Mark 15

Mark 15:7

Them that had made insurrection with him [συστασιαστων] .

Fellow - rioters. But the better texts read stasiastwn, rioters, omitting the sun with (fellow) : and the Rev. accordingly omits with him.

Who [οιτινες] . Denoting a class of criminals.

The insurrection. Note the article : the insurrection for which Barabbas and his fellows had been imprisoned.

Mark 15:8

Crying aloud [αναβοησας] . But the best texts read ajnabav, having gone up. So Rev., went up.

Ever [αει] . Omitted by the best texts.

Mark 15:11

Moved [ανεσεισαν] . A feeble translation. Seiw is to shake. Hence seismov, an earthquake. See on Matthew 13:8. Better as Rev., stirred up. Wyc., The bishops stirred the company of people.

Mark 15:15

To content [τοικανονποιησαι] . Lit., to do the sufficient thing. Compare the popular phrase, Do the right thing. A Latinism, and used by Mark only. Wyc., to do enough to the people.

Mark 15:16

Into the hall called Pretorium. Mark, as usual, amplifies. Matthew has simply the Pretorium. The courtyard, surrounded by the buildings of the Pretorium, so that the people passing through the vestibule into this quadrangle found themselves in the Pretorium.

Band (speiran). Originally anything wound or wrapped round; as a ball, the coils of a snake, a knot or curl in wood. Hence a body of men - at - arms. The same idea is at the bottom of the Latin manipulus, which is sometimes (as by Josephus) used to translate speira. Manipulus was originally a bundle or handful. The ancient Romans adopted a pole with a handful of hay or straw twisted about it as the standard of a company of soldiers; hence a certain number or body of soldiers under one standard was called manipulus.

Mark 15:17

Purple. See on Matthew 27:28. Matthew adds the word for soldier ’s cloak. Mark has simply purple.

Mark 15:21

Compel. Better impress, as Rev. in margin. See on Matthew 5:41. Note the accuracy in designating Simon.

Mark 15:22

Golgotha. See on Matthew 27:33.

Mark 15:23

They gave [εδιδουν] . The imperfect tense is used in the same sense as in Matthew 3:14 (Rev.), “John would have hindered.” They were for giving; attempted to give. So Rev., excellently, offered.

Wine mingled with myrrh [εσμυρνισμενονοινον] . Lit., myrrhed wine. See on Matthew 27:34.

Mark 15:24

What each should take [τιςτιαρη] . Lit., who should take what. An addition of Mark.

Mark 15:26

The superscription of his accusation. Matthew, simply accusation; Luke, superscription; John, title. See on Matthew 27:37.

Mark 15:27

Thieves. Rev., robbers. See on Matthew 27:38.

Mark 15:29

Ah! [ουα] . The Latin vah!

Destroyest. The same word as at Mr 13:2.

Mark 15:32

The Christ. See on Matthew 2:1. Referring to the confession before the high - priest (xiv. 62).

King of Israel. Referring to the confession before Pilate (xv. 2).

Mark 15:36

Vinegar. See on Matthew 27:48.

Mark 15:38

The veil. See on Matthew 27:51.

Mark 15:39

Son of God. Not the Son of God, which Rev. has retained, but a son of God. To the centurion Christ was a hero or demigod. See on Matthew 27:54.

Mark 15:40

Magdalene. See on Matthew 27:56.

Mark 15:41

Followed - ministered [ηκολουθουνδιηκονουν] . Both imperfects : were in the habit, accustomed to.

Mark 15:42

Even. See on Matthew 27:57.

The day before the Sabbath [προσαββατον] . The fore Sabbath. Peculiar to Mark, and only here.

Mark 15:43

Joseph of Arimathaea [ιωσηφοαποαριμαθαιας] . Lit., Joseph, he from Arimathaea : the article indicating a man well known.

Honorable [ευσχημων] . Compounded of eu, well, and schma, form, shape, figure. On the latter word, see on Matthew 17:2. In its earlier use this adjective would, therefore, emphasize the dignified external appearance and deportment. So Plato, noble bearing (" Republic, " 413). Later, it came to be used in the sense of noble; honorable in rank. See Acts 13:50; Acts 17:12.

Counsellor. A member of the Sanhedrim, as appears from Luke 23:51. Went in boldly [τολμησαςεισηλθεν] . Lit., having dared went in. Daring all possible consequences.

Mark 15:44

Wondered. This query and the asking the centurion are peculiar to Mark.

Mark 15:45

Body [πτωμα] . Better, Rev., corpse; as the word is used only of a dead body. See on Matthew 24:28.

Mark 15:46

Stone. See on Matthew 27:60.

Mark 15:47

Beheld [εθεωρουν] . Imperfect tense. Were looking on meanwhile. The verb also implies steady and careful contemplation. They took careful note.