Dr. Barclay's Bible Study - The Gospel of Mark Part 39

 

Dr. Barclay's Bible Study - The Gospel of Mark Part 39

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Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - DETAILS - PART 2

DETAILS 

PART 2

Before we leave this time of year perhaps we should look at just a few more of the details surrounding the crucifixion and resurrection, for it seems there are a number that are rarely mentioned.

At the time of Christ’s death, John is reported as saying this:

But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, 

and immediately blood and water came out. 

(John 19:34) 

This type of fluid indicted that Christ probably had terminal pulmonary edema and a pleural effusion. This would not be uncommon coming from injuries suffered in a situation such as was taking place. But at the same time, we also know that it is by the blood that we are saved and brought into the righteousness of Christ often represented by the white robes of revelation.

…on the thrones were twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white robes… 

(Revelation 4:4)

…a great multitude…clothed with white robes

 (Revelation 7:9)

…These are the ones who came out of the great tribulation, 

and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 

(Revelation 7:14)

So Christ’s last received injury, the spear, caused a discharge composed of the cleansing blood and associated white (or light) fluid suggestive of the resultant purity.

And after the resurrection, the tomb which Christ had occupied was not entirely empty on resurrection morning. It is true that Jesus was no longer there but there were linen cloths left behind.

and the handkerchief that had been around His head, 

not lying with the linen cloths, 

but folded together in a place by itself. 

(John 20:7)

In those days, it was customary for a Jewish man to crumple up his napkin or handkerchief when he left, for instance a table, and was finished with no intention of returning. But if that same person was only leaving for a time and meant to return, then he would fold up neatly his napkin so that it would be available on his return. This, then, was the first indication after the resurrection that Christ’s departure was not permanent but only temporary and that He would be returning someday to complete His purpose.

Just a few more little details that make the crucifixion and resurrection more meaningful and overall give us something further to think about. 

Pastor Jasmine Trott April 12, 2026

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Dr. Barclay's Bible Study - The Gospel of Mark Part 38

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Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - DETAILS

DETAILS

The Christian faith has just observed what people consider to be the most significant time in the entire year; or is it? We observe Easter as the time of Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection even though it is Passover and those customs, and not Easter per se, that is connected to the event. There is no real evidence that He died on Friday or rose on Sunday. But one thing is certain and that is that He actually lived, died, and rose again.

While the exact day may be debatable, the time of the crucifixion was precise. In the Jewish temple the morning sacrifice was at 9 AM and that is precisely when Jesus was hung on the cross.

Now it was the third hour, 

and they crucified Him 

(Mark 15:25)

It was nine in the morning when they crucified Him 

(Mark 15:25 NIV)

 

The sacrifice that took place at nine probably went on for some time as there were multiple sacrifices to be done. One source, Joachim Jeremias, states that over 15,000 lambs would probably be sacrificed during the morning hours*. Josephus, the Jewish historian suggests that upward of 250,000 animals may have been killed altogether**. 

In any case, the sacrificial procedure would have taken some time and it has been said that the streets would be red with blood by noon when the sun was at its peak. It was precisely then that the sky grew the darkest and “night” covered the land.

Now when the sixth hour [12 noon] had come, 

there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. 

(Mark 15:33)

And at the ninth hour [3 PM] Jesus cried out with a loud voice… 

…and breathed His last. 

(Mark 15:34,37)

And this was at this time - of the afternoon sacrifice in the temple - when Jesus gave up His Spirit.

In addition to the timing of His death, there were many other details which may not be obvious when only doing a quick reading of the story. For instance, there’s the use of hyssop, a shrub, which was used at the crucification.

Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there;

 and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, 

and put it to His mouth. 

(John 19:29)

Hyssop was the plant used in Exodus to smear the blood on the door frame at the time of Passover. It was also apparently used, at times, to sprinkle the blood over the altar.

And you shall take a bunch of hyssop, 

dip it in the blood that is in the basin… 

(Exodus 12:22)

John reports that after the hyssop and sour wine were given…

 

[Jesus] said, “It is finished!” 

(John 19:30)

Furthermore in Exodus, when the hyssop was used to mark the doorposts of the house it was to be done in a specific way. First applied across the lintel [horizontal] part of the door and then the doorpost; in a way making a cross symbolic of what was to come in the future.

Little details, all of which make the Passover events more real and understandable, and give us all some more things to think about.

*The Eucharistic Words of Jesus p.g. 42 by Jochim Jeremais

** The Jewish War 6.9.3. by Flavius Jusephus

 

Pastor Matthew Trott April 5, 2026 Easter Sunday

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Pastor Matthew Trott Good Friday Service - Apr. 3, 2026

 

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