Bible Commentaries

Them that had made insurrection with him ( συστασιαστῶν )

Fellow-rioters. But the better texts read στασιαστῶν , rioters, omitting the σύν , with (fellow ): and the Rev. accordingly omits with him.

Who ( οἵτινες )

Denoting a class of criminals.

The insurrection

Note the article: the insurrection for which Barabbas and his fellows had been imprisoned.

Crying aloud ( ἀναβοήσας )

But the best texts read βὰς , having gone up. So Rev., went up.

Ever ( ἀεὶ )

Omitted by the best texts.

Moved ( ἀνέσεισαν )

A feeble translation. Σείω is to shake. Hence σεισμός , an earthquake. See on Mark 13:7. Better as Rev., stirred up. Wyc., The bishops stirred the company of the people.

To content ( τὸ ἱκανὸν ποιῆσαι )

Lit., to do the sufficient thing. Compare the popular phrase, Do the right thing. A Latinism, and used by Mark only. Wyc., to do enough to the people.

Into the hall called Pretorium

Mark, as usual, amplifies. Matthew has simply the Pretorium. The courtyard, surrounded by the buildings of the Pretorium, so that the people passing through the vestibule into this quadrangle found themselves in the Pretorium.

Band ( σπεῖραν )

Originally anything wound or wrapped round; as a ball, the coils of a snake, a knot or curl in wood. Hence a body of men-at-arms. The same idea is at the bottom of the Latin manipulus, which is sometimes (as by Josephus) used to translate σπεῖρα . Manipulus was originally a bundle or handful. The ancient Romans adopted a pole with a handful of hay or straw twisted about it as the standard of a company of soldiers; hence a certain number or body of soldiers under one standard was called manipulus.

Purple

See on Matthew 27:28. Matthew adds the word for soldier's cloak. Mark has simply purple.

Compel

Better impress, as Rev. See on in margin. Matthew 5:41. Note the accuracy in designating Simon.

Golgotha

See on Matthew 27:33.

They gave ( ἐδίδουν )

The imperfect tense is used in the same sense as in Matthew 3:14 (Rev.), “John would have hindered. ” They were for giving; attempted to give. So Rev., excellently, offered.

Wine mingled with myrrh ( ἐσμυρνισμένον οἶνον )

Lit., myrrhed wine. See on Matthew 27:34.

What each should take ( τίς τί ἄρῃ )

Lit., who should take what. An addition of Mark.

The superscription of his accusation

Matthew, simply accusation; Luke, superscription; John, title. See on Matthew 27:37.

Thieves

Rev., robbers. See on Matthew 27:38.

Ah! ( οὐὰ )

The Latin vah!

Destroyest

The same word as at Mark 13:2.

The Christ

See on Matthew 1:1. Referring to the confession before the high-priest (Mark 14:62).

King of Israel

Referring to the confession before Pilate (Mark 15:2).

Vinegar

See on Matthew 27:48.

The veil

See on Matthew 27:51.

Son of God

Not the Son of God, which Rev. has retained, but a son of God. To the centurion Christ was a hero or demigod. See on Matthew 27:54.

Magdalene

See on Matthew 27:56.

Followed - ministered ( ἠκολούθουν - διηκόνουν )

Both imperfects: were in the habit, accustomed to.

Even

See on Matthew 27:57.

The day before the Sabbath ( προσάββατον )

The fore-Sabbath. Peculiar to Mark, and only here.

Joseph of Arimathaea ( Ἰωσὴφ ὁ ἀπὸ Ἀριμαθαίας )

Lit., Joseph, he from Arimathaea: the article indicating a man well known.

Honorable ( εὐσχήμων )

Compounded of εὖ , well, and σχῆμα , form, shape, figure. On the latter word, see on Matthew 17:2. In its earlier use this adjective would, therefore, emphasize the dignified external appearance and deportment. So Plato, noble bearing (“Republic,” 413). Later, it came to be used in the sense ofnoble; honorable in rank. See Acts 13:50; Acts 17:12.

Counsellor

A member of the Sanhedrim, as appears from Luke 23:51.

Went in boldly ( τολμήσας εἰσῆλθεν )

Lit., having dared went in. Daring all possible consequences.

Wondered

This query and the asking the centurion are peculiar to Mark.

Body ( πτῶμα )

Better, Rev., corpse; as the word is used only of a dead body. See on Matthew 24:28.

Stone

See on Matthew 27:60.

Beheld ( ἐθεώρουν )

Imperfect tense. Were looking on meanwhile. The verb also implies steady and careful contemplation. They took careful note.