Mark's Gospel: Chapter 15

Key words

• Customary: traditional

It is customary to shake hands when meeting someone for the first time in the UK.

• Persuade: to cause people to do or believe something, esp. by explaining why they should

He is trying to persuade local and foreign businesses to invest in the project.

• Veil: a covering that stops you from seeing something

The women wore black veils to cover their faces.

• Linen: strong cloth made from the fibers of the flax plant

He was wearing a linen jacket

• Tomb: a large stone structure or underground room where someone, especially an important person, is buried

When they opened up the tomb they found treasure.

Read the article to find the answers

1. Who did the chief priests take Jesus to?
2. What was it customary for the Romans to do during the Feast of Unleavened Bread?
3. Who did the crowd demand the release of?
4. What happened when Jesus died?

Jesus is questioned by Pilate

The chief priests took Jesus to Pilate who was the Roman governor of Jerusalem. He asked Jesus if He was the King of the Jews and if He was going to respond to all the accusations the chief priests were making against Him. But Jesus said nothing.

During the Feast of Unleavened Bread, it was customary for the Romans to release a prisoner. Knowing that the chief priests were falsely accusing Jesus, Pilate asked the crowd if they wanted him to release the King of the Jews.

But the chief priests persuaded the crowd to demand the release of Barabbas, a rebel and a murderer. Pilate asked them what he should do with Jesus. They shouted:

"Crucify him!"

Pilate asked them what crime Jesus was guilty of. But they shouted even louder:

"Crucify him!"

To satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas and soldiers took Jesus away and put a crown of thorns on His head. They beat Him, whipped Him, mocked Him, and then took Him to be crucified with two thieves.

Jesus is mocked as He dies

While Jesus was on the cross, people passed by and insulted Him, saying:

"Hey, you who talked about destroying the temple and rebuilding it in three days, save yourself and come down from that cross!"

The chief priests also mocked him, saying:

"He saved others, but he can't save himself! If he is really the Christ, the King of Israel, let him come down from the cross right now, and then we'll believe."

Then darkness covered the whole land until Jesus cried out in a loud voice:

"My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?"

And with another loud cry, Jesus died, and the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.

Jesus is laid in a tomb

Jewish law prevented anyone from working on the Sabbath, so as evening approached, a respected member of the council went to Pilate and asked for Jesus's body. They carefully took it down, wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a tomb that was cut out of rock. He then rolled a stone in front of the entrance. Some of the women who came with Jesus to Jerusalem watched as he was buried.

Discussion questions

• Do you have any questions about any of the vocabulary or grammar in this article?
• Do you know the Bible passage quoted at the top of this article?
• Do you know why the veil of the temple being torn open is important?
• Do religious leaders in your country persuade people to do things?