Mark 15:33-39 describes the events that occurred during the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. This passage is significant because it emphasizes the supernatural nature of Jesus' death, the response of those who witnessed it, and the significance of Jesus' identity as the Son of God.
The passage begins with Mark 15:33, which reads, "When the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour." This darkness is significant because it occurred during the crucifixion of Jesus and is believed by many to have been a supernatural occurrence. The darkness may have symbolized the weight of sin and the separation between God and humanity that occurred during this event.
The passage then continues with Mark 15:34, which describes Jesus' final words on the cross: "And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, 'Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?' which is, being interpreted, 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?'" This statement is significant because it shows Jesus' complete identification with humanity and his experience of the separation from God that sin causes. It also fulfills the prophecy in Psalm 22:1, which speaks of the Messiah's suffering.
Following this, Mark 15:35-36 describes the response of those who witnessed it: "And some of those who stood by, when they heard it, said, 'Listen, he is calling for Elijah.' One ran, and filling a sponge full of vinegar, put it on a reed, and gave it to him to drink, saying, 'Let him be. Let's see whether Elijah comes to take him down.'" The response of those who witnessed it is significant because it shows their misunderstanding of Jesus' words and their ignorance of his true identity as the Son of God.
In Mark 15:37-39, the passage concludes with the description of Jesus' final moments on the cross: "But Jesus, having cried out with a loud voice, gave up the spirit. And the veil of the temple was torn in two from the top to the bottom. When the centurion, who stood by opposite him, saw that he cried out like this and breathed his last, he said, 'Truly this man was the Son of God!'" The tearing of the veil in the temple is significant because it symbolizes the opening of access to God through the death of Jesus. The declaration of the centurion, recognizing Jesus as the Son of God, is significant because it shows the supernatural nature of Jesus' death and the truth of his identity.
Overall, Mark 15:33-39 is a significant passage that emphasizes the supernatural nature of Jesus' death, the response of those who witnessed it, and the significance of Jesus' identity as the Son of God. The darkness and Jesus' cry of abandonment symbolize the weight of sin and the separation between God and humanity that occurred during this event. Jesus' final moments on the cross, the tearing of the veil, and the declaration of the centurion emphasize the significance of Jesus' death and his identity as the Son of God.
This passage also serves as a reminder of the sacrifice that Jesus made for humanity and the importance of accepting his death and recognizing his identity as the Son of God. It is a powerful reminder of the depth of God's love for humanity and the lengths he was willing to go to bring us back to himself. The response of the centurion also emphasizes that Jesus' death was not just an ordinary death, but a supernatural event that had significance beyond what many people at the time could understand.
Mark 15:33-39. When the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. At the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” which is, being interpreted, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Some of those who stood by, when they heard it, said, “Behold, he is calling Elijah.” One ran, and filling a sponge full of vinegar, put it on a reed, and gave it to him to drink, saying, “Let him be. Let’s see whether Elijah comes to take him down.” Jesus cried out with a loud voice, and gave up the spirit. The veil of the temple was torn in two from the top to the bottom. When the centurion, who stood by opposite him, saw that he cried out like this and breathed his last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!”