John Calvin Commentary Mark 15:25

"And it was the third hour, and they crucified him." — Mark 15:25 (ASV)

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.