And it was the third hour, and they crucified him.

MARK 15:25KJV
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Mark 15:25 (KJV)

What does Mark 15:25 mean?

Mark 15:25 states that Jesus was crucified at the "third hour," which means around 9 a.m. by Jewish timekeeping. This verse marks the specific moment when the crucifixion began, highlighting the historical detail of Jesus’s execution.

In the Gospel of Mark, this detail comes as part of the narrative describing Jesus’s final hours. Mark is recounting the events as they happened, focusing on the timeline of the crucifixion. The mention of the "third hour" helps readers understand the sequence of events on the day Jesus was crucified, showing that the process began early in the morning.

The Greek behind Mark 15:25

  • τρίτη (trítē, "third"): This word refers to the third hour of the day, which by Jewish reckoning is about 9 a.m. It gives a concrete time for when the crucifixion started, anchoring the event in a real historical moment.
  • ὥρα (hōra, "hour"): This is the standard Greek word for "hour," emphasizing that Mark is giving a precise time rather than a vague part of the day.
  • ἐσταύρωσαν (estaurōsan, "crucified"): This verb specifically means "to crucify," referring to the Roman method of execution. Its use here makes clear the manner of Jesus’s death, which was a public and brutal form of punishment.

Why Mark 15:25 matters

  • Mark 15:25 clarifies the timeline of Jesus’s crucifixion, which helps readers follow the sequence of events leading up to his death.
  • The verse highlights the historical reality of the crucifixion, grounding the story in a specific time and method of execution.
  • By noting the exact hour, Mark connects this event to Jewish customs and timekeeping, which can help readers understand the cultural context of the narrative.

Where else these words appear

“crucified” Greek G4717 · used in 42 verses

  • Matthew 20:19 And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again.
  • Mark 15:20 And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple from him, and put his own clothes on him, and led him out to crucify him.
  • John 19:20 This title then read many of the Jews: for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city: and it was written in Hebrew, and Greek, and Latin.

“third” Greek G5154 · used in 49 verses

  • Matthew 16:21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.
  • Luke 20:31 And the third took her; and in like manner the seven also: and they left no children, and died.
  • 2 Corinthians 13:1 This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.

“hour” Greek G5610 · used in 100 verses

  • Matthew 8:13 And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.
  • Luke 7:21 And in that same hour he cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind he gave sight.
  • John 16:32 Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.