John Calvin Commentary Mark 15

And it was the third hour. This does not appear to agree well with the testimony of the Evangelist John, because he relates that Christ was condemned about the sixth hour (John 19:14).

But if we consider—what is evident from other passages—that the day was divided into four parts, and that each part took its name from the first hour of its commencement, the solution will not be difficult. The whole time, from sunrise to the second part of the day, they called the first hour. The second part, which lasted until noon, was called by them the third hour. The sixth hour commenced at noon and lasted until three or four o’clock in the afternoon.

Thus, when the Jews saw that Pilate was wearing out the time and that the hour of noon was approaching, John says that they cried out all the more vehemently, so that the whole day might not be allowed to pass without something being done (John 19:15).

But this is not inconsistent with the assertion that our Lord was crucified about the close of the third hour. For it is plain enough that no sooner was He hastily condemned, than He was immediately executed, so eager were the Jews to put Him to death.

Mark, therefore, means not the beginning but the close of the third hour; and it is highly probable that Christ did not hang on the cross longer than three hours.

Saying, Let him alone, let us see if Elijah will come to save him. Mark relates these words as having been spoken by the soldier, while holding out the vinegar; but Matthew tells us that others used the same language. There is no inconsistency here, however; for it is probable that the jeering was begun by one person, but was eagerly seized by others, and loudly uttered by the multitude. The phrase, let him alone, appears to have implied not restraint, but ridicule; accordingly, the person who first mocked Christ, ironically addressing his companions, says, Let us see if Elijah will come. Others quickly followed, and every one sung the same song to his next neighbor, as usually happens with men who are agreed about any course. Nor is it of any importance to inquire if it was in the singular or plural number; for in either case the meaning is the same, the word being used in place of an interjection, as if they had said, Hush! Hush!

Mark 15:43 and Luke 23:51. Who also himself was waiting for the kingdom of God. The highest commendation bestowed on Joseph is that he waited for the kingdom of God. He is also praised, no doubt, for righteousness, but this waiting for the kingdom of God was the root and source of his righteousness.

By the kingdom of God, we must understand the renovation promised through Christ. For the perfection of order, which the prophets had everywhere promised would exist at the coming of Christ, cannot exist unless God assembles under His government those people who had gone astray.

Therefore, it is pointed out in commendation of Joseph’s piety that during the disorder which then prevailed, he cherished the hope of that redemption God had promised. From this also arises the fear of God and the desire of holiness and uprightness, for it is impossible for anyone to dedicate himself to God unless he expects that God will be his deliverer.

Yet let us observe that while salvation through Christ was promised indiscriminately to all the Jews, and while the promise of it was common to them all, it is only of a very few that the Holy Spirit testifies what we are told here of Joseph. Therefore, it is evident that nearly all the people had buried in shameful forgetfulness the inestimable grace of God.

All of them, indeed, had on their lips the language of boasting about the coming of Christ, which was approaching, but few had the covenant of God fixed in their minds so as to rise by faith to spiritual renovation. That was indeed a terrible insensibility, and therefore we need not wonder if pure religion fell into decay when the faith of salvation was extinguished.

Would that a similar corruption did not prevail in this unhappy age!

Christ once appeared as a Redeemer to the Jews and to the whole world, as had been declared in the predictions of the prophets. He set up the kingdom of God, by restoring affairs from confusion and disorder to a regular and proper condition. He has assigned to us a period of warfare to exercise our patience until He comes again from heaven to complete His reign which He has commenced.

How many are there who aspire to this hope, even in a moderate degree? Do not almost all cling to the earth, as if there had been no promise of a resurrection?

But while most people, forgetful of their end, fall away on all sides, let us remember that it is a virtue peculiar to believers to seek the things which are above (Colossians 3:1), and especially since the grace of God has shone upon us through the Gospel, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, justly, and piously, in the present world, looking for the blessed hope and manifestation of the glory of the great God,
(Titus 2:11–13).