21And they pressed into service a certain passerby, Simon of Cyrene, coming from the country — the father of Alexander and Rufus — that he might carry his cross. [15:22] And they brought him to the place called Golgotha, which is translated Place of a Skull. [15:23] And they were offering him wine mixed with myrrh to drink; he however did not take it. [15:24] And they crucified him and divided his garments among themselves, casting lots for them — who would take what. [15:25] It was the third hour, and they crucified him. [15:26] And the inscription of the charge against him was written: THE KING OF THE JEWS. [15:27] And with him they crucified two robbers, one on his right and one on his left. [15:28] And the scripture was fulfilled, the one saying, 'And with the lawless he was counted.' [15:29] And those passing by were denigrating him, shaking their heads and saying, 'Aha! — you who destroy the temple and build it in three days, [15:30] save yourself and come down from the cross!' [15:31] Likewise also the chief priests, mocking among one another with the scribes, were saying, 'Others he saved; himself he is not able to save. [15:32] The Christ, the King of Israel, let him descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe.' And those crucified with him were also upbraiding him.
MRK 15:21-32
The Crucifixion
In the world it was spoken into
In the 1st-century Roman Empire, crucifixion was a public spectacle designed to humiliate and deter rebellion. The act of Simon of Cyrene being compelled to carry Jesus' cross reflects the Roman practice of forced labor, where bystanders could be requisitioned for state tasks. Golgotha, a place outside the city walls, was a common execution site, emphasizing the shame and exclusion associated with crucifixion. The offering of wine mixed with myrrh was a gesture of mercy, as myrrh was known for its analgesic properties, though Jesus refused it, aligning with his acceptance of suffering. The dividing of garments by lot was a customary act, underscoring the dehumanization of the condemned. The inscription 'King of the Jews' was a political charge, mocking Jesus' claim and warning others against insurrection. The crucifixion of two (often insurrectionists) alongside Jesus further highlights the Roman response to perceived threats. The mocking and reviling by passersby reflects the public humiliation inherent in crucifixion, reinforcing societal norms of honor and shame.
›See the receipts
How other translations render this
MRK 15:21
- KJV
- And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross.
- BSB
- Now Simon of Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and the soldiers forced him to carry the cross of Jesus.
- Koinōnos
- And they pressed into service a certain passerby, Simon of Cyrene, coming from the country — the father of Alexander and Rufus — that he might carry his cross.
MRK 15:22
- KJV
- And they bring him unto the place Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, The place of a skull.
- BSB
- They brought Jesus to a place called Golgotha, which means The Place of the Skull.
- Koinōnos
- And they brought him to the place called Golgotha, which is translated Place of a Skull.
MRK 15:23
- KJV
- And they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh: but he received it not.
- BSB
- There they offered Him wine mixed with myrrh, but He did not take it.
- Koinōnos
- And they were offering him wine mixed with myrrh to drink; he however did not take it.
MRK 15:24
- KJV
- And when they had crucified him, they parted his garments, casting lots upon them, what every man should take.
- BSB
- And they crucified Him. They also divided His garments by casting lots to decide what each of them would take.
- Koinōnos
- And they crucified him and divided his garments among themselves, casting lots for them — who would take what.
MRK 15:25
- KJV
- And it was the third hour, and they crucified him.
- BSB
- It was the third hour when they crucified Him.
- Koinōnos
- It was the third hour, and they crucified him.
MRK 15:26
- KJV
- And the superscription of his accusation was written over, THE KING OF THE JEWS.
- BSB
- And the charge inscribed against Him read: THE KING OF THE JEWS.
- Koinōnos
- And the inscription of the charge against him was written: THE KING OF THE JEWS.
MRK 15:27
- KJV
- And with him they crucify two thieves; the one on his right hand, and the other on his left.
- BSB
- Along with Jesus, they crucified two robbers, one on His right and one on His left.
- Koinōnos
- And with him they crucified two robbers, one on his right and one on his left.
MRK 15:28
- KJV
- And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, And he was numbered with the transgressors.
- Koinōnos
- And the scripture was fulfilled, the one saying, 'And with the lawless he was counted.
MRK 15:29
- KJV
- And they that passed by railed on him, wagging their heads, and saying, Ah, thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days,
- BSB
- And those who passed by heaped abuse on Him, shaking their heads and saying, “Aha! You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days,
- Koinōnos
- And those passing by were denigrating him, shaking their heads and saying, 'Aha! — you who destroy the temple and build it in three days,
MRK 15:30
- KJV
- Save thyself, and come down from the cross.
- BSB
- come down from the cross and save Yourself!”
- Koinōnos
- save yourself and come down from the cross!
MRK 15:31
- KJV
- Likewise also the chief priests mocking said among themselves with the scribes, He saved others; himself he cannot save.
- BSB
- In the same way, the chief priests and scribes mocked Him among themselves, saying, “He saved others, but He cannot save Himself!
- Koinōnos
- Likewise also the chief priests, mocking among one another with the scribes, were saying, 'Others he saved; himself he is not able to save.
MRK 15:32
- KJV
- Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe. And they that were crucified with him reviled him.
- BSB
- Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross, so that we may see and believe!” And even those who were crucified with Him berated Him.
- Koinōnos
- The Christ, the King of Israel, let him descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe.' And those crucified with him were also upbraiding him.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Where the historical framing draws from
- Tacitus, AnnalsAnn. 15.44
›Tacitus, Annals Ann. 15.44
“Christus, from whom the name had its origin, suffered the extreme penalty during the reign of Tiberius at the hands of one of our procurators, Pontius Pilatus”
Cited to ground: Christus...suffered the extreme penalty during the reign of Tiberius at the hands of one of our procurators, Pontius Pilatus
Translator's notes
MRK 15:21
- they compel:The word translated 'they compel' refers to forcing someone into service, often under official authority, like a courier pressed into carrying a burden.
MRK 15:23
- to drink:The phrase 'to drink' here specifically refers to wine mixed with myrrh, a bitter substance often used as an anesthetic or painkiller.
MRK 15:27
- robbers,:The word translated 'robbers' could also refer to violent insurgents or rebels, not just common thieves, suggesting a political dimension to their crime.
MRK 15:29
- were denigrating:The word translated 'were denigrating' carries a strong sense of speaking evil, reviling, or even blaspheming, often against something sacred or highly respected.