Studying The Book of Mark: Daily Breakdown: Day 8

Etetor Roland Eshiet, Sr.

Day 8: Monday, December 31, 2024

The Book of Mark Chapters 15 and 16 NIV

The Temple leadership binds our Lord and Savior JESUS and hand HIM over to Pilate. “Are you King of the Jews?” Pilate asks. “You have said so,” JESUS replies (15 v2). Pilate elaborates on the question he has asked but JESUS still makes no reply. Pilate is amazed (v3-4).

Now, there is a Jewish custom where prisoners are released to the people at the festival. But the people prefer Barabbas. Pilate is puzzled. “What shall I do, then, with the one you call king of the Jews?” Pilate asks. “Crucify HIM!” the people shout (v.12-13). “Why? What crime has HE committed?” Pilate asks. The people shout even louder, “Crucify HIM!” To satisfy the people, Pilate releases Barabbas and has our Lord and Savior flogged, and handed over for crucifixion (v15-16).

Soldiers lead JESUS into the palace (praetorium). They place a crown of thorns on HIS head. They call HIM names. They strike HIM on the head with a staff, spit on HIM. They mock HIM and lead HIM away for crucifixion (v16-20).

Simon of Cyrene, father of Alexander and Rufus, is forced to carry the cross as they bring JESUS to Golgotha (the place of the skull). The soldiers offer JESUS wine mixed with myrrh which HE refuses to take. And there at Golgotha, our Lord is crucified. The soldiers divide up his clothes as they cast lots. The time is 9 O’clock in the morning (v21-24).

Two rebels are crucified alongside JESUS, placed one on HIS right and the other on HIS left. Passersby heap insults on JESUS even as members of the temple leadership mock HIM (v27-32).

Darkness covers the whole land for three hours, midday until 3 0’clock. As the clock strikes three, our savior cries out with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani (My GOD, my GOD, why have you forsaken me)? (v33-34). And with another loud cry, our Savior breathes HIS last (v.37).

John Mark records that the curtain of the temple tears in two as JESUS dies. And the centurion, who stands in front of our Lord, and sees how HE died, proclaims, “Surely this man was the Son of GOD! (v38-39).”

JESUS body, wrapped in linen, is placed in a tomb cut out of rock. Joseph of Arimathea buries our Lord as Mary Magdelene and Mary the mother of Joseph observe (v42-47).

The day after the Sabbath, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome go with spices to anoint the body of our Lord. On their arrival at the tomb, they see “a young man dressed in a white robe.” The young man tells them that JESUS has gone on ahead into Galilee. “There you will see HIM, just as HE told you,” HE says (v6-7).

Our Savior appears first to Mary Magdalene (v9). Afterward, HE appears “in a different form to two of them while they were walking in the country (v12-13).” HE appears to the Eleven as they are eating (v14).

JESUS commands HIS disciples to “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” HE commands them to baptize those who believe. HE asks them to watch out for signs that accompany those who believe (v15-18). When HE finished speaking with them, our Lord is taken up into Heaven where HE sits on the right hand of GOD (v19).

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For a review of Studying the Book of Mark: A Daily Breakdown: Day 7

For a review of Studying the Book of Mark: A Daily Breakdown: Day 6

For a review of Studying the Book of Mark: A Daily Breakdown: Day 5

For a review of Studying the Book of Mark: A Daily Breakdown: Day one to four (1-4):

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Thank you for watching this page for daily updates. We have come to the end of our study of the Book of Mark. We encourage you to study the Book of Mark often. We welcome your comments and suggestions. Stay Blessed! 🙏

Happy New Year 2025! May your year be inundated with GOD’s many bountiful Blessings!!!

Etetor Roland Eshiet, Sr.