Mark 14

1 It was two days before the Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread. The chief priests and the scribes were looking for some underhanded way to arrest Jesus and to kill him.

2 However, they said, "We shouldn't arrest him during the festival, or else there will be a riot among the people."

3 Jesus was in Bethany at the home of Simon, a man who had suffered from a skin disease. While Jesus was sitting there, a woman went to him. She had a bottle of very expensive perfume made from pure nard. She opened the bottle and poured the perfume on his head.

4 Some who were there were irritated and said to one another, "Why was the perfume wasted like this?

5 This perfume could have been sold for a high price, and the money could have been given to the poor." So they said some very unkind things to her.

6 Jesus said, "Leave her alone! Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing for me.

7 You will always have the poor with you and can help them whenever you want. But you will not always have me with you.

8 She did what she could. She came to pour perfume on my body before it is placed in a tomb.

9 I can guarantee this truth: Wherever the Good News is spoken in the world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her."

10 Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve apostles, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus.

11 They were pleased to hear what Judas had to say and promised to give him money. So he kept looking for a chance to betray Jesus.

12 Killing the Passover lamb was customary on the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread. The disciples asked Jesus, "Where do you want us to prepare the Passover meal for you?"

13 He sent two of his disciples and told them, "Go into the city. You will meet a man carrying a jug of water. Follow him.

14 When he goes into a house, tell the owner that the teacher asks, 'Where is my room where I can eat the Passover meal with my disciples?'

15 He will take you upstairs and show you a large room. The room will be completely furnished. Get everything ready for us there."

16 The disciples left. They went into the city and found everything as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover.

17 When evening came, Jesus arrived with the twelve apostles.

18 While they were at the table eating, Jesus said, "I can guarantee this truth: One of you is going to betray me, one who is eating with me!"

19 Feeling hurt, they asked him one by one, "You don't mean me, do you?"

20 He said to them, "It's one of you twelve, someone dipping his hand into the bowl with me.

21 The Son of Man is going to die as the Scriptures say he will. But how horrible it will be for that person who betrays the Son of Man! It would have been better for that person if he had never been born."

22 While they were eating, Jesus took bread and blessed it. He broke the bread, gave it to them, and said, "Take this. This is my body."

23 Then he took a cup, spoke a prayer of thanksgiving, and gave the cup to them. They all drank from it.

24 He said to them, "This is my blood, the blood of the promise. It is poured out for many people.

25 "I can guarantee this truth: I won't drink this wine again until that day when I drink new wine in the kingdom of God."

26 After they sang a hymn, they went to the Mount of Olives.

27 Then Jesus said to them, "All of you will abandon me. Scripture says, 'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.'

28 "But after I am brought back to life, I will go to Galilee ahead of you."

29 Peter said to him, "Even if everyone else abandons you, I won't."

30 Jesus said to Peter, "I can guarantee this truth: Tonight, before a rooster crows twice, you will say three times that you don't know me."

31 But Peter said very strongly, "Even if I have to die with you, I will never say that I don't know you." All the other disciples said the same thing.

32 Then they came to a place called Gethsemane. He said to his disciples, "Stay here while I pray."

33 He took Peter, James, and John with him and began to feel distressed and anguished.

34 He said to them, "My anguish is so great that I feel as if I'm dying. Wait here, and stay awake."

35 After walking a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if it were possible he might not have to suffer what was ahead of him.

36 He said, "Abba! Father! You can do anything. Take this cup [of suffering] away from me. But let your will be done rather than mine."

37 He went back and found them asleep. He said to Peter, "Simon, are you sleeping? Couldn't you stay awake for one hour?

38 Stay awake, and pray that you won't be tempted. You want to do what's right, but you're weak."

39 He went away again and prayed the same prayer as before.

40 He found them asleep because they couldn't keep their eyes open. They didn't even know what they should say to him.

41 He came back a third time and said to them, "You might as well sleep now. It's all over. The time has come for the Son of Man to be handed over to sinners.

42 Get up! Let's go! The one who is betraying me is near."

43 Just then, while Jesus was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve apostles, arrived. A crowd carrying swords and clubs was with him. They were from the chief priests, scribes, and leaders of the people.

44 Now, the traitor had given them a signal. He said, "The one I kiss is the man you want. Arrest him, and guard him closely as you take him away."

45 Then Judas quickly stepped up to Jesus and said, "Rabbi!" and kissed him.

46 Some men took hold of Jesus and arrested him.

47 One of those standing there pulled out his sword and cut off the ear of the chief priest's servant.

48 Jesus asked them, "Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me as if I were a criminal?

49 I used to teach in the temple courtyard every day. But you didn't arrest me then. But what the Scriptures say must come true."

50 Then all the disciples abandoned him and ran away.

51 A certain young man was following Jesus. He had nothing on but a linen sheet. They tried to arrest him,

52 but he left the linen sheet behind and ran away naked.

53 The men took Jesus to the chief priest. All the chief priests, leaders, and scribes had gathered together.

54 Peter followed him at a distance and went into the chief priest's courtyard. He sat with the guards and warmed himself facing the glow of a fire.

55 The chief priests and the whole Jewish council were searching for some testimony against Jesus in order to execute him. But they couldn't find any.

56 Many gave false testimony against him, but their statements did not agree.

57 Then some men stood up and gave false testimony against him. They said,

58 "We heard him say, 'I'll tear down this temple made by humans, and in three days I'll build another temple, one not made by human hands.'"

59 But their testimony did not agree even on this point.

60 So the chief priest stood up in the center and asked Jesus, "Don't you have any answer to what these men testify against you?"

61 But he was silent. The chief priest asked him again, "Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?"

62 Jesus answered, "Yes, I am, and you will see the Son of Man in the highest position in heaven. He will be coming with the clouds of heaven."

63 The chief priest tore his clothes in horror and said, "Why do we need any more witnesses?

64 You've heard him dishonor God! What's your verdict?" All of them condemned him with the death sentence.

65 Some of them began to spit on him. They covered his face and hit him with their fists. They said to him, "Prophesy!" Even the guards took him and slapped him.

66 Peter was in the courtyard. One of the chief priest's female servants

67 saw Peter warming himself. She looked at him and said, "You, too, were with Jesus from Nazareth!"

68 But Peter denied it by saying, "I don't know him, and I don't understand what you're talking about." He went to the entrance. Then a rooster crowed.

69 The servant saw him. Once again she said to those who were standing around, "This man is one of them!"

70 Peter again denied it. After a little while the men standing there said to Peter again, "It's obvious you're one of them. You're a Galilean!"

71 Then Peter began to curse and swear with an oath, "I don't know this man you're talking about!"

72 Just then a rooster crowed a second time. Peter remembered that Jesus said to him, "Before a rooster crows twice, you will say three times that you don't know me." Then Peter began to cry very hard.

Mark 14 Commentary

Chapter 14

Christ anointed at Bethany. (1-11) The passover, Jesus declares that Judas would betray him. (12-21) The Lord's supper instituted. (22-31) Christ's agony in the garden. (32-42) He is betrayed and taken. (43-52) Christ before the high priest. (53-65) Peter denies Christ. (66-72)

Verses 1-11 Did Christ pour out his soul unto death for us, and shall we think any thing too precious for him? Do we give him the precious ointment of our best affections? Let us love him with all the heart, though it is common for zeal and affection to be misunderstood and blamed; and remember that charity to the poor will not excuse any from particular acts of piety to the Lord Jesus. Christ commended this woman's pious attention to the notice of believers in all ages. Those who honour Christ he will honour. Covetousness was Judas' master lust, and that betrayed him to the sin of betraying his Master; the devil suited his temptation to that, and so conquered him. And see what wicked contrivances many have in their sinful pursuits; but what appears to forward their plans, will prove curses in the end.

Verses 12-21 Nothing could be less the result of human foresight than the events here related. But our Lord knows all things about us before they come to pass. If we admit him, he will dwell in our hearts. The Son of man goes, as it is written of him, as a lamb to the slaughter; but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed! God's permitting the sins of men, and bringing glory to himself out of them, does not oblige them to sin; nor will this be any excuse for their guilt, or lessen their punishment.

Verses 22-31 The Lord's supper is food for the soul, therefore a very little of that which is for the body, as much as will serve for a sign, is enough. It was instituted by the example and the practice of our Master, to remain in force till his second coming. It was instituted with blessing and giving of thanks, to be a memorial of Christ's death. Frequent mention is made of his precious blood, as the price of our redemption. How comfortable is this to poor repenting sinners, that the blood of Christ is shed for many! If for many, why not for me? It was a sign of the conveyance of the benefits purchased for us by his death. Apply the doctrine of Christ crucified to yourselves; let it be meat and drink to your souls, strengthening and refreshing your spiritual life. It was to be an earnest and foretaste of the happiness of heaven, and thereby to put us out of taste for the pleasures and delights of sense. Every one that has tasted spiritual delights, straightway desires eternal ones. Though the great Shepherd passed through his sufferings without one false step, yet his followers often have been scattered by the small measure of sufferings allotted to them. How very apt we are to think well of ourselves, and to trust our own hearts! It was ill done of Peter thus to answer his Master, and not with fear and trembling. Lord, give me grace to keep me from denying thee.

Verses 32-42 Christ's sufferings began with the sorest of all, those in his soul. He began to be sorely amazed; words not used in St. Matthew, but very full of meaning. The terrors of God set themselves in array against him, and he allowed him to contemplate them. Never was sorrow like unto his at this time. Now he was made a curse for us; the curses of the law were laid upon him as our Surety. He now tasted death, in all the bitterness of it. This was that fear of which the apostle speaks, the natural fear of pain and death, at which human nature startles. Can we ever entertain favourable, or even slight thoughts of sin, when we see the painful sufferings which sin, though but reckoned to him, brought on the Lord Jesus? Shall that sit light upon our souls, which sat so heavy upon his? Was Christ in such agony for our sins, and shall we never be in agony about them? How should we look upon Him whom we have pierced, and mourn! It becomes us to be exceedingly sorrowful for sin, because He was so, and never to mock at it. Christ, as Man, pleaded, that, if it were possible, his sufferings might pass from him. As Mediator, he submitted to the will of God, saying, Nevertheless, not what I will, but what thou wilt; I bid it welcome. See how the sinful weakness of Christ's disciples returns, and overpowers them. What heavy clogs these bodies of ours are to our souls! But when we see trouble at the door, we should get ready for it. Alas, even believers often look at the Redeemer's sufferings in a drowsy manner, and instead of being ready to die with Christ, they are not even prepared to watch with him one hour.

Verses 43-52 Because Christ appeared not as a temporal prince, but preached repentance, reformation, and a holy life, and directed men's thoughts, and affections, and aims to another world, therefore the Jewish rulers sought to destroy him. Peter wounded one of the band. It is easier to fight for Christ than to die for him. But there is a great difference between faulty disciples and hypocrites. The latter rashly and without thought call Christ Master, and express great affection for him, yet betray him to his enemies. Thus they hasten their own destruction.

Verses 53-65 We have here Christ's condemnation before the great council of the Jews. Peter followed; but the high priest's fire-side was no proper place, nor his servants proper company, for Peter: it was an entrance into temptation. Great diligence was used to procure false witnesses against Jesus, yet their testimony was not equal to the charge of a capital crime, by the utmost stretch of their law. He was asked, Art thou the Son of the Blessed? that is, the Son of God. For the proof of his being the Son of God, he refers to his second coming. In these outrages we have proofs of man's enmity to God, and of God's free and unspeakable love to man.

Verses 66-72 Peter's denying Christ began by keeping at a distance from him. Those that are shy of godliness, are far in the way to deny Christ. Those who think it dangerous to be in company with Christ's disciples, because thence they may be drawn in to suffer for him, will find it much more dangerous to be in company with his enemies, because there they may be drawn in to sin against him. When Christ was admired and flocked after, Peter readily owned him; but will own no relation to him now he is deserted and despised. Yet observe, Peter's repentance was very speedy. Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall; and let him that has fallen think of these things, and of his own offences, and return to the Lord with weeping and supplication, seeking forgiveness, and to be raised up by the Holy Spirit.