Mark 15:13

KJV

And they cried out again, Crucify him.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} they cried out {G2896} again {G3825}, Crucify {G4717} him {G846}.

Complete Jewish Bible

They shouted back, "Put him to death on the stake!"

Berean Standard Bible

And they shouted back, “Crucify Him!”

American Standard Version

And they cried out again, Crucify him.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 15:13 captures the chilling moment when the Jewish crowd, incited by their religious leaders, vehemently and repeatedly demanded the crucifixion of Jesus before Pontius Pilate. Despite Pilate's attempts to release Jesus, finding no fault in Him, the persistent and unified cry for His death sealed the fate of the innocent Son of God, revealing the profound rejection of the Messiah by His own people and highlighting the tragic culmination of human sin and manipulation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Mark 15:13 is situated at the climax of Jesus' trial before Pontius Pilate, immediately following Pilate's question to the crowd regarding what he should do with "the King of the Jews" ([Mark 15:12](/mark/15-12 "Mark 15:12 - Pilate's Question to the Crowd")). This scene is preceded by Jesus' arrest, His interrogation by the Sanhedrin, and their decision to hand Him over to the Roman authorities, as they lacked the legal power to execute Him. Pilate, in an attempt to release Jesus, offered the crowd a choice between Jesus and Barabbas, a notorious insurrectionist and murderer, according to the custom of releasing a prisoner during the Passover festival ([Mark 15:6-11](/mark/15-6-11 "Mark 15:6-11 - The Passover Release Custom")). The chief priests had successfully manipulated the crowd to demand Barabbas' release, setting the stage for the collective outcry against Jesus.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events of Mark 15 unfold during the Passover festival in Jerusalem, a time when the city was densely populated with Jewish pilgrims, many of whom harbored messianic expectations and resentment towards Roman occupation. Pontius Pilate, the Roman prefect of Judea, was responsible for maintaining order and often struggled to manage the volatile Jewish populace. The custom of releasing a prisoner, though not widely attested outside the Gospels, was likely a gesture by the Roman governor to appease the Jewish crowds during a sensitive religious holiday. The chief priests and elders, representing the established religious and political authority within Judaism, viewed Jesus as a threat to their power and a blasphemer, actively inciting the crowd against Him. The Roman method of crucifixion was a brutal, public execution reserved for slaves, rebels, and the lowest criminals, designed to inflict maximum suffering and deter dissent.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within the Gospel of Mark. It underscores the theme of **mob mentality and manipulation**, revealing how easily public opinion can be swayed away from truth and justice by powerful voices. The same crowds who hailed Jesus during His [triumphal entry](/mark/11-9 "Mark 11:9 - Jesus' Triumphal Entry") are now incited to demand His death. It highlights the **profound injustice** perpetrated against Jesus, an innocent man whom even Pilate found no fault in, as seen in parallel accounts like [John 19:4](/john/19-4 "John 19:4 - Pilate Declares Jesus Innocent"). Furthermore, the demand for crucifixion signifies a profound **rejection of the Messiah** by His own people, choosing a violent rebel over the Prince of Peace. This rejection is a tragic fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies concerning the suffering servant, as anticipated in passages like [Isaiah 53:3](/isaiah/53-3 "Isaiah 53:3 - The Rejected Suffering Servant").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **krázō (Greek, _krázō'_):** Translated as "cried out," this verb signifies a loud, vehement, and often passionate shout or scream. It suggests a desperate, intense, and forceful utterance, emphasizing the sheer volume and persistence of the crowd's demand. It is not a quiet request but a forceful, public outcry that sought to overpower any opposition or reason.
* **pálin (Greek, _pálin'_):** Translated as "again," this adverb indicates repetition. Its inclusion highlights that this was not a singular, spontaneous outburst but a renewed, perhaps even more forceful, reiteration of their demand. It underscores the crowd's unwavering and relentless resolve to see Jesus crucified, demonstrating their collective will had been firmly set against Him.
* **stauróō (Greek, _stauróō'_):** Translated as "Crucify," this verb means "to impale on the cross." It refers specifically to the brutal Roman method of execution. The crowd's direct and repeated use of this word reveals their desire for the most humiliating and painful death possible for Jesus, demonstrating the depth of their hatred and rejection.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they cried out again":** This phrase emphasizes the collective, vocal, and persistent nature of the crowd's demand. The use of "again" indicates that this was not their first outcry, but a renewed and perhaps more intense shout, demonstrating their unwavering resolve and the successful manipulation by the chief priests. It paints a picture of a unified and determined mob.
* **"Crucify him":** This is the stark, brutal, and singular demand of the crowd. It is a direct command, devoid of any nuance or hesitation. The choice of crucifixion, a particularly agonizing and shameful form of execution, underscores the depth of their animosity and their desire for Jesus' complete public disgrace and annihilation.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices. **Repetition**, implied by the word "again" and the nature of a crowd's chant, amplifies the intensity and unwavering resolve of the mob. This repetition creates a sense of escalating tension and inevitability. There is profound **irony** in the scene, as Pilate, the representative of imperial justice, attempts to release an innocent man, while the very people who should recognize their Messiah demand His death. This also contributes to **dramatic irony**, where the audience is aware of Jesus' true identity and innocence, making the crowd's ignorant demand all the more tragic. The verse also serves as a form of **foreshadowing**, not only of Jesus' imminent death but also of the world's continued rejection of Him and His followers throughout history. The depiction of the **mob mentality** itself functions as a literary device, illustrating the dangers of collective irrationality and the ease with which a crowd can be swayed to commit grave injustice.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 15:13 stands as a stark testament to the depth of human sin and the world's rejection of divine truth. It reveals the terrifying power of collective evil and the fragility of justice when confronted by popular sentiment and manipulation. Theologically, it underscores the radical nature of God's redemptive plan, where the innocent Son is condemned by the very people He came to save, fulfilling ancient prophecies of the suffering servant. This moment highlights the profound spiritual blindness that can lead humanity to reject its only hope, choosing darkness over light, and violence over peace. It is a sobering reminder that the path to salvation often involves profound suffering and rejection, echoing the experience of Christ Himself.

* [Isaiah 53:7](/isaiah/53-7 "Isaiah 53:7 - The Silent Lamb Led to Slaughter")
* [Acts 3:13-15](/acts/3-13-15 "Acts 3:13-15 - Peter's Accusation of Rejecting Jesus")
* [Matthew 27:22-23](/matthew/27-22-23 "Matthew 27:22-23 - The Crowd Demands Jesus' Crucifixion")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The scene in Mark 15:13 is a powerful mirror reflecting the human tendency to follow the crowd, to succumb to popular opinion, and to reject truth when it is inconvenient or challenging. For believers today, this verse serves as a crucial call to cultivate discernment and to anchor our convictions in the unwavering truth of God's Word, rather than being swayed by the prevailing cultural winds or the clamor of popular sentiment. We are challenged to examine our own hearts: are there areas where we, too, might be tempted to "crucify" Christ by rejecting His lordship, His teachings, or His call to costly discipleship? This passage also compels us to stand for justice and truth, even when doing so is unpopular, difficult, or comes at a personal cost. Just as Jesus faced rejection, His followers can expect similar opposition from a world that often prefers its own ways to God's. Our steadfastness in faith, even amidst such opposition, becomes a powerful testimony to the enduring truth of Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do we discern truth and resist the pressure of "mob mentality" in our own lives, communities, and society today?**
* **In what ways might we, consciously or unconsciously, reject Christ's lordship or His challenging teachings in our own lives?**
* **What does this passage teach us about standing for justice and truth, even when it is unpopular or costly?**
* **How does understanding the world's rejection of Jesus prepare us for potential opposition as His followers?**

### FAQ
**Why did the crowd, who earlier welcomed Jesus, now demand His crucifixion?**

Answer: The crowd's shift from hailing Jesus during His [triumphal entry](/mark/11-9 "Mark 11:9 - Jesus' Triumphal Entry") to demanding His crucifixion can be attributed to several factors. Primarily, the chief priests and elders actively incited and manipulated the multitude, using their influence to turn public opinion against Jesus ([Mark 15:11](/mark/15-11 "Mark 15:11 - The Chief Priests Incite the Crowd")). Many in the crowd likely had a political understanding of the Messiah, expecting a king who would liberate them from Roman rule. When Jesus did not fulfill these expectations, and instead spoke of a spiritual kingdom, their initial enthusiasm may have turned to disappointment or even anger. The religious leaders capitalized on this disillusionment and their own theological opposition to Jesus, successfully swaying the crowd to choose Barabbas, a revolutionary, over Jesus.

**What is the significance of the crowd's specific demand, "Crucify him"?**

Answer: The demand "Crucify him" is profoundly significant for several reasons. Firstly, it specifies a Roman method of execution, not a Jewish one. This indicates the crowd's intent to ensure Jesus' death under Roman authority, as Jewish law did not permit crucifixion. Secondly, crucifixion was reserved for the most heinous criminals, slaves, and rebels, designed to be a public spectacle of extreme pain, humiliation, and degradation. By demanding crucifixion, the crowd sought to inflict maximum suffering and disgrace upon Jesus, effectively declaring Him to be the worst kind of criminal and rebel against both Roman and Jewish order. This specific demand underscores the depth of their hatred and their complete rejection of Jesus' claims and identity.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 15:13, though a scene of profound human injustice and rejection, paradoxically stands as a pivotal moment in God's sovereign plan of redemption, finding its ultimate fulfillment in Christ. The crowd's vehement cry, "Crucify him," was not merely a human act of malice, but an unwitting participation in the divine drama of salvation. Jesus, the innocent Lamb of God, willingly submitted to this unjust condemnation, fulfilling ancient prophecies that foretold the suffering of the Messiah ([Isaiah 53:7](/isaiah/53-7 "Isaiah 53:7 - The Silent Lamb Led to Slaughter")). His crucifixion, demanded by the very people He came to save, became the means by which He bore the sins of the world, demonstrating God's immeasurable love for humanity even while we were still sinners ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God's Love While We Were Still Sinners")). The rejection and death of Jesus, culminating in this cry, were not a defeat but the necessary path for Him to become the victorious Savior, conquering sin and death through His resurrection. Thus, the very act of human rebellion that led to His death is transformed by God's grace into the foundation of salvation for all who believe, as the one who was "crucified" is now exalted as Lord and Christ ([Acts 2:36](/acts/2-36 "Acts 2:36 - God Made Jesus Both Lord and Christ")). He is the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising its shame ([Hebrews 12:2](/hebrews/12-2 "Hebrews 12:2 - Jesus, the Author and Finisher of Our Faith")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.