Mark14
King James Version · Public Domain
1After two days was the feast of the passover, and of unleavened bread: and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take him by craft, and put him to death.
2But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar of the people.
3And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head.
4And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made?
5For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her.
6And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me.
7For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always.
8She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying.
9Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.
10And Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went unto the chief priests, to betray him unto them.
11And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money. And he sought how he might conveniently betray him.
12And the first day of unleavened bread, when they killed the passover, his disciples said unto him, Where wilt thou that we go and prepare that thou mayest eat the passover?
13And he sendeth forth two of his disciples, and saith unto them, Go ye into the city, and there shall meet you a man bearing a pitcher of water: follow him.
14And wheresoever he shall go in, say ye to the goodman of the house, The Master saith, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples?
15And he will shew you a large upper room furnished and prepared: there make ready for us.
16And his disciples went forth, and came into the city, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover.
17And in the evening he cometh with the twelve.
18And as they sat and did eat, Jesus said, Verily I say unto you, One of you which eateth with me shall betray me.
19And they began to be sorrowful, and to say unto him one by one, Is it I? and another said, Is it I?
20And he answered and said unto them, It is one of the twelve, that dippeth with me in the dish.
21The Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written of him: but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! good were it for that man if he had never been born.
22And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body.
23And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them: and they all drank of it.
24And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.
25Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God.
26And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.
27And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered.
28But after that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee.
29But Peter said unto him, Although all shall be offended, yet will not I.
30And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice.
31But he spake the more vehemently, If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise. Likewise also said they all.
32And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray.
33And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy;
34And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch.
35And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him.
36And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.
37And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour?
38Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.
39And again he went away, and prayed, and spake the same words.
40And when he returned, he found them asleep again, (for their eyes were heavy,) neither wist they what to answer him.
41And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
42Rise up, let us go; lo, he that betrayeth me is at hand.
43And immediately, while he yet spake, cometh Judas, one of the twelve, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders.
44And he that betrayed him had given them a token, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he; take him, and lead him away safely.
45And as soon as he was come, he goeth straightway to him, and saith, Master, master; and kissed him.
46And they laid their hands on him, and took him.
47And one of them that stood by drew a sword, and smote a servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.
48And Jesus answered and said unto them, Are ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and with staves to take me?
49I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and ye took me not: but the scriptures must be fulfilled.
50And they all forsook him, and fled.
51And there followed him a certain young man, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body; and the young men laid hold on him:
52And he left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked.
53And they led Jesus away to the high priest: and with him were assembled all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes.
54And Peter followed him afar off, even into the palace of the high priest: and he sat with the servants, and warmed himself at the fire.
55And the chief priests and all the council sought for witness against Jesus to put him to death; and found none.
56For many bare false witness against him, but their witness agreed not together.
57And there arose certain, and bare false witness against him, saying,
58We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands.
59But neither so did their witness agree together.
60And the high priest stood up in the midst, and asked Jesus, saying, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee?
61But he held his peace, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, and said unto him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?
62And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.
63Then the high priest rent his clothes, and saith, What need we any further witnesses?
64Ye have heard the blasphemy: what think ye? And they all condemned him to be guilty of death.
65And some began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and to buffet him, and to say unto him, Prophesy: and the servants did strike him with the palms of their hands.
66And as Peter was beneath in the palace, there cometh one of the maids of the high priest:
67And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked upon him, and said, And thou also wast with Jesus of Nazareth.
68But he denied, saying, I know not, neither understand I what thou sayest. And he went out into the porch; and the cock crew.
69And a maid saw him again, and began to say to them that stood by, This is one of them.
70And he denied it again. And a little after, they that stood by said again to Peter, Surely thou art one of them: for thou art a Galilaean, and thy speech agreeth thereto.
71But he began to curse and to swear, saying, I know not this man of whom ye speak.
72And the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him, Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Mark 14.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: 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).
vv1-11
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.
vv12-21
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.
vv22-31
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.
Key Words
ἦν (ēn): I (thou, etc.) was (wast or were)
δύο (dýo): "two"
ἡμέρα (hēméra): day, i.e. (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the Jews as inclusive of the parts of both extremes); figuratively, a period (always defined more or less clearly by the context)
πάσχα (páscha): the Passover (the meal, the day, the festival or the special sacrifices connected with it)
καί (kaí): and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἄζυμος (ázymos): unleavened, i.e. (figuratively) uncorrupted; (in the neutral plural) specially (by implication) the Passover week
ἀρχιερεύς (archiereús): the high-priest (literally, of the Jews, typically, Christ); by extension a chief priest
γραμματεύς (grammateús): scribe, town-clerk
ζητέω (zētéō): to seek (literally or figuratively); specially, (by Hebraism) to worship (God), or (in a bad sense) to plot (against life)
πῶς (pōs): an interrogative particle of manner; in what way? (sometimes the question is indirect, how?); also as exclamation, how much!
Cross References
Mark 14Prophetic prototype of the familiar friend eating bread who lifts up his heel against the Messiah.
Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin
Directly quoted by Jesus to predict the scattering of the disciples when the Shepherd is smitten.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Direct parallel in Matthew where Jesus says the hour has come and the Son of man is betrayed.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Jesus directly alludes to the Son of man coming with the clouds of heaven.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Jesus alludes to sitting at the right hand of power, referencing this Messianic psalm.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Parallel details identifying the woman as Mary of Bethany and the aromatic filling the house.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Direct parallel account of Judas negotiating the betrayal price with the chief priests.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB
The Old Testament institution of the Passover and unleavened bread, pointing to Christ's sacrifice.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Matthew's parallel institution of the Lord's Supper, sharing identical sacramental actions and formulas.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The blood of the old covenant sprinkled on the people, typifying Christ's blood of the new testament.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Matthew's parallel account of the agony in Gethsemane, detailing the same prayers and struggle.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin
Prophecy of smiting the shepherd and the sheep scattering, fulfilled as all disciples forsook Him and fled.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Parallel record of the disciples forsaking Jesus in fulfillment of the prophetic Scriptures.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Parallel stating the chief priests and council sought false witness to put Jesus to death.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
The actual statement of Jesus about destroying the temple of His body, which they twisted.
Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin
Fulfills the prophecy of the silent, suffering Servant who opens not his mouth.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Parallel account of the High Priest's adjuration and Jesus' silence.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Parallel account of Jesus' declaration of His deity and future coming.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Prophetic fulfillment of giving His back to smiters and not hiding His face from spitting.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Matthew's parallel showing Jesus explicitly foretelling His crucifixion two days before the Passover.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
The Old Testament law behind Jesus' statement that the poor will always be in the land.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Luke's parallel, noting Satan's entry into Judas before he approached the chief priests.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Prophetic pricing of the Good Shepherd, prefiguring the specific silver covenant made with Judas.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Parallel detail of Jesus being deeply troubled in spirit when declaring the betrayal.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin
Prophecy of the 'new covenant' fulfilled in the shedding of Christ's blood.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Luke's parallel account of going to the Mount of Olives as was His custom.
Supported by Matthew Poole
John's parallel recording the crossing of the brook Cedron to the garden of Gethsemane.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The Spirit of His Son in our hearts crying 'Abba, Father', echoing Jesus' personal Gethsemane cry.
Supported by JFB
Describes Christ offering up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears to God.
Supported by Matthew Henry
The parallel detailing the sign of the betrayal kiss given to the multitude by Judas.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Parallel describing the drawing of the sword and the striking of the high priest's servant.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Parallel account where Jesus questions being seized with swords and staves as against a thief.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Jesus confirms He spoke openly and daily taught in the temple and synagogues.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Luke's parallel recording the Son of man seated at the right hand of God.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Parallel custom of tearing clothes in response to perceived blasphemy or extreme distress.
Supported by Matthew Henry
The Mosaic law code mandating the death penalty for blaspheming the name of Jehovah.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole