Mark 14

The Chief Priests and Scribes Plot to Kill Jesus

1 Now after two days it was the Passover and the feast of Unleavened Bread, and the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how, [after] arresting him by stealth, they could kill [him].

2 For they said, "Not at the feast, lest there be an uproar by the people."

Jesus’ Anointing at Bethany

3 And [while] he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, [as] he was reclining for a meal, a woman came holding an alabaster flask of very costly perfumed oil of genuine nard. [After] breaking the alabaster flask, she poured [it] out on his head.

4 But some were expressing indignation to one another: "Why has there been this waste of perfumed oil?

5 For this perfumed oil could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor!" And they began to scold her.

6 But Jesus said, "Leave her alone. Why do you cause trouble for her? She has done a good deed to me.

7 For the poor you always have with you, and you can do good for them whenever you want, but you do not always have me.

8 She has done what she could; {she has anointed my body beforehand} for burial.

9 And truly I say to you, wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.

Judas Arranges to Betray Jesus

10 And Judas Iscariot, who [was] one of the twelve, went to the chief priests in order to betray him to them.

11 And [when] they heard [this], they were delighted, and promised to give him money. And he began seeking how he could betray him conveniently.

Jesus’ Final Passover with the Disciples

12 And on the first day of the feast of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrificed the Passover lamb, his disciples said to him, "Where do you want us to go [and] prepare, so that you can eat the Passover?"

13 And he sent two of his disciples and said to them, "Go into the city and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him,

14 and wherever he enters, say to the master of the house, 'The Teacher says, "Where is my guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?" '

15 And he will show you a large upstairs room furnished [and] ready, and prepare for us there."

16 And the disciples went out and came into the city and found [everything] just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover.

17 And [when it] was evening, he arrived with the twelve.

18 And [while] they were reclining at table and eating, Jesus said, "Truly I say to you, that one of you who is eating with me will betray me."

19 They began to be distressed and to say to him one by one, "Surely not I?"

20 But he said to them, "[It is] one of the twelve--the one who is dipping [bread] into the bowl with me.

21 For the Son of Man is going just as it is written about him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! [It would be] better for him if that man had not been born."

The Lord’s Supper

22 And [while] they were eating, he took bread [and], [after] giving thanks, he broke [it] and gave [it] to them and said, "Take [it], this is my body."

23 And [after] taking the cup [and] giving thanks, he gave [it] to them, and they all drank from it.

24 And he said to them, "This is my blood of the covenant which is poured out for many.

25 Truly I say to you that I will never drink of the fruit of the vine any longer until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God."

26 And [after they] had sung the hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial

27 And Jesus said to them, "You will all fall away, because it is written, 'I will strike the shepherd and the sheep will be scattered.'

28 But after I am raised, I will go ahead of you into Galilee."

29 But Peter said to him, "Even if they all fall away, certainly I will not!"

30 And Jesus said to him, "Truly I say to you that today--this night--before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times!"

31 But he kept saying emphatically, "If it is necessary for me to die with you, I will never deny you!" And they all were saying the same [thing] also.

The Prayer in Gethsemane

32 And they came to a place {named} Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, "Sit here while I pray."

33 And he took along Peter and James and John with him, and he began to be distressed and troubled.

34 And he said to them, "My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death. Remain here and stay awake."

35 And going forward a little he fell to the ground and began to pray that, if it were possible, the hour would pass from him.

36 And he said, "Abba, Father, all [things] [are] possible for you! Take away this cup from me! Yet not what I will, but what you [will]."

37 And he came and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter, "Simon, are you sleeping? Were you not able to stay awake one hour?

38 Stay awake and pray that you will not enter into temptation. The spirit [is] willing, but the flesh [is] weak!"

39 And again he went away [and] prayed, saying the same thing.

40 And again he came [and] found them sleeping, {for they could not keep their eyes open}, and they did not know what to reply to him.

41 And he came the third [time] and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? It is enough! The hour has come. Behold, the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners.

42 Get up, let us go! Behold, the one who is betraying me is approaching!"

The Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus

43 And immediately, [while] he was still speaking, Judas--one of the twelve--arrived, and with him a crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders.

44 Now the one who was betraying him had given them a sign, saying, "[The one] whom I kiss--he is [the one]. Arrest him and lead [him] away under guard!"

45 And [when he] arrived, he came up to him immediately [and] said, "Rabbi," and kissed him.

46 So they laid hands on him and arrested him.

47 But a certain one of the bystanders, drawing [his] sword, struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his ear.

48 And Jesus answered [and] said to them, "Have you come out with swords and clubs, as against a robber, to arrest me?

49 Every day I was with you in the temple [courts] teaching, and you did not arrest me! But [this has happened] in order that the scriptures would be fulfilled.

50 And they all abandoned him [and] fled.

51 And a certain young man was following him, clothed [only] in a linen cloth on [his] naked body. And they attempted to seize him,

52 but he left behind the linen cloth [and] fled naked.

Jesus Before the Sanhedrin

53 And they led Jesus away to the high priest, and all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes came together.

54 And Peter followed him from a distance, right inside, into the courtyard of the high priest. And he was sitting with the officers and warming himself by the fire.

55 Now the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for testimony against Jesus in order to put him to death, and they did not find [it].

56 For many gave false testimony against him, and their testimony was not consistent.

57 And some stood up [and] began to give false testimony against him, saying,

58 "We heard him saying, 'I will destroy this temple made by hands, and within three days I will build another not made by hands."

59 And their testimony was not even consistent about this.

60 And the high priest stood up in the midst [of them] [and] asked Jesus, saying, "Do you not reply anything? What are these [people] testifying against you?"

61 But he was silent and did not reply anything. Again the high priest asked him and said to him, "Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?"

62 And Jesus said, "I am, and you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power and coming with the clouds of heaven."

63 And the high priest tore his clothes [and] said, "What further need do we have of witnesses?

64 You have heard the blasphemy! What {do you think}?" And they all condemned him {as deserving death}.

65 And some began to spit on him and to cover his face and to strike him with their fists, and to say to him "Prophesy!" And the officers received him with slaps in the face.

Peter Denies Jesus Three Times

66 And [while] Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the female slaves of the high priest came up

67 And [when] she saw Peter warming himself, she looked intently at him [and] said, "You also were with the Nazarene, Jesus."

68 But he denied [it], saying, "I neither know nor understand what you mean!" And he went out into the gateway, and a rooster crowed.

69 And the female slave, [when she] saw him, began to say again to the bystanders, "This man is one of them!"

70 But he denied [it] again. And after a little [while], again the bystanders began to say to Peter, "You really are [one] of them, because you also are a Galilean, and your accent {shows it}!"

71 And he began to curse and to swear with an oath, "I do not know this man whom you are talking about!"

72 And immediately a rooster crowed for the second time. And Peter remembered the statement, how Jesus had said to him, "Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times," and throwing himself down, he began to weep.

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.

Footnotes

• [a]. *Here "[after]" is supplied as a component of the participle ("arresting") which is understood as temporal
• [b]. *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
• [c]. *Here "[while]" is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle ("was")
• [d]. *Here "[as]" is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle ("was reclining for a meal")
• [e]. *Here "[after]" is supplied as a component of the participle ("breaking") which is understood as temporal
• [f]. *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
• [g]. Or perhaps "within themselves"
• [h]. The imperfect tense has been translated as ingressive here ("began to scold")
• [i]. Literally "she has anticipated to anoint my body"
• [j]. *Here "[when]" is supplied as a component of the participle ("heard") which is understood as temporal
• [k]. *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
• [l]. The imperfect tense has been translated as ingressive here ("began seeking")
• [m]. *Here "and" is supplied because the previous participle ("go") has been translated as an English infinitive
• [n]. Or perhaps "paved" or "panelled"
• [o]. *Here "[and]" is supplied in the translation because of English style
• [p]. *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
• [q]. *Here "[when]" is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle ("was")
• [r]. *Here "[while]" is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle ("were reclining at table")
• [s]. The negative construction in Greek anticipates a negative answer here
• [t]. *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
• [u]. *Here "[while]" is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle ("were eating")
• [v]. *Here "[and]" is supplied in the translation because of English style
• [w]. *Here "[after]" is supplied as a component of the participle ("giving thanks") which is understood as temporal
• [x]. *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
• [y]. *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
• [z]. *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
• [aa]. *Here "[after]" is supplied as a component of the participle ("taking") which is understood as temporal
• [ab]. *Here "[and]" is supplied in the translation because of English style
• [ac]. *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
• [ad]. *Here "[after]" is supplied as a component of the participle ("had sung the hymn") which is understood as temporal
• [ae]. Literally "the name of which"
• [af]. The imperfect tense has been translated as ingressive here ("began to pray")
• [ag]. The word "Abba" means "father" in Aramaic
• [ah]. *Here the verb "[will]" is an understood repetition of the verb earlier in this verse
• [ai]. *Here "[and]" is supplied because the previous participle ("went away") has been translated as a finite verb
• [aj]. *Here "[and]" is supplied because the previous participle ("came") has been translated as a finite verb
• [ak]. Literally "for their eyes were weighed down"
• [al]. *Here "[while]" is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle ("was ... speaking")
• [am]. *Here the predicate nominative ("[the one]") is implied
• [an]. *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
• [ao]. *Here "[when]" is supplied as a component of the participle ("arrived") which is understood as temporal
• [ap]. *Here "[and]" is supplied because the previous participle ("came up") has been translated as a finite verb
• [aq]. Literally "the"; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun
• [ar]. *Here "[and]" is supplied because the previous participle ("answered") has been translated as a finite verb
• [as]. *Here "[courts]" is supplied to distinguish this area from the interior of the temple building itself
• [at]. The phrase "[this has happened]" is not in the Greek text, but is understood and must be supplied in the translation because of English style; cf. the parallel in Matt 26:56
• [au]. *Here "[and]" is supplied because the previous participle ("abandoned") has been translated as a finite verb
• [av]. *Here the present tense is translated as a conative present ("attempted to")
• [aw]. *Here "[and]" is supplied because the previous participle ("left behind") has been translated as a finite verb
• [ax]. *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
• [ay]. Literally "the"; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun
• [az]. *Here "[and]" is supplied because the previous participle ("stood up") has been translated as a finite verb
• [ba]. The imperfect tense has been translated as ingressive here ("began to give false testimony")
• [bb]. *Here "[and]" is supplied because the previous participle ("stood up") has been translated as a finite verb
• [bc]. An indirect way of referring to God
• [bd]. *Here "[and]" is supplied because the previous participle ("tore") has been translated as a finite verb
• [be]. Literally "does it seem to you"
• [bf]. Literally "to be deserving of death"
• [bg]. Or "with blows" (either meaning is possible here)
• [bh]. *Here "[while]" is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle ("was")
• [bi]. *Here "[when]" is supplied as a component of the participle ("saw") which is understood as temporal
• [bj]. *Here "[and]" is supplied because the previous participle ("looked intently at") has been translated as a finite verb
• [bk]. *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
• [bl]. Several important and early manuscripts lack the words "and a rooster crowed"
• [bm]. *Here "[when]" is supplied as a component of the participle ("saw") which is understood as temporal
• [bn]. *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
• [bo]. The imperfect tense has been translated as ingressive here ("began to say")
• [bp]. Literally "is like"
• [bq]. Some manuscripts omit "and your accent shows it"
• [br]. The imperfect tense has been translated as ingressive here ("began to weep")