Two days later was the Passover and the bread feast. The chief priests and law experts looked for how they could secretly arrest and kill Jesus. They said, “Not during the feast so the people don’t riot.”
Jesus was at Bethany in Simon, the sick man’s, house. He was sitting at the table when a woman arrived with an alabaster bottle of expensive, pure nard perfume. She broke the bottle and poured it on his head.
Some of the others were outraged together and asked, “Why waste this perfume? This perfume could have sold for more than 300 coins and donated to the poor.”
They told her off.
Jesus said, “Let her be. Why are you bothering her? She did a kind thing to me. You always have poor people around you and can do kind things for them whenever you want but you won’t always have me. This is what she can do, getting my body ready for being buried. I’m honestly telling you, what she did will also be told to remember her wherever the good news is told in the entire world.”
Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went to the chief priests to give Jesus to them.
They gladly listened and promised to give him money. Judas looked for an opportunity to hand Jesus over.
On the first day of the bread feast, when they sacrificed the lamb, Jesus’ disciples asked, “Where do you want us to prepare, for you to eat the lamb?”
He sent two disciples and told them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a water jar will meet you. Go with him. Wherever he enters, tell the owner, ‘The teacher asks, where is my room where I can eat the Passover with my disciples?’ The owner will show you a large upstairs room set up and ready. Prepare in that room.”
The disciples went to the city and found it just like Jesus told them, and they got the Passover meal ready.
In the evening, Jesus came with the twelve. They sat and ate.
Jesus said, “Honestly I’m telling you, one of you eating with me will betray me.”
They started getting upset and said to Jesus one by one, “Not me.”
But Jesus said, “It is one of the twelve, who is dipping into the bowl with me because the Son of Man is leaving like it is written about him. But I feel sorry for the person who will betray the Son of Man. Better if that man hadn’t been born.”
As they ate, Jesus took bread, blessed it, broke it and gave it to them, saying, “Take this. It’s like my body.”
He took the cup, blessed it and gave it to them. They all drank from it. Jesus said, “This is like my blood of the agreement that is spilled for many people. I’m honestly telling you I won’t drink the vine fruit anymore until the day I drink it new in God’s Kingdom.”
They sang the Passover song and went to the Mount of Olives.
There, Jesus said to them, “All of you will fail, because it is written, ‘I’ll hit the shepherd and the sheep will scatter.’ But after I awake, I’ll go before you into Galilee.”
Peter said, “If they all fail, I won’t.”
Jesus replied, “Honestly I’m telling you, tonight, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny that you know me three times.”
But Peter stressed, “If I must die with you, I won’t deny you.”
They all also said the same thing.
They then went to a place called Gethsemane. Jesus said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.”
He brought Peter, James and John with him and began to be concerned and troubled. He said to them, “I am very sad to death. Stay here and awake.”
Jesus continued on further, then fell on the ground and prayed for, if possible, the time to pass by.
He said, “Abba, Father. Everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me, but not what I want, but what you want.”
Jesus returned and found the disciples asleep. He said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Couldn’t you be awake for one hour? Be awake and pray that you don’t get tempted. The spirit is ready but the body is weak!”
Jesus left again and prayed, saying his message.
He returned again to find them asleep, because they were tired, and they didn’t know how to answer him.
Jesus returned a third time and said, “Still asleep and having a rest? Enough! The time has come. Look, the Son of Man is being sent to sinners’ hands. Get up, let’s go. Look, my betrayer is coming.”
Judas arrived at that moment while Jesus was still talking. Judas was with a crowd with swords and sticks, including the chief priests, law experts and elders.
The deliverer had told them a signal, “I will kiss him. Capture him and securely take him away.”
Judas arrived, came straight up to Jesus and said, “Teacher,” and kissed him, so they grabbed and arrested Jesus.
Someone standing nearby drew his sword, hit the high priest’s slave and cut off his ear.
Jesus said to them, “Come to arrest me, like I’m a criminal, with swords and sticks? I was with you every day in the temple teaching and wasn’t arrested, but this happened so the writings will be fulfilled.”
Those with Jesus left him and ran away.
A young man, wearing just some cloth on his body, was following Jesus, and they grabbed him, but he dropped the cloth and ran away naked.
They led Jesus to the high priest’s house. All the chief priests, elders and law experts gathered there.
Peter followed Jesus inside from afar, into the high priest’s courtyard. He sat with the servants and got warm by the fire.
The chief priests and the council couldn’t find witnesses against Jesus to kill him. Many gave fake testimonies against Jesus, but the testimonies were inconsistent. Some people got up with fake testimonies against Jesus and said, “We heard him say ‘I’ll destroy this man-made temple and will build a non-man-made one in three days.”
Their testimonies about this were not consistent.
The high priest got up in the middle of them and asked Jesus, “Don’t you have a reply? What are these testimonies against you?”
But Jesus was silent and didn’t reply.
The high priest asked him again, “Are you the Christ? Son of the Blessed?”
Jesus replied, “I am. You’ll see the Son of Man sitting at the right of the Power and come with the heavenly clouds.”
The high priest ripped his clothes. “Why do we still need witnesses? You have heard the slander. What does it look like to you?”
They all declared him worthy of death.
Some people started spitting on him, covered his face and punching him. They said to him, “Prophesy.” The guards took him and hit him.
Peter was down in the courtyard.
One of the high priest’s servant girls arrived. She saw Peter getting warm and stared at him. She said, “You were also with the Nazarene, Jesus.”
But Peter denied it and said, “I don’t know or understand what you mean.”
He went out to the gate. A rooster crowed.
The slave girl watched him and started saying again to others nearby, “He is one of them.”
Peter denied it again.
A little later, those standing nearby said to Peter, “You are one of them because you are also Galilean. Your accent is obvious.”
Peter started swearing and promised, “I don’t know this man you are talking about.”
A rooster crowed a second time.
Peter remembered what Jesus had said; “Before the rooster crows twice, you’ll deny knowing me three times.”
Peter fell down and cried.
Mark Chapter 14 Summary
It begins with the chief priests and law experts planning to arrest Jesus secretly, fearing public uproar. At Bethany, a woman anoints Jesus with expensive perfume, which Jesus defends as preparation for his burial, predicting that the act will be remembered. Judas Iscariot agrees to betray Jesus for money. During the Passover meal, Jesus reveals that one disciple will betray him and predicts Peter’s denial before the rooster crows twice. Jesus starts the Last Supper rituals, symbolically sharing bread and wine as his body and blood. After, they go to Gethsemane, where Jesus prays intensely while his disciples struggle to stay awake. He is betrayed by Judas and arrested despite his peaceful protests. Jesus goes before the high priest, where false testimonies fail to accuse him. Jesus confirms his identity as the Christ and is sentenced to death, mocked and abused. Meanwhile, Peter, who followed at a distance, denies knowing Jesus three times, fulfilling Jesus’ prediction, which leaves Peter devastated.
Mark Chapter 14 Bible Study Questions and Answers
- What does the woman’s act of anointing Jesus with expensive perfume teach us about worship and sacrifice?
Answer: It teaches that true worship often involves sacrifice and giving our best to God, even if others may not understand or approve. It’s a personal expression of devotion and may not always seem practical, but it holds great value in God’s eyes. - How can we prepare our hearts to be faithful, as Jesus requested of His disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane?
Answer: We can prepare our hearts by spending time in prayer, seeking God’s will over our own, and being careful against temptation. Regular self-examination and spiritual disciplines can help us stay spiritually alert. - In what ways do we sometimes betray Jesus as Judas did, and how can we avoid such betrayal?
Answer: We betray Jesus when we choose sin over obedience, deny Him in front of others, or prioritise worldly things over our loyalty to Him. Staying close to Jesus through prayer, scripture, and community helps us remain faithful. - What does Peter’s denial of Jesus reveal about the nature of human weakness, and how does it guide us in overcoming it?
Answer: Peter’s denial shows that even the most confident can fall under pressure. Acknowledging our own vulnerability to fear and failure can help us to rely more on God’s strength than on our own. - How does Jesus’ composed response to false accusations and suffering provide an example for handling unfair treatment?
Answer: Jesus’ response demonstrates the power of silent strength and trust in God’s justice. When faced with injustice, we are called to maintain honesty, respond with grace, and trust God for solutions.
Mark Chapter 14 Explained
Mark Chapter 14 is a powerful story filled with symbolism, forewarning, and lessons on loyalty and faith. The chapter opens with a plan to arrest Jesus, setting the tone for what’s to come. The anointing at Bethany highlights Jesus’ coming death, honouring the woman’s insight and devotion, contrasting with the disciples’ annoyance, which reflects a misunderstanding of Jesus’ mission and the nature of true devotion.
The betrayal by one of Jesus’ own, Judas Iscariot, introduces the theme of betrayal which echoes throughout the chapter. The Last Supper, a central Christian tradition, is started here, offering a symbol of Jesus’ sacrifice. His words during the meal predict the crucifixion and the new agreement between God and humanity.
Gethsemane’s events highlight human weakness—Jesus faces his deepest sadness, and the disciples fail to stay awake, highlighting the spirit’s eagerness versus the body’s weakness. Jesus’ arrest brings a contrast between his non-violent submission and the disciple’s resistance, pointing to Jesus’ commitment to fulfil the scriptures over using force.
Before the high priest, the trial demonstrates the unfairness Jesus faced and his acknowledgment of his identity, which seals his fate. The mockery and abuse he receives are a testament to his endurance and the fulfilment of his role as the suffering servant.
Peter’s denial is a warning of overconfidence and the ease with which we can fall from firm conviction to fear-driven denial. It serves as a reminder of the need to be humble in faith.
Overall, Mark Chapter 14 offers a deep dive into the final hours before Jesus’ crucifixion, providing insights into faith, failure, and redemption. It sets the stage for the end of Jesus’ earthly ministry and the dawn of salvation through his sacrifice.
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Continue exploring Mark 14
If you’d like to read Mark 14 in other translations, here are a few BibleHub links:
For a translation that aims to be word-for-word, try Mark 14 in the English Standard Version.
For a translation that aims to be more thought-for-thought, try Mark 14 in the New International Version.
For a translation that aims to communicate the overall meaning, try Mark 14 in the Contemporary English Version.
If you prefer to read the Bible in a hard-copy format, here are cheaper versions from Amazon:
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For a translation that aims to be word-for-word, ESV Economy Bible
For a translation that aims to be more thought-for-thought, NIV, Economy Bible, Paperback: Accurate. Readable. Clear.
For a translation that aims to communicate the overall meaning, Holy Bible: Contemporary English Version
If you’d like to explore Mark in more depth, here are two commentaries I would recommend:
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Easy to access commentaries that include life applications:
The NIV Application Commentary: Mark
Mark (The Story of God Bible Commentary)
For a commentary that goes into more depth:
The Gospel of Mark (The New International Commentary on the New Testament)
Not My Life 