Wednesday in The Word for March 26, 2025

Mark 15:13-22

13 So they cried out again, “Crucify Him!”

14 Then Pilate said to them, “Why, what evil has He done?”

But they cried out all the more, “Crucify Him!”

15 So Pilate, wanting to gratify the crowd, released Barabbas to them; and he delivered Jesus, after he had scourged Him, to be crucified.

The Soldiers Mock Jesus

16 Then the soldiers led Him away into the hall called Praetorium, and they called together the whole garrison.

17 And they clothed Him with purple; and they twisted a crown of thorns, put it on His head,

18 and began to salute Him, “Hail, King of the Jews!”

19 Then they struck Him on the head with a reed and spat on Him; and bowing the knee, they worshiped Him.

20 And when they had mocked Him, they took the purple off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him out to crucify Him.

The King on a Cross

21 Then they compelled a certain man, Simon a Cyrenian, the father of Alexander and Rufus, as he was coming out of the country and passing by, to bear His cross.

22 And they brought Him to the place Golgotha, which is translated, Place of a Skull.

Context

• Why such frenzied cries from the mob? (Matthew 27:20-23, Mark 15:11, 13, 14, Luke 23:18, 21-23, John 19:15)

Reflection

1. What was involved in the ‘scourging’ & ‘cat of nine tails’? (Isaiah 53:5, Matthew 27:26, Mark 15:15, Luke 23:16, John 19:1)
2. Why the purple robe, crown of thorns and bowing? (Isaiah 50:6, Matthew 27:28-31, Mark 15:17-19, Luke 23:11, John 19:2-4)
3. Who was Simon?
4. How did this impact him? (Matthew 16:24, 27:32, Mark 8:34, 15:21, Luke 23:26, Acts 2:10, Romans 16:13)

Testimony Time

1. How is Jesus still ridiculed today?
2. Would you carry His cross? (Matthew 5:11, Mark 13:9, 13, John 15:20, Galatians 2:20, 2 Timothy 3:1-5, 12, 1 Peter 4:14)