Crucifixion, Burial and Resurrection

After Pilate handed Jesus over for crucifixion, the Roman soldier forced a man named Simon of Cyrene to help Jesus carry the cross. Jesus was brought to a place called Golgotha, which means, the Place of the Skull. Before crucifying him, they offered Jesus wine mixed with myrrh which he did not drink. He was nailed to the cross around nine o'clock in the morning. A notice was placed above him on the cross which reads: The King of the Jews.

Two robbers were crucified with him and, together with the people gathered there, they hurled insults at him. The ubiquitous chief priests and teachers of the law were there too, joining everyone else in mocking the crucified Galilean. At noon, there was darkness until three in the afternoon. Then Jesus cried out his last words, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" One man came and offered Jesus a sponge soaked with vinegar for him to drink. Then after uttering a loud cry, Jesus died.

At that point, the curtain of the temple was torn in two. The Roman centurion who witnessed the crucifixion declared that Jesus was, indeed, the Son of God. Many of the women followers of Jesus were present at the crucifixion, watching at a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary, the mother of James and Joses and Salome. (Mark 15:21-41)

It was the day before the Sabbath, Joseph of Arimathea a member of the council (the Sanhedrin) asked Pilate for Jesus' body for burial. The Roman governor, after verifying that Jesus indeed was already dead, granted him the request. Joseph wrapped Jesus' body in linen and then placed him in a tomb cut out of rock. Then he rolled the a stone over the entrance of the tomb. The two Mary's saw where Jesus was laid. (Mark 15:42-47)

Very early on Sunday morning, the two Marys and Salome went to Jesus tomb to anoint his body with spices. When they arrived at the tomb they noticed that the stone had been rolled away. They saw a young man dressed in white in the tomb. He told them Jesus had risen and asked the women to tell Jesus' disciples that he will meet them in Galilee. The women ran away from the tomb, frightened and did not tell anyone what had happened. (Mark 16:1-8)

Thus, in a nutshell, is Mark's version of Jesus crucifixion, burial and resurrection.

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