Mark 14

Preparation for burial

1 It was two days before Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread. The chief priests and legal experts through cunning tricks were searching for a way to arrest Jesus and kill him.

2 But they agreed that it shouldn't happen during the festival; otherwise, there would be an uproar among the people.

3 Jesus was at Bethany visiting the house of Simon, who had a skin disease. During dinner, a woman came in with a vase made of alabaster and containing very expensive perfume of pure nard. She broke open the vase and poured the perfume on his head.

4 Some grew angry. They said to each other, "Why waste the perfume?

5 This perfume could have been sold for almost a year's pay and the money given to the poor." And they scolded her.

6 Jesus said, " Leave her alone. Why do you make trouble for her? She has done a good thing for me.

7 You always have the poor with you; and whenever you want, you can do something good for them. But you won't always have me.

8 She has done what she could. She has anointed my body ahead of time for burial.

9 I tell you the truth that, wherever in the whole world the good news is announced, what she's done will also be told in memory of her."

Passover meal

10 Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to give Jesus up to them.

11 When they heard it, they were delighted and promised to give him money. So he started looking for an opportunity to turn him in.

12 On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover lamb was sacrificed, the disciples said to Jesus, "Where do you want us to prepare for you to eat the Passover meal?"

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

14 Wherever he enters, say to the owner of the house, ‘The teacher asks, Where is my guest room where I can eat the Passover meal with my disciples? '

15 He will show you a large room upstairs already furnished. Prepare for us there."

16 The disciples left, came into the city, found everything just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover meal.

17 That evening, Jesus arrived with the Twelve.

18 During the meal, Jesus said, " I assure you that one of you will betray me—someone eating with me."

19 Deeply saddened, they asked him, one by one, "It's not me, is it?"

20 Jesus answered, " It's one of the Twelve, one who is dipping bread with me into this bowl.

21 The Human One goes to his death just as it is written about him. But how terrible it is for that person who betrays the Human One! It would have been better for him if he had never been born."

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

23 He took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, and they all drank from it.

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

25 I assure you that I won't drink wine again until that day when I drink it in a new way in God's kingdom."

26 After singing songs of praise, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Predictions about disciples leaving Jesus

27 Jesus said to them, " You will all falter in your faithfulness to me. It is written, I will hit the shepherd, and the sheep will go off in all directions.

28 But after I'm raised up, I will go before you to Galilee."

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

30 But Jesus said to him, " I assure you that on this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times."

31 But Peter insisted, "If I must die alongside you, I won't deny you." And they all said the same thing.

Jesus in prayer

32 Jesus and his disciples came to a place called Gethsemane. Jesus said to them, " Sit here while I pray."

33 He took Peter, James, and John along with him. He began to feel despair and was anxious.

34 He said to them, " I'm very sad. It's as if I'm dying. Stay here and keep alert."

35 Then he went a short distance farther and fell to the ground. He prayed that, if possible, he might be spared the time of suffering.

36 He said, " Abba, Father, for you all things are possible. Take this cup of suffering away from me. However—not what I want but what you want."

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

38 Stay alert and pray so that you won't give in to temptation. The spirit is eager, but the flesh is weak."

39 Again, he left them and prayed, repeating the same words.

40 And, again, when he came back, he found them sleeping, for they couldn't keep their eyes open, and they didn't know how to respond to him.

41 He came a third time and said to them, " Will you sleep and rest all night? That's enough! The time has come for the Human One to be betrayed into the hands of sinners.

42 Get up! Let's go! Look, here comes my betrayer."

Arrest

43 Suddenly, while Jesus was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, came with a mob carrying swords and clubs. They had been sent by the chief priests, legal experts, and elders.

44 His betrayer had given them a sign: "Arrest the man I kiss, and take him away under guard."

45 As soon as he got there, Judas said to Jesus, "Rabbi!" Then he kissed him.

46 Then they came and grabbed Jesus and arrested him.

47 One of the bystanders drew a sword and struck the high priest's slave and cut off his ear.

48 Jesus responded, " Have you come with swords and clubs to arrest me, like an outlaw?

49 Day after day, I was with you, teaching in the temple, but you didn't arrest me. But let the scriptures be fulfilled."

50 And all his disciples left him and ran away.

51 One young man, a disciple, was wearing nothing but a linen cloth. They grabbed him,

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

A hearing before the Sanhedrin

53 They led Jesus away to the high priest, and all the chief priests, elders, and legal experts gathered.

54 Peter followed him from a distance, right into the high priest's courtyard. He was sitting with the guards, warming himself by the fire.

55 The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for testimony against Jesus in order to put him to death, but they couldn't find any.

56 Many brought false testimony against him, but they contradicted each other.

57 Some stood to offer false witness against him, saying,

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

59 But their testimonies didn't agree even on this point.

60 Then the high priest stood up in the middle of the gathering and examined Jesus. "Aren't you going to respond to the testimony these people have brought against you?"

61 But Jesus was silent and didn't answer. Again, the high priest asked, "Are you the Christ, the Son of the blessed one?"

62 Jesus said, " I am. And you will see the Human One sitting on the right side of the Almighty and coming on the heavenly clouds."

63 Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, "Why do we need any more witnesses?

64 You've heard his insult against God. What do you think?" They all condemned him. "He deserves to die!"

65 Some began to spit on him. Some covered his face and hit him, saying, "Prophesy!" Then the guards took him and beat him.

Peter denies Jesus

66 Meanwhile, Peter was below in the courtyard. A woman, one of the high priest's servants, approached

67 and saw Peter warming himself by the fire. She stared at him and said, "You were also with the Nazarene, Jesus."

68 But he denied it, saying, "I don't know what you're talking about. I don't understand what you're saying." And he went outside into the outer courtyard. A rooster crowed.

69 The female servant saw him and began a second time to say to those standing around, "This man is one of them."

70 But he denied it again. A short time later, those standing around again said to Peter, "You must be one of them, because you are also a Galilean."

71 But he cursed and swore, "I don't know this man you're talking about."

72 At that very moment, a rooster crowed a second time. Peter remembered what Jesus told him, " Before a rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times." And he broke down, sobbing.

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Images for Mark 14

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.