Mark:15

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* Verse 1-14 - They bound Christ . It is good for us often to remember the bonds of the Lord Jesus , as bound with him who was bound for us . By delivering up the King , they , in effect , delivered up the kingdom of God , which was , therefore , as by their own consent , taken from them , and given to another nation . Christ gave Pilate a direct answer , but would not answer the witnesses , because the things they alleged were known to be false , even Pilate himself was convinced they were so . Pilate thought that he might appeal from the priests to the people , and that they would deliver Jesus out of the priests ' hands . But they were more and more urged by the priests , and cried , Crucify him ! Crucify him ! Let us judge of persons and things by their merits , and the standard of God 's word , and not by common report . The thought that no one ever was so shamefully treated , as the only perfectly wise , holy , and excellent Person that ever appeared on earth , leads the serious mind to strong views of man 's wickedness and enmity to God . Let us more and more abhor the evil dispositions which marked the conduct of these persecutors . * Verse 15-21 - Christ met death in its greatest terror . It was the death of the vilest malefactors . Thus the cross and the shame are put together . God having been dishonoured by the sin of man , Christ made satisfaction by submitting to the greatest disgrace human nature could be loaded with . It was a cursed death ; thus it was branded by the Jewish law , Deuteronomy strkjv @21:23 . The Roman soldiers mocked our Lord Jesus as a King ; thus in the high priest 's hall the servants had mocked him as a Prophet and Saviour . Shall a purple or scarlet robe be matter of pride to a Christian , which was matter of reproach and shame to Christ ? He wore the crown of thorns which we deserved , that we might wear the crown of glory which he merited . We were by sin liable to everlasting shame and contempt ; to deliver us , our Lord Jesus submitted to shame and contempt . He was led forth with the workers of iniquity , though he did no sin . The sufferings of the meek and holy Redeemer , are ever a source of instruction to the believer , of which , in his best hours , he cannot be weary . Did Jesus thus suffer , and shall I , a vile sinner , fret or repine ? Shall I indulge anger , or utter reproaches and threats because of troubles and injuries ? * Verse 22-32 - The place where our Lord Jesus was crucified , was called the place of a scull ; it was the common place of execution ; for he was in all respects numbered with the transgressors . Whenever we look unto Christ crucified , we must remember what was written over his head ; he is a King , and we must give up ourselves to be his subjects , as Israelites indeed . They crucified two thieves with him , and him in the midst ; they thereby intended him great dishonour . But it was foretold that he should be numbered with the transgressors , because he was made sin for us . Even those who passed by railed at him . They told him to come down from the cross , and they would believe ; but they did not believe , though he gave them a more convincing sign when he came up from the grave . With what earnestness will the man who firmly believes the truth , as made known by the sufferings of Christ , seek for salvation ! With what gratitude will he receive the dawning hope of forgiveness and eternal life , as purchased for him by the sufferings and death of the Son of God ! and with what godly sorrow will he mourn over the sins which crucified the Lord of glory ! * Verse 33-41 - There was a thick darkness over the land , from noon until three in the afternoon . The Jews were doing their utmost to extinguish the Sun of Righteousness . The darkness signified the cloud which the human soul of Christ was under , when he was making it an offering for sin . He did not complain that his disciples forsook him , but that his Father forsook him . In this especially he was made sin for us . When Paul was to be offered as a sacrifice for the service saints , he could joy and rejoice , * Verse Php - strkjv @2:17 . but it is another thing to be offered as a sacrifice for the sin of sinners . At the same instant that Jesus died , the veil of the temple was rent from the top to the bottom . This spake terror to the unbelieving Jews , and was a sign of the destruction of their church and nation . It speaks comfort to all believing Christians , for it signified the laying open a new and living way into the holiest by the blood of Jesus . The confidence with which Christ had openly addressed God as his Father , and committed his soul into his hands , seems greatly to have affected the centurion . Right views of Christ crucified will reconcile the believer to the thought of death ; he longs to behold , love , and praise , as he ought , that Saviour who was wounded and pierced to save him from the wrath to come . * Verse 42-47 - We are here attending the burial of our Lord Jesus . Oh that we may by grace be planted in the likeness of it ! Joseph of Arimathea was one who waited for the kingdom of God . Those who hope for a share in its privileges , must own Christ 's cause , when it seems to be crushed . This man God raised up for his service . There was a special providence , that Pilate should be so strict in his inquiry , that there might be no pretence to say Jesus was alive . Pilate gave Joseph leave to take down the body , and do what he pleased with it . Some of the women beheld where Jesus was laid , that they might come after the sabbath to anoint the dead body , because they had not time to do it before . Special notice was taken of Christ 's sepulchre , because he was to rise again . And he will not forsake those who trust in him , and call upon him . Death , deprived of its sting , will soon end the believer 's sorrows , as it ended those of the Saviour . **** Matthew Henry 's Commentary ****

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