In this message we come to 15:16-41, a section that speaks of the crucifixion of the Slave-Savior.
Mark 15:16 says, “And the soldiers led Him away into the courtyard, which is the Praetorium, and they called together the whole band of soldiers.” The Praetorium was the governor’s official residence.
Verse 17 says, “And they clothed Him in purple, and having woven a thorny crown, they placed it upon Him.” Thorns are a symbol of the curse (Gen. 3:17-18). The Lord Jesus became a curse for us on the cross (Gal. 3:13). In 15:17 a thorny crown, signifying royalty, was used as a mockery of the Slave-Savior (v. 20).
In verses 18 and 19 the soldiers continued their mockery of the Lord Jesus: “And they began to salute Him, Hail, King of the Jews! And they kept beating His head with a reed and spitting at Him, and kneeling down, they worshipped Him.” After they had mocked Him, “they stripped Him of the purple and put His own garments on Him. And they led Him out that they might crucify Him” (v. 20). The Lord here, as the Passover Lamb to be sacrificed for our sins, was brought like a lamb to the slaughter, fulfilling Isaiah 53:7-8.
Verse 21 goes on to say, “And they compelled a certain passerby, coming from the country, Simon a Cyrenian, the father of Alexander and Rufus, that he might carry His cross.” Cyrene was a Greek colonial city, the capital of Cyrenaica in North Africa. It seems that Simon was a Cyrenian Jew.
According to 15:22, “They bring Him to the place called Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, Place of a Skull.” Golgotha is a Hebrew name (John 19:17) which means skull. Its equivalent in Latin is Calvaria, anglicized into Calvary (Luke 23:33). It does not mean a place of dead men’s skulls, but simply skull.
Verse 23 continues, “And they tried to give Him wine mixed with myrrh, but He did not take it.” This wine mingled with myrrh (and also with gall—Matt. 27:34) was intended as a stupefying draught. But the Lord would not be stupefied; He would drink the bitter cup to the dregs.
Verse 24 says, “And they crucify Him, and divide His garments, casting a lot for them, what each should take.” Here we see that the Lord suffered being robbed by sinners to the uttermost. This was a fulfillment of Psalm 22:18, and it also exposed the darkness of Roman politics.
Mark 15:25 says, “Now it was the third hour, and they crucified Him.” The third hour was nine o’clock in the morning.