Mark 15:18 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And they began to salute him, "Hail, King of the Jews!"

NIV: And they began to call out to him, "Hail, king of the Jews!"

NASB: and they began saluting Him: 'Hail, King of the Jews!'

CSB: And they began to salute him, "Hail, King of the Jews!"

NLT: Then they saluted him and taunted, 'Hail! King of the Jews!'

KJV: And began to salute him, Hail, King of the Jews!

NKJV: and began to salute Him, “Hail, King of the Jews!”

Romans of this era neither understand nor respect Jews. The Greco-Roman religion includes a pantheon of gods from which to choose. Cities, households, and individuals can decide for themselves whom to worship. And the sitting emperor is considered a god-in-training who will reach full deity upon his death.

Jews, in contrast, had long ago given up their Baal worship and Asherah poles. Since their return from captivity in Babylon, they've worked hard to worship God and God alone. The Romans think the Jews' devotion to a single, invisible God may as well be atheism. Not only is it disrespectful to the emperor, it's backwards and unsophisticated in their eyes.

At this time, the Jews are scattered all over the Roman Empire, but live mainly in Judea, Galilee, and Perea. Pilate is prelate over Judea, the area around Jerusalem. Herod Antipas is tetrarch over Galilee, north of Samaria, and Perea, east of Judea. Despite Herod Antipas' assumed title, the Jews have no king. They haven't had one since Herod the Great who died a few years after Jesus was born (Matthew 2:19). There won't be another king over Jewish territories until AD 41 when Caesar consolidates Herod the Great's territories under Herod's grandson Agrippa I.

Much of what happens to Jesus is as much about mocking the Jews as it is punishing Jesus. The guards crown Jesus with thorns and hail Him as "King." Pilate presents Jesus to the Jews as king (John 19:14) and writes "King of the Jews" on a sign above His head on the cross (Mark 15:26). The sacrificial, loving leadership that Jesus is displaying is so foreign to the Romans that they don't see the power in it (Mark 10:42–45). Neither do the Jews. They insist to Pilate, "We have no king but Caesar" (John 19:15).

Mark 15:16–20 is typical of biblical narratives, which often give a short synopsis and then flesh out the details. Mark 15:16–20 may describe the scourging Jesus receives in Mark 15:15, or it may be a second beating after the official death sentence is given. Although victims are traditionally scourged before a crucifixion, Pilate also hopes that torturing Jesus will appease the Sanhedrin (Luke 23:16, 22; John 19:1). But the Jewish leadership will settle for nothing less than Jesus crucified. Matthew 27:26–31 parallels Mark's account while John 19:1–16 gives more detail.

After sham trials, Jesus is taken to the local Roman governor, Pilate. This is the only person in Jerusalem with the legal authority to have Jesus executed. Pilate is not fooled, and he attempts to arrange for Jesus' release. But the ruler's ploys fail, in part because Jesus will not defend Himself, and partly because the mob is intent on His death. Pilate offers a prisoner exchange in Barabbas, and even has Jesus brutally beaten in order to pacify the crowd. Eventually, he caves in and Jesus is crucified. Thanks to His prior abuse, Jesus survives only a few hours on the cross before dying. Jesus is then buried in a tomb belonging to a secret follower among the Jerusalem council.

After being unfairly judged, Jesus will now be unfairly sentenced and cruelly murdered. It's reasonable to say this chapter provides context for everything else contained in the Bible. From Adam and Eve until the last baby born in the millennial kingdom, every person other than Christ is stained with sin. Conscience, law, Jesus' direct leadership, even the indwelling of the Holy Spirit cannot keep us from sinning. Sinless Jesus had to die on the cross, sacrificing Himself in our place, so our sins could be forgiven and we could be reconciled to God. Beneath the violence, darkness, dishonor, and death is the love of God for all mankind (John 3:16). Jesus' crucifixion is also found in Matthew 27, Luke 23, and John 19. The next chapter describes the miracle of His resurrection.

The Gospel of Mark emphasizes both Jesus' servanthood and His role as the promised Messiah: the Son of God. This is done through a concise, action-packed style. Mark provides relatively few details, instead focusing on actions and simple statements. This relates to the Gospel's authorship, which is believed to be based on the memories of the apostle Peter. These include many of Jesus' miracles, in contrast to other Gospels which include many more of Jesus' teachings and parables. Mark also makes frequent mention of Jesus' ministry being misunderstood by others.