And they shouted backThis phrase indicates a collective response from the crowd, emphasizing the intensity and unanimity of their demand. The crowd's reaction is a stark contrast to the earlier acclamations of Jesus as He entered Jerusalem (
Mark 11:9-10). The shift from praise to condemnation highlights the volatile nature of public opinion and the influence of religious leaders who had incited the crowd (
Mark 15:11). This moment fulfills Jesus' prediction of His suffering and rejection (
Mark 8:31).
“Crucify Him!”
Crucifixion was a Roman method of execution reserved for the most serious offenders, particularly those who threatened Roman authority. It was a brutal and humiliating death, signifying the utmost rejection and disgrace. The demand for crucifixion underscores the depth of the crowd's animosity and the severity of the charges against Jesus, despite His innocence. This cry for crucifixion fulfills Old Testament prophecies about the suffering Messiah, such asIsaiah 53:3-5, which speaks of the Messiah being despised and rejected. It also prefigures the sacrificial nature of Jesus' death, aligning with the Passover lamb imagery (John 1:29,1 Corinthians 5:7).
Persons / Places / Events
1.
The CrowdA group of people in Jerusalem during the Passover festival, influenced by the chief priests and elders to demand Jesus' crucifixion.
2.
Pontius PilateThe Roman governor who presided over the trial of Jesus and sought to release Him, but ultimately succumbed to the crowd's demands.
3.
Jesus ChristThe central figure of the Christian faith, who was unjustly condemned to crucifixion despite His innocence.
4.
The Chief Priests and EldersJewish religious leaders who orchestrated the plot to have Jesus crucified, fearing His influence and teachings.
5.
JerusalemThe city where these events took place, significant as the center of Jewish worship and the location of the Temple.
Teaching Points
The Power of InfluenceThe crowd was swayed by the chief priests and elders, demonstrating how easily people can be influenced by authority figures. As Christians, we must discern truth from manipulation.
The Cost of CompromisePilate's decision to yield to the crowd's demands shows the danger of compromising justice for the sake of peace or popularity. Believers are called to stand firm in righteousness, even when it is unpopular.
The Fulfillment of ProphecyJesus' crucifixion was not a random event but the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan as foretold in the Scriptures. This reassures us of God's sovereignty and faithfulness.
The Rejection of ChristThe crowd's cry to crucify Jesus reflects humanity's rejection of God's offer of salvation. It challenges us to examine our own response to Christ's lordship in our lives.
The Call to RepentanceThe events leading to Jesus' crucifixion remind us of the need for repentance and the grace available through His sacrifice. We are invited to turn from sin and embrace the forgiveness offered through Christ.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Mark 15:13?
2.Why did the crowd choose Barabbas over Jesus in Mark 15:13?
3.How does Mark 15:13 illustrate the rejection of Jesus as Messiah?
4.What Old Testament prophecies connect to the events in Mark 15:13?
5.How can we avoid being swayed by the crowd against God's truth today?
6.In what ways can we stand firm for Christ despite societal pressures?
7.Why did the crowd demand Jesus' crucifixion in Mark 15:13?
8.How does Mark 15:13 reflect human nature's tendency towards mob mentality?
9.What historical factors influenced the crowd's decision in Mark 15:13?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Mark 15?
11.What evidence supports Jesus' resurrection?
12.Did both thieves crucified with Jesus mock him? Yes (Mark 15:32) or No, one mocked and the other defended him (Luke 23:43)?
13.Why does John 19:14 seem to conflict with Mark 15:25 regarding the timing of Jesus' crucifixion?
14.Who was Rufus mentioned in the Bible?What Does Mark 15:13 Mean
AndThe verse opens with the conjunction “And,” linking this moment to the flow of events already in motion. Pilate has presented Jesus to the crowd, hoping to release Him (Mark 15:9-12), but this “and” ties their response directly to his proposal. Just as Isaiah foretold a rejected Servant (Isaiah 53:3), the narrative shows prophecy unfolding in real time. Every detail is part of God’s sovereign plan, stitched together without pause.
they• “They” refers to the assembled crowd—chief priests, elders, and stirred-up onlookers (Mark 15:11).
• The collective voice highlights corporate guilt, echoingPsalm 2:1-3 where “the peoples plot in vain” against the Lord’s Anointed.
• Although individuals will later repent (Acts 2:36-41), in this moment the multitude stands united in rejection.
shouted back• The Greek text conveys a loud, continuous cry. The phrase shows deliberate intensity, similar to the mob inActs 22:22 shouting against Paul.
• Pilate hears the volume of their demand, fulfilling Jesus’ own prediction that He would be “delivered over to the Gentiles” (Mark 10:33).
• Their reply is not a mere suggestion—it is an aggressive insistence. The volume contrasts sharply with Christ’s silence before His accusers (Isaiah 53:7;Mark 15:5).
“Crucify Him!”• Crucifixion was the most brutal Roman execution, reserved for the worst criminals (Deuteronomy 21:22-23). Yet the crowd chooses it for the Sinless One.
• Their cry mirrors the later “Away with Him, away with Him—crucify Him!” inJohn 19:15, showing unified hostility across different Gospel accounts.
• Ironically, by demanding crucifixion they unwittingly advance God’s redemptive plan (Acts 4:27-28).
• The cry exposes the depth of human depravity—preferring Barabbas, a murderer (Mark 15:7), over the Prince of Life (Acts 3:14-15).
• This moment fulfills Jesus’ own words: “When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to Myself” (John 12:32-33).
summaryMark 15:13 captures the climactic rejection of Jesus: a united crowd, stirred by leaders, forcefully demands His crucifixion. Their loud insistence underlines humanity’s sin and God’s sovereignty; while they seek to destroy, God uses their cry to accomplish salvation, just as foretold in Scripture.
Verse 13. -
And they cried out again, Crucify him. These words might seem at first to justify the old reading, in ver. 8, adopted in the Authorized Version," crying aloud." But there the word was
ἀναβοήσας, here it is
ἔ᾿κραξαν. Moreover, in ver. 14, it is not (
περισσοτέρως) "the more exceedingly," but (
περισσῶς) "they cried exceedingly."
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
Andδὲ(de)Conjunction
Strong's 1161:A primary particle; but, and, etc.they shoutedἔκραξαν(ekraxan)Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 2896:To cry aloud, shriek. A primary verb; properly, to 'croak' or scream, i.e. to call aloud.back,πάλιν(palin)Adverb
Strong's 3825:Probably from the same as pale; anew, i.e. back, once more, or furthermore or on the other hand.“CrucifyΣταύρωσον(Staurōson)Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 4717:From stauros; to impale on the cross; figuratively, to extinguish passion or selfishness.Him!”αὐτόν(auton)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846:He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.
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NT Gospels: Mark 15:13 They cried out again Crucify him! (Mar Mk Mr) 
