Mark 15:37 Meaning: The Loud Cry of the King
Jesus cried out with a loud voice, and gave up the spirit.
And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost.
And Jesus uttered a loud voice, and gave up the ghost.
And Jesus having uttered a loud cry, yielded the spirit,
And Jesus, having uttered a loud cry, expired.
Meaning in one sentence
Why does Mark emphasize Jesus' loud cry before death? Discover what this reveals about his voluntary surrender and divine identity.
Context
By the time Mark reaches this verse, Jesus has been on the cross for hours. Darkness covered the land from noon until three in the afternoon. He had already cried out in anguish, quoting Psalm 22: asking why the Father had forsaken him. Bystanders misunderstood, thinking he was calling for Elijah. Then, at the ninth hour, Jesus cried out once more, not in weakness but with a loud voice, and breathed his last. What follows this moment is also striking: the temple veil tears from top to bottom, and a Roman centurion declares, 'Truly this man was the Son of God.' Mark wants us to see that Jesus was no helpless victim. He was the one in control, even in death.
Key Words
Mark uses two Greek words that together carry surprising weight. The first is aphiēmi, translated as 'gave up.' Its root meaning is to release or send forth, the same word used elsewhere for forgiveness, for letting someone go free. Jesus does not simply stop breathing; he actively releases his spirit. The second word is exepneusen, which means to breathe out or expire. This is the only place Mark uses it, and he pairs it with phōnēn megalēn, a loud voice. People near death rarely shout. A loud cry requires strength, breath, and intention. By placing these together, Mark is telling us something: Jesus did not die because the Romans killed him. He chose the moment. He handed his life over.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians across traditions have noticed the same thing: the loud cry sounds more like victory than defeat. Reformed commentators like Matthew Henry see it as Christ's triumph over death itself, noting that the centurion's confession follows immediately. Anglican sources point to the phrasing 'gave up the ghost,' which Augustine argued shows Jesus died because he willed it, when he willed it, as he willed it. Catholic tradition (reflected in the Douay translation) similarly emphasizes the voluntary surrender of his spirit. Orthodox readings highlight the paradox: the Lord of life hung lifeless, yet remained Lord. All agree that this was no ordinary death.
A common misunderstanding
A common misreading is that Jesus' loud cry was simply a sound of agony, the final scream of a dying man. In fact, the Gospels show that those nearby heard him clearly enough to respond. The loudness is emphasized not to highlight suffering but authority. Mark could have said 'Jesus died' using the ordinary word. Instead, he chose language that shows Jesus actively breathing out his spirit. This was a king determining his own end, not a victim succumbing to executioners.
Living This Out
This week, you will face moments where surrender feels like losing. Maybe it is releasing a grudge, letting go of control in a situation you cannot fix, or entrusting someone you love to God's care. Jesus shows you that surrender does not have to mean defeat. He released his spirit with a loud cry, not quietly, not passively, but with intention and strength. When you let go of what you are clinging to, you can do it the same way: with your eyes open, your voice clear, knowing you are placing it in the Father's hands.
Main takeaway: Jesus surrendered his life with a loud cry because he was not defeated by death, he chose it, and he mastered it.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
Jesus was very strong. Even when he died, he shouted out loud first. He did it on purpose, because he was in charge of his own life.
For ages 9, 12
When someone is very weak, they cannot shout loudly. But Jesus let out a loud cry right before he died. Mark wants you to see that Jesus chose the moment. Nobody took his life from him. He gave it up on purpose, because he was doing what his Father asked him to do, and because he loved you.
Questions People Ask
Why did Jesus cry out with a loud voice before dying?
The loud cry shows Jesus had strength at the end, not weakness. The Gospels use this detail to show he chose his moment. He was not fading away helplessly. He was actively surrendering his spirit to the Father.
What does 'gave up the ghost' mean in Mark 15:37?
It is an older English translation of the Greek word 'exepneusen,' which means to breathe out or expire. But the verb in Mark describes an action Jesus took, he released, sent forth, or breathed out his spirit. It was voluntary, not passive.
Did Jesus die on the cross or did he 'sleep'?
The Gospels are clear: Jesus truly died. Mark, Matthew, Luke and John all describe his death, and the centurion confirms it. The resurrection three days later is presented as a real, bodily raising from the dead, Jesus conquered death, he did not merely wake up.
How does Mark 15:37 connect to the temple veil tearing in verse 38?
Right after Jesus gives up his spirit, the veil of the temple tears from top to bottom. The veil separated the Holy of Holies from the rest of the temple. The timing is meant to show that Jesus' death opened the way to God. What was once hidden is now accessible through him.
Why do some Bible translations say 'breathed his last' and others 'gave up the ghost'?
The Greek word 'exepneusen' literally means 'breathed out.' Older English used 'ghost' to mean spirit or breath (like 'the Holy Ghost'). Modern translations say 'breathed his last' to be clearer, but both point to the same idea: Jesus actively released his spirit.
For pastors & researchers
Greek interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study