Mark 14
King James Version
14 After 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.
2 But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar of the people.
3 And 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.
4 And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made?
5 For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her.
6 And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me.
7 For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always.
8 She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying.
9 Verily 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.
10 And Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went unto the chief priests, to betray him unto them.
11 And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money. And he sought how he might conveniently betray him.
12 And 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?
13 And 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.
14 And 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?
15 And he will shew you a large upper room furnished and prepared: there make ready for us.
16 And his disciples went forth, and came into the city, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover.
17 And in the evening he cometh with the twelve.
18 And as they sat and did eat, Jesus said, Verily I say unto you, One of you which eateth with me shall betray me.
19 And they began to be sorrowful, and to say unto him one by one, Is it I? and another said, Is it I?
20 And he answered and said unto them, It is one of the twelve, that dippeth with me in the dish.
21 The 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.
22 And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body.
23 And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them: and they all drank of it.
24 And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.
25 Verily 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.
26 And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.
27 And 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.
28 But after that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee.
29 But Peter said unto him, Although all shall be offended, yet will not I.
30 And 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.
31 But he spake the more vehemently, If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise. Likewise also said they all.
32 And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray.
33 And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy;
34 And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch.
35 And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him.
36 And 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.
37 And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour?
38 Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.
39 And again he went away, and prayed, and spake the same words.
40 And when he returned, he found them asleep again, (for their eyes were heavy,) neither wist they what to answer him.
41 And 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.
42 Rise up, let us go; lo, he that betrayeth me is at hand.
43 And 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.
44 And 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.
45 And as soon as he was come, he goeth straightway to him, and saith, Master, master; and kissed him.
46 And they laid their hands on him, and took him.
47 And one of them that stood by drew a sword, and smote a servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.
48 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Are ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and with staves to take me?
49 I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and ye took me not: but the scriptures must be fulfilled.
50 And they all forsook him, and fled.
51 And there followed him a certain young man, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body; and the young men laid hold on him:
52 And he left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked.
53 And they led Jesus away to the high priest: and with him were assembled all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes.
54 And 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.
55 And the chief priests and all the council sought for witness against Jesus to put him to death; and found none.
56 For many bare false witness against him, but their witness agreed not together.
57 And there arose certain, and bare false witness against him, saying,
58 We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands.
59 But neither so did their witness agree together.
60 And the high priest stood up in the midst, and asked Jesus, saying, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee?
61 But 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?
62 And 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.
63 Then the high priest rent his clothes, and saith, What need we any further witnesses?
64 Ye have heard the blasphemy: what think ye? And they all condemned him to be guilty of death.
65 And 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.
66 And as Peter was beneath in the palace, there cometh one of the maids of the high priest:
67 And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked upon him, and said, And thou also wast with Jesus of Nazareth.
68 But he denied, saying, I know not, neither understand I what thou sayest. And he went out into the porch; and the cock crew.
69 And a maid saw him again, and began to say to them that stood by, This is one of them.
70 And 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.
71 But he began to curse and to swear, saying, I know not this man of whom ye speak.
72 And 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.
Mark 14
Holman Christian Standard Bible
The Plot to Kill Jesus
14 After(A) two days it was the Passover(B) and the Festival(C) of Unleavened Bread.(D) The chief priests and the scribes(E) were looking for a treacherous(F) way to arrest and kill Him.(G) 2 “Not during the festival,” they said, “or there may be rioting among the people.”
The Anointing at Bethany
3 While(H) He was in Bethany(I) at the house of Simon who had a serious skin disease,(J) as He was reclining at the table,(K) a woman came with an alabaster jar of pure and expensive fragrant oil of nard. She broke the jar and poured it on His head.(L) 4 But some were expressing indignation to one another: “Why has this fragrant oil been wasted? 5 For this oil might have been sold for more than 300 denarii(M) and given to the poor.”(N) And they began to scold her.
6 Then Jesus said, “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 I assure you:(T) Wherever the gospel(U) is proclaimed in the whole world,(V) what this woman 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 hand Him over(AA) to them. 11 And when they heard this, they were glad and promised to give him silver.[a](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 You may eat it?”
13 So He sent two of His disciples and told them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a water jug will meet you. Follow him. 14 Wherever he enters, tell the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher(AG) says, “Where is the guest room for Me to 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, “I assure 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 with Me in the bowl. 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 that man 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;[b] this is My body.”(AS)
23 Then He took a cup, and after giving thanks,(AT) He gave it to them, and so they all drank from it. 24 He said to them, “This is My blood that establishes the covenant;[c](AU) it is shed(AV) for many.(AW) 25 I assure you:(AX) I will no longer drink of the fruit of the vine(AY) until that day when I drink it in a new(AZ) way[d] in the kingdom of God.”(BA) 26 After singing psalms,[e] they went out to the Mount of Olives.(BB)
Peter’s Denial Predicted
27 Then(BC) Jesus said to them, “All of you will run away,[f][g] because it is written:(BD)
28 But after I have been resurrected,(BG) I will go ahead of you to Galilee.”(BH)
29 Peter(BI) told Him, “Even if everyone runs away, I will certainly not!”
30 “I assure 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 horrified. 34 Then He said to them, “My soul is swallowed up in sorrow[i] —to the point of death. Remain here and stay awake.”(BQ) 35 Then He went a little farther, fell to the ground, and began to pray that if it were possible, the hour(BR) might pass from Him. 36 And He said, “Abba,(BS) Father!(BT) All things are possible(BU) for You. Take this cup(BV) away from Me. Nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will.”
37 Then He came and found them sleeping. “Simon,(BW) are you sleeping?” He asked Peter.(BX) “Couldn’t you stay awake one hour? 38 Stay awake and pray(BY) so that you won’t enter into temptation.(BZ) The spirit(CA) is willing, but the flesh(CB) is weak.”
39 Once again He went away and prayed, saying the same thing. 40 And He came again and found them sleeping, because they could not keep their eyes open.[j] They did not know what to say to Him.(CC) 41 Then He came a third time and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The time has come. Look, the Son of Man(CD) is being betrayed into the hands of sinners.(CE) 42 Get up;(CF) let’s go! See—My betrayer is near.”
The Judas Kiss
43 While(CG) He was still speaking, Judas,(CH) one of the Twelve,(CI) suddenly arrived. With him was a mob, with swords and clubs, from the chief priests, the scribes,(CJ) and the elders.(CK) 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, he went right up to Him and said, “Rabbi!”(CL)—and kissed Him. 46 Then they took hold of Him and arrested Him. 47 And one of those who stood by drew his sword, struck the high priest’s slave, and cut off his ear.
48 But Jesus said to them, “Have you come out with swords and clubs, as though I were a criminal,[k] to capture Me? 49 Every day I was among you, teaching in the temple complex,(CM) and you didn’t arrest Me. But the Scriptures(CN) must be fulfilled.”(CO) 50 Then they all deserted Him and ran away.(CP)
51 Now a certain young man,[l] having a linen cloth wrapped around his naked body, was following Him. They caught hold of him, 52 but he left the linen cloth behind and ran away naked.(CQ)
Jesus Faces the Sanhedrin
53 They(CR) led Jesus away to the high priest,(CS) and all the chief priests, the elders, and the scribes(CT) convened.(CU) 54 Peter(CV) followed Him at a distance, right into the high priest’s courtyard. He was sitting with the temple police,[m](CW) warming himself by the fire.[n]
55 The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin(CX) were looking for testimony against Jesus to put Him to death,(CY) but they could find none. 56 For many were giving false testimony(CZ) against Him, but the testimonies did not agree. 57 Some stood up and were giving false testimony against Him, stating, 58 “We heard Him say, ‘I will demolish this sanctuary made by human hands,(DA) and in three days I will build another not made by hands.’” 59 Yet their testimony did not agree(DB) 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 anything.(DC) Again the high priest questioned Him, “Are You the Messiah,(DD) the Son(DE) of the Blessed(DF) One?”
62 “I am,”(DG) said Jesus, “and all of you[o] will see the Son of Man(DH) seated at the right hand(DI) of the Power and coming with the clouds(DJ) of heaven.”(DK)[p]
63 Then the high priest(DL) tore his robes(DM) and said, “Why do we still need witnesses?(DN) 64 You have heard the blasphemy!(DO) What is your decision?”[q]
And they all condemned Him to be deserving of death.(DP) 65 Then some began to spit on Him, to blindfold Him, and to beat Him, saying, “Prophesy!”(DQ) The temple police(DR) also took Him and slapped Him.
Peter Denies His Lord
66 While(DS) Peter(DT) was in the courtyard below, one of the high priest’s servants came. 67 When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked at him and said, “You also were with that Nazarene,(DU) Jesus.”
68 But he denied it: “I don’t know or understand what you’re talking about!” Then he went out to the entryway, and a rooster crowed.[r]
69 When the servant 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!”[s](DV)
71 Then he started to curse[t] and to swear with an oath,(DW) “I don’t know this man you’re talking about!”
72 Immediately a rooster crowed a second time,(DX) and Peter remembered when Jesus had spoken the word to him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times.” When he thought about it, he began to weep.[u]
Footnotes
- Mark 14:11 Or money; in Mt 26:15 it is specified as 30 pieces of silver; see Zch 11:12-13
- Mark 14:22 Other mss add eat;
- Mark 14:24 Other mss read the new covenant
- Mark 14:25 Or drink new wine; lit drink it new
- Mark 14:26 Pss 113–118 were sung during and after the Passover meal.
- Mark 14:27 Other mss add because of Me this night
- Mark 14:27 Or stumble
- Mark 14:27 Zch 13:7
- Mark 14:34 Or I am deeply grieved
- Mark 14:40 Lit because their eyes were weighed down
- Mark 14:48 Lit as against a criminal
- Mark 14:51 Perhaps John Mark who later wrote this Gospel
- Mark 14:54 Or the officers; lit the servants
- Mark 14:54 Lit light
- Mark 14:62 Lit and you
- Mark 14:62 Ps 110:1; Dn 7:13
- Mark 14:64 Lit How does it appear to you?
- Mark 14:68 Other mss omit and a rooster crowed
- Mark 14:70 Other mss add and your speech shows it
- Mark 14:71 To call down curses on himself if what he said weren’t true
- Mark 14:72 Or he burst into tears, or he broke down
Mark 14
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
Chapter 14
The Conspiracy Against Jesus. 1 [a]The Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread[b] were to take place in two days’ time.(A) So the chief priests and the scribes were seeking a way to arrest him by treachery and put him to death. 2 They said, “Not during the festival, for fear that there may be a riot among the people.”
The Anointing at Bethany.[c] 3 When he was in Bethany reclining at table in the house of Simon the leper,(B) a woman came with an alabaster jar of perfumed oil, costly genuine spikenard. She broke the alabaster jar and poured it on his head. 4 There were some who were indignant. “Why has there been this waste of perfumed oil? 5 It could have been sold for more than three hundred days’ wages and the money given to the poor.” They were infuriated with her. 6 Jesus said, “Let her alone. Why do you make trouble for her? She has done a good thing for me. 7 The poor you will always have with you, and whenever you wish you can do good to them, but you will not always have me. 8 She has done what she could. She has anticipated anointing my body for burial. 9 Amen, I say to you, wherever the gospel is proclaimed to the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her.”
The Betrayal by Judas. 10 (C)Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went off to the chief priests to hand him over to them. 11 When they heard him they were pleased and promised to pay him money. Then he looked for an opportunity to hand him over.
Preparations for the Passover. 12 (D)On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrificed the Passover lamb,[d] his disciples said to him, “Where do you want us to go and prepare for you to eat the Passover?” 13 He sent two of his disciples and said to them, “Go into the city and a man will meet you, carrying a jar of water.[e] Follow him. 14 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 Then he will show you a large upper room furnished and ready. Make the preparations for us there.” 16 The disciples then went off, entered the city, and found it just as he had told them; and they prepared the Passover.
The Betrayer. 17 (E)When it was evening, he came with the Twelve. 18 [f]And as they reclined at table and were eating, Jesus said, “Amen, I say to 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 it is not I?” 20 He said to them, “One of the Twelve, the one who dips with me into the dish. 21 For the Son of Man indeed goes, as it is written of him,[g] but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed. It would be better for that man if he had never been born.”
The Lord’s Supper. 22 [h]While they were eating,(F) he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them, and said, “Take it; this is my body.” 23 Then 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 will be shed[i] for many. 25 Amen, I say to you, I shall not drink again the fruit of the vine until the day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.” 26 Then, after singing a hymn,[j] they went out to the Mount of Olives.(G)
Peter’s Denial Foretold.[k] 27 Then Jesus said to them, “All of you will have your faith shaken, for it is written:
‘I will strike the shepherd,
and the sheep will be dispersed.’(H)
28 But after I have been raised up, I shall go before you to Galilee.” 29 Peter said to him, “Even though all should have their faith shaken, mine will not be.” 30 Then Jesus said to him, “Amen, I say to you, this very night before the cock crows twice you will deny me three times.” 31 But he vehemently replied, “Even though I should have to die with you, I will not deny you.” And they all spoke similarly.
The Agony in the Garden. 32 [l]Then they came to a place named Gethsemane,(I) and he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.”(J) 33 He took with him Peter, James, and John, and began to be troubled and distressed. 34 Then he said to them, “My soul is sorrowful even to death. Remain here and keep watch.” 35 He advanced a little and fell to the ground and prayed that if it were possible the hour might pass by him; 36 he said, “Abba, Father,[m] all things are possible to you. Take this cup away from me, but not what I will but what you will.” 37 When he returned he found them asleep. He said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour? 38 [n]Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test.(K) The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.” 39 Withdrawing again, he prayed, saying the same thing. 40 Then he returned once more and found them asleep, for they could not keep their eyes open and did not know what to answer him. 41 He returned a third time and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? It is enough. The hour has come. Behold, the Son of Man is to be handed over to sinners. 42 Get up, let us go. See, my betrayer is at hand.”
The Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus. 43 (L)Then, while he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived, accompanied by a crowd with swords and clubs who had come from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders. 44 His betrayer had arranged a signal with them, saying, “The man I shall kiss is the one; arrest him and lead him away securely.” 45 He came and immediately went over to him and said, “Rabbi.” And he kissed him. 46 At this they laid hands on him and arrested him. 47 One of the bystanders drew his sword, struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his ear. 48 Jesus said to them in reply, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs, to seize me? 49 Day after day I was with you teaching in the temple area, yet you did not arrest me; but that the scriptures may be fulfilled.” 50 And they all left him and fled. 51 Now a young man followed him wearing nothing but a linen cloth about his body. They seized him, 52 but he left the cloth behind and ran off naked.
Jesus Before the Sanhedrin. 53 [o](M)They led Jesus away to the high priest, and all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes came together. 54 Peter followed him at a distance into the high priest’s courtyard and was seated with the guards, warming himself at the fire. 55 The chief priests and the entire Sanhedrin kept trying to obtain testimony against Jesus in order to put him to death, but they found none. 56 Many gave false witness against him, but their testimony did not agree. 57 [p]Some took the stand and testified falsely against him, alleging, 58 “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple made with hands and within three days I will build another not made with hands.’”(N) 59 Even so their testimony did not agree. 60 The high priest rose before the assembly and questioned Jesus, saying, “Have you no answer? What are these men testifying against you?” 61 [q]But he was silent and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him and said to him, “Are you the Messiah, the son of the Blessed One?” 62 Then Jesus answered, “I am;
and ‘you will see the Son of Man
seated at the right hand of the Power
and coming with the clouds of heaven.’”(O)
63 At that the high priest tore his garments and said, “What further need have we of witnesses? 64 You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?” They all condemned him as deserving to die. 65 Some began to spit on him. They blindfolded him and struck him and said to him, “Prophesy!” And the guards greeted him with blows.(P)
Peter’s Denial of Jesus. 66 (Q)While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the high priest’s maids came along. 67 Seeing Peter warming himself, she looked intently at him and said, “You too were with the Nazarene, Jesus.” 68 [r]But he denied it saying, “I neither know nor understand what you are talking about.” So he went out into the outer court. [Then the cock crowed.] 69 The maid saw him and began again to say to the bystanders, “This man is one of them.” 70 Once again he denied it. A little later the bystanders said to Peter once more, “Surely you are one of them; for you too are a Galilean.” 71 He began to curse and to swear, “I do not know this man about whom you are talking.” 72 And immediately a cock crowed a second time. Then Peter remembered the word that Jesus had said to him, “Before the cock crows twice you will deny me three times.” He broke down and wept.(R)
Footnotes
- 14:1–16:8 In the movement of Mark’s gospel the cross is depicted as Jesus’ way to glory in accordance with the divine will. Thus the passion narrative is seen as the climax of Jesus’ ministry.
- 14:1 The Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread: the connection between the two festivals is reflected in Ex 12:3–20; 34:18; Lv 23:4–8; Nm 9:2–14; 28:16–17; Dt 16:1–8. The Passover commemorated the redemption from slavery and the departure of the Israelites from Egypt by night. It began at sundown after the Passover lamb was sacrificed in the temple in the afternoon of the fourteenth day of the month of Nisan. With the Passover supper on the same evening was associated the eating of unleavened bread. The latter was continued through Nisan 21, a reminder of the affliction of the Israelites and of the haste surrounding their departure. Praise and thanks to God for his goodness in the past were combined at this dual festival with the hope of future salvation. The chief priests…to death: the intent to put Jesus to death was plotted for a long time but delayed for fear of the crowd (Mk 3:6; 11:18; 12:12).
- 14:3 At Bethany on the Mount of Olives, a few miles from Jerusalem, in the house of Simon the leper, Jesus defends a woman’s loving action of anointing his head with perfumed oil in view of his impending death and burial as a criminal, in which case his body would not be anointed. See further the note on Jn 12:7. He assures the woman of the remembrance of her deed in the worldwide preaching of the good news.
- 14:12 The first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread…the Passover lamb: a less precise designation of the day for sacrificing the Passover lamb as evidenced by some rabbinical literature. For a more exact designation, see note on Mk 14:1. It was actually Nisan 14.
- 14:13 A man…carrying a jar of water: perhaps a prearranged signal, for only women ordinarily carried water in jars. The Greek word used here, however, implies simply a person and not necessarily a male.
- 14:18 One of you will betray me, one who is eating with me: contrasts the intimacy of table fellowship at the Passover meal with the treachery of the traitor; cf. Ps 41:10.
- 14:21 The Son of Man indeed goes, as it is written of him: a reference to Ps 41:10 cited by Jesus concerning Judas at the Last Supper; cf. Jn 13:18–19.
- 14:22–24 The actions and words of Jesus express within the framework of the Passover meal and the transition to a new covenant the sacrifice of himself through the offering of his body and blood in anticipation of his passion and death. His blood of the covenant both alludes to the ancient rite of Ex 24:4–8 and indicates the new community that the sacrifice of Jesus will bring into being (Mt 26:26–28; Lk 22:19–20; 1 Cor 11:23–25).
- 14:24 Which will be shed: see note on Mt 26:27–28. For many: the Greek preposition hyper is a different one from that at Mt 26:28 but the same as that found at Lk 22:19, 20 and 1 Cor 11:24. The sense of both words is vicarious, and it is difficult in Hellenistic Greek to distinguish between them. For many in the sense of “all,” see note on Mt 20:28.
- 14:26 After singing a hymn: Ps 114–118, thanksgiving songs concluding the Passover meal.
- 14:27–31 Jesus predicted that the Twelve would waver in their faith, even abandon him, despite their protestations to the contrary. Yet he reassured them that after his resurrection he would regather them in Galilee (Mk 16:7; cf. Mt 26:32; 28:7, 10, 16; Jn 21), where he first summoned them to be his followers as he began to preach the good news (Mk 1:14–20).
- 14:32–34 The disciples who had witnessed the raising to life of the daughter of Jairus (Mk 5:37) and the transfiguration of their Master (Mk 9:2) were now invited to witness his degradation and agony and to watch and pray with him.
- 14:36 Abba, Father: an Aramaic term, here also translated by Mark, Jesus’ special way of addressing God with filial intimacy. The word ’abbā’ seems not to have been used in earlier or contemporaneous Jewish sources to address God without some qualifier. Cf. Rom 8:15; Gal 4:6 for other occurrences of the Aramaic word in the Greek New Testament. Not what I will but what you will: note the complete obedient surrender of the human will of Jesus to the divine will of the Father; cf. Jn 4:34; 8:29; Rom 5:19; Phil 2:8; Hb 5:8.
- 14:38 The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak: the spirit is drawn to what is good yet found in conflict with the flesh, inclined to sin; cf. Ps 51:7, 12. Everyone is faced with this struggle, the full force of which Jesus accepted on our behalf and, through his bitter passion and death, achieved the victory.
- 14:53 They led Jesus away…came together: Mark presents a formal assembly of the whole Sanhedrin (chief priests, elders, and scribes) at night, leading to the condemnation of Jesus (Mk 14:64), in contrast to Lk 22:66, 71 where Jesus is condemned in a daytime meeting of the council; see also Jn 18:13, 19–24.
- 14:57–58 See notes on Mt 26:60–61 and Jn 2:19.
- 14:61–62 The Blessed One: a surrogate for the divine name, which Jews did not pronounce. I am: indicates Jesus’ acknowledgment that he is the Messiah and Son of God; cf. Mk 1:1. Contrast Mt 26:64 and Lk 22:67–70, in which Jesus leaves his interrogators to answer their own question. You will see the Son of Man…with the clouds of heaven: an allusion to Dn 7:13 and Ps 110:1 portending the enthronement of Jesus as judge in the transcendent glory of God’s kingdom. The Power: another surrogate for the name of God.
- 14:68 [Then the cock crowed]: found in most manuscripts, perhaps in view of Mk 14:30, 72 but omitted in others.
Mark 14
Disciples’ Literal New Testament
The Priests Plot To Seize And Kill Jesus
14 Now the Passover [Feast] and the Feast of Unleavened-Bread was after two days. And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how, having seized Him by deceit[a], they might kill Him. 2 For they were saying, “Not during the Feast, so that there will not perhaps be an uproar of the people”.
Jesus Is Anointed With Oil In Preparation For His Burial
3 And He being in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, while He is reclining [to eat], a woman came having an alabaster-jar of very-precious genuine[b] nard[c] perfume[d]. Having broken the alabaster-jar, she poured it down over His head. 4 But some were being indignant to themselves— “For what purpose has this waste of perfume taken place? 5 For this perfume could have been sold for over three-hundred[e] denarii and given to the poor”. And they were sternly-scolding her. 6 But Jesus said, “Leave her alone. Why are you causing troubles for her? She worked a good work[f] in[g] Me. 7 For you always have the poor with you. And whenever you want, you are able to do good for them. But you do not always have Me. 8 She did what she had[h]. She anticipated to perfume My body for its preparation-for-burial. 9 And truly I say to you, wherever the good-news is proclaimed in the whole world, what this one did will also be spoken for a memorial of her”.
Judas Betrays Jesus To The Priests
10 And Judas Iscariot, the one from the twelve, went to the chief priests in order that he might hand Him over to them. 11 And the ones, having heard, rejoiced and promised to give him money. And he was seeking how he might conveniently[i] hand Him over.
Jesus Celebrates Passover With The Twelve
12 And on the first day of the Feast of Unleavened-Bread, when they were[j] sacrificing the Passover [lamb], His disciples say to Him, “Where do You want us, having gone, to prepare in order that You may eat the Passover [meal]?” 13 And He sends-forth two of His disciples. And He says to them, “Go into the city, and a man will meet you carrying a jar[k] of water. Follow him. 14 And wherever he enters, say to the house-master that ‘The Teacher says, “Where is My guest-room where I may eat the Passover [meal] with My disciples?”’ 15 And he will show you a large upstairs room having been spread [with furnishings], prepared. And prepare for us there”. 16 And the disciples went forth and came to the city, and found it just as He told them. And they prepared the Passover [meal]. 17 And having become evening, He comes with the twelve.
Judas Is Exposed
18 And while they were reclining-back and eating, Jesus said, “Truly I say to you that one of you will hand Me over— the one eating[l] with Me!” 19 They began to be grieved, and to say to Him one by one, “It is not I, is it ?” 20 And the One said to them, “It is one of the twelve, the one dipping with Me into the bowl. 21 Because the Son of Man is going just as it has been written about Him— but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is being handed-over! It would have been better for him if that man had not been born”.
The Bread And The Wine Are Given a New Meaning
22 And while they were eating, having taken bread, having blessed it [m], He broke it and gave it to them and said, “Take it. This is My body”. 23 And having taken a cup, having given-thanks, He gave it to them. And they all drank from it. 24 And He said to them, “This is My blood of [n] the covenant— the blood being poured-out for many. 25 Truly I say to you that I will no longer by any means drink of the fruit of the grapevine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God”.
You Will All Be Scattered In Fulfillment of Zechariah. Peter’s Denial Is Predicted
26 And having sung-a-hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. 27 And Jesus says to them that “You will all be caused-to-fall, because it has been written [in Zech 13:7]: ‘I will strike the Shepherd and the sheep will be scattered’. 28 But after I am raised, I will go ahead of you to Galilee”. 29 But Peter said to Him, “Even[o] though all will be caused to fall, nevertheless, I will not”. 30 And Jesus says to him, “Truly I say to you, that you, today, on this night, before a rooster crows twice— you will deny Me three-times”. 31 But the one was saying emphatically[p], “If I have-to die-with You, I will never deny You”. And they all were also speaking similarly.
Jesus Waits And Prays In The Garden of Gethsemane
32 And they come to a place of which the name is Gethsemane. And He says to His disciples, “Sit here while[q] I pray”. 33 And He takes along Peter and James and John with Him. And He began to be alarmed[r] and distressed. 34 And He says to them, “My soul is deeply-grieved, to the point of death. Stay here and keep-watching”. 35 And having gone ahead a little, He was falling on the ground, and praying that if it is possible, the hour might pass from Him. 36 And He was saying, “Abba[s]! Father! All things are possible for You. Remove this cup from Me. But not what I want[t], but what You want ”. 37 And He comes and finds them sleeping. And He says to Peter, “Simon, are you sleeping? Were you[u] not strong-enough[v] to keep watch for one hour? 38 Keep watching, and be praying that[w] you may not come into temptation[x]. The spirit is willing[y], but the flesh is weak”. 39 And having gone away again, He prayed, having spoken the same thing[z]. 40 And again having come, He found them sleeping. For their eyes were being very-weighed-down. And they did not know what they should answer Him. 41 And He comes the third-time, and says to them, “Are you sleeping[aa] and resting from now on? It is enough. The hour came. Behold— the Son of Man is being handed-over into the hands of the sinners. 42 Arise, let us be going. Behold— the one handing Me over has drawn-near”.
Jesus Is Betrayed With a Kiss And Arrested
43 And immediately, while He is still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrives. And with him is a crowd from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders with swords and clubs. 44 Now the one handing Him over had given a signal to them, saying, “Whomever I kiss is He. Seize Him, and lead Him away securely[ab]”. 45 And having come, having immediately gone to Him, he says “Rabbi”. And he kissed Him. 46 And the ones put their hands on Him and seized Him. 47 And a certain one of the ones standing near, having drawn his sword, hit the slave of the high priest and took-off his ear. 48 And having responded, Jesus said to them, “Did you come out to arrest Me with swords and clubs as-if against a robber? 49 Daily I was with you in the temple teaching, and you did not seize Me. But this is in order that the Scriptures might be fulfilled”. 50 And having left[ac] Him, they all fled. 51 And a certain young-man[ad] was following Him, having put-on a linen-cloth over his naked body. And they seize him. 52 But the one, having left-behind the linen-cloth, fled naked.
Jesus Is Led Before The High Priest And The Sanhedrin. Peter Follows
53 And they led Jesus away to the high priest. And all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes come together. 54 And Peter followed Him at a distance, as far as inside in the courtyard of the high priest. And he was sitting-together with the officers[ae], and warming himself toward the light [of the fire].
Jesus Says, I Am The Son of God. They Condemn Him To Death
55 Now the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were seeking testimony against Jesus, so that they might put Him to death. And they were not finding it. 56 For many were giving-false-testimony against Him. And the testimonies were not identical. 57 And some, having stood up, were giving false testimony against Him, saying 58 that “We heard Him saying that ‘I will tear down this temple made-by-human-hands, and in three days I will build another not-made-by-human-hands’”. 59 And not even thus[af] was their testimony identical. 60 And the high priest, having stood up into the middle, questioned Jesus, saying “Are You not answering anything? What[ag] is it these ones are testifying against You?” 61 But the One was being silent. And He did not answer anything. Again the high priest was questioning Him. And he says to Him, “Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?” 62 And Jesus said, “I am[ah]. And you will see the Son of Man sitting on the right side of the Power[ai], and coming with the clouds of heaven”. 63 And the high priest, having torn his clothes, says “What further need do we have of witnesses? 64 You heard the blasphemy. What appears right to you?” And the ones all condemned Him to be subject-to[aj] death. 65 And some began to spit-on Him, and to cover His face and beat Him and say to Him, “Prophesy!” And the officers received Him with slaps.
Peter Denies Jesus Three Times
66 And Peter being below in the courtyard, one of the servant-girls of the high priest comes. 67 And having seen Peter warming himself, having looked at him, she says “You also were with the One from-Nazareth, Jesus”. 68 But the one denied it, saying “I neither know nor understand what you are saying”. And he went outside to the entryway[ak]. And a rooster crowed. 69 And the[al] servant-girl having seen him began again[am] to say to the ones standing near that “This one is one of them”. 70 But the one was again denying it. And after a little while, again the ones standing near were saying to Peter, “Truly you are one of them, for you also are a Galilean”. 71 But the one began to curse[an], and to swear-with-an-oath[ao] that “I do not know this man Whom you are saying”. 72 And immediately a rooster crowed for a second-time. And Peter remembered the word, how Jesus said to him that “Before a rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three-times”. And having put his mind upon[ap] it, he was weeping.
Footnotes
- Mark 14:1 Or, treachery, cunning.
- Mark 14:3 Or, pure.
- Mark 14:3 Or, spikenard.
- Mark 14:3 Or, fragrant oil.
- Mark 14:5 That is, nearly a year’s wages for a laborer. Some think this was a family heirloom.
- Mark 14:6 Or, did a good deed.
- Mark 14:6 That is, in connection with Me; or, in My case.
- Mark 14:8 That is, she took action with what was available to her.
- Mark 14:11 Or, opportunely.
- Mark 14:12 That is, were actually sacrificing (placing this after 3 p.m.); or, were customarily sacrificing (placing this any time on that day).
- Mark 14:13 These were normally carried by women, so this is unusual.
- Mark 14:18 That is, one of the very ones eating with Me!
- Mark 14:22 Or, blessed God.
- Mark 14:24 That is, inaugurating the new covenant.
- Mark 14:29 That is, assuming that even all.
- Mark 14:31 Or, insistently.
- Mark 14:32 Or, until.
- Mark 14:33 Or, anxious, troubled.
- Mark 14:36 This is a transliterated Aramaic word whose meaning Mark gives next.
- Mark 14:36 Or, wish, will.
- Mark 14:37 This word is singular.
- Mark 14:37 Or, able.
- Mark 14:38 Keep watching, and be praying that. Or, Keep watching and praying, in order that.
- Mark 14:38 That is, the temptation to deny Jesus as He predicted; or, to sleep.
- Mark 14:38 See Mt 26:41.
- Mark 14:39 Or, statement, word of prayer. That is, the same request.
- Mark 14:41 On this response, see Mt 26:45.
- Mark 14:44 Or, safely.
- Mark 14:50 Or, abandoned.
- Mark 14:51 Mark may be referring to himself.
- Mark 14:54 That is, temple guards.
- Mark 14:59 Or, in this manner. That is, with such testimony as this.
- Mark 14:60 anything? What is it these. Or, anything as to what these.
- Mark 14:62 Compare Mt 26:64.
- Mark 14:62 That is, God. Or, of power; God’s power. Jesus is claiming to be the fulfillment of Ps 110:1 and Dan 7:13.
- Mark 14:64 Or, liable to, deserving of.
- Mark 14:68 Or, gateway, forecourt.
- Mark 14:69 That is, the one there; or, the one previously mentioned.
- Mark 14:69 That is, for a second time, as in v 70 it means for a third time.
- Mark 14:71 That is, to bind himself under a curse, such as, May I be cursed if I know Him.
- Mark 14:71 For example, By heaven, I do not know Him.
- Mark 14:72 Or, having put his hands on his face; having thrown himself over. The exact nuance of this phrase is not certain.
Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.
Scripture texts, prefaces, introductions, footnotes and cross references used in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC All Rights Reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.
Disciples' Literal New Testament: Serving Modern Disciples by More Fully Reflecting the Writing Style of the Ancient Disciples, Copyright © 2011 Michael J. Magill. All Rights Reserved. Published by Reyma Publishing
