Big Idea: Every detail—mocking, hitting, scourging, death—fulfills messianic prophecy (the righteous martyr of Pss. 22 and 69; the Suffering Servant of Isa. 52–53). Jesus completes God’s plan of salvation via his vicarious sacrifice on the cross.
Understanding the Text
In fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy regarding the vicarious sacrifice of the Servant of Yahweh (Isa. 52–53; cf. Pss. 22; 69), Jesus has given himself up to be crucified. His mockery and his death here are an essential part of his atoning sacrifice, as Jesus suffers the hatred of the world and the power of evil on our behalf.
Structure
The second half of the crucifixion scene (15:29–37) centers on the mockery directed at Jesus as fulfilling the prophecy of Messiah as the Suffering Servant (Isa. 53:3, 7; cf. Ps. 22:7)…