What is Mark referring to in chapter 15 verses 21-32?

Answer 1

This is referring to Jesus while he was impaled.

Verse 21: Simon of Cy-re'ne was the man who carried the torture device (stau-ros' in greek) since at this point Jesus was unable to do so himself because of the torture he had already received.

Verses 22 and 23 bring out where he was taken and that he would not drink any drugged wine to dull his senses.

Verses 24 and 25 describe the hour he was nailed to the stake and that soldiers cast lots, which basically means rolled dice, over who would get his clothes or outer garment.

Verse 26 brings out the inscription, or sign, that was put over Jesus, identifying him as "The King of the Jews".

Verse 27 identifies that Jesus was impaled between two criminals.

Verse 28 is left out of some older manuscripts, but in some manuscripts it refers to Isaiah 55:12 where it says that he would be counted or numbered in with transgressors or lawless ones.

In verses 29-32 the account shows that Jesus was mocked by passer byes, the religious leaders, and even the two criminals suffering alongside him. Jesus had made a statement in his ministry that really upset some of the Jews that he could "tear down the temple and rebuild it in 3 days". Since the Jews took great pride in the temple and believed in was only built through divine instruction they took particular offense to this. Whether or not Jesus was actually talking about the literal temple, or the temple his life represented that was indeed tore down and raised in 3 days, is a matter of debate. They also mocked him because he was able to perform miracles on others, but that he was unable or unwilling to save himself.