Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent, [1886], at sacred-texts.com
Mark Chapter 15
Them that had made insurrection with him (συστασιαστῶν)
Fellow-rioters. But the better texts read στασιαστῶν, rioters, omitting the σύν, with (fellow): and the Rev. accordingly omits with him.
Who (οἵτινες)
Denoting a class of criminals.
The insurrection
Note the article: the insurrection for which Barabbas and his fellows had been imprisoned.
Crying aloud (ἀναβοήσας)
But the best texts read βὰς, having gone up. So Rev., went up.
Ever (ἀεὶ)
Omitted by the best texts.
Moved (ἀνέσεισαν)
A feeble translation. Σείω is to shake. Hence σεισμός, an earthquake. See on Mar 13:7. Better as Rev., stirred up. Wyc., The bishops stirred the company of the people.
To content (τὸ ἱκανὸν ποιῆσαι)
Lit., to do the sufficient thing. Compare the popular phrase, Do the right thing. A Latinism, and used by Mark only. Wyc., to do enough to the people.
Into the hall called Pretorium
Mark, as usual, amplifies. Matthew has simply the Pretorium. The courtyard, surrounded by the buildings of the Pretorium, so that the people passing through the vestibule into this quadrangle found themselves in the Pretorium.
Band (σπεῖραν)
Originally anything wound or wrapped round; as a ball, the coils of a snake, a knot or curl in wood. Hence a body of men-at-arms. The same idea is at the bottom of the Latin manipulus, which is sometimes (as by Josephus) used to translate σπεῖρα. Manipulus was originally a bundle or handful. The ancient Romans adopted a pole with a handful of hay or straw twisted about it as the standard of a company of soldiers; hence a certain number or body of soldiers under one standard was called manipulus.
Purple
See on Mat 27:28. Matthew adds the word for soldier's cloak. Mark has simply purple.
Compel
Better impress, as Rev. See on in margin. Mat 5:41. Note the accuracy in designating Simon.
Golgotha
See on Mat 27:33.
They gave (ἐδίδουν)
The imperfect tense is used in the same sense as in Mat 3:14 (Rev.), "John would have hindered." They were for giving; attempted to give. So Rev., excellently, offered.
Wine mingled with myrrh (ἐσμυρνισμένον οἶνον)
Lit., myrrhed wine. See on Mat 27:34.
What each should take (τίς τί ἄρῃ)
Lit., who should take what. An addition of Mark.
The superscription of his accusation
Matthew, simply accusation; Luke, superscription; John, title. See on Mat 27:37.
Thieves
Rev., robbers. See on Mat 27:38.
Ah! (οὐὰ)
The Latin vah!
Destroyest
The same word as at Mar 13:2.
The Christ
See on Mat 1:1. Referring to the confession before the high-priest (Mar 14:62).
King of Israel
Referring to the confession before Pilate (Mar 15:2).
Vinegar
See on Mat 27:48.
The veil
See on Mat 27:51.
Son of God
Not the Son of God, which Rev. has retained, but a son of God. To the centurion Christ was a hero or demigod. See on Mat 27:54.
Magdalene
See on Mat 27:56.
Followed - ministered (ἠκολούθουν - διηκόνουν)
Both imperfects: were in the habit, accustomed to.
Even
See on Mat 27:57.
The day before the Sabbath (προσάββατον)
The fore-Sabbath. Peculiar to Mark, and only here.
Joseph of Arimathaea (Ἰωσὴφ ὁ ἀπὸ Ἀριμαθαίας)
Lit., Joseph, he from Arimathaea: the article indicating a man well known.
Honorable (εὐσχήμων)
Compounded of εὖ, well, and σχῆμα, form, shape, figure. On the latter word, see on Mat 17:2. In its earlier use this adjective would, therefore, emphasize the dignified external appearance and deportment. So Plato, noble bearing ("Republic," 413). Later, it came to be used in the sense of noble; honorable in rank. See Act 13:50; Act 17:12.
Counsellor
A member of the Sanhedrim, as appears from Luk 23:51.
Went in boldly (τολμήσας εἰσῆλθεν)
Lit., having dared went in. Daring all possible consequences.
Wondered
This query and the asking the centurion are peculiar to Mark.
Body (πτῶμα)
Better, Rev., corpse; as the word is used only of a dead body. See on Mat 24:28.
Stone
See on Mat 27:60.
Beheld (ἐθεώρουν)
Imperfect tense. Were looking on meanwhile. The verb also implies steady and careful contemplation. They took careful note.