HE SAVED OTHERS, NOT HIMSELF

Passage: Mark 15:21-32

Key verse: 31b

NIV

The Crucifixion of Jesus(A)

21 A certain man from Cyrene,(B) Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus,(C) was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross.(D) 22 They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means “the place of the skull”). 23 Then they offered him wine mixed with myrrh,(E) but he did not take it. 24 And they crucified him. Dividing up his clothes, they cast lots(F) to see what each would get.

25 It was nine in the morning when they crucified him. 26 The written notice of the charge against him read: the king of the jews.(G)

27 They crucified two rebels with him, one on his right and one on his left. [28] [a] 29 Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads(H) and saying, “So! You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days,(I) 30 come down from the cross and save yourself!” 31 In the same way the chief priests and the teachers of the law mocked him(J) among themselves. “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! 32 Let this Messiah,(K) this king of Israel,(L) come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” Those crucified with him also heaped insults on him.

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Footnotes
  1. Mark 15:28 Some manuscripts include here words similar to Luke 22:37.
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

The Crucifixion

21 (A)And they compelled a passerby, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his cross. 22 (B)And they brought him to the place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull). 23 And they offered him wine mixed with (C)myrrh, but he did not take it. 24 And they crucified him and (D)divided his garments among them, casting lots for them, to decide what each should take. 25 And (E)it was the third hour[a] when they crucified him. 26 And the inscription of the charge against him read, (F)“The King of the Jews.” 27 And with him they crucified two (G)robbers, (H)one on his right and one on his left.[b] 29 And (I)those who passed by derided him, (J)wagging their heads and saying, (K)“Aha! (L)You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, 30 save yourself, and come down from the cross!” 31 So also the chief priests with the scribes mocked him to one another, saying, (M)“He saved others; (N)he cannot save himself. 32 Let (O)the Christ, (P)the King of Israel, come down now from the cross that we may (Q)see and believe.” (R)Those who were crucified with him also reviled him.

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Footnotes
  1. Mark 15:25 That is, 9 a.m.
  2. Mark 15:27 Some manuscripts insert verse 28: And the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “He was numbered with the transgressors”
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. Those who participated (21-27)

Simon of Cyrene carried Jesus' heavy cross. Perhaps this was the turning point of his and his sons' lives. Jesus refused the pain-relieving drug. He would not take the easy way. The soldiers who were assigned to the execution detail were hardened men, unmoved by human suffering. They were only interested in what they could get. But Jesus died for them, too. He was crucified between two robbers (Isa 53:12). The charge written above his head was ironically true--'The King of the Jews.' He is indeed the eternal King.

2. He saved others; he couldn't save himself (28-32)

The passers-by mocked him. The chief priests mocked him. They did not know that they spoke words of eternal, unchanging truth. The temple of his body they destroyed, but God raised him up in three days. He saved others, but he did not save himself. He did not save himself because he died to save me.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for saving me. How can I repay the debt I owe?

One Word: Jesus loves me, this I know