Mark 15:28

KJV

And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, And he was numbered with the transgressors.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} the scripture {G1124} was fulfilled {G4137}, which {G3588} saith {G3004}, And {G2532} he was numbered {G3049} with {G3326} the transgressors {G459}.

Complete Jewish Bible

And the passage from the Tanakh was fulfilled which says,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 15:28 serves as a pivotal editorial comment within the Gospel of Mark's crucifixion narrative, highlighting the profound theological significance of Jesus' suffering and death. It declares that the seemingly unjust act of crucifying Jesus alongside common criminals was, in fact, a precise fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, specifically from Isaiah 53. This verse underscores God's sovereign plan unfolding even in humanity's darkest moments, demonstrating how the sinless Son of God willingly identified with humanity's fallen state to accomplish atonement.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Mark 15:28 immediately follows the graphic description of Jesus' crucifixion on Golgotha, specifically mentioning His placement "between two thieves" in [Mark 15:27](/mark/15-27 "Mark 15:27 - Jesus Crucified Between Two Thieves"). This verse is Mark's interpretive lens, an explicit declaration that these events are not random but divinely orchestrated. It serves as a theological anchor, connecting the brutal reality of the cross to the ancient promises of God. The preceding narrative details Jesus' unjust trial before Pilate ([Mark 15:1-15](/mark/15-1-15 "Mark 15:1-15 - Jesus Before Pilate")), the brutal scourging and mocking by the Roman soldiers ([Mark 15:16-20](/mark/15-16-20 "Mark 15:16-20 - The Soldiers Mock Jesus")), and the journey to the crucifixion site ([Mark 15:21-26](/mark/15-21-26 "Mark 15:21-26 - The Crucifixion")). Mark 15:28 thus functions as a crucial theological commentary on the events that have just transpired, revealing their deeper, prophetic meaning.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The act of crucifixion was a horrific form of public execution reserved by the Roman Empire for the lowest classes, slaves, and political rebels, designed to inflict maximum pain, humiliation, and public deterrence. To be "numbered with the transgressors" meant being officially categorized among the most despised and dangerous elements of society. In the Jewish context, being crucified also carried the stigma of being "cursed by God" ([Deuteronomy 21:23](/deuteronomy/21-23 "Deuteronomy 21:23 - Cursed is Everyone Who is Hanged on a Tree")), making Jesus' association with criminals particularly scandalous to His contemporaries. The Roman authorities intended to discredit Jesus entirely by executing Him alongside actual criminals, but Mark highlights that this very act, meant for shame, was precisely what God had foretold.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully reinforces several key themes prevalent throughout Mark's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. Foremost is **Prophetic Fulfillment**, demonstrating God's meticulous plan unfolding in history, proving the divine authorship and reliability of Scripture. It highlights Jesus as the **Suffering Servant**, echoing the themes of [Isaiah 53](/isaiah/53 "Isaiah 53 - The Suffering Servant"), where the innocent one bears the sins of many. Furthermore, it emphasizes Jesus' **Identification with Sinners**, a profound theological truth where the sinless Son of God willingly takes the place of the guilty, illustrating the depth of His compassion and the nature of His atoning work. This act of being "numbered with the transgressors" also reveals the **Vicarious Nature of His Atonement**, where Jesus suffers not for His own transgressions, but for the transgressions of humanity, bearing their shame and penalty.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **scripture (Greek, _graphḗ'_):** From *graphō*, meaning "to write." This term refers specifically to holy Writ, the sacred texts of the Old Testament. Its use here signifies that the events unfolding are not random or accidental but are part of a pre-ordained divine plan, meticulously recorded in the inspired word of God. It emphasizes the authority and predictive power of the Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah.
* **fulfilled (Greek, _plēróō'_):** From *plērēs*, meaning "full." This verb denotes making complete, bringing to an end, or verifying a prediction. When applied to prophecy, it means that the prophecy has been brought to its intended realization. It signifies that Jesus' crucifixion, particularly His placement among criminals, was not a deviation from God's plan but its precise and perfect culmination, demonstrating God's faithfulness to His word.
* **transgressors (Greek, _ánomos'_):** From *a* (negative particle) and *nomos* (law). This adjective means "lawless," "without law," or "wicked." It describes those who disregard divine or human law. By being "numbered with the transgressors," Jesus, the perfectly righteous one, was officially categorized and treated as one who utterly defied the law. This term vividly portrays the depth of His humiliation and the profound injustice of His crucifixion, yet it was precisely this identification that made His substitutionary work effective.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith,"**: This opening clause serves as Mark's interpretive commentary, drawing a direct link between the immediate events of Jesus' crucifixion and the ancient prophecies of the Old Testament. The passive voice ("was fulfilled") implies divine agency, indicating that God Himself was orchestrating these events to bring His word to pass. This phrase signals to the reader that the following statement is a direct quotation or strong allusion to a specific prophetic text, inviting them to recognize God's sovereign hand in the unfolding drama.
* **"And he was numbered with the transgressors."**: This is the prophetic statement itself, directly alluding to Isaiah 53:12. It describes the specific manner of Jesus' suffering and death: being counted among common criminals. The verb "numbered" (Greek: *elogisthē*) implies a deliberate accounting or reckoning, signifying that Jesus was officially categorized and treated as a lawbreaker. This profound identification with "transgressors" highlights the paradox of the cross: the sinless Son of God bearing the shame and penalty due to the guilty, thereby fulfilling His role as the Suffering Servant who takes away the sin of the world.

#### Literary Devices
Mark 15:28 employs several significant literary devices. The most prominent is **Prophetic Fulfillment**, where the narrative explicitly states that a current event is the direct realization of an ancient prophecy. This device not only validates the divine authority of the Old Testament but also underscores the predetermined nature of Christ's passion, assuring the reader that God's plan is unfolding precisely as intended. There is also profound **Irony** at play: the one who perfectly embodied God's law and was without sin is paradoxically "numbered with the transgressors." This stark contrast highlights the depth of Jesus' humility and the radical nature of His substitutionary sacrifice. Furthermore, the verse functions as a **Narrative Commentary**, where the evangelist steps outside the immediate action to offer a theological interpretation, guiding the reader's understanding of the events' ultimate significance.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 15:28 is a theological cornerstone, revealing the profound truth of vicarious atonement and God's unwavering faithfulness to His promises. Jesus, the sinless Lamb of God, willingly submitted to being counted among the wicked, not because of any personal guilt, but to bear the guilt of humanity. This act demonstrates the depth of God's love and the radical nature of Christ's sacrifice, where He became sin for us so that we might become the righteousness of God. It underscores that salvation is not earned but is a gracious gift made possible by Christ's complete identification with our fallen state, enduring the full penalty of sin on our behalf.

* [Isaiah 53:12](/isaiah/53-12 "Isaiah 53:12 - The Suffering Servant Numbered with Transgressors")
* [Luke 22:37](/luke/22-37 "Luke 22:37 - Jesus Refers to Being Numbered with Transgressors")
* [2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 15:28 invites us to gaze upon the cross with deeper understanding and profound gratitude. Jesus' willingness to be "numbered with the transgressors"—to be associated with the vilest of humanity, to bear the ultimate shame and condemnation—reveals the immeasurable extent of His love and the radical completeness of His redemptive work. It challenges us to confront the reality of our own sinfulness, recognizing that it was for *our* transgressions that He was counted among them. This verse calls us to humility, acknowledging that our salvation comes at an infinite cost, paid by the innocent for the guilty. It assures us that no matter how great our past failures or how deep our shame, Christ has fully identified with our brokenness, offering complete forgiveness and a path to reconciliation with God. Our response should be one of worship, surrender, and a life lived in grateful obedience to the One who bore our transgressions.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jesus' identification with "transgressors" deepen your understanding of His love and sacrifice?**
* **In what ways does this verse challenge your perception of justice and righteousness?**
* **How might the fulfillment of prophecy, as highlighted in this verse, strengthen your faith in the reliability of God's Word?**

### FAQ
**Why is Mark 15:28 explicitly included in the Gospel of Mark, given its brevity?**

Answer: Mark 15:28, though brief, is a crucial theological statement that serves as Mark's interpretive key to the crucifixion. It's not merely a historical detail but a profound declaration of prophetic fulfillment. By explicitly stating that "the scripture was fulfilled," Mark elevates the seemingly random and unjust events of Jesus' crucifixion to the status of divinely orchestrated prophecy. This brief verse underscores God's sovereign control over history, even in moments of profound human evil, and authenticates Jesus' identity as the Suffering Servant foretold in the Old Testament, particularly [Isaiah 53](/isaiah/53 "Isaiah 53 - The Suffering Servant"). It assures the reader that these events are not a tragic accident but the deliberate unfolding of God's redemptive plan.

**How does Jesus being "numbered with the transgressors" relate to the concept of atonement?**

Answer: Jesus being "numbered with the transgressors" is central to the biblical concept of substitutionary atonement. Atonement, at its core, means "at-one-ment" or reconciliation with God. Because humanity is separated from God by sin, a perfect sacrifice was required. Jesus, who was without sin ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus, Our High Priest")), willingly allowed Himself to be counted among the guilty. This act signifies that He took our place, bearing the shame, condemnation, and penalty that our sins deserved. As [2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us") states, "God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." By identifying with transgressors, Jesus absorbed the wrath of God against sin, thereby making it possible for us to be reconciled to God and declared righteous in His sight.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 15:28 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in Jesus as the quintessential Suffering Servant, embodying the prophetic vision of [Isaiah 53](/isaiah/53 "Isaiah 53 - The Suffering Servant"). This verse is not merely a historical note but a profound theological declaration that Jesus, the sinless Son of God, deliberately embraced the lowest status of humanity – that of a condemned criminal – to accomplish our salvation. He was "numbered with the transgressors" so that we, the true transgressors, might be numbered among the righteous. This act perfectly illustrates the substitutionary nature of His atonement, where He, who knew no sin, became sin for us ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). His identification with the guilty on the cross was the necessary means by which He bore our sins in His own body ([1 Peter 2:24](/1_peter/2-24 "1 Peter 2:24 - He Bore Our Sins")), endured the curse of the law ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse of the Law")), and opened the way for us to receive forgiveness and eternal life. Thus, Mark 15:28 powerfully points to Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), the righteous one suffering for the unrighteous ([1 Peter 3:18](/1_peter/3-18 "1 Peter 3:18 - Christ Suffered for Sins")), demonstrating God's ultimate love and justice converging at the cross.

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.