Mark 14

Passage overview

Mark 14 is a very important chapter in which Jesus' suffering and the journey to the cross truly begin in earnest. This chapter is broadly made up of a plot against Jesus, preparations for suffering, the Last Supper, Jesus' prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, his arrest, Peter's denial, and more.

CategoriesContent
Verses 1–11A plot to kill Jesus and the woman who pours out perfume
Verses 12–26The institution of the Passover meal and the Lord's Supper (the Last Supper)
Verses 27–52Prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane and Jesus' arrest
Verses 53–72Jesus' trial and Peter's three denials

1verseIt was now two days before the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might seize him by deception and kill him.

2verseFor they said, “Not during the feast, because there might be a riot among the people.”

3verseWhile he was at Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at the table, a woman came having an alabaster jar of ointment of pure nard—very costly. She broke the jar and poured it over his head.

4verseBut there were some who were indignant among themselves, saying, “Why has this ointment been wasted?

5verseFor this might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.” So they grumbled against her.

6verseBut Jesus said, “Leave her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a good work for me.

7verseFor you always have the poor with you, and whenever you want to, you can do them good; but you will not always have me.

8verseShe has done what she could. She has anointed my body beforehand for the burying.

9verseMost certainly I tell you, wherever this Good News may be preached throughout the whole world, that which this woman has done will also be spoken of for a memorial of her.”

10verseJudas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went away to the chief priests, that he might deliver him to them.

11verseThey, when they heard it, were glad, and promised to give him money. He sought how he might conveniently deliver him.

12verseOn the first day of unleavened bread, when they sacrificed the Passover, his disciples asked him, “Where do you want us to go and prepare that you may eat the Passover?”

13verseHe sent two of his disciples and said to them, “Go into the city, and there a man carrying a pitcher of water will meet you. Follow him,

14verseand wherever he enters in, tell the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says, “Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?”’

15verseHe will himself show you a large upper room furnished and ready. Get ready for us there.”

16verseHis disciples went out, and came into the city, and found things as he had said to them, and they prepared the Passover.

17verseWhen it was evening he came with the twelve.

18verseAs they sat and were eating, Jesus said, “Most certainly I tell you, one of you will betray me—he who eats with me.”

19verseThey began to be sorrowful, and to ask him one by one, “Surely not I?” And another said, “Surely not I?”

20verseHe answered them, “It is one of the twelve, he who dips with me in the dish.

21verseFor the Son of Man goes as it is written about him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would be better for that man if he had not been born.”

22verseAs they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had blessed it, he broke it and gave to them, and said, “Take, eat. This is my body.”

23verseHe took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave to them. They all drank of it.

24verseHe said to them, “This is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many.

25verseMost certainly I tell you, I will no more drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it anew in God’s Kingdom.”

26verseWhen they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

27verseJesus said to them, “All of you will be made to stumble because of me tonight, for it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’

28verseHowever, after I am raised up, I will go before you into Galilee.”

29verseBut Peter said to him, “Although all will be offended, yet I will not.”

30verseJesus said to him, “Most certainly I tell you that you today, even this night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.”

31verseBut he spoke all the more, “If I must die with you, I will not deny you.” They all said the same thing.

32verseThey came to a place which was named Gethsemane. He said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.”

33verseHe took with him Peter, James, and John, and began to be greatly troubled and distressed.

34verseHe said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch.”

35verseHe went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that if it were possible, the hour might pass away from him.

36verseHe said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible to you. Please remove this cup from me. However, not what I desire, but what you desire.”

37verseHe came and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “Simon, are you sleeping? Couldn’t you watch one hour?

38verseWatch and pray, that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

39verseAgain he went away and prayed, saying the same words.

40verseAgain he returned and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy; and they didn’t know what to answer him.

41verseHe came the third time and said to them, “Sleep on now, and take your rest. It is enough. The hour has come. Behold, the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

42verseArise! Let’s get going. Behold, he who betrays me is at hand.”

43verseImmediately, while he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, came—and with him a multitude with swords and clubs, from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders.

44verseNow he who betrayed him had given them a sign, saying, “Whomever I will kiss, that is he. Seize him, and lead him away safely.”

45verseWhen he had come, immediately he came to him and said, “Rabbi! Rabbi!” and kissed him.

46verseThey laid their hands on him and seized him.

47verseBut a certain one of those who stood by drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.

48verseJesus answered them, “Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs to seize me?

49verseI was daily with you in the temple teaching, and you didn’t arrest me. But this is so that the Scriptures might be fulfilled.”

50verseThey all left him, and fled.

51verseA certain young man followed him, having a linen cloth thrown around himself over his naked body. The young men grabbed him,

52versebut he left the linen cloth and fled from them naked.

53verseThey led Jesus away to the high priest. All the chief priests, the elders, and the scribes came together with him.

54versePeter had followed him from a distance, until he came into the court of the high priest. He was sitting with the officers, and warming himself in the light of the fire.

55verseNow the chief priests and the whole council sought witnesses against Jesus to put him to death, and found none.

56verseFor many gave false testimony against him, and their testimony didn’t agree with each other.

57verseSome stood up and gave false testimony against him, saying,

58verse“We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another made without hands.’”

59verseEven so, their testimony didn’t agree.

60verseThe high priest stood up in the middle, and asked Jesus, “Have you no answer? What is it which these testify against you?”

61verseBut he stayed quiet, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?”

62verseJesus said, “I am. You will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of the sky.”

63verseThe high priest tore his clothes and said, “What further need have we of witnesses?

64verseYou have heard the blasphemy! What do you think?” They all condemned him to be worthy of death.

65verseSome began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and to beat him with fists, and to tell him, “Prophesy!” The officers struck him with the palms of their hands.

66verseAs Peter was in the courtyard below, one of the maids of the high priest came,

67verseand seeing Peter warming himself, she looked at him and said, “You were also with the Nazarene, Jesus!”

68verseBut he denied it, saying, “I neither know nor understand what you are saying.” He went out on the porch, and the rooster crowed.

69verseThe maid saw him and began again to tell those who stood by, “This is one of them.”

70verseBut he again denied it. After a little while again those who stood by said to Peter, “You truly are one of them, for you are a Galilean, and your speech shows it.”

71verseBut he began to curse and to swear, “I don’t know this man of whom you speak!”

72verseThe rooster crowed the second time. Peter remembered the words that Jesus said to him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” When he thought about that, he wept.

Main Events: Commentary by Section

  • The plot and the perfume incident (verses 1–11): While religious leaders conspire to kill Jesus, a woman appears who pours out expensive perfume on him. This act symbolizes preparing for Jesus' death and also shows the appearance of sincere devotion.
  • The Last Supper (verses 12–26): Jesus observes the Passover with his disciples and shares the bread and the cup, so that they will remember his body and blood. This is the final meal with the disciples and the moment when he presents the meaning of the new covenant in anticipation of the events of the cross.
  • Prayer and arrest in Gethsemane (verses 27–52): Jesus prays, wanting to avoid the cup of suffering, but also seeking to obey God's will. After that, Judas betrays Jesus, and soldiers arrest him.
  • Trial and Peter's denial (verses 53–72): The account continues with Jesus being questioned before the high priest and the Sanhedrin, and in the midst of it all, Peter denying Jesus three times. Through this process, human weakness and the steadfastness of faithful Jesus are presented in contrast.

Points for Reflection

  • Let us reflect on the attitude of obedience that Jesus showed in the face of death and suffering, and on the people around him who took part in preparing for the cross (the woman who poured out the perfume, the disciples, and more).
  • You can also look at your own self as you think about the weakness and failures of the disciples, including Peter, and yet Jesus' endurance and forgiveness.

Applying It to Me

  • In my daily life, what does my obedience to Jesus look like, and how is my desire to follow God's will showing up?
  • Even when I make mistakes and fail, take a moment to reflect on the courage and hope to get up again and come to Jesus.