Devine Scripture

Mark 15:16

What does Mark 15:16 mean?

A plain-English look at Mark 15:16 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Mark 15:16 means

The soldiers take Jesus into the Praetorium—the governor’s headquarters—and assemble the whole cohort. This moves the narrative from judicial rooms to military control. The soldiers will carry out mockery and physical abuse as a parade of humiliation before crucifixion. The gathering of the “whole band” indicates an organized, public spectacle; Jesus becomes the center of a twisted display of power. This highlights the contrast between earthly force and Jesus’ silent endurance.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And the soldiers led him away within the court, which is the Prætorium; and they call together the whole band.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And the soldiers led him away into the hall, called Pretorium; and they call together the whole band.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And the soldiers led him away within the court, which is the Prætorium; and they call together the whole band.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And the men of the army took him away into the square in front of the building which is the Praetorium, and they got together all the band.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And the soldiers led him away into the hall, which is Praetorium, and call together the whole band,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And the soldiers led him away into the court of the palace: and they called together the whole band.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And the soldiers led him away into the court which is [called the] praetorium, and they call together the whole band.

Context

After Pilate’s sentence, responsibility shifts to the Roman soldiers. They take Jesus into the Praetorium to carry out their mock-ceremony. The verse sets the stage for the soldiers’ deliberate humiliation—dressing him in purple, crowning him with thorns, and saluting him mockingly—foreshadowing the mocking coronation.

v.15And Pilate, wishing to content the multitude, released unto them Barabbas, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified.

v.16This passage

v.17And they clothe him with purple, and platting a crown of thorns, they put it on him;

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Acts 10:1

    Nowthere wasa certain man in Cæsarea, Cornelius by name, a centurion of the band called the Italian band,

  • John 18:28

    They lead Jesus therefore from Caiaphas into the Prætorium: and it was early; and they themselves entered not into the Prætorium, that they might not be defiled, but might eat the passover.

  • John 18:33

    Pilate therefore entered again into the Prætorium, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews?

  • Matthew 27:27

    Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the Prætorium, and gathered unto him the whole band.

  • John 19:9

    and he entered into the Prætorium again, and saith unto Jesus, Whence art thou? But Jesus gave him no answer.

  • Matthew 26:3

    Then were gathered together the chief priests, and the elders of the people, unto the court of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas;

Related questions readers ask

Keep reading

Want to dig deeper? Explore Mark 15

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Mark 15.

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to Mark 15:16.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary