let Him come down from the Cross. He saved others, Himself He cannot save." And smiting Him on the head with a reed, they said, "Prophesy unto us, thou …
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 6 (1888)
"Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers; and they stripped Him, and put on Him a purple robe; and when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand; and they bowed the knee before …
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 10 (1888)
But what sort of gall put they into My mouth? They gave Him, it says, wine mingled with myrrh.
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 2, vol. 7 (1894)
And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour." The question, at what hour the Lord was crucified, because of the testimony supplied by another evangelist, who says, "And it was the third hour, and they crucified Him," we shall consider as we can, if the Lord please, when we are come to the passage itself …
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 7 (1888)
Mark at any rate saith, that "Pilate marvelled if He were already dead:" and that the centurion for this cause above all believed, because He died with power.
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 10 (1888)