24.204 | The Humiliation Of Jesus | Mark 15:27-32 | God’s Word for Today with Pastor Nazario Sinon

God’s Word For Today

Text: Mark 15:27-32 ESV

THE HUMILIATION OF JESUS

They were two robbers crucified with Him, one on His right and one on His left. The word "robber" is from the Greek root word ‘lestes’. It refers to a plunderer or brigand. It is the same word John uses to describe Barabbas (John 18:40), although Barabbas is also described as an insurrectionist and murderer (Mark 15:7). Typically, the punishment for theft is repaying the victim many times the value of the stolen item. Crucifixion is only for theft either done inside a religious or royal building or if the thief kills someone in the execution of the theft. Scholars posit that they are insurrectionists, possibly even Barabbas' accomplices, though we have no hard evidence of this.

In the King James Version, verse 28 reads, "And the Scripture was fulfilled that says, 'He was numbered with the transgressors." Scholars suggest this was added as a footnote, that is, a helpful commentary by some later scribe that accidentally came to be copied into later manuscripts. This is a reference to Isaiah 53:12, the last verse that talks about Jesus as the Suffering Servant.

The people passing by shouted abuse, shaking their heads in mockery. 'Ha! Look at you now!' they yelled at him. 'You said you were going to destroy the Temple and rebuild it in three days.[v.30] They derided Him. It comes from the Greek root word blasphemeo. Literally, it means to speak reproachfully or speak evil of. To blaspheme God is a crime punishable by death in the Mosaic law (Lev 24:10–16), and this is the crime the high priest accuses Jesus of (Mark 14:64). In OT, to wag one's head is another display of derision (2 Kings 19:21; Job 16:4; Psa 22:7; 109:25).

It is a crime under the Roman law punishable by death to destroy a religious building. The Sanhedrin could have accused Jesus of this threat to Pilate, but they couldn't find reliable witnesses. Mark 15:29 demonstrates the religious leaders understood Jesus meant His body, not the literal temple. Sadly, the disciples apparently don't understand this until after the resurrection in three days (John 2:21–22; Luke 24:45–46).

They taunted Him, saying, “Save yourself, and come down from the cross!" The leading priests and teachers of religious law also mocked Jesus. 'He saved others,' they scoffed, 'but he can’t save himself!. Jesus has retained His resolve. Let us recall that during Jesus' forty days in the wilderness, Satan tempted Him to save Himself by making bread and manipulating the angels into taking care of Him (Mat 4:1–7). But, he did not. Also, He stopped Peter who was trying to protect Him during His arrest. He told Peter, "Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled, that I must be so?" (Mat 26:53–54).

Had Jesus saved Himself and took vengeance to His accusers and abusers, He could be a superhero worthy for a Hollywood movie now. But, He was here for a definite purpose.[Mark 10:45] He came to obediently hang on the cross (Phil 2:8), to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10), to lay down His life for the sheep (John 10:11). He does so voluntarily (John 10:18). His reason for coming to earth as a man is only a few hours from completion. Nobody can stop Him, not even the devil. He is not on the cross because He cannot save Himself. He is there voluntarily, to save others. And Only when He is finished will He save Himself (John 10:17–18).

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