# Mark Chapter 15
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## Summary
Jesus is delivered to Pilate who questions him. Pilate wishes to free Jesus but the Pharisee's push for his execution. Jesus is stripped, beaten, mocked before being crucified. Whilst he is dying he calls out and some believe he called out to Elijah. Eventually Jesus died and his body is taken by Joseph of Arimathea and buried in Joseph's own tomb with a stone rolled against the entrance.

## Imagery and themes
Jesus reluctance to acknowledge himself by titles that others give him is noticeable. He neither confirms nor denies his position. If anything he is evasive. This seems significant and consistent with the ideas that Jesus is drawing attention to his humanity; favouring the self elected term "son of man" rather than the titles given by men. He does not allow the perceptions of other to fundamentally redefine himself or his mission and is ultimately committed to the plan laid out to him by the father.

The tearing of the curtain is symbolic as is the confession of the centurion. The division between heaven and earth has been torn apart and now even the gentile nations can recognise the nature of who Jesus was. This is a profound move away from the traditional view of the elitism of the Jewish nation.

What remains interesting here is the notable absence of Jesus family. We are aware he has mothers, brothers and a father; yet only Mary is present at his execution and burial. Even then at a distance. Is this perhaps also an indication that he was not only rejected by his followers but his blood relations too. Or perhaps the hostile environment fostered by his adversaries prevented them taking a more active role. Where is Joseph? Surely a father would attend his own sons execution or burial? He wasn't present when Jesus rejects his mother and brothers. In fact outside of the Christmas narrative we hear very little more about him.

This passage presents more questions than answers.