Mark 15:27-32 NKJV – With Him they also crucified two robbers, one on His right and the other on His left. 28 So the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “And He was numbered with the transgressors.” 29 And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads and saying, “Aha! [You] who destroy the temple and build [it] in three days, 30 “save Yourself, and come down from the cross!” 31 Likewise the chief priests also, mocking among themselves with the scribes, said, “He saved others; Himself He cannot save. 32 “Let the Christ, the King of Israel, descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” Even those who were crucified with Him reviled Him.
V27 With Him they also crucified two robbers, one on His right and the other on His left.
Two criminals also crucified; both are robbers. The Greek word for robber is (G3027) λῃστής, lēstḗs and means (Vine) “”a robber, brigand” (akin to leia, “booty”), “one who plunders openly and by violence.”
V28 So the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “And He was numbered with the transgressors.”
This prophecy is found in Isaiah 53:12. This is another authenticating sign that Jesus is Messiah.
Wilbur Pickering notes: “Around 11% of the Greek manuscripts omit verse 28 entirely, to be followed by NIV, NASB, LB, [TEV], etc.”
This is important because it fulfills prophecy and shows Jesus as our Passover Lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7) bearing our sins (Hebrews 9:28).
J. C. Ryle observes: “And why was this? It was that we, the poor sinful children of men, believing on Him, might be delivered from the pit of destruction, and the torment of the prison of hell. It was that we might be set free from every charge in the day of judgment, and be presented faultless before God the Father with exceeding joy.”
V29 And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads and saying, “Aha! [You] who destroy the temple and build [it] in three days…
There was a large number of people present. Most were haters of the Lord Jesus. See John 3:20 and John 15:18. This type of person is a murderer at heart and a child of the devil (John 8:44). Blasphemy is to lie about God. These accusations against God that are lies are lies about God’s character, actions, worldview, rules, lifestyle, etc.
V30 “…save Yourself, and come down from the cross!”
Note how Jesus did not seek revenge, nor rail back to them; He was silent. See Isaiah 53:7 and 1 Peter 2:23. Here is a good point, a principle for Christ-followers. Do not start arguments. When verbally abused, it is better to remain silent than sass back as that will escalate violence.
V31 Likewise, the chief priests also, mocking among themselves with the scribes, said, “He saved others; Himself, He cannot save.”
John Henry Burn, B.D. (Preacher’s Homiletic Commentary) notes: “These men only needed to alter one letter to be grandly and gloriously right. If, instead of “could not,” they had said “would not,” they would have grasped the very heart of the power and the very central brightness of the glory of Christianity. It was His own will, and no outward necessity, that fastened Him there; and that will was kept steadfast and immovable by nothing else but His love—He Himself fixed the iron chain which bound Him. He made the “cannot.” It was His love that made it impossible that He should relinquish the task; therefore, His steely will, like a strong spring constantly working, kept Him close up against the sharp edge of the knife that cut into His very heart’s life.”
V32 “Let the Christ, the King of Israel, descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” Even those who were crucified with Him reviled Him.
It is interesting that their words are true but are said with the sharp edge of mockery. Jesus is the Messiah, the King of Israel, and able to come down from the cross.
They said that when they saw this, they would believe. That is a pure lie. The robbers did the same, at least at first, because one of them would repent and ask to be in Jesus’s kingdom (Luke 23:39-43).
We learn:
- The hatred of the Jewish leaders towards Jesus.
- The apparent joy these evil people have towards Jesus.
- Some of the things Jesus went through, suffering for our sins (1 Peter 3:18).
Questions:
- Do we blaspheme God in some way by thoughts, desires, words, and deeds?
- Do we hate evil?