Mark 15:32

Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe. And they that were crucified with him reviled him.

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(32) Let Christ.—Better, the Christ. The article is emphatic, and the word had not yet come to be used only as a name.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

15:22-32 The place where our Lord Jesus was crucified, was called the place of a scull; it was the common place of execution; for he was in all respects numbered with the transgressors. Whenever we look unto Christ crucified, we must remember what was written over his head; he is a King, and we must give up ourselves to be his subjects, as Israelites indeed. They crucified two thieves with him, and him in the midst; they thereby intended him great dishonour. But it was foretold that he should be numbered with the transgressors, because he was made sin for us. Even those who passed by railed at him. They told him to come down from the cross, and they would believe; but they did not believe, though he gave them a more convincing sign when he came up from the grave. With what earnestness will the man who firmly believes the truth, as made known by the sufferings of Christ, seek for salvation! With what gratitude will he receive the dawning hope of forgiveness and eternal life, as purchased for him by the sufferings and death of the Son of God! and with what godly sorrow will he mourn over the sins which crucified the Lord of glory!

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

And the scripture was fulfilled ... - This passage of Scripture is found in Isaiah 53:12. This does not mean that he "was" a transgressor, but simply that in dying he "had a place" with transgressors. Nor does it mean that God regarded him as a sinner; but that at his death, in popular estimation. or by the sentence of the judge, he was "regarded as" a transgressor, and was treated in the same manner as the others who were put to death for their transgressions. Jesus died, the "just" for the "unjust," and in his death, as well as in his life, he was "holy, harmless, undefiled."

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

Mr 15:21-37. Crucifixion and Death of the Lord Jesus. ( = Mt 27:32-50; Lu 23:26-46; Joh 19:17-30).

See on [1519]Joh 19:17-30.

Matthew Poole's Commentary

See Poole on "Mark 15:21"

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

Let Christ the king of Israel,.... Who sets up for the Messiah, and whose followers call him the king of Israel, whom the nation expected: and if he is so, let him

descend now from the cross, that we may see; see him come down, and be eyewitnesses of his power:

and believe; that he is the Messiah that was prophesied of, and has been waiting for:

and they that were crucified with him reviled him; that is, the thieves, at least one of them; See Gill on Matthew 27:44.

Geneva Study Bible

Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe. And they that were crucified with him reviled him.

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Expositor's Greek Testament

Mark 15:32. ἵνα ἴδωμεν that we may see (in the descent from the cross) an unmistakable sign from heaven of Messiahship, and so believe in Thee.—οἱ συνεσταυρωμένοι, the co-crucified. Mk., like Mt., knows nothing of the conversion of one of the robbers reported by Lk. How different these fellow-sufferers in spirit from the co-crucified in St. Paul’s sense (Romans 6:6, Galatians 2:20)!

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

32. they that were crucified with him] At first both the robbers joined in reproaching Him. The word rendered here “they reviled him” is rendered “cast the same in his teeth” in Matthew 27:44. One of them, however, went further than this, and was guilty of blaspheming Him (Luke 23:39), but, as the weary hours passed away, the other, separating himself from the sympathies of all who stood around the Cross, turned in unexampled penitence and faith to Him that hung so close to him, and whose only “token of royalty was the crown of thorns that still clung to His bleeding brows,” and in reply to his humble request to be remembered when He should come in His kingdom, heard the gracious words, “To day shalt thou be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43). Thus even from “the Tree” the Lord began to reign, and when “lifted up,” to “draw” men, even as He had said, unto Himself (John 12:32).

Bengel's Gnomen

Mark 15:32. Ὁ Χριστὸς ὁ βασιλεύς, Christ the King) A Mimesis [an allusion to the words of an opponent, with the intention of refuting them.—See Append.] The expression, Christ, refers to the proceedings before Caiaphas; the expression, King, refers to those before Pilate.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 32. - Christ might have come down from the cross; but he would not, because it was his Father's will that he should die upon the cross to redeem us from death. So he despised the taunts of the wicked, that he might teach us by his example to do the same. If he had chosen to descend from the cross, he would not have ascended. He knew that the death upon the cross was necessary for the salvation of men; and therefore he would go through the whole. He withheld the exercise of his power. His omnipotence restrained the natural longings of his suffering humanity to escape from these unutterable torments. So he would not come down from the cross, although within three days he would rise from the grave. And yet there was no word of indignation against his tormentors. On the contrary, he proclaimed mercy; for as he hung on his cross he said, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do." Mark 15:32

Vincent's Word Studies

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).