Mark 14
Christian Standard Bible
The Plot to Kill Jesus
14 It(A) was two days before the Passover(B) and the Festival(C) of Unleavened Bread.(D) The chief priests and the scribes(E) were looking for a cunning(F) way to arrest Jesus and kill him.(G) 2 “Not during the festival,” they said, “so that there won’t be a riot among the people.”
The Anointing at Bethany
3 While(H) he was in Bethany(I) at the house of Simon the leper,[a](J) as he was reclining at the table,(K) a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured it on his head.(L) 4 But some were expressing indignation to one another: “Why has this perfume been wasted? 5 For this perfume might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii[b](M) and given to the poor.”(N) And they began to scold her.
6 Jesus replied, “Leave her alone. Why are you bothering her? She has done a noble thing(O) for me. 7 You always have the poor(P) with you, and you can do what is good for them whenever you want, but you do not always have me.(Q) 8 She has done what she could; she has anointed my body(R) in advance for burial.(S) 9 Truly I tell you,(T) wherever the gospel(U) is proclaimed in the whole world,(V) what she has done will also be told in memory of her.”
10 Then(W) Judas Iscariot,(X) one of the Twelve,(Y) went to the chief priests(Z) to betray Jesus(AA) to them. 11 And when they heard this, they were glad and promised to give him money.(AB) So he started looking for a good opportunity to betray(AC) him.
Preparation for Passover
12 On(AD) the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrifice the Passover lamb,(AE) his disciples(AF) asked him, “Where do you want us to go and prepare the Passover so that you may eat it?”
13 So he sent two of his disciples and told them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him. 14 Wherever he enters, tell the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher(AG) says, “Where is my guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?”’ 15 He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make the preparations for us there.” 16 So the disciples(AH) went out, entered the city, and found it just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover.
Betrayal at the Passover
17 When(AI) evening came, he arrived with the Twelve.(AJ) 18 While they were reclining and eating, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me—one who is eating with me.”
19 They began to be distressed and to say to him one by one, “Surely not I?”
20 He said to them, “It is one of the Twelve—the one who is dipping bread in the bowl with me. 21 For the Son of Man(AK) will go just as it is written(AL) about him,(AM) but woe(AN) to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for him if he had not been born.”
The First Lord’s Supper
22 As(AO) they were eating, he took bread,(AP) blessed and broke(AQ) it, gave it to them,(AR) and said, “Take it; this is my body.”(AS) 23 Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks,(AT) he gave it to them, and they all drank from it. 24 He said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant,[c](AU) which is poured out(AV) for many.(AW) 25 Truly I tell you,(AX) I will no longer drink of the fruit of the vine(AY) until that day when I drink it new[d](AZ) in the kingdom of God.”(BA)
26 After singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.(BB)
Peter’s Denial Predicted
27 Then(BC) Jesus said to them, “All of you will fall away,[e] because it is written:(BD)
28 But after I have risen,(BG) I will go ahead of you to Galilee.”(BH)
29 Peter(BI) told him, “Even if everyone falls away, I will not.”
30 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus said to him, “today, this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.”(BJ)
31 But he kept insisting, “If I have to die with you, I will never deny you.” And they all said the same thing.
The Prayer in the Garden
32 Then(BK) they came to a place named Gethsemane, and he told his disciples,(BL) “Sit here while I pray.”(BM) 33 He took Peter,(BN) James,(BO) and John(BP) with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. 34 He said to them, “I am deeply grieved[g] to the point of death. Remain here and stay awake.”(BQ) 35 He went a little farther, fell to the ground, and prayed that if it were possible, the hour(BR) might pass from him. 36 And he said, “Abba,[h] Father!(BS) All things are possible(BT) for you. Take this cup(BU) away from me. Nevertheless, not what I will, but what you will.” 37 Then he came and found them sleeping. He said to Peter, “Simon,(BV) are you sleeping?(BW) Couldn’t you stay awake one hour? 38 Stay awake and pray(BX) so that you won’t enter into temptation.[i](BY) The spirit(BZ) is willing, but the flesh(CA) is weak.” 39 Once again he went away and prayed, saying the same thing. 40 And again he came and found them sleeping, because they could not keep their eyes open. They did not know what to say to him.(CB) 41 Then he came a third time and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The time has come. See, the Son of Man(CC) is betrayed into the hands of sinners.(CD) 42 Get up; (CE) let’s go. See, my betrayer is near.”
Judas’s Betrayal of Jesus
43 While(CF) he was still speaking, Judas,(CG) one of the Twelve,(CH) suddenly arrived. With him was a mob, with swords and clubs, from the chief priests, the scribes,(CI) and the elders.(CJ) 44 His betrayer had given them a signal. “The one I kiss,” he said, “he’s the one; arrest him and take him away under guard.” 45 So when he came, immediately he went up to Jesus and said, “Rabbi!” (CK) and kissed him. 46 They took hold of him and arrested him. 47 One of those who stood by drew his sword, struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his ear.
48 Jesus said to them, “Have you come out with swords and clubs, as if I were a criminal,[j] to capture me? 49 Every day I was among you, teaching in the temple,(CL) and you didn’t arrest me. But the Scriptures(CM) must be fulfilled.”(CN)
50 Then they all deserted him and ran away.(CO) 51 Now a certain young man, wearing nothing but a linen cloth, was following him. They caught hold of him, 52 but he left the linen cloth behind and ran away naked.(CP)
Jesus Faces the Sanhedrin
53 They(CQ) led Jesus away to the high priest,(CR) and all the chief priests, the elders, and the scribes(CS) assembled.(CT) 54 Peter(CU) followed him at a distance, right into the high priest’s courtyard. He was sitting with the servants,[k](CV) warming himself by the fire.
55 The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin(CW) were looking for testimony against Jesus to put him to death,(CX) but they could not find any. 56 For many were giving false testimony(CY) against him, and the testimonies did not agree. 57 Some stood up and gave false testimony against him, stating, 58 “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple made with human hands,(CZ) and in three days I will build another not made by hands.’” 59 Yet their testimony did not agree(DA) even on this.
60 Then the high priest stood up before them all and questioned Jesus, “Don’t you have an answer to what these men are testifying against you?” 61 But he kept silent and did not answer.(DB) Again the high priest questioned him, “Are you the Messiah,(DC) the Son(DD) of the Blessed(DE) One?”
62 “I am,”(DF) said Jesus, “and you will see the Son of Man(DG) seated at the right hand(DH) of Power and coming with the clouds(DI) of heaven.”[l](DJ)
63 Then the high priest(DK) tore his robes(DL) and said, “Why do we still need witnesses?(DM) 64 You have heard the blasphemy.(DN) What is your decision?” They all condemned him as deserving death.(DO)
65 Then some began to spit on him, to blindfold him, and to beat him, saying, “Prophesy!” (DP) The temple servants(DQ) also took him and slapped him.
Peter Denies His Lord
66 While(DR) Peter(DS) was in the courtyard below, one of the high priest’s maidservants came. 67 When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked at him and said, “You also were with Jesus, the man from Nazareth.”(DT)
68 But he denied it: “I don’t know or understand what you’re talking about.” Then he went out to the entryway,[m] and a rooster crowed.[n]
69 When the maidservant saw him again, she began to tell those standing nearby, “This man is one of them.”
70 But again he denied it. After a little while those standing there said to Peter again, “You certainly are one of them, since you’re also a Galilean.”[o](DU)
71 Then he started to curse and swear,(DV) “I don’t know this man you’re talking about!”
72 Immediately a rooster crowed a second time,(DW) and Peter remembered when Jesus had spoken the word to him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” And he broke down and wept.
Footnotes
- 14:3 Gk lepros; a term for various skin diseases; see Lv 13–14
- 14:5 A denarius = one day’s wage
- 14:24 Other mss read the new covenant
- 14:25 Or drink new wine; lit drink it new
- 14:27 Other mss add because of me this night
- 14:27 Zch 13:7
- 14:34 Or “My soul is swallowed up in sorrow
- 14:36 Aramaic for father
- 14:38 Or won’t be put to the test
- 14:48 Or insurrectionist
- 14:54 Or temple police, or officers, also in v. 65
- 14:62 Ps 110:1; Dn 7:13
- 14:68 Or forecourt
- 14:68 Other mss omit and a rooster crowed
- 14:70 Other mss add and your speech shows it
Mark 14
Common English Bible
Preparation for burial
14 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[a] 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[b] goes to his death just as it is written about him. But how terrible it is for that person who betrays the Human One![c] 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.[d] 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[e] 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[f] sitting on the right side of the Almighty[g] 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.
Footnotes
- Mark 14:5 Or three hundred denaria; a denarion was equivalent to a day’s pay.
- Mark 14:21 Or Son of Man
- Mark 14:21 Or Son of Man
- Mark 14:27 Zech 13:7
- Mark 14:41 Or Son of Man
- Mark 14:62 Or Son of Man
- Mark 14:62 Or the Power
The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible®, and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers, all rights reserved.
Copyright © 2011 by Common English Bible