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.

MARK 15:32KJV
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Mark 15:32 (KJV)

What does Mark 15:32 mean?

Mark 15:32 describes how people mocked Jesus as He was being crucified, challenging Him to come down from the cross if He truly was the Christ, the King of Israel, so that they might see and believe. Even those who were crucified alongside Jesus insulted Him.

In this scene, the crowd and religious leaders are taunting Jesus during His crucifixion, expressing disbelief and demanding a miraculous sign as proof of His identity. The verse highlights the depth of rejection and scorn Jesus faced, not only from bystanders but also from the criminals suffering the same fate.

The Greek behind Mark 15:32

  • Χριστός (Christos): This word means "the Anointed One" or "Messiah." Here, the mockers use it sarcastically, questioning Jesus's claim to be the promised deliverer.
  • βασιλεὺς (basileus): Meaning "king," this term emphasizes the challenge to Jesus’s authority and identity as the King of Israel.
  • καταβάτω (katabatō): Translated as "let [him] descend," this verb carries the sense of coming down physically. The demand is for a visible, dramatic act to prove Jesus's power.
  • ἐσταυρωμένοι (estaurōmenoi): This word refers to those "crucified" with Jesus. The detail that even these men reviled Him shows the extent of His isolation and humiliation.

Why Mark 15:32 matters

  • Mark 15:32 clarifies that the rejection of Jesus was not limited to religious leaders or the crowd, but extended even to those suffering beside Him, underlining His complete abandonment.
  • The verse emphasizes the demand for visible proof ("that we may see and believe"), which contrasts with the Gospel's call to faith without demanding signs.
  • This verse ties into the larger theme of Mark’s Gospel, where Jesus’s true identity is misunderstood and rejected until after His resurrection.

Where else these words appear

“crucified” Greek G4957 · used in 5 verses

  • Matthew 27:44 The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth.
  • John 19:32 Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him.
  • Romans 6:6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

“reviled” Greek G3679 · used in 10 verses

  • Matthew 5:11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
  • Mark 16:14 Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.
  • 1 Timothy 4:10 For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.

“cross” Greek G4716 · used in 28 verses

  • Matthew 10:38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.
  • Luke 9:23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
  • Galatians 5:11 And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased.

“Israel” Greek G2474 · used in 68 verses

  • Matthew 2:6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.
  • Luke 7:9 When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.
  • Acts 28:20 For this cause therefore have I called for you, to see you, and to speak with you: because that for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.