It was the third hourIn Jewish timekeeping, the day began at sunrise, around 6 a.m. The "third hour" would therefore be approximately 9 a.m. This timing is significant as it aligns with the morning sacrifice in the Temple, highlighting Jesus as the ultimate sacrifice for sin. The precision of this timing underscores the fulfillment of Old Testament sacrificial systems, pointing to Jesus as the Lamb of God. This hour also marks the beginning of the crucifixion process, setting the stage for the events that would unfold over the next six hours.
when they crucified Him
Crucifixion was a Roman method of execution reserved for the most heinous criminals and was designed to be a public, humiliating, and excruciatingly painful death. The act of crucifying Jesus fulfills numerous Old Testament prophecies, such asPsalm 22 andIsaiah 53, which describe the suffering and rejection of the Messiah. The crucifixion took place outside the city walls of Jerusalem, likely at a site known as Golgotha, meaning "Place of the Skull." This location was chosen to serve as a deterrent to others, as it was visible to many passersby. The crucifixion of Jesus is central to Christian theology, representing the atonement for humanity's sins and the ultimate act of love and obedience to the Father.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
Jesus ChristThe central figure of the crucifixion, the Son of God, who is being crucified for the sins of humanity.
2.
Roman SoldiersThe executors of the crucifixion, responsible for carrying out the sentence.
3.
GolgothaThe place where Jesus was crucified, also known as "The Place of the Skull."
4.
The Third HourRefers to the time of day, approximately 9 a.m., when Jesus was crucified.
5.
CrucifixionA Roman method of execution, symbolizing the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus for mankind's redemption.
Teaching Points
The Timing of God's PlanThe specific mention of the "third hour" underscores the precision and intentionality of God's redemptive plan. God's timing is perfect, and His plans unfold according to His divine schedule.
The Significance of SacrificeJesus' crucifixion at the third hour highlights the gravity of His sacrifice. Reflect on the depth of love and obedience demonstrated by Christ, who willingly endured the cross for our salvation.
Understanding Prophecy FulfillmentRecognize how the events of the crucifixion fulfill Old Testament prophecies, reinforcing the reliability and divine inspiration of Scripture.
The Cost of RedemptionThe crucifixion serves as a powerful reminder of the cost of our redemption. It calls us to live lives worthy of the sacrifice made for us, embracing holiness and gratitude.
Living in the Light of the CrossAs believers, we are called to take up our cross daily, following Jesus' example of self-denial and commitment to God's will, even in the face of suffering.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Mark 15:25?
2.What significance does "the third hour" hold in Mark 15:25's crucifixion account?
3.How does Mark 15:25 fulfill Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah's suffering?
4.Why is it important to remember Jesus' sacrifice at "the third hour"?
5.How can Mark 15:25 inspire us to endure personal trials with faith?
6.What does Jesus' crucifixion teach about God's love and justice in Mark 15:25?
7.Why does Mark 15:25 specify the third hour for Jesus' crucifixion?
8.How does Mark 15:25 align with other Gospel accounts of the crucifixion timing?
9.What significance does the third hour hold in Jewish and Roman timekeeping?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Mark 15?
11.Who was Tacitus, the ancient Roman historian?
12.What was the manner of Jesus' death?
13.What are the similarities between Jesus and Mithra beliefs?
14.What events occurred on Day 6 of the journey?What Does Mark 15:25 Mean
It was- Mark records, “It was the third hour when they crucified Him” (Mark 15:25). Those opening words, “It was,” anchor us in concrete reality—this happened on a specific day at a specific moment.
- Scripture treats time markers as historical facts. Luke does the same when he says, “In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus” (Luke 2:1). These simple verbs remind us the gospel is not myth; it’s history unfolding in real space and time.
- By noting the moment, the Spirit through Mark invites us to trust every detail, just asNumbers 23:19 affirms that God “does not lie or change His mind.”
the third hour- Jewish daytime hours began at sunrise. The “third hour” places Jesus on the cross around 9 a.m.
• That aligns with the morning sacrifice in the temple (Exodus 29:38-41), pointing to Jesus as the true Lamb offered “once for all” (Hebrews 10:10).
• Earlier, Jesus had been condemned at daybreak (Luke 22:66-71). Within hours the verdict turns into execution—underscoring the haste, injustice, and yet sovereign timing of God.
•Psalm 22 opens with “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (v. 1) and then describes pierced hands and feet (v. 16). Mark’s timestamp moves us steadily toward those very words, spoken three hours later at noon darkness (Mark 15:33-34).
when they crucified- Crucifixion was Rome’s most brutal punishment, reserved for rebels and slaves. YetActs 2:23 reminds us Jesus was “delivered up by God’s set plan and foreknowledge.”
- Notice the plural “they.”
• Romans drove the nails (John 19:23-24).
• Religious leaders demanded the sentence (Mark 15:11).
• The crowd shouted, “Crucify Him!” (Mark 15:13).
• Ultimately, our sin placed Him there (Isaiah 53:5).
-Colossians 2:14 declares that at the cross He “canceled the record of debt… nailing it to the cross.” The cruelty of men became the instrument of God’s mercy.
Him- “Him” points to the central figure of all Scripture—Jesus Christ, the Son of God (Mark 1:1).
• Pilate confessed, “I find no basis for a charge” (John 19:6), yet the spotless One was condemned.
•John 1:29 calls Him “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.”
•2 Corinthians 5:21 explains the exchange: “God made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.”
- Every pronoun inMark 15 stresses His willing substitution. He is not a victim swept along by events; He is the Savior fulfillingJohn 10:18—“No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of My own accord.”
summaryMark 15:25 grounds the crucifixion in real time (“It was”), a specific hour (“the third hour”), a grim method (“they crucified”), and a glorious Person (“Him”). Each phrase testifies that God’s redemptive plan unfolded precisely as foretold, affirming both the accuracy of Scripture and the sacrificial love of Christ for sinners.
(25)
It was the third hour.--The precise statement of the hour is peculiar to St. Mark, but it agrees with the narrative common to him with St. Matthew and St. Luke of the darkness that came over the land at the "sixth hour."
Verse 25. -
And it was the third hour, and they crucified him. The third hour would literally be nine o'clock. But we gather from ver. 33 that our Lord was on his cross, and still alive, at the sixth hour, that is, at twelve o'clock. The simplest mode of solving the chronological difficulty seems to be this: The Jews divided their day into four parts, which they called hours, namely, the first, from six to nine; the third, from nine to twelve; the sixth, from twelve to three; and the ninth, from three to six. It was, then, within the third hour, that is, between nine and twelve, that they crucified him; and it was from the sixth to the ninth hour that he was actually upon his cross. St. John employs the Asiatic mode of computing time.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
It wasἮν(Ēn)Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510:I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.[the] thirdτρίτη(tritē)Adjective - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5154:Third. Ordinal from treis; third; neuter a third part, or a third time, thirdly.hourὥρα(hōra)Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5610:Apparently a primary word; an 'hour'.whenκαὶ(kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.they crucifiedἐσταύρωσαν(estaurōsan)Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
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.
Links
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NT Gospels: Mark 15:25 It was the third hour and they (Mar Mk Mr) 
