Mark 15:39-41 - Surely He was the Son of God

15:38,39

These two verse wonderfully sum up the victory that was won. First, the curtain in the temple that separated the holy of holies was torn in two. There was no longer an unbridgeable divide between God and man. Secondly, the centurion declares that Jesus truly is the Son of God. This symbolises the Gentiles recognising Jesus as Lord and coming into the kingdom of God. The victory was achieved not despite the suffering, but through the suffering. And the victory is for both Jews and Gentiles.

15:40,41

The men generally get a bad press in the gospels. Judas, of course, is the worst, being a traitor. Peter is next worse with his denial of Jesus, but the others do not fare much better. In contrast, the women come out of it better. There is hardly a negative word said about them, with the exception of Herod’s wife. Mark presents the women as caring for Jesus, and viewing the scene with sadness.