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.
But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar of the people.
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.
And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made?
For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her.
And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me.
For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always.
She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying.
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.
And Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went unto the chief priests, to betray him unto them.
And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money. And he sought how he might conveniently betray him.
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?
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.
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?
And he will shew you a large upper room furnished and prepared: there make ready for us.
And his disciples went forth, and came into the city, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover.
And in the evening he cometh with the twelve.
And as they sat and did eat, Jesus said, Verily I say unto you, One of you which eateth with me shall betray me.
And they began to be sorrowful, and to say unto him one by one, Is it I? and another said, Is it I?
And he answered and said unto them, It is one of the twelve, that dippeth with me in the dish.
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.
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.
And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them: and they all drank of it.
And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.
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.
And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.
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.
But after that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee.
But Peter said unto him, Although all shall be offended, yet will not I.
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.
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.
And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray.
And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy;
And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch.
And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him.
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.
And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour?
Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.
And again he went away, and prayed, and spake the same words.
And when he returned, he found them asleep again, (for their eyes were heavy,) neither wist they what to answer him.
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.
Rise up, let us go; lo, he that betrayeth me is at hand.
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.
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.
And as soon as he was come, he goeth straightway to him, and saith, Master, master; and kissed him.
And they laid their hands on him, and took him.
And one of them that stood by drew a sword, and smote a servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.
And Jesus answered and said unto them, Are ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and with staves to take me?
I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and ye took me not: but the scriptures must be fulfilled.
And they all forsook him, and fled.
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:
And he left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked.
And they led Jesus away to the high priest: and with him were assembled all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes.
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.
And the chief priests and all the council sought for witness against Jesus to put him to death; and found none.
For many bare false witness against him, but their witness agreed not together.
And there arose certain, and bare false witness against him, saying,
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.
But neither so did their witness agree together.
And the high priest stood up in the midst, and asked Jesus, saying, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee?
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?
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.
Then the high priest rent his clothes, and saith, What need we any further witnesses?
Ye have heard the blasphemy: what think ye? And they all condemned him to be guilty of death.
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.
And as Peter was beneath in the palace, there cometh one of the maids of the high priest:
And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked upon him, and said, And thou also wast with Jesus of Nazareth.
But he denied, saying, I know not, neither understand I what thou sayest. And he went out into the porch; and the cock crew.
And a maid saw him again, and began to say to them that stood by, This is one of them.
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 Galilean, and thy speech agreeth thereto.
But he began to curse and to swear, saying, I know not this man of whom ye speak.
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 unfolds as a poignant narrative, setting the stage for the most pivotal event in human history: the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. This chapter, nestled within the broader context of Jesus' final week, reveals a tapestry of betrayal, devotion, fear, and ultimate sacrifice. It serves as a powerful reminder of God's sovereign plan, the depth of Jesus' love, and the frailty of human nature.
A Plot in the Shadows (Mark 14:1-2, 10-11)
The chapter opens with a stark contrast: while Jesus is focused on preparing His disciples, the Jewish leaders are actively plotting His demise. Driven by fear of the crowd and a desire to maintain their power, the Pharisees, Sadducees, chief priests, and elders conspire to arrest Jesus secretly. They feared a riot during the Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread (Mark 14:1-2), highlighting their concern with earthly authority rather than divine truth.
Adding to this darkness, Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus' own disciples, approaches the chief priests, offering to betray Him for financial gain. Mark 14:10-11 underscores the insidious nature of betrayal and the corrupting influence of greed. This act sets in motion the chain of events leading to Jesus' arrest and trial. It's possible that Judas had become disillusioned with Jesus' refusal to become a military or political Messiah, leading him to actively look for a profitable way out of the situation.
Anointing at Bethany: A Foreshadowing of Burial (Mark 14:3-9)
Amidst the growing shadows, a woman (identified in John 12:3 as Mary, the sister of Lazarus) performs a beautiful act of devotion. In Bethany, at the home of Simon the Leper, she anoints Jesus with expensive perfume. Some of those present, including some of the disciples, criticize her, suggesting the perfume could have been sold and the money given to the poor.
Jesus, however, defends her action, recognizing it as a prophetic anointing for His burial. Mark 14:8 states, "She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for burial." This act is a powerful foreshadowing of Jesus' imminent death and a testament to the woman's understanding of His mission. Jesus declares that wherever the gospel is proclaimed, her act will be remembered (Mark 14:9), elevating it to a symbol of selfless love and devotion. Mary knew about death and resurrection. It was a very real thing for her. Mary’s brother Lazarus had died, and she saw Jesus raise him back to life (see John 11:1-44). So she sought to honor Jesus by sacrificially anointing him. In response, Jesus honored her. The Lord says, “Those who honor me I will honor” (1 Samuel 2:30).
The Passover Meal: A New Covenant (Mark 14:12-26)
As the Passover celebration approaches, Jesus instructs His disciples to prepare for the meal. He sends them ahead to Jerusalem, where they encounter a man carrying a jar of water, leading them to a room prepared for the occasion (Mark 14:12-16). This seemingly ordinary event underscores Jesus' divine knowledge and control over the unfolding events.
During the Passover meal, Jesus institutes the Lord's Supper, transforming the traditional symbols of bread and wine into representations of His body and blood, which would be sacrificed for the forgiveness of sins. He explains them in light of the new covenant. The bread represented his body, and the cup represented the blood that would be poured out for many (Mark 14:22-24). This act establishes a new covenant, replacing the old covenant established with Moses. The church is to celebrate this Lord’s Supper regularly by eating the bread and drinking the cup together. As often as we do this, we “proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes” (1 Corinthians 11:26). It’s a visible proclamation of the gospel.
Jesus also predicts that one of His disciples will betray Him, causing great distress among them. Each disciple asks, "Surely not I?" (Mark 14:19). Jesus makes it clear that his betrayer was one of the Twelve, one of his companions who had traveled with him and learned from him. It was one of those dipping bread in the bowl (Mark 14:20), a common bowl of sauce shared by all. To share a meal together is an act of friendship and trust, making Judas’s betrayal especially despicable.
Gethsemane: The Agony of Submission (Mark 14:27-42)
After the meal, Jesus and His disciples go to the Garden of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives. There, Jesus prophesies that all of them will fall away and abandon Him, fulfilling the prophecy of Zechariah 13:7 (Mark 14:27). Peter vehemently denies this, proclaiming his unwavering loyalty, but Jesus foretells that Peter will deny Him three times before the rooster crows (Mark 14:29-31).
Jesus, deeply troubled, withdraws to pray, taking Peter, James, and John with Him. He asks them to stay awake and pray, but they repeatedly fall asleep. Jesus knew what lay ahead—not only a wretched execution but, even worse, separation from God the Father as he bore the sins of the world. The true and full humanity of the Son of God is on display here. In agonizing prayer, He asks His Father if it is possible for the cup of suffering to be taken from Him, yet He ultimately submits to God's will, saying, "Yet not what I will, but what you will" (Mark 14:36). This scene reveals the immense weight of Jesus' impending sacrifice and His unwavering obedience to the Father. They needed to seek the strengthening that only God could provide, yet twice more Jesus returned to find them sleeping (Mark 14:40-41). Finally, the time was at hand. His betrayer had arrived (Mark 14:42).
Betrayal and Arrest (Mark 14:43-52)
Judas arrives with a mob, armed with swords and clubs, to arrest Jesus. He identifies Jesus with a kiss, a gesture of intimacy turned into an act of betrayal. The mob needed to know which man to grab, so Judas had given them a sign: whomever he kissed would be the one to arrest (Mark 14:44). To the very end, then, Judas’s act of betrayal was vile. With a kiss—an act of kindness, friendship, intimacy—he handed over the Son of God to those who hated him (Mark 14:45-46).
In the ensuing chaos, one of Jesus' followers (identified in John 18:10 as Peter) strikes a servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. Jesus rebukes him and heals the servant (Luke 22:51), demonstrating His power and compassion even in the face of betrayal. All the disciples ran away (Mark 14:50), just as Jesus had predicted (Mark 14:27). But Mark tells about a young man who was apparently caught sleeping, since he was only wearing a linen cloth. When they tried to seize him, he fled (Mark 14:51-52). Some interpreters believe this to be a veiled reference by the author (Mark) to himself.
The Trial Before the Sanhedrin (Mark 14:53-65)
Jesus is taken to the high priest, where the Sanhedrin gathers to conduct a trial. They seek false testimony against Him, but they cannot find consistent evidence to condemn Him. All the while, Jesus remained silent. So the high priest confronted him, asking him how he could remain quiet regarding all of the charges being made against him (Mark 14:60-61). Jesus had no obligation to answer the charges of witnesses who couldn’t even agree with one another.
Finally, the high priest asks Jesus directly if He is the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One. Jesus responds, "I am" (Mark 14:62), and affirms His divine identity. This declaration is considered blasphemy by the high priest, who tears his clothes in outrage. The council members condemn Jesus to death, and He is subjected to mockery, spitting, and beating. Don’t skim over how the Son of God suffered for you.
Peter's Denial (Mark 14:66-72)
Meanwhile, Peter remains in the courtyard, warming himself by the fire. He assumed he wouldn’t be noticed; he was wrong (see 14:66-72). There, he is recognized by a servant girl as being with Jesus. Peter denies knowing Jesus, not once, but three times, fulfilling Jesus' prophecy. After being accused a third time, Peter resorted to cursing and swearing in order to convince everyone that he had nothing to do with Jesus of Nazareth (14:70-71). That’s when the rooster crowed again, and Peter remembered. Filled with grief and guilt, the once-bold disciple broke down and wept (Mark 14:72). Peter had brashly vowed to stand with Jesus, even if everyone else ran away. But he had placed his confidence in himself. Our flesh, no matter how sincere, cannot achieve righteousness apart from yielding to and depending on the Lord.
Conclusion
Mark 14 is a chapter of intense drama and profound theological significance. It reveals the depth of human sin and betrayal, the unwavering love and obedience of Jesus, and the unfolding of God's sovereign plan for salvation. The chapter serves as a reminder to recognize and honor God's work, to be aware of the enemy's schemes, to value community and remember Jesus' sacrifice, to rely on God's power rather than our own, and to trust in God as a loving and trustworthy Father.
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.
But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar of the people.
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.
And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made?
For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her.
And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me.
For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always.
She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying.
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.
And Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went unto the chief priests, to betray him unto them.
And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money. And he sought how he might conveniently betray him.
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?
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.
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?
And he will shew you a large upper room furnished and prepared: there make ready for us.
And his disciples went forth, and came into the city, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover.
And in the evening he cometh with the twelve.
And as they sat and did eat, Jesus said, Verily I say unto you, One of you which eateth with me shall betray me.
And they began to be sorrowful, and to say unto him one by one, Is it I? and another said, Is it I?
And he answered and said unto them, It is one of the twelve, that dippeth with me in the dish.
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.
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.
And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them: and they all drank of it.
And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.
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.
And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.
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.
But after that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee.
But Peter said unto him, Although all shall be offended, yet will not I.
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.
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.
And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray.
And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy;
And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch.
And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him.
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.
And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour?
Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.
And again he went away, and prayed, and spake the same words.
And when he returned, he found them asleep again, (for their eyes were heavy,) neither wist they what to answer him.
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.
Rise up, let us go; lo, he that betrayeth me is at hand.
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.
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.
And as soon as he was come, he goeth straightway to him, and saith, Master, master; and kissed him.
And they laid their hands on him, and took him.
And one of them that stood by drew a sword, and smote a servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.
And Jesus answered and said unto them, Are ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and with staves to take me?
I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and ye took me not: but the scriptures must be fulfilled.
And they all forsook him, and fled.
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:
And he left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked.
And they led Jesus away to the high priest: and with him were assembled all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes.
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.
And the chief priests and all the council sought for witness against Jesus to put him to death; and found none.
For many bare false witness against him, but their witness agreed not together.
And there arose certain, and bare false witness against him, saying,
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.
But neither so did their witness agree together.
And the high priest stood up in the midst, and asked Jesus, saying, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee?
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?
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.
Then the high priest rent his clothes, and saith, What need we any further witnesses?
Ye have heard the blasphemy: what think ye? And they all condemned him to be guilty of death.
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.
And as Peter was beneath in the palace, there cometh one of the maids of the high priest:
And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked upon him, and said, And thou also wast with Jesus of Nazareth.
But he denied, saying, I know not, neither understand I what thou sayest. And he went out into the porch; and the cock crew.
And a maid saw him again, and began to say to them that stood by, This is one of them.
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 Galilean, and thy speech agreeth thereto.
But he began to curse and to swear, saying, I know not this man of whom ye speak.
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 unfolds as a poignant narrative, setting the stage for the most pivotal event in human history: the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. This chapter, nestled within the broader context of Jesus' final week, reveals a tapestry of betrayal, devotion, fear, and ultimate sacrifice. It serves as a powerful reminder of God's sovereign plan, the depth of Jesus' love, and the frailty of human nature.
A Plot in the Shadows (Mark 14:1-2, 10-11)
The chapter opens with a stark contrast: while Jesus is focused on preparing His disciples, the Jewish leaders are actively plotting His demise. Driven by fear of the crowd and a desire to maintain their power, the Pharisees, Sadducees, chief priests, and elders conspire to arrest Jesus secretly. They feared a riot during the Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread (Mark 14:1-2), highlighting their concern with earthly authority rather than divine truth.
Adding to this darkness, Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus' own disciples, approaches the chief priests, offering to betray Him for financial gain. Mark 14:10-11 underscores the insidious nature of betrayal and the corrupting influence of greed. This act sets in motion the chain of events leading to Jesus' arrest and trial. It's possible that Judas had become disillusioned with Jesus' refusal to become a military or political Messiah, leading him to actively look for a profitable way out of the situation.
Anointing at Bethany: A Foreshadowing of Burial (Mark 14:3-9)
Amidst the growing shadows, a woman (identified in John 12:3 as Mary, the sister of Lazarus) performs a beautiful act of devotion. In Bethany, at the home of Simon the Leper, she anoints Jesus with expensive perfume. Some of those present, including some of the disciples, criticize her, suggesting the perfume could have been sold and the money given to the poor.
Jesus, however, defends her action, recognizing it as a prophetic anointing for His burial. Mark 14:8 states, "She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for burial." This act is a powerful foreshadowing of Jesus' imminent death and a testament to the woman's understanding of His mission. Jesus declares that wherever the gospel is proclaimed, her act will be remembered (Mark 14:9), elevating it to a symbol of selfless love and devotion. Mary knew about death and resurrection. It was a very real thing for her. Mary’s brother Lazarus had died, and she saw Jesus raise him back to life (see John 11:1-44). So she sought to honor Jesus by sacrificially anointing him. In response, Jesus honored her. The Lord says, “Those who honor me I will honor” (1 Samuel 2:30).
The Passover Meal: A New Covenant (Mark 14:12-26)
As the Passover celebration approaches, Jesus instructs His disciples to prepare for the meal. He sends them ahead to Jerusalem, where they encounter a man carrying a jar of water, leading them to a room prepared for the occasion (Mark 14:12-16). This seemingly ordinary event underscores Jesus' divine knowledge and control over the unfolding events.
During the Passover meal, Jesus institutes the Lord's Supper, transforming the traditional symbols of bread and wine into representations of His body and blood, which would be sacrificed for the forgiveness of sins. He explains them in light of the new covenant. The bread represented his body, and the cup represented the blood that would be poured out for many (Mark 14:22-24). This act establishes a new covenant, replacing the old covenant established with Moses. The church is to celebrate this Lord’s Supper regularly by eating the bread and drinking the cup together. As often as we do this, we “proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes” (1 Corinthians 11:26). It’s a visible proclamation of the gospel.
Jesus also predicts that one of His disciples will betray Him, causing great distress among them. Each disciple asks, "Surely not I?" (Mark 14:19). Jesus makes it clear that his betrayer was one of the Twelve, one of his companions who had traveled with him and learned from him. It was one of those dipping bread in the bowl (Mark 14:20), a common bowl of sauce shared by all. To share a meal together is an act of friendship and trust, making Judas’s betrayal especially despicable.
Gethsemane: The Agony of Submission (Mark 14:27-42)
After the meal, Jesus and His disciples go to the Garden of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives. There, Jesus prophesies that all of them will fall away and abandon Him, fulfilling the prophecy of Zechariah 13:7 (Mark 14:27). Peter vehemently denies this, proclaiming his unwavering loyalty, but Jesus foretells that Peter will deny Him three times before the rooster crows (Mark 14:29-31).
Jesus, deeply troubled, withdraws to pray, taking Peter, James, and John with Him. He asks them to stay awake and pray, but they repeatedly fall asleep. Jesus knew what lay ahead—not only a wretched execution but, even worse, separation from God the Father as he bore the sins of the world. The true and full humanity of the Son of God is on display here. In agonizing prayer, He asks His Father if it is possible for the cup of suffering to be taken from Him, yet He ultimately submits to God's will, saying, "Yet not what I will, but what you will" (Mark 14:36). This scene reveals the immense weight of Jesus' impending sacrifice and His unwavering obedience to the Father. They needed to seek the strengthening that only God could provide, yet twice more Jesus returned to find them sleeping (Mark 14:40-41). Finally, the time was at hand. His betrayer had arrived (Mark 14:42).
Betrayal and Arrest (Mark 14:43-52)
Judas arrives with a mob, armed with swords and clubs, to arrest Jesus. He identifies Jesus with a kiss, a gesture of intimacy turned into an act of betrayal. The mob needed to know which man to grab, so Judas had given them a sign: whomever he kissed would be the one to arrest (Mark 14:44). To the very end, then, Judas’s act of betrayal was vile. With a kiss—an act of kindness, friendship, intimacy—he handed over the Son of God to those who hated him (Mark 14:45-46).
In the ensuing chaos, one of Jesus' followers (identified in John 18:10 as Peter) strikes a servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. Jesus rebukes him and heals the servant (Luke 22:51), demonstrating His power and compassion even in the face of betrayal. All the disciples ran away (Mark 14:50), just as Jesus had predicted (Mark 14:27). But Mark tells about a young man who was apparently caught sleeping, since he was only wearing a linen cloth. When they tried to seize him, he fled (Mark 14:51-52). Some interpreters believe this to be a veiled reference by the author (Mark) to himself.
The Trial Before the Sanhedrin (Mark 14:53-65)
Jesus is taken to the high priest, where the Sanhedrin gathers to conduct a trial. They seek false testimony against Him, but they cannot find consistent evidence to condemn Him. All the while, Jesus remained silent. So the high priest confronted him, asking him how he could remain quiet regarding all of the charges being made against him (Mark 14:60-61). Jesus had no obligation to answer the charges of witnesses who couldn’t even agree with one another.
Finally, the high priest asks Jesus directly if He is the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One. Jesus responds, "I am" (Mark 14:62), and affirms His divine identity. This declaration is considered blasphemy by the high priest, who tears his clothes in outrage. The council members condemn Jesus to death, and He is subjected to mockery, spitting, and beating. Don’t skim over how the Son of God suffered for you.
Peter's Denial (Mark 14:66-72)
Meanwhile, Peter remains in the courtyard, warming himself by the fire. He assumed he wouldn’t be noticed; he was wrong (see 14:66-72). There, he is recognized by a servant girl as being with Jesus. Peter denies knowing Jesus, not once, but three times, fulfilling Jesus' prophecy. After being accused a third time, Peter resorted to cursing and swearing in order to convince everyone that he had nothing to do with Jesus of Nazareth (14:70-71). That’s when the rooster crowed again, and Peter remembered. Filled with grief and guilt, the once-bold disciple broke down and wept (Mark 14:72). Peter had brashly vowed to stand with Jesus, even if everyone else ran away. But he had placed his confidence in himself. Our flesh, no matter how sincere, cannot achieve righteousness apart from yielding to and depending on the Lord.
Conclusion
Mark 14 is a chapter of intense drama and profound theological significance. It reveals the depth of human sin and betrayal, the unwavering love and obedience of Jesus, and the unfolding of God's sovereign plan for salvation. The chapter serves as a reminder to recognize and honor God's work, to be aware of the enemy's schemes, to value community and remember Jesus' sacrifice, to rely on God's power rather than our own, and to trust in God as a loving and trustworthy Father.