Worthy.Bible » Parallel » Mark » Chapter 14 » Verse 1-72

Mark 14:1-72 King James Version (KJV)

1 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 14:1-72 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

1 After G1161 two G1417 days G2250 was G2258 the feast of the passover, G3957 and G2532 of G3326 unleavened bread: G106 and G2532 the chief priests G749 and G2532 the scribes G1122 sought G2212 how G4459 they might take G2902 him G846 by G1722 craft, G1388 and put him to death. G615

2 But G1161 they said, G3004 Not G3361 on G1722 the feast G1859 day, lest G3379 there be G2071 an uproar G2351 of the people. G2992

3 And G2532 being G846 G5607 in G1722 Bethany G963 in G1722 the house G3614 of Simon G4613 the leper, G3015 as he G846 sat at meat, G2621 there came G2064 a woman G1135 having G2192 an alabaster box G211 of ointment G3464 of spikenard G3487 G4101 very precious; G4185 and G2532 she brake G4937 the box, G211 and poured G2708 it on G2596 his G846 head. G2776

4 And G1161 there were G2258 some G5100 that had indignation G23 within G4314 themselves, G1438 and G2532 said, G3004 Why G1519 G5101 was G1096 this G3778 waste G684 of the ointment G3464 made? G1096

5 For G1063 it G5124 might G1410 have been sold G4097 for more than G1883 three hundred G5145 pence, G1220 and G2532 have been given G1325 to the poor. G4434 And G2532 they murmured against G1690 her. G846

6 And G1161 Jesus G2424 said, G2036 Let G863 her G846 alone; G863 why G5101 trouble ye G2873 G3930 her? G846 she hath wrought G2038 a good G2570 work G2041 on G1519 me. G1691

7 For G1063 ye have G2192 the poor G4434 with G3326 you G1438 always, G3842 and G2532 whensoever G3752 ye will G2309 ye may G1410 do G4160 them G846 good: G2095 but G1161 me G1691 ye have G2192 not G3756 always. G3842

8 She hath done G4160 what G3739 she G3778 G846 could: G2192 she is come aforehand G4301 to anoint G3462 my G3450 body G4983 to G1519 the burying. G1780

9 Verily G281 I say G3004 unto you, G5213 Wheresoever G3699 G302 this G5124 gospel G2098 shall be preached G2784 throughout G1519 the whole G3650 world, G2889 this also G2532 that G3739 she G3778 G846 hath done G4160 shall be spoken G2980 of for G1519 a memorial G3422 of her. G846

10 And G2532 Judas G2455 Iscariot, G2469 one G1520 of the twelve, G1427 went G565 unto G4314 the chief priests, G749 to G2443 betray G3860 him G846 unto them. G846

11 And G1161 when they heard G191 it, they were glad, G5463 and G2532 promised G1861 to give G1325 him G846 money. G694 And G2532 he sought G2212 how G4459 he might conveniently G2122 betray G3860 him. G846

12 And G2532 the first G4413 day G2250 of unleavened bread, G106 when G3753 they killed G2380 the passover, G3957 his G846 disciples G3101 said G3004 unto him, G846 Where G4226 wilt thou G2309 that we go G565 and prepare G2090 that G2443 thou mayest eat G5315 the passover? G3957

13 And G2532 he sendeth forth G649 two G1417 of his G846 disciples, G3101 and G2532 saith G3004 unto them, G846 Go ye G5217 into G1519 the city, G4172 and G2532 there shall meet G528 you G5213 a man G444 bearing G941 a pitcher G2765 of water: G5204 follow G190 him. G846

14 And G2532 wheresoever G3699 G1437 he shall go in, G1525 say ye G2036 to the goodman of the house, G3617 G3754 The Master G1320 saith, G3004 Where G4226 is G2076 the guestchamber, G2646 where G3699 I shall eat G5315 the passover G3957 with G3326 my G3450 disciples? G3101

15 And G2532 he G846 will shew G1166 you G5213 a large G3173 upper room G508 furnished G4766 and prepared: G2092 there G1563 make ready G2090 for us. G2254

16 And G2532 his G846 disciples G3101 went forth, G1831 and G2532 came G2064 into G1519 the city, G4172 and G2532 found G2147 as G2531 he had said G2036 unto them: G846 and G2532 they made ready G2090 the passover. G3957

17 And G2532 in G1096 the evening G3798 he cometh G2064 with G3326 the twelve. G1427

18 And G2532 as they G846 sat G345 and G2532 did eat, G2068 Jesus G2424 said, G2036 Verily G281 I say G3004 unto you, G5213 G3754 One G1520 of G1537 you G5216 which G3588 eateth G2068 with G3326 me G1700 shall betray G3860 me. G3165

19 And G1161 they began G756 to be sorrowful, G3076 and to G2532 say G3004 unto him G846 one by one, G1527 G3385 Is it I? G1473 and G2532 another G243 said, G3385 Is it I? G1473

20 And G1161 he answered G611 and said G2036 unto them, G846 It is one G1520 of G1537 the twelve, G1427 that dippeth G1686 with G3326 me G1700 in G1519 the dish. G5165

21 The Son G5207 of man G444 indeed G3303 goeth, G5217 as G2531 it is written G1125 of G4012 him: G846 but G1161 woe G3759 to that G1565 man G444 by G1223 whom G3739 the Son G5207 of man G444 is betrayed! G3860 good G2570 were it G2258 for that G1565 man G444 if G1487 he G846 had G1080 never G3756 been born. G1080

22 And G2532 as they G846 did eat, G2068 Jesus G2424 took G2983 bread, G740 and blessed, G2127 and brake G2806 it, and G2532 gave G1325 to them, G846 and G2532 said, G2036 Take, G2983 eat: G5315 this G5124 is G2076 my G3450 body. G4983

23 And G2532 he took G2983 the cup, G4221 and when he had given thanks, G2168 he gave G1325 it to them: G846 and G2532 they all G3956 drank G4095 of G1537 it. G846

24 And G2532 he said G2036 unto them, G846 This G5124 is G2076 my G3450 blood G129 of the new G2537 testament, G1242 which G3588 is shed G1632 for G4012 many. G4183

25 Verily G281 I say G3004 unto you, G5213 I will G3364 drink G4095 no more G3754 G3765 of G1537 the fruit G1081 of the vine, G288 until G2193 that G1565 day G2250 that G3752 I drink G4095 it G846 new G2537 in G1722 the kingdom G932 of God. G2316

26 And G2532 when they had sung an hymn, G5214 they went out G1831 into G1519 the mount G3735 of Olives. G1636

27 And G2532 Jesus G2424 saith G3004 unto them, G846 G3754 All ye G3956 shall be offended G4624 because of G1722 me G1722 G1698 this G5026 night: G3571 for G3754 it is written, G1125 I will smite G3960 the shepherd, G4166 and G2532 the sheep G4263 shall be scattered. G1287

28 But G235 after G3326 that I G3165 am risen, G1453 I will go before G4254 you G5209 into G1519 Galilee. G1056

29 But G1161 Peter G4074 said G5346 unto him, G846 Although G2532 G1487 all G3956 shall be offended, G4624 yet G235 will not G3756 I. G1473

30 And G2532 Jesus G2424 saith G3004 unto him, G846 Verily G281 I say G3004 unto thee, G4671 That G3754 this day, G4594 even in G1722 this G5026 night, G3571 before G4250 G2228 the cock G220 crow G5455 twice, G1364 thou shalt deny G533 me G3165 thrice. G5151

31 But G1161 he spake G3004 the more G3123 vehemently, G1537 G4053 If G1437 I G3165 should G1163 die with G4880 thee, G4671 I will not G3364 deny G533 thee G4571 in any wise. G3364 Likewise G5615 also G1161 G2532 said they G3004 all. G3956

32 And G2532 they came G2064 to G1519 a place G5564 which G3739 was named G3686 Gethsemane: G1068 and G2532 he saith G3004 to his G846 disciples, G3101 Sit ye G2523 here, G5602 while G2193 I shall pray. G4336

33 And G2532 he taketh G3880 with G3326 him G1438 Peter G4074 and G2532 James G2385 and G2532 John, G2491 and G2532 began G756 to be sore amazed, G1568 and G2532 to be very heavy; G85

34 And G2532 saith G3004 unto them, G846 My G3450 soul G5590 is G2076 exceeding sorrowful G4036 unto G2193 death: G2288 tarry ye G3306 here, G5602 and G2532 watch. G1127

35 And G2532 he went forward G4281 a little, G3397 and fell G4098 on G1909 the ground, G1093 and G2532 prayed G4336 that, G2443 if G1487 it were G2076 possible, G1415 the hour G5610 might pass G3928 from G575 him. G846

36 And G2532 he said, G3004 Abba, G5 Father, G3962 all things G3956 are possible G1415 unto thee; G4671 take away G3911 this G5124 cup G4221 from G575 me: G1700 nevertheless G235 not G3756 what G5101 I G1473 will, G2309 but G235 what G5101 thou G4771 wilt.

37 And G2532 he cometh, G2064 and G2532 findeth G2147 them G846 sleeping, G2518 and G2532 saith G3004 unto Peter, G4074 Simon, G4613 sleepest thou? G2518 couldest G2480 not G3756 thou watch G1127 one G3391 hour? G5610

38 Watch ye G1127 and G2532 pray, G4336 lest G3363 ye enter G1525 into G1519 temptation. G3986 The spirit G4151 truly G3303 is ready, G4289 but G1161 the flesh G4561 is weak. G772

39 And G2532 again G3825 he went away, G565 and prayed, G4336 and spake G2036 the same G846 words. G3056

40 And G2532 when he returned, G5290 he found G2147 them G846 asleep G2518 again, G3825 (for G1063 their G846 eyes G3788 were G2258 heavy,) G916 neither G2532 G3756 wist they G1492 what G5101 to answer G611 him. G846

41 And G2532 he cometh G2064 the third time, G5154 and G2532 saith G3004 unto them, G846 Sleep on G2518 now, G3063 and G2532 take your rest: G373 it is enough, G566 the hour G5610 is come; G2064 behold, G2400 the Son G5207 of man G444 is betrayed G3860 into G1519 the hands G5495 of sinners. G268

42 Rise up, G1453 let us go; G71 lo, G2400 he that betrayeth G3860 me G3165 is at hand. G1448

43 And G2532 immediately, G2112 while he G846 yet G2089 spake, G2980 cometh G3854 Judas, G2455 one G1520 G5607 of the twelve, G1427 and G2532 with G3326 him G846 a great G4183 multitude G3793 with G3326 swords G3162 and G2532 staves, G3586 from G3844 the chief priests G749 and G2532 the scribes G1122 and G2532 the elders. G4245

44 And G1161 he that betrayed G3860 him G846 had given G1325 them G846 a token, G4953 saying, G3004 Whomsoever G3739 G302 I shall kiss, G5368 that same G846 is he; G2076 take G2902 him, G846 and G2532 lead him away G520 safely. G806

45 And G2532 as soon as he was come, G2064 he goeth G4334 straightway G2112 to him, G846 and saith, G3004 Master, G4461 master; G4461 and G2532 kissed G2705 him. G846

46 And G1161 they laid G1911 their G846 hands G5495 on G1909 him, G846 and G2532 took G2902 him. G846

47 And G1161 one G5100 of them G1520 that stood by G3936 drew G4685 a sword, G3162 and smote G3817 a servant G1401 of the high priest, G749 and G2532 cut off G851 his G846 ear. G5621

48 And G2532 Jesus G2424 answered G611 and said G2036 unto them, G846 Are ye come out, G1831 as G5613 against G1909 a thief, G3027 with G3326 swords G3162 and G2532 with staves G3586 to take G4815 me? G3165

49 I was G2252 daily G2250 G2596 with G4314 you G5209 in G1722 the temple G2411 teaching, G1321 and G2532 ye took G2902 me G3165 not: G3756 but G235 the scriptures G1124 must G2443 be fulfilled. G4137

50 And G2532 they all G3956 forsook G863 him, G846 and fled. G5343

51 And G2532 there followed G190 him G846 a G1520 certain G5100 young man, G3495 having a linen cloth G4616 cast G4016 about G1909 his naked G1131 body; and G2532 the young men G3495 laid hold G2902 on him: G846

52 And G1161 he left G2641 the linen cloth, G4616 and fled G5343 from G575 them G846 naked. G1131

53 And G2532 they led G520 Jesus G2424 away G520 to G4314 the high priest: G749 and G2532 with him G846 were assembled G4905 all G3956 the chief priests G749 and G2532 the elders G4245 and G2532 the scribes. G1122

54 And G2532 Peter G4074 followed G190 him G846 afar G3113 off, G575 even G2193 into G2080 G1519 the palace G833 of the high priest: G749 and G2532 he sat G2258 G4775 with G3326 the servants, G5257 and G2532 warmed himself G2328 at G4314 the fire. G5457

55 And G1161 the chief priests G749 and G2532 all G3650 the council G4892 sought G2212 for witness G3141 against G2596 Jesus G2424 to G1519 put G2289 him G846 to death; G2289 and G2532 found G2147 none. G3756

56 For G1063 many G4183 bare false witness G5576 against G2596 him, G846 but G2532 their witness G3141 agreed G2258 not G2470 G3756 together. G2258

57 And G2532 there arose G450 certain, G5100 and bare false witness G5576 against G2596 him, G846 saying, G3004

58 G3754 We G2249 heard G191 him G846 say, G3004 G3754 I G1473 will destroy G2647 this G5126 temple G3485 that is made with hands, G5499 and G2532 within G1223 three G5140 days G2250 I will build G3618 another G243 made without hands. G886

59 But G2532 neither G3761 so G3779 did G2470 their G846 witness G3141 agree together. G2258 G2470

60 And G2532 the high priest G749 stood up G450 in G1519 the midst, G3319 and asked G1905 Jesus, G2424 saying, G3004 Answerest G3756 thou G611 nothing? G3762 what G5101 is it which these G3778 witness G2649 against thee? G4675

61 But G1161 he held his peace, G4623 and G2532 answered G611 nothing. G3762 Again G3825 the high priest G749 asked G1905 him, G846 and G2532 said G3004 unto him, G846 Art G1488 thou G4771 the Christ, G5547 the Son G5207 of the Blessed? G2128

62 And G1161 Jesus G2424 said, G2036 I G1473 am: G1510 and G2532 ye shall see G3700 the Son G5207 of man G444 sitting G2521 on G1537 the right hand G1188 of power, G1411 and G2532 coming G2064 in G3326 the clouds G3507 of heaven. G3772

63 Then G1161 the high priest G749 rent G1284 his G846 clothes, G5509 and saith, G3004 What G5101 need G5532 we G2192 any further G2089 witnesses? G3144

64 Ye have heard G191 the blasphemy: G988 what G5101 think G5316 ye? G5213 And G1161 they all G3956 condemned G2632 him G846 to be G1511 guilty G1777 of death. G2288

65 And G2532 some G5100 began G756 to spit G1716 on him, G846 and G2532 to cover G4028 his G846 face, G4383 and G2532 to buffet G2852 him, G846 and G2532 to say G3004 unto him, G846 Prophesy: G4395 and G2532 the servants G5257 did strike G906 him G846 with the palms of their hands. G4475

66 And G2532 as Peter G4074 was G5607 beneath G2736 in G1722 the palace, G833 there cometh G2064 one G3391 of the maids G3814 of the high priest: G749

67 And G2532 when she saw G1492 Peter G4074 warming himself, G2328 she looked G1689 upon him, G846 and said, G3004 And G2532 thou G4771 also G2532 wast G2258 with G3326 Jesus G2424 of Nazareth. G3479

68 But G1161 he denied, G720 saying, G3004 I know G1492 not, G3756 neither G3761 understand I G1987 what G5101 thou G4771 sayest. G3004 And G2532 he went G1831 out G1854 into G1519 the porch; G4259 and G2532 the cock G220 crew. G5455

69 And G2532 a maid G3814 saw G1492 him G846 again, G3825 and began G756 to say G3004 to them that stood by, G3936 This G3754 G3778 is G2076 one of G1537 them. G846

70 And G1161 he denied it G720 again. G3825 And G2532 a little G3397 after, G3326 they that stood by G3936 said G3004 again G3825 to Peter, G4074 Surely G230 thou art G1488 one of G1537 them: G846 for G2532 G1063 thou art G1488 a Galilaean, G1057 and G2532 thy G4675 speech G2981 agreeth G3662 thereto.

71 But G1161 he began G756 to curse G332 and G2532 to swear, G3660 saying, I know G3754 G1492 not G3756 this G5126 man G444 of whom G3739 ye speak. G3004

72 And G2532 the G1537 second time G1208 the cock G220 crew. G5455 And G2532 Peter G4074 called to mind G363 the word G4487 that G3739 Jesus G2424 said G2036 unto him, G846 G3754 Before G4250 the cock G220 crow G5455 twice, G1364 thou shalt deny G533 me G3165 thrice. G5151 And G2532 when he thought thereon, G1911 he wept. G2799


Mark 14:1-72 American Standard (ASV)

1 Now after two days was `the feast of' the passover and the unleavened bread: and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take him with subtlety, and kill him:

2 for they said, Not during the feast, lest haply there shall be a tumult of the people.

3 And while he was in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster cruse of ointment of pure nard very costly; `and' she brake the cruse, and poured it over his head.

4 But there were some that had indignation among themselves, `saying', To what purpose hath this waste of the ointment been made?

5 For this ointment might have been sold for above three hundred shillings, and given to the poor. And they murmured against her.

6 But Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me.

7 For ye have the poor always with you, and whensoever ye will ye can do them good: but me ye have not always.

8 She hath done what she could; she hath anointed my body beforehand for the burying.

9 And verily I say unto you, Wheresoever the gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, that also which this woman hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.

10 And Judas Iscariot, he that was one of the twelve, went away unto the chief priests, that he might deliver him unto them.

11 And they, when they heard it, were glad, and promised to give him money. And he sought how he might conveniently deliver him `unto them'.

12 And on the first day of unleavened bread, when they sacrificed the passover, his disciples say unto him, Where wilt thou that we go and make ready that thou mayest eat the passover?

13 And he sendeth two of his disciples, and saith unto them, Go into the city, and there shall meet you a man bearing a pitcher of water: follow him;

14 and wheresoever he shall enter in, say to the master of the house, The Teacher saith, Where is my guest-chamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples?

15 And he will himself show you a large upper room furnished `and' ready: and there make ready for us.

16 And the disciples went forth, and came into the city, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover.

17 And when it was evening he cometh with the twelve.

18 And as they sat and were eating, Jesus said, Verily I say unto you, One of you shall betray me, `even' he that eateth with me.

19 They began to be sorrowful, and to say unto him one by one, Is it I?

20 And he said unto them, `It is' one of the twelve, he that dippeth with me in the dish.

21 For the Son of man goeth, even as it is written of him: but woe unto that man through whom the Son of man is betrayed! good were it for that man if he had not been born.

22 And as they were eating, he took bread, and when he had blessed, he brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take ye: this is my body.

23 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave to them: and they all drank of it.

24 And he said unto them, This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many.

25 Verily I say unto you, I shall no more drink of the fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.

26 And when they had sung a hymn, they went out unto the mount of Olives.

27 And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered abroad.

28 Howbeit, after I am raised up, 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 thou to-day, `even' this night, before the cock crow twice, shalt deny me thrice.

31 But he spake exceedingly vehemently, If I must die with thee, I will not deny thee. And in like manner also said they all.

32 And they come unto a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith unto his disciples, Sit ye here, while I pray.

33 And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be greatly amazed, and sore troubled.

34 And he saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful even unto death: abide 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 away from him.

36 And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; remove this cup from me: howbeit not what I will, but what thou wilt.

37 And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest thou not watch one hour?

38 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

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

40 And again he came, and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy; and they knew not 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 Arise, let us be going: behold, he that betrayeth me is at hand.

43 And straightway, while he yet spake, cometh Judas, one of the twelve, and with him a multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders.

44 Now he that betrayed him had given them a token, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that is he; take him, and lead him away safely.

45 And when he was come, straightway he came to him, and saith, Rabbi; and kissed him.

46 And they laid hands on him, and took him.

47 But a certain one of them that stood by drew his sword, and smote the servant of the high priest, and struck off his ear.

48 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Are ye come out, as against a robber, with swords and staves to seize me?

49 I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and ye took me not: but `this is done' that the scriptures might be fulfilled.

50 And they all left him, and fled.

51 And a certain young man followed with him, having a linen cloth cast about him, over `his' naked `body': and they lay hold on him;

52 but he left the linen cloth, and fled naked.

53 And they led Jesus away to the high priest: and there come together with him all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes.

54 And Peter had followed him afar off, even within, into the court of the high priest; and he was sitting with the officers, and warming himself in the light `of the fire'.

55 Now the chief priests and the whole council sought witness against Jesus to put him to death; and found it not.

56 For many bare false witness against him, and their witness agreed not together.

57 And there stood up certain, and bare false witness against him, saying,

58 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.

59 And not even 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 saith 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 at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.

63 And the high priest rent his clothes, and saith, What further need have we of witnesses?

64 Ye have heard the blasphemy: what think ye? And they all condemned him to be worthy 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 officers received him with blows of their hands.

66 And as Peter was beneath in the court, there cometh one of the maids of the high priest;

67 and seeing Peter warming himself, she looked upon him, and saith, Thou also wast with the Nazarene, `even' Jesus.

68 But he denied, saying, I neither know, nor understand what thou sayest: and he went out into the porch; and the cock crew.

69 And the maid saw him, and began again to say to them that stood by, This is `one' of them.

70 But he again denied it. And after a little while again they that stood by said to Peter, of a truth thou art `one' of them; for thou art a Galilaean.

71 But he began to curse, and to swear, I know not this man of whom ye speak.

72 And straightway the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word, how that Jesus said unto him, Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept.


Mark 14:1-72 Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

1 And the passover and the unleavened food were after two days, and the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how, by guile, having taken hold of him, they might kill him;

2 and they said, `Not in the feast, lest there shall be a tumult of the people.'

3 And he, being in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, at his reclining (at meat), there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment, of spikenard, very precious, and having broken the alabaster box, did pour on his head;

4 and there were certain much displeased within themselves, and saying, `For what hath this waste of the ointment been made?

5 for this could have been sold for more than three hundred denaries, and given to the poor;' and they were murmuring at her.

6 And Jesus said, `Let her alone; why are ye giving her trouble? a good work she wrought on me;

7 for the poor always ye have with you, and whenever ye may will ye are able to do them good, but me ye have not always;

8 what she could she did, she anticipated to anoint my body for the embalming.

9 Verily I say to you, wherever this good news may be proclaimed in the whole world, what also this woman did shall be spoken of -- for a memorial of her.'

10 And Judas the Iscariot, one of the twelve, went away unto the chief priests that he might deliver him up to them,

11 and having heard, they were glad, and promised to give him money, and he was seeking how, conveniently, he might deliver him up.

12 And the first day of the unleavened food, when they were killing the passover, his disciples say to him, `Where wilt thou, `that,' having gone, we may prepare, that thou mayest eat the passover?'

13 And he sendeth forth two of his disciples, and saith to them, `Go ye away to the city, and there shall meet you a man bearing a pitcher of water, follow him;

14 and wherever he may go in, say ye to the master of the house -- The Teacher saith, Where is the guest-chamber, where the passover, with my disciples, I may eat?

15 and he will shew you a large upper room, furnished, prepared -- there make ready for us.'

16 And his disciples went forth, and came to the city, and found as he said to them, and they made ready the passover.

17 And evening having come, he cometh with the twelve,

18 and as they are reclining, and eating, Jesus said, `Verily I say to you -- one of you, who is eating with me -- shall deliver me up.'

19 And they began to be sorrowful, and to say to him, one by one, `Is it I?' and another, `Is it I?'

20 And he answering said to them, `One of the twelve who is dipping with me in the dish;

21 the Son of Man doth indeed go, as it hath been written concerning him, but wo to that man through whom the Son of Man is delivered up; good were it to him if that man had not been born.'

22 And as they are eating, Jesus having taken bread, having blessed, brake, and gave to them, and said, `Take, eat; this is my body.'

23 And having taken the cup, having given thanks, he gave to them, and they drank of it -- all;

24 and he said to them, `This is my blood of the new covenant, which for many is being poured out;

25 verily I say to you, that no more may I drink of the produce of the vine till that day when I may drink it new in the reign of God.'

26 And having sung an hymn, they went forth to the mount of the Olives,

27 and Jesus saith to them -- `All ye shall be stumbled at me this night, because it hath been written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered abroad,

28 but after my having risen I will go before you to Galilee.'

29 And Peter said to him, `And if all shall be stumbled, yet not I;'

30 And Jesus said to him, `Verily I say to thee, that to-day, this night, before a cock shall crow twice, thrice thou shalt deny me.'

31 And he spake the more vehemently, `If it may be necessary for me to die with thee -- I will in nowise deny thee;' and in like manner also said they all.

32 And they come to a spot, the name of which `is' Gethsemane, and he saith to his disciples, `Sit ye here till I may pray;'

33 and he taketh Peter, and James, and John with him, and began to be amazed, and to be very heavy,

34 and he saith to them, `Exceeding sorrowful is my soul -- to death; remain here, and watch.'

35 And having gone forward a little, he fell upon the earth, and was praying, that, if it be possible the hour may pass from him,

36 and he said, `Abba, Father; all things are possible to Thee; make this cup pass from me; but, not what I will, but what Thou.'

37 And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith to Peter, `Simon, thou dost sleep! thou wast not able to watch one hour!

38 Watch ye and pray, that ye may not enter into temptation; the spirit indeed is forward, but the flesh weak.'

39 And again having gone away, he prayed, the same word saying;

40 and having returned, he found them again sleeping, for their eyes were heavy, and they had not known what they might answer him.

41 And he cometh the third time, and saith to them, `Sleep on henceforth, and rest -- it is over; the hour did come; lo, the Son of Man is delivered up to the hands of the sinful;

42 rise, we may go, lo, he who is delivering me up hath come nigh.'

43 And immediately -- while he is yet speaking -- cometh near Judas, one of the twelve, and with him a great multitude, with swords and sticks, from the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders;

44 and he who is delivering him up had given a token to them, saying, `Whomsoever I shall kiss, he it is, lay hold on him, and lead him away safely,'

45 and having come, immediately, having gone near him, he saith, `Rabbi, Rabbi,' and kissed him.

46 And they laid on him their hands, and kept hold on him;

47 and a certain one of those standing by, having drawn the sword, struck the servant of the chief priest, and took off his ear.

48 And Jesus answering said to them, `As against a robber ye came out, with swords and sticks, to take me!

49 daily I was with you in the temple teaching, and ye did not lay hold on me -- but that the Writings may be fulfilled.'

50 And having left him they all fled;

51 and a certain young man was following him, having put a linen cloth about `his' naked body, and the young men lay hold on him,

52 and he, having left the linen cloth, did flee from them naked.

53 And they led away Jesus unto the chief priest, and come together to him do all the chief priests, and the elders, and the scribes;

54 and Peter afar off did follow him, to the inside of the hall of the chief priest, and he was sitting with the officers, and warming himself near the fire.

55 And the chief priests and all the sanhedrim were seeking against Jesus testimony -- to put him to death, and they were not finding,

56 for many were bearing false testimony against him, and their testimonies were not alike.

57 And certain having risen up, were bearing false testimony against him, saying --

58 `We heard him saying -- I will throw down this sanctuary made with hands, and by three days, another made without hands I will build;'

59 and neither so was their testimony alike.

60 And the chief priest, having risen up in the midst, questioned Jesus, saying, `Thou dost not answer anything! what do these testify against thee?'

61 and he was keeping silent, and did not answer anything. Again the chief priest was questioning him, and saith to 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 the power, and coming with the clouds, of the heaven.'

63 And the chief priest, having rent his garments, saith, `What need have we yet of witnesses?

64 Ye heard the evil speaking, what appeareth to you?' and they all condemned him to be worthy of death,

65 and certain began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and to buffet him, and to say to him, `Prophesy;' and the officers were striking him with their palms.

66 And Peter being in the hall beneath, there doth come one of the maids of the chief priest,

67 and having seen Peter warming himself, having looked on him, she said, `And thou wast with Jesus of Nazareth!'

68 and he denied, saying, `I have not known `him', neither do I understand what thou sayest;' and he went forth without to the porch, and a cock crew.

69 And the maid having seen him again, began to say to those standing near -- `This is of them;'

70 and he was again denying. And after a little again, those standing near said to Peter, `Truly thou art of them, for thou also art a Galilean, and thy speech is alike;'

71 and he began to anathematize, and to swear -- `I have not known this man of whom ye speak;'

72 and a second time a cock crew, and Peter remembered the saying that Jesus said to him -- `Before a cock crow twice, thou mayest deny me thrice;' and having thought thereon -- he was weeping.


Mark 14:1-72 Darby English Bible (DARBY)

1 Now the passover and the [feast of] unleavened bread was after two days. And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how they might seize him by subtlety and kill him.

2 For they said, Not in the feast, lest perhaps there be a tumult of the people.

3 And when he was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, as he lay at table, there came a woman having an alabaster flask of ointment of pure nard, very costly; and having broken the alabaster flask, she poured it out upon his head.

4 And there were some indignant in themselves, and saying, Why has this waste been made of the ointment?

5 for this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor. And they spoke very angrily at her.

6 But Jesus said, Let her alone; why do ye trouble her? she has wrought a good work as to me;

7 for ye have the poor always with you, and whenever ye would ye can do them good; but me ye have not always.

8 What *she* could she has done. She has beforehand anointed my body for the burial.

9 And verily I say unto you, Wheresoever these glad tidings may be preached in the whole world, what this [woman] has done shall be also spoken of for a memorial of her.

10 And Judas Iscariote, one of the twelve, went away to the chief priests that he might deliver him up to them;

11 and they, when they heard it, rejoiced, and promised him to give money. And he sought how he could opportunely deliver him up.

12 And the first day of unleavened bread, when they slew the passover, his disciples say to him, Where wilt thou that we go and prepare, that thou mayest eat the passover?

13 And he sends two of his disciples, and says to them, Go into the city, and a man shall meet you carrying a pitcher of water; follow him.

14 And wheresoever he enters, say to the master of the house, The Teacher says, Where is my guest-chamber where I may eat the passover with my disciples?

15 and *he* will shew you a large upper room furnished ready. There make ready for us.

16 And his disciples went away and came into the city, and found as he had said to them; and they made ready the passover.

17 And when evening was come, he comes with the twelve.

18 And as they lay at table and were eating, Jesus said, Verily I say to you, One of you shall deliver me up; he who is eating with me.

19 And they began to be grieved, and to say to him, one by one, Is it *I*? [and another, Is it *I*?]

20 But he answered and said to them, One of the twelve, he who dips with me in the dish.

21 The Son of man goes indeed as it is written concerning him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is delivered up; [it were] good for that man if he had not been born.

22 And as they were eating, Jesus, having taken bread, when he had blessed, broke [it], and gave [it] to them, and said, Take [this]: this is my body.

23 And having taken [the] cup, when he had given thanks, he gave [it] to them, and they all drank out of it.

24 And he said to them, This is my blood, that of the [new] covenant, that shed for many.

25 Verily I say to you, I will no more drink at all of the fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.

26 And having sung a hymn, they went out to the mount of Olives.

27 And Jesus says to them, All ye shall be offended, for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered abroad.

28 But after I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee.

29 But Peter said to him, Even if all should be offended, yet not *I*.

30 And Jesus says to him, Verily I say to thee, that thou to-day, in this night, before [the] cock shall crow twice, thou shalt thrice deny me.

31 But he said [so much] exceedingly the more, If I should have to die with thee, I will in no wise deny thee. And likewise said they all too.

32 And they come to a place of which the name [is] Gethsemane, and he says to his disciples, Sit here while I shall pray.

33 And he takes with him Peter and James and John, and he began to be amazed and oppressed in spirit.

34 And he says to them, My soul is full of grief even unto death; abide here and watch.

35 And, going forward a little, he fell upon the earth; and he prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass away from him.

36 And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible to thee: take away this cup from me; but not what *I* will, but what *thou* [wilt].

37 And he comes and finds them sleeping. And he says to Peter, Simon, dost thou sleep? Hast thou not been able to watch one hour?

38 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation. The spirit indeed [is] willing, but the flesh weak.

39 And going away, he prayed again, saying the same thing.

40 And returning, he found them again sleeping, for their eyes were heavy; and they knew not what they should answer him.

41 And he comes the third time and says to them, Sleep on now, and take your rest. It is enough; the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is delivered up into the hands of sinners.

42 Arise, let us go; behold, he that delivers me up has drawn nigh.

43 And immediately, while he was yet speaking, Judas comes up, [being] one of the twelve, and with him a great crowd, with swords and sticks, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders.

44 Now he that delivered him up had given them a sign between them, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that is he; seize him, and lead [him] away safely.

45 And being come, straightway coming up to him, he says, Rabbi, Rabbi; and he covered him with kisses.

46 And they laid their hands upon him and seized him.

47 But a certain one of those who stood by, having drawn his sword, struck the bondman of the high priest, and took off his ear.

48 And Jesus answering said to them, Are ye come out as against a robber, with swords and sticks to take me?

49 I was daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye did not seize me; but [it is] that the scriptures may be fulfilled.

50 And all left him and fled.

51 And a certain young man followed him with a linen cloth cast about his naked [body]; and [the young men] seize him;

52 but he, leaving the linen cloth behind [him], fled from them naked.

53 And they led away Jesus to the high priest. And there come together to him all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes.

54 And Peter followed him at a distance, till [he was] within the court of the high priest's palace; and he was sitting with the officers and warming himself in the light [of the fire].

55 And the chief priests and the whole sanhedrim sought testimony against Jesus to cause him to be put to death, and did not find [any].

56 For many bore false witness against him, and their testimony did not agree.

57 And certain persons rose up and bore false witness against him, saying,

58 *We* heard him saying, *I* will destroy this temple which is made with hands, and in the course of three days I will build another not made with hands.

59 And neither thus did their testimony agree.

60 And the high priest, rising up before them all, asked Jesus, saying, Answerest thou nothing? What do these testify against thee?

61 But he was silent, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, and says to him, *Thou* art the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?

62 And Jesus said, *I* am, and ye shall see the Son of man sitting at the right hand of power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.

63 And the high priest, having rent his clothes, says, What need have we any more of 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 upon him, and cover up his face, and buffet him, and say to him, Prophesy; and the officers struck him with the palms of their hands.

66 And Peter being below in the palace-court, there comes one of the maids of the high priest,

67 and seeing Peter warming himself, having looked at him, says, And *thou* wast with the Nazarene, Jesus.

68 But he denied, saying, I know not nor understand what thou sayest. And he went out into the vestibule; and a cock crew.

69 And the maid, seeing him, again began to say to those that stood by, This is [one] of them.

70 And he again denied. And again, after a little, those that stood by said to Peter, Truly thou art [one] of them, for also thou art a Galilean.

71 But he began to curse and to swear, I know not this man of whom ye speak.

72 And the second time a cock crew. And Peter remembered the word that Jesus said to him, Before [the] cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice; and when he thought thereon he wept.


Mark 14:1-72 World English Bible (WEB)

1 It was now two days before the feast of the Passover and the unleavened bread, and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might sieze him by deception, and kill him.

2 For they said, "Not during the feast, because there might be a riot of the people."

3 While 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.

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

5 For this might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii,{300 denarii was about a years wages for an agricultural laborer.} and given to the poor." They grumbled against her.

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

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

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

9 Most assuredly I tell you, wherever this Gospel may be preached throughout the whole world, that which this woman has done will also be spoken of for a memorial of her."

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

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

12 On the first day of unleavened bread, when they sacrificed the Passover, his disciples asked him, "Where do you want us to go and make ready that you may eat the Passover?"

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

14 and 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?"'

15 He will himself show you a large upper room furnished and ready. Make ready for us there."

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

17 When it was evening he came with the twelve.

18 As they sat and were eating, Jesus said, "Most assuredly I tell you, one of you will betray me -- he who eats with me."

19 They began to be sorrowful, and to ask him one by one, "Surely not I?" And another said, "Surely not I?"

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

21 For the Son of Man goes, even 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."

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

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

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

25 Most assuredly I tell you, I will no more drink of the fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it anew in the Kingdom of God."

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

27 Jesus 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.'

28 However, after I am raised up, I will go before you into Galilee."

29 But Peter said to him, "Although all will be offended, yet I will not."

30 Jesus said to him, "Most assuredly I tell you, that you today, even this night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times."

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

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

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

34 He said to them, "My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here, and watch."

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

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

37 He came and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, "Simon, are you sleeping? Couldn't you watch one hour?

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

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

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

41 He 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.

42 Arise, let us be going. Behold, he who betrays me is at hand."

43 Immediately, 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.

44 Now he who betrayed him had given them a sign, saying, "Whoever I will kiss, that is he. Seize him, and lead him away safely."

45 When he had come, immediately he came to him, and said, "Rabbi! Rabbi!" and kissed him.

46 They laid their hands on him, and seized him.

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

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

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

50 They all left him, and fled.

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

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

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

54 Peter 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.

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

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

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

58 "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.'"

59 Even so, their testimony did not agree.

60 The high priest stood up in the midst, and asked Jesus, "Have you no answer? What is it which these testify against you?"

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

62 Jesus 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."

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

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

65 Some 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.

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

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

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

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

70 But 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."

71 But he began to curse, and to swear, "I don't know this man of whom you speak!"

72 The rooster crowed the second time. Peter remembered the word, how that Jesus said to him, "Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times." When he thought about that, he wept.


Mark 14:1-72 Bible in Basic English (BBE)

1 It was now two days before the feast of the Passover and the unleavened bread: and the chief priests and the scribes made designs how they might take him by deceit and put him to death:

2 But they said, Not while the feast is going on, for fear there may be trouble among the people.

3 And while he was in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, seated at table, there came a woman with a bottle of perfumed oil of great price; and when the bottle was broken she put the perfume on his head.

4 But some of them were angry among themselves, saying, For what purpose has this oil been wasted?

5 We might have got more than three hundred pence for it, and given the money to the poor. And they said things against her among themselves.

6 But Jesus said, Let her be; why are you troubling her? she has done a kind act to me.

7 The poor you have ever with you, and whenever you have the desire you may do them good: but me you have not for ever.

8 She has done what she was able: she has put oil on my body to make it ready for its last resting-place.

9 And truly I say to you, Wherever the good news goes out through all the earth, what this woman has done will be talked of in memory of her.

10 And Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went away to the chief priests, so that he might give him up to them.

11 And hearing what he said, they were glad, and gave him their word to make him a payment of money. And he took thought how he might best give him up to them.

12 And on the first day of unleavened bread, when the Passover lamb is put to death, his disciples said to him, Where are we to go and make ready for you to take the Passover meal?

13 And he sent two of his disciples, and said to them, Go into the town, and there will come to you a man with a vessel of water: go after him;

14 And wherever he goes in, say to the owner of the house, The Master says, Where is my guest-room, where I may take the Passover with my disciples?

15 And he will take you up himself to a great room with a table and seats: there make ready for us.

16 And the disciples went out and came into the town, and saw that it was as he had said: and they made ready the Passover.

17 And when it was evening he came with the twelve.

18 And while they were seated taking food, Jesus said, Truly I say to you, One of you will be false to me, one who is taking food with me.

19 They were sad, and said to him one by one, Is it I?

20 And he said to them, It is one of the twelve, one who is putting his bread with me into the same plate.

21 The Son of man goes, even as the Writings say of him: but cursed is that man through whom the Son of man is given up! It would have been well for that man if he had never been given birth.

22 And while they were taking food, he took bread, and after blessing it, he gave the broken bread to them, and said, Take it: this is my body.

23 And he took a cup, and when he had given praise, he gave it to them: and they all had a drink from it.

24 And he said to them, This is my blood of the testament, which is given for men.

25 Truly I say to you, I will take no more of the fruit of the vine till the day when I take it new in the kingdom of God.

26 And after a song of praise to God they went out to the Mountain of Olives.

27 And Jesus said to them, You will all be turned away from me: for it is in the Writings, I will put the keeper of the sheep to death, and the sheep will be put to flight.

28 But after I have come back from the dead, I will go before you into Galilee.

29 But Peter said to him, Though the others may be turned away from you, I will not.

30 And Jesus said to him, Truly, I say to you that you, today, even this night, before the cock's second cry, will say three times that you have no knowledge of me.

31 But he said with passion, If I have to be put to death with you, I will not be false to you. And they all said the same.

32 And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he said to his disciples, Be seated here while I say a prayer.

33 And he took with him Peter and James and John, and grief and great trouble came on him.

34 And he said to them, My soul is very sad, even to death: be here a little time, and keep watch.

35 And he went forward a little, and falling down on the earth, made request that, if possible, the hour might go from him.

36 And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible to you; take away this cup from me: but even so let not my pleasure, but yours be done.

37 And he came, and saw them sleeping, and said to Peter, Simon, are you sleeping? were you not able to keep watch one hour?

38 Keep watch with prayer, so that you may not be put to the test; the spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is feeble.

39 And again he went away, and said a prayer, using the same words.

40 And again he came and saw them sleeping, because their eyes were very tired; and they had nothing to say in answer.

41 And he came the third time, and said to them, Go on sleeping now and take your rest: it is enough; the hour has come; see, the Son of man is given up into the hands of evil men.

42 Get up, let us be going; see, he who gives me up is near.

43 And straight away, while he was still talking, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great band with swords and sticks, from the chief priests and the scribes and those in authority.

44 Now he who had been false to him had given them a sign, saying, The one to whom I give a kiss, that is he; take him, and get him away safely.

45 And when he had come, he went straight to him and said, Master; and gave him a kiss.

46 And they put their hands on him, and took him.

47 But a certain one of those who were near took out his sword, and gave the servant of the high priest a blow, cutting off his ear.

48 And Jesus said to them, Have you come out as against a thief, with swords and sticks to take me?

49 I was with you every day in the Temple teaching, and you did not take me; but this is done so that the Writings may come true.

50 And they all went away from him in fear.

51 And a certain young man went after him, with only a linen cloth about his body; and they put their hands on him;

52 But he got away unclothed, without the linen cloth.

53 And they took Jesus away to the high priest; and there came together with him all the chief priests and those in authority and the scribes.

54 And Peter had come after him at a distance, even into the house of the high priest; and he was seated with the captains, warming himself in the light of the fire.

55 Now the chief priests and all the Sanhedrin were looking for witness against Jesus so that they might put him to death; and they were unable to get any.

56 For a number gave false witness against him and their witness was not in agreement.

57 Then some got up and gave false witness against him, saying,

58 He said in our hearing, I will put an end to this Temple which is made with hands, and in three days I will make another without hands.

59 And even so their witness was not in agreement.

60 And the high priest got up in the middle of them, and said to Jesus, Do you say nothing in answer? what is it which these say against you?

61 But he kept quiet and said nothing. Again the high priest questioning him said, Are you the Christ, the son of the Holy One?

62 And Jesus said, I am: and you will see the Son of man seated at the right hand of power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.

63 And the high priest, violently parting his robes, said, What more need have we of witnesses?

64 His words against God have come to your ears: what is your opinion? And they all said it was right for him to be put to death.

65 And some put shame on him and, covering his face, gave him blows and said to him, Now say what is to come: and the captains took him and gave him blows with their hands.

66 And while Peter was down in the open square of the building, one of the servant-girls of the high priest came;

67 And seeing Peter warming himself by the fire, she gave him a look, and said, You were with this Nazarene, even Jesus.

68 But he said, I have no knowledge of him, or of what you are saying: and he went out into the doorway; and there came the cry of a cock.

69 And the girl saw him, and said again to those who were near, This is one of them.

70 But again he said it was not so. And after a little time, again those who were near said to Peter, Truly you are one of them; for you are a Galilaean.

71 But, with curses and oaths, he said, I have no knowledge of the man about whom you are talking.

72 And in the same minute, the cock gave a second cry. And it came to Peter's mind how Jesus had said to him, Before the cock's second cry, you will say three times that you have no knowledge of me. And at this thought he was overcome with weeping.

Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Mark 14

Commentary on Mark 14 Matthew Henry Commentary


Chapter 14

In this chapter begins the account which this evangelist gives of the death and sufferings of our Lord Jesus, which we are all concerned to be acquainted, not only with the history of, but with the mystery of. Here is,

  • I. The plot of the chief priests and scribes against Christ (v. 1, 2).
  • II. The anointing of Christ's head at a supper in Bethany, two days before his death (v. 3-9).
  • III. The contract Judas made with the chief priests, to betray him (v. 10, 11).
  • IV. Christ's eating the passover with his disciples, his instituting the Lord's supper, and his discourse with his disciples, at and after supper (v. 12-31).
  • V. Christ's agony in the garden (v. 32-42).
  • VI. The betraying of him by Judas, and the apprehending of him by the chief priests' agents (v. 43-52).
  • VII. His arraignment before the high priest, his conviction, and the indignities done him at that bar (v. 53-65).
  • VIII. Peter's denying him (v. 66-72).

Most of which passages we had before, Mt. 26.

Mar 14:1-11

We have here instances,

  • I. Of the kindness of Christ's friends, and the provision made of respect and honour for him. Some friends he had, even in and about Jerusalem, that loved him, and never thought they could do enough for him, among whom, though Israel be not gathered, he is, and will be, glorious.
    • 1. Here was one friend, that was so kind as to invite him to sup with him; and he was so kind as to accept the invitation, v. 3. Though he had a prospect of his death approaching, yet he did not abandon himself to a melancholy retirement from all company, but conversed as freely with his friends as usual.
    • 2. Here was another friend, that was so kind as to anoint his head with very precious ointment as he sat at meat. This was an extraordinary piece of respect paid him by a good woman that thought nothing too good to bestow upon Christ, and to do him honour. Now the scripture was fulfilled, When the king sitteth at his table, my spikenard sendeth forth the smell thereof, Cant. 1:12. Let us anoint Christ as our Beloved, kiss him with a kiss of affection; and anoint him as our Sovereign, kiss him with a kiss of allegiance. Did he pour out his soul unto death for us, and shall we think any box of ointment too precious to pour out upon him? It is observable that she took care to pour it all out upon Christ's head; she broke the box (so we read it); but because it was an alabaster box, not easily broken, nor was it necessary that it should be broken, to get out the ointment, some read it, she shook the box, or knocked it to the ground, to loosen what was in it, that it might be got out the better; or, she rubbed and scraped out all that stuck tot he sides of it. Christ must have been honoured with all we have, and we must not think to keep back any part of the price. Do we give him the precious ointment of our best affections? Let him have them all; love him with all the heart.
      Now,
      • (1.) There were those that put a worse construction upon this than it deserved. They called it a waste of the ointment, v. 4. Because they could not have found their hearts to put themselves to such an expense for the honouring of Christ, they thought that she was prodigal, who did. Note, As the vile person ought to be called liberal, nor the churl said to be bountiful (Isa. 32:5); so the liberal and bountiful ought not to be called wasteful. They pretend it might have been sold, and given to the poor, v. 5. But as a common piety to the corban will not excuse from a particular charity to a poor parent (ch. 7:11), so a common charity to the poor will not excuse from a particular act of piety to the Lord Jesus. What thy hand finds to do, that is good, do it with thy might.
      • (2.) Our Lord Jesus put a better construction upon it than, for aught that appears, was designed. Probably, she intended no more, than to show the great honour she had for him, before all the company, and to complete his entertainment. But Christ makes it to be an act of great faith, as well as great love (v. 8); "She is come aforehand, to anoint my body to the burying, as if she foresaw that my resurrection would prevent her doing it afterward.' This funeral rite was a kind of presage of, or prelude to, his death approaching. See how Christ's heart was filled with the thoughts of his death, how every thing was construed with a reference to that, and how familiarly he spoke of it upon all occasions. It is usual for those who are condemned to die, to have their coffins prepared, and other provision made for their funerals, while they are yet alive; and so Christ accepted this. Christ's death and burial were the lowest steps of his humiliation, and therefore, though he cheerfully submitted to them, yet he would have some marks of honour to attend them, which might help to take off the offence of the cross, and be an intimation how precious in the sight of the Lord the death of his saints is. Christ never rode in triumph into Jerusalem, but when he came thither to suffer; nor had ever his head anointed, but for his burial.
      • (3.) He recommended this piece of heroic piety to the applause of the church in all ages; Wherever this gospel shall be preached, it shall be spoken of, for a memorial of her, v. 9. Note, The honour which attends well-doing, even in this world, is sufficient to balance the reproach and contempt that are cast upon it. The memory of the just is blessed, and they that had trial of cruel mockings, yet obtained a good report, Heb. 11:36, 39. Thus was this good woman repaid for her box of ointment, Nec oleum perdidit nec operam-She lost neither her oil nor her labour. She got by it that good name which is better than precious ointment. Those that honour Christ he will honour.
  • II. Of the malice of Christ's enemies, and the preparation made by them to do him mischief.
    • 1. The chief priests, his open enemies, consulted how they might put him to death, v. 1, 2. The feast of the passover was now at hand, and at that feast he must be crucified,
      • (1.) That his death and suffering might be the more public, and that all Israel, even those of the dispersion, who came from all parts to the feast, might be witnesses of it, and of the wonders that attended it.
      • (2.) That the Anti-type might answer to the type. Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us, and brought us out of the house of bondage, at the same time that the paschal lamb was sacrificed, and Israel's deliverance out of Egypt was commemorated.
        Now see,
        • [1.] How spiteful Christ's enemies were; they did not think it enough to banish or imprison him, for they aimed not only to silence him, and stop his progress for the future, but to be revenged on him for all the good he had done.
        • [2.] How subtle they were; Not on the feast-day, when the people are together; they do not say, Lest they should be disturbed in their devotions, and diverted from them, but, Lest there should be an uproar (v. 2); lest they should rise, and rescue him, and fall foul upon those that attempt any thing against him. They who desired nothing more than the praise of men, dreaded nothing more than the rage and displeasure of men.
    • 2. Judas, his disguised enemy, contracted with them for the betraying of him, v. 10, 11. He is said to be one of the twelve that were Christ's family, intimate with him, trained up for the service of the kingdom; and he went to the chief priests, to tender his service in this affair.
      • (1.) That which he proposed to them, was, to betray Christ to them, and to give them notice when and where they might find him, and seize him, without making an uproar among the people, which they were afraid of, if they should seize him when he appeared in public, in the midst of his admirers. Did he know then what help it was they wanted, and where they were run aground in their counsels? It is probable that he did not, for the debate was held in their close cabal. Did they know that he had a mind to serve them, and make court to him? No, they could not imagine that any of his intimates should be so base; but Satan, who was entered into Judas, knew what occasion they had for him, and could guide him to be guide to them, who were contriving to take Jesus. Note, The spirit that works in all the children of disobedience, knows how to bring them in to the assistance one of another in a wicked project, and then to harden them in it, with the fancy that Providence favours them.
      • (2.) That which he proposed to himself, was, to get money by the bargain; he had what he aimed at, when they promised to give him money. Covetousness was Judas's master-lust, his own iniquity, and that betrayed him to the sin of betraying his Master; the devil suited his temptation to that, and so conquered him. It is not said, They promised him preferment (he was not ambitious of that), but, they promised him money. See what need we have to double our guard against the sin that most easily besets us. Perhaps it was Judas's covetousness that brought him at first to follow Christ, having a promise that he should be cash-keeper, or purser, to the society, and he loved in his heart to be fingering money; and now that there was money to be got on the other side, he was as ready to betray him as ever he had been to follow him. Note, Where the principle of men's profession of religion is carnal and worldly, and the serving of a secular interest, the very same principle, whenever the wind turns, will be the bitter root of a vile and scandalous apostasy.
      • (3.) Having secured the money, he set himself to make good his bargain; he sought how he might conveniently betray him, how he might seasonably deliver him up, so as to answer the intention of those who had hired him. See what need we have to be careful that we do not ensnare ourselves in sinful engagements. If at any time we be so ensnared in the words of our mouths, we are concerned to deliver ourselves by a speedy retreat, Prov. 6:1-5. It is a rule in our law, as well as in our religion, that an obligation to do an evil thing is null and void; it binds to repentance, not to performance. See how the way of sin is down-hill-when men are in, they must be on; and what wicked contrivances many have in their sinful pursuits, to compass their designs conveniently; but such conveniences will prove mischiefs in the end.

Mar 14:12-31

In these verses we have,

  • I. Christ's eating the passover with his disciples, the night before he died, with the joys and comforts of which ordinance he prepared himself for his approaching sorrows, the full prospect of which did not indispose him for that solemnity. Note, No apprehension of trouble, come or coming, should put us by, or put us out of frame for, our attendance on holy ordinances, as we have opportunity for it.
    • 1. Christ ate the passover at the usual time when the other Jews did, as Dr. Whitby had fully made out, and not, as Dr. Hammond would have it, the night before. It was on the first day of that feast, which (taking in all the eight days of the feast) was called, The feast of unleavened bread, even that day when they killed the passover, v. 12.
    • 2. He directed his disciples how to find the place where he intended to eat the passover; and hereby gave such another proof of his infallible knowledge of things distant and future (which to us seem altogether contingent), as he had given when he sent them for the ass on which he rode in triumph (ch. 11:6); "Go into the city (for the passover must be eaten in Jerusalem), and there shall meet you a man bearing a pitcher of water (a servant sent for water to clean the rooms in his master's house); follow him, go in where he goes, enquire for his master, the good man of the house (v. 14), and desire him to show you a room.' No doubt, the inhabitants of Jerusalem had rooms fitted up to be let out, for this occasion, to those that came out of the country to keep the passover, and one of those Christ made use of; not any friend's house, nor any house he had formerly frequented, for then he would have said, "Go to such a friend,' or, "You know where we used to be, go thither and prepare.' Probably he went where he was not known, that he might be undisturbed with his disciples. Perhaps he notified it by a sign, to conceal it from Judas, that he might not know till he came to the place; and by such a sign to intimate that he will dwell in the clean heart, that is, washed as with pure water. Where he designs to come, a pitcher of water must go before him; see Isa. 1:16-18.
    • 3. He ate the passover in an upper room furnished, estroµmenon-laid with carpets (so Dr. Hammond); it would seem to have been a very handsome dining-room. Christ was far from affecting any thing that looked stately in eating his common meals; on the contrary, he chose that which was homely, sat down on the grass: but, when he was to keep a sacred feast, in honour of that he would be at the expense of as good a room as he could get. God looks not at outward pomp, but he looks at the tokens and expressions of inward reverence for a divine institution, which, it is to be feared, those want, who, to save charges, deny themselves decencies in the worship of God.
    • 4. He ate it with the twelve, who were his family, to teach those who have the charge of families, not only families of children, but families of servants, or families of scholars, or pupils, to keep up religion among them, and worship God with them. If Christ came with the twelve, then Judas was with them, though he was at this time contriving to betray his Master; and it is plain by what follows (v. 20), that he was there: he did not absent himself, lest he could have been suspected; had his seat been empty at this feast, they would have said, as Saul of David, He is not clean, surely he is not clean, 1 Sa. 20:26. Hypocrites, though they know it is at their peril, yet crowd into special ordinances, to keep up their repute, and palliate their secret wickedness. Christ did not exclude him from the feast, though he knew his wickedness, for it was not as yet become public and scandalous. Christ, designing to put the keys of the kingdom of heaven into the hands of men, who can judge only according to outward appearance, would hereby both direct and encourage them in their admissions to his table, to be satisfied with a justifiable profession, because they cannot discern the root of bitterness till it springs up.
  • II. Christ's discourse with his disciples, as they were eating the passover. It is probable that they had discourse, according to the custom of the feast, of the deliverance of Israel out of Egypt, and the preservation of the first-born, and were as pleasant as they used to be together on this occasion, till Christ told them that which would mix trembling with their joys.
    • 1. They were pleasing themselves with the society of their Master; but he tells them that they must now presently lose him; The Son of man is betrayed; and they knew, for he had often told them, what followed-If he be betrayed, the next news you will hear of him, is, that he is crucified and slain; God hath determined it concerning him, and he agrees to it; The Son of man goes, as it is written of him, v. 21. It was written in the counsels of God, and written in the prophecies of the Old Testament, not one jot or tittle of either of which can fall to the ground.
    • 2. They were pleasing themselves with the society one of another, but Christ casts a damp upon the joy of that, by telling them, One of you that eateth with me shall betray me, v. 18. Christ said this, if it might be, to startle the conscience of Judas, and to awaken him to repent of his wickedness, and to draw back (for it was not too late) from the brink of the pit. But for aught that appears, he who was most concerned in the warning, was least concerned at it. All the rest were affected with it.
      • (1.) They began to be sorrowful. As the remembrance of our former falls into sin, so the fear of the like again, doth often much embitter the comfort of our spiritual feasts, and damp our joy. Here were the bitter herbs, with which this passover-feast was taken.
      • (2.) They began to be suspicious of themselves; they said one by one, Is it I? And another said, Is it I? They are to be commended for their charity, that they were more jealous of themselves than of one another. It is the law of charity, to hope the best (1 Co. 13:5-7), because we assuredly know, therefore we may justly suspect, more evil by ourselves than by our brethren. They are also to be commended for their acquiescence in what Christ said; they trusted more to his words than to their own hearts; and therefore do not say, "I am sure it is not I,' but, "Lord, is it I? see if there be such a way of wickedness in us, such a root of bitterness, and discover it to us, that we may pluck up that root, and stop up that way.'
        Now, in answer to their enquiry, Christ saith that,
        • [1.] Which would make them easy; "It is not you, or you; it is this that now dips with me in the dish; the adversary and enemy is this wicked Judas.'
        • [2.] Which, one would think, should make Judas very uneasy. If he go on in his undertaking, it is upon the sword's point, for woe to that many by whom the Son of man is betrayed; he is undone, for every undone; his sin will soon find him out; and it were better for him that he had never been born, and had never had a being than such a miserable one as he must have. It is very probable that Judas encouraged himself in it with this thought, that his Master had often said he must be betrayed; "And if it must be done, surely God will not find fault with him that doth it, for who hath resisted his will?' As that objector argues, Rom. 9:19. But Christ tells him that this will be no shelter or excuse to him; The Son of man indeed goes; as it is written of him, as a lamb to the slaughter; but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed. God's decree to permit the sins of men, and bring glory to himself out of them, do neither necessitate their sins, nor determine to them, nor will they be any excuse of the sin, or mitigation of the punishment. Christ was delivered indeed by the determinate counsel and fore-knowledge of God; but, notwithstanding that, it is with wicked hands that he is crucified and slain, Acts 2:23.
  • III. The institution of the Lord's supper.
    • 1. It was instituted in the close of a supper, when they were sufficiently fed with the paschal lamb, to show that in the Lord's supper there is no bodily repast intended; to preface it with such a thing, is to revive Moses again. But it is food for the soul only, and therefore a very little of that which is for the body, as much as will serve for a sign, is enough. It was at the close of the passover-supper, which by this was evangelized, and then superseded and set aside. Much of the doctrine and duty of the eucharist is illustrated to us by the law of the passover (Ex. 12); for the Old-Testament institutions, though they do not bind us, yet instruct us, by the help of a gospel-key to them. And these two ordinances lying here so near together, it may be good to compare them, and observe how much shorter and plainer the institution of the Lord's supper is, than that of the passover was. Christ's yoke is easy in comparison with that of the ceremonial law, and his ordinances are more spiritual.
    • 2. It was instituted by the example of Christ himself; not with the ceremony and solemnity of a law, as the ordinance of baptism was, after Christ's resurrection (Mt. 28:19), with, Be it enacted by the authority aforesaid, by a power given to Christ in heaven and on earth (v. 18); but by the practice of our Master himself, because intended for those who are already his disciples, and taken into covenant with him: but it has the obligation of the law, and was intended to remain in full force, power, and virtue, till his second coming.
    • 3. It was instituted with blessing and giving of thanks; the gifts of common providence are to be so received (1 Tim. 4:4, 5), much more than the gifts of special grace. He blessed (v. 22), and gave thanks, v. 23. At his other meals, he was wont to bless, and give thanks (ch. 6:41; 8:7) so remarkably, that he was known by it, Lu. 24:30, 31. And he did the same at this meal.
    • 4. It was instituted to be a memorial of his death; and therefore he broke the bread, to show how it pleased the Lord to bruise him; and he called the wine, which is the blood of the grape, the blood of the New Testament. The death Christ died was a bloody death, and frequent mention is made of the blood, the precious blood, as the pride of our redemption; for the blood is the life, and made atonement for the soul, Lev. 17:11-14. The pouring out of the blood was the most sensible indication of the pouring out of his soul, Isa. 53:12. Blood has a voice (Gen. 4:10); and therefore blood is so often mentioned, because it was to speak, Heb. 12:24. It is called the blood of the New Testament; for the covenant of grace became a testament, and of force by the death of Christ, the testator, Heb. 9:16. It is said to be shed for many, to justify many (Isa. 53:11), to bring many sons to glory, Heb. 2:10. It was sufficient for many, being of infinite value; it has been of use to many; we read of a great multitude which no man could number, that had all washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb (Rev. 7:9-14); and still it is a fountain opened. How comfortable is this to poor repenting sinners, that the blood of Christ is shed for many! And if for many, why not for me? If for sinners, sinners of the Gentiles, the chief of sinners, then why not for me?
    • 5. It was instituted to be a ratification of the covenant made with us in him, and a sign of the conveyance of those benefits to us, which were purchased for us by his death; and therefore he broke the bread to them (v. 22), and said, Take, eat of it: he gave the cup to them, and ordered them to drink of it, v. 23. Apply the doctrine of Christ crucified to yourselves, and let it be meat and drink to your souls, strengthening, nourishing, and refreshing, to you, and the support and comfort of your spiritual life.
    • 6. It was instituted with an eye to the happiness of heaven, and to be an earnest and fore-taste of that, and thereby to put our mouths out of taste for all the pleasures and delights of sense (v. 25); I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, as it is a bodily refreshment. I have done with it. No one, having tasted spiritual delights, straightway desires sensitive ones, for he saith, The spiritual is better (Lu. 5:39); but every one that hath tasted spiritual delights, straightway desires eternal ones, for he saith, Those are better still; and therefore let me drink no more of the fruit of the vine, it is dead and flat to those that have been made to drink of the river of God's pleasures; but, Lord, hasten the day, when I shall drink it new and fresh in the kingdom of God, where it shall be for ever new, and in perfection.
    • 7. It was closed with a hymn, v. 26. Though Christ was in the midst of his enemies, yet he did not, for fear of them, omit this sweet duty of singing psalms. Paul and Silas sang, when the prisoners heard them. This was an evangelical song, and gospel times are often spoken of in the Old Testament, as times of rejoicing, and praise is expressed by singing. This was Christ's swan-like song, which he sung just before he entered upon his agony; probably, that which is usually sung, Ps. 113 to Ps. 118.
  • IV. Christ's discourse with his disciples, as they were returning to Bethany by moonlight. When the had sung the hymn, presently they went out. It was now near bedtime, but our Lord Jesus had his heart so much upon his suffering, that he would not come into the tabernacle of his house, norgo up into his bed, nor give sleep to his eyes, when that work was to be done, Ps. 132:3, 4. The Israelites were forbidden to go out of their houses the night that they ate the passover, for fear of the sword of the destroying angel, Ex. 12:22, 23. But because Christ, the great shepherd, was to be smitten, he went out purposely to expose himself to the sword, as a champion; they evaded the destroyer, but Christ conquered him, and brought destructions to a perpetual end.
    • 1. Christ here foretels that in his sufferings he should be deserted by all his disciples; "You will all be offended because of me, this night. I know you will (v. 27), and what I tell you now, is no other than what the scripture has told you before; I will smite the shepherd, and then the sheep will be scattered.' Christ knew this before, and yet welcomed them at his table; he sees the falls and miscarriages of his disciples, and yet doth not refuse them. Nor should we be discouraged from coming to the Lord's supper, by the fear of relapsing into sin afterward; but, the greater of our danger is, the more need we have to fortify ourselves by the diligent conscientious use of holy ordinances. Christ tells them that they would be offended in him, would begin to question whether he were the Messiah or no, when they saw him overpowered by his enemies. Hitherto, they had continued with him in his temptations; though they had sometimes offended him, yet they had not been offended in him, nor turned the back upon him; but now the storm would be so great, that they would all slip their anchors, and be in danger of shipwreck. Some trials are more particular (as Rev. 2:10, The devil shall cast some of you into prison); but others are more general, an hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, Rev. 3:10. The smiting of the shepherd is often the scattering of the sheep: magistrates, ministers, masters of families, if these are, as they should be, shepherds to those under their charge, when any thing comes amiss to them, the whole flock suffers for it, and is endangered by it.
      But Christ encourages them with a promise that they shall rally again, shall return both to their duty and to their comfort (v. 28); "After I am risen, I will gather you in from all the places wither you are scattered, Eze. 34:12. I will go before you into Galilee, will see our friends, and enjoy one another there.'
    • 2. He foretels that he should be denied particularly by Peter. When they went out to go to the mount of Olives, we may suppose that they dropped Judas (he stole away from them), whereupon the rest began to think highly of themselves, that they stuck to their Master, when Judas quitted him. But Christ tells them, that though they should be kept by his grace from Judas's apostasy, yet they would have no reason to boast of their constancy. Note, Though God keeps us from being as bad as the worst, yet we may well be ashamed to think that we are not better than we are.
      • (1.) Peter is confident that he should not do so ill as the rest of his disciples (v. 29); Though all should be offended, all his brethren here present, yet will not I. He supposes himself not only stronger than others, but so much stronger, as to be able to receive the shock of a temptation, and bear up against it, all alone; to stand, though nobody stood by him. It is bred in the bone with us, to think well of ourselves, and trust to our own hearts.
      • (2.) Christ tells him that he will do worse than any of them. They will all desert him, but he will deny him; not once, but thrice; and that presently; "This day, even this night before the cock crow twice, thou wilt deny that ever thou hadst any knowledge of me, or acquaintance with me, as one ashamed and afraid to own me.'
      • (3.) He stands to his promise; "If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee; I will adhere to thee, though it cost me my life:' and, no doubt, he thought as he said. Judas said nothing like this, when Christ told him he would betray him. He sinned by contrivance, Peter by surprise; he devised the wickedness (Mic. 2:1), Peter was overtaken in this fault, Gal. 6:1. It was ill done of Peter, to contradict his Master. If he had said, with fear and trembling, "Lord, give me grace to keep me from denying thee, lead me not into this temptation, deliver me from this evil,' it might have been prevented: but they were all thus confident; they who said, Lord, is it I? now said, It shall never be me. Being acquitted from their fear of betraying Christ, they were now secure. But he that thinks he stands, must learn to take heed lest he fall; and he that girdeth on the harness, not boast as though he had put it off.

Mar 14:32-42

Christ is here entering upon his sufferings, and begins with those which were the sorest of all his sufferings, those in his soul. Here we have him in his agony; this melancholy story we had in Matthew; this agony in soul was the wormwood and the gall in the affliction and misery; and thereby it appeared that no sorrow was forced upon him, but that it was what he freely admitted.

  • I. He retired for prayer; Sit ye here (saith he to his disciples), while I go a little further, and pray. He had lately prayed with them (Jn. 17); and now he appoints them to withdraw while he goes to his Father upon an errand peculiar to himself. Note, Our praying with our families will not excuse our neglect of secret worship. When Jacob entered into his agony, he first sent over all that he had, and was left alone, and then there wrestled a man with him (Gen. 32:23, 24), though he had been at prayer before (v. 9), it is likely, with his family.
  • II. Even into that retirement he took with him Peter, and James, and John (v. 33), three competent witnesses of this part of his humiliation; and though great spirits care not how few know any thing of their agonies, he was not ashamed that they should see. These three had boasted most of their ability and willingness to suffer with him; Peter here, in this chapter, and James and John (ch. 10:39); and therefore Christ takes them to stand by, and see what a struggle he had with the bloody baptism and the bitter cup, to convince them that they knew not what they said. It is fit that they who are most confident, should be first tried, that they may be made sensible of their folly and weakness.
  • III. There he was in a tremendous agitation (v. 33); He began to be sore amazed-ekthambeisthai, a word not used in Matthew, but very significant; it bespeaks something like that horror of great darkness, which fell upon Abraham (Gen. 15:12), or, rather, something much worse, and more frightful. The terrors of God set themselves in array against him, and he allowed himself the actual and intense contemplation of them. Never was sorrow like unto his at that time; never any had such experience as he had from eternity of divine favours, and therefore never any had, or could have, such a sense as he had of divine favours. Yet there was not the least disorder or irregularity in this commotion of his spirits; his affections rose not tumultuously, but under direction, and as they were called up, for he had no corrupt nature to mix with them, as we have. If water have a sediment at the bottom, though it may be clear while it stands still, yet, when shaken, it grows muddy; so it is with our affections: but pure water in a clean glass, though ever so much stirred, continues clear; and so it was with Christ. Dr. Lightfoot thinks it very probable that the devil did now appear to our Saviour in a visible shape, in his own shape and proper colour, to terrify and affright him, and to drive him from his hope in God (which he aimed at in persecuting Job, a type of Christ, to make him curse God, and die), and to deter him from the further prosecution of his undertaking; whatever hindered him from that, he looked upon as coming from Satan, Mt. 16:23. When the devil had tempted him in the wilderness, it is said, He departed from him for a season (Lu. 4:13), intending another grapple with him, and in another way; finding that he could not by his flatteries allure him into sin, he would try by his terrors to affright him into it, and so make void his design.
  • IV. He made a sad complaint of this agitation. He said, My soul is exceeding sorrowful.
    • 1. He was made sin for us, and therefore was thus sorrowful; he fully knew the malignity of the sins he was to suffer for; and having the highest degree of love to God, who was offended by them, and of love to man, who was damaged and endangered by them, now that those were set in order before him, no marvel that his soul was exceeding sorrowful. Now was he made to serve with our sins, and was thus wearied with our iniquities.
    • 2. He was made a curse for us; the curses of the law were transferred to him as our surety and representative, not as originally bound with us, but a bail to the action. And when his soul was thus exceeding sorrowful, he did, as it were, yield to them, and lie down under the load, until by his death he had satisfied for sin, and so for ever abolished the curse. He now tasted death (as he is said to do, Heb. 2:9), which is not an extenuating expression, as if he did but taste it; no, he drank up even the dregs of the cup; but it is rather aggravating; it did not go down by wholesale, but he tasted all the bitterness of it. This was that fear which the apostle speaks of (Heb. 5:7), a natural fear of pain and death, which it is natural to human nature to startle at.
      Now the consideration of Christ's sufferings in his soul, and his sorrows for us, should be of use to us,
      • (1.) To embitter our sins. Can we ever entertain a favourable or so much as a slight thought of sin, when we see what impression sin (though but imputed) made upon the Lord Jesus? Shall that sit light upon our souls, which sat so heavy upon his? Was Christ in such an agony for our sins, and shall we never be in an agony about them? How should we look upon him whom we have pressed, whom we have pierced, and mourn, and be in bitterness! It becomes us to be exceeding sorrowful for sin, because Christ was so, and never to make a mock at it. If Christ thus suffered for sin, let us arm ourselves with the same mind.
      • (2.) To sweeten our sorrows; if our souls be at any time exceeding sorrowful, through the afflictions of this present time, let us remember that our Master was so before us, and the disciple is not greater than his Lord. Why should we affect to drive away sorrow, when Christ for our sakes courted it, and submitted to it, and thereby not only took out the sting of it, and made it tolerable, but put virtue into it, and made it profitable (for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better), nay, and put sweetness into it, and made it comfortable. Blessed Paul was sorrowful, and yet always rejoicing. If we be exceeding sorrowful, it is but unto death; that will be the period of all our sorrows, if Christ be ours; when the eyes are closed, all tears are wiped away from them.
  • V. He ordered his disciples to keep with him, not because he needed their help, but because he would have them to look upon him and receive instruction; he said to them, Tarry ye here and watch. He had said to the other disciples nothing but, Sit ye here (v. 32); but these three he bids to tarry and watch, as expecting more from them than from the rest.
  • VI. He addressed himself to God by prayer (v. 35); He fell on the ground, and prayed. It was but a little before this, that in prayer he lifted up his eyes (Jn. 17:1); but here, being in an agony, he fell upon his face, accommodating himself to his present humiliation, and teaching us thus to abase ourselves before God; it becomes us to be low, when we come into the presence of the Most High.
    • 1. As Man, he deprecated his sufferings, that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him (v. 35); "This short, but sharp affliction, that which I am now this hour to enter upon, let man's salvation be, if possible, accomplished without it.' We have his very words (v. 36), Abba, Father. The Syriac word is here retained, which Christ used, and which signifies Father, to intimate what an emphasis our Lord Jesus, in his sorrows, laid upon it, and would have us to lay. It is with an eye to this, that St. Paul retains this word, putting it into the mouths of all that have the Spirit of adoption; they are taught to cry, Abba, Father, Rom. 8:15; Gal. 4:6. Father, all things are possible to thee. Note, Even that which we cannot expect to be done for us, we ought yet to believe that God is able to do: and when we submit to his will, and refer ourselves to his wisdom and mercy, it must be with a believing acknowledgment of his power, that all things are possible to him.
    • 2. As Mediator, he acquiesced in the will of God concerning them; "Nevertheless, not what I will, but what thou wilt. I know the matter is settled, and cannot be altered, I must suffer and die, and I bid it welcome.'
  • VII. He roused his disciples, who were dropped asleep while he was at prayer, v. 37, 38. He comes to look after them, since they did not look after him; and he finds them asleep, so little affected were they with his sorrows, his complaints, and prayers. This carelessness of theirs was a presage of their further offence in deserting him; and it was an aggravation of it, that he had so lately commended them for continuing with him in his temptations, though they had not been without their faults. Was he so willing to make the best of them, and were they so indifferent in approving themselves to him? They had lately promised not to be offended in him; what! and yet mind him so little? He particularly upbraided Peter with his drowsiness; Simon, sleepest thou? Kai sy teknon;-"What thou, my son? Thou that didst so positively promise thou wouldest not deny me, dost thou slight me thus? From thee I expected better things. Couldest thou not watch one hour?' He did not require him to watch all night with him, only for one hour. It aggravates our faintness and short continuance in Christ's service, that he doth not over-task us, nor weary us with it, Isa. 43:23. He puts upon us no other burthen than to hold fast till he comes (Rev. 2:24, 25); and behold, he comes quickly, Rev. 3:11.
    As those whom Christ loves he rebukes when they do amiss, so those whom he rebukes he counsels and comforts.
    • 1. It was a very wise and faithful word of advice which Christ here gave to his disciples; Watch and pray, lest ye enter into temptation, v. 38. It was bad to sleep when Christ was in his agony, but they were entering into further temptation, and if they did not stir up themselves, and fetch in grace and strength from God by prayer, they would do worse; and so they did, when they all forsook him, and fled.
    • 2. It was a very kind and tender excuse that Christ made for them; "The spirit truly is willing; I know it is, it is ready, it is forward; you would willingly keep awake, but you cannot.' This may be taken as a reason for that exhortation, "Watch and pray; because, though the spirit is willing, I grant it is (you have sincerely resolved never to be offended in me), yet the flesh is weak, and if you do not watch and pray, and use the means of perseverance, you may be overcome, notwithstanding.' The consideration of the weakness and infirmity of our flesh should engage and quicken us to prayer and watchfulness, when we are entering into temptation.
  • VIII. He repeated his address to his Father (v. 39); He went again, and prayed, saying, ton auton logon-the same word, or matter, or business; he spoke to the same purport, and again the third time. This teaches us, that men ought to pray, and not to faint, Lu. 18:1. Though the answers to our prayers do not come quickly, yet we must renew our requests, and continue instant in prayer; for the vision is for an appointed time, and at the end it shall speak, and not lie, Hab. 2:3. Paul, when he was buffeted by a messenger of Satan, besought the Lord thrice, as Christ did here, before he obtained an answer of peace, 2 Co. 12:7, 8. A little before this, when Christ, in the trouble of his soul, prayed, Father, glorify thy name, he had an immediate answer by a voice from heaven, I have both glorified it, and I will glorify it yet again; but now he must come a second and third time, for the visits of God's grace, in answer to prayer, come sooner or later, according to the pleasure of his will, that we may be kept depending.
  • IX. He repeated his visits to his disciples. Thus he gave a specimen of his continued care for his church on earth, even when it is half asleep, and not duly concerned for itself, while he ever lives making intercession with his Father in heaven. See how, as became a Mediator, he passes and repasses between both. He came the second time to his disciples, and found them asleep again, v. 40. See how the infirmities of Christ's disciples return upon them, notwithstanding their resolutions, and overpower them, notwithstanding their resistance; and what clogs those bodies of ours are to our souls, which should make us long for that blessed state in which they shall be no more our encumbrance. This second time he spoke to them as before, but they wist not what to answer him; they were ashamed of their drowsiness, and had nothing to say in excuse for it. Or, They were so overpowered with it, that, like men between sleeping and waking, they knew not where they were, or what they said. But, the third time, they were bid to sleep if they would (v. 41); "Sleep on now, and take your rest. I have now no more occasion for your watching, you may sleep, if you will, for me.' It is enough; we had not that word in Matthew. "You have had warning enough to keep awake, and would not take it; and now you shall see what little reason you have to be secure.' Apekei, I discharge you from any further attendance; so some understand it; "Now the hour is come, in which I knew you would all forsake me, even take your course;' as he said to Judas, What thou doest, do quickly. The Son of man is now betrayed into the hands of sinners, the chief priests and elders; those worst of sinners, because they made a profession of sanctity. "Come, rise up, do not lie dozing there. Let us go and meet the enemy, for lo, he that betrayeth me is at hand, and I must not now think of making an escape.' When we see trouble at the door, we are concerned to stir up ourselves to get ready for it.

Mar 14:43-52

We have here the seizing of our Lord Jesus by the officers of the chief priests. This was what his enemies had long aimed at, they had often sent to take him; but he had escaped out of their hands, because his hour was not come, nor could they now have taken him, had he not freely surrendered himself. He began first to suffer in his soul, but afterward suffered in his body, that he might satisfy for sin, which begins in the heart, but afterwards makes the members of the body instruments of unrighteousness.

  • I. Here is a band of rude miscreants employed to take our Lord Jesus and make him a prisoner; a great multitude with swords and staves. There is no wickedness so black, no villany so horrid, but there may be found among the children of men fit tools to be made use of, that will not scruple to be employed; so miserably depraved and vitiated is mankind. At the head of this rabble is Judas, one of the twelve, one of those that had been many years intimately conversant with our Lord Jesus, had prophesied in his name, and in his name cast out devils, and yet betrayed him. It is no new thing for a very fair and plausible profession to end in a shameful and fatal apostasy. How art thou fallen, O Lucifer!
  • II. Men of no less figure than the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders, sent them, and set them on work, who pretended to expect the Messiah, and to be ready to welcome him; and yet, when he is come, and has given undeniable proofs that it is he that should come, because he doth not make court to them, nor countenance and support their pomp and grandeur, because he appears not as a temporal prince, but sets up a spiritual kingdom, and preaches repentance, reformation, and a holy life, and directs men's thoughts, and affections, and aims, to another world, they set themselves against him, and, without giving the credentials he produces an impartial examination, resolve to run him down.
  • III. Judas betrayed him with a kiss; abusing the freedom Christ used to allow his disciples of kissing his cheek at their return when they had been any time absent. He called him, Master, Master, and kissed him; he said, Rabbi, Rabbi, as if he had been now more respectful to him than ever. It is enough to put one for ever out of conceit with being called of men Rabbi, Rabbi (Mt. 23:7), since it was with this compliment that Christ was betrayed. He bid them take him, and lead him away safely. Some think that he spoke this ironically, knowing that they could not secure him unless he pleased, that this Samson could break their bonds asunder as threads of tow, and make is escape, and then he should get the money, and Christ the honour, and no harm done; and I should think so too, but that Satan was entered into him, so that the worst and most malicious intention of this action is not too black to be supposed. Nay, he had often heard his Master say, that, being betrayed, he should be crucified, and had no reason to think otherwise.
  • IV. They arrested him, and made him their prisoner (v. 46); They laid their hands on him, rude and violent hands, and took him into custody; triumphing, it is likely, that they had done that which has been often before attempted in vain.
  • V. Peter laid about him in defence of his Master, and wounded one of the assailants, being for the present mindful of his promise, to venture his life with his Master. He was one of them that stood by, of them that were with him (so the word signifies), of those three disciples that were with him in the garden; he drew a sword, and aimed, it is likely, to cut off the head, but missed his blow, and only cut off the ear, of a servant of the high priest, v. 47. It is easier to fight for Christ, than to die for him; but Christ's good soldiers overcome, not by taking other people's lives, but by laying down their own, Rev. 12:11.
  • VI. Christ argues with them that had seized him, and shows them the absurdity of their proceedings against him.
    • 1. That they came out against him, as against a thief, whereas he was innocent of any crime; he taught daily in the temple, and if he had any wicked design, there it would some time or other have been discovered; nay, these officers of the chief priests, being retainers to the temple, may be supposed to have heard his sermons there (I was with you in the temple); and had he not taught them excellent doctrine, even his enemies themselves being judges? Were not all the words of his mouth in righteousness? Was there any thing froward or perverse in them? Prov. 8:8. By his fruits he was known to be a good tree; why then did they come out against him as a thief?
    • 2. That they came to take him thus privately, whereas he was neither ashamed nor afraid to appear publicly in the temple. He was none of those evil-doers that hate the light, neither come to the light, Jn. 3:20. If their masters had any thing to say to him, they might meet him any day in the temple, where he was ready to answer all challenges, all charges; and there they might do as they pleased with him, for the priests had the custody of the temple, and the command of the guards about it: but to come upon him thus at midnight, and in the place of his retirement, was base and cowardly. This was to do as David's enemy, that sat in the lurking places of the villages, to murder the innocent, Ps. 10:8. But this was not all.
    • 3. They came with swords and staves, as if he had been in arms against the government, and must have the posse comitatus raised to reduce him. There was no occasion for those weapons; but they made this ado,
      • (1.) To secure themselves from the rage of some; they came armed, because they feared the people; but thus were they in great fear, where no fear was, Ps. 53:5.
      • (2.) To expose him to the rage of others. By coming with swords and staves to take him, they represented him to the people (who are apt to take impressions this way) as a dangerous turbulent man, and so endeavored to incense them against him, and make them cry out, Crucify him, crucify him, having no other way to gain their point.
  • VII. He reconciled himself to all this injurious, ignominious treatment, by referring himself to the Old-Testament predictions of the Messiah. I am hardly used, but I submit, for the scriptures must be fulfilled, v. 49.
    • 1. See here what a regard Christ had to the scriptures; he would bear any thing rather than that the least jot or tittle of the word of God should fall to the ground; and as he had an eye to them in his sufferings, so he has in his glory; for what is Christ doing in the government of the world, but fulfilling the scriptures?
    • 2. See what use we are to make of the Old Testament; we must search for Christ, the true treasure hid in that field: as the history of the New Testament expounds the prophecies of Old, so the prophecies of the Old Testament illustrate the history of the New.
  • VIII. All Christ's disciples, hereupon, deserted him (v. 50); They all forsook him, and fled. They were very confident that they should adhere to him; but even good men know not what they will do, till they are tried. If it was such a comfort to him as he had lately intimated, that they had hitherto continued with him in his lesser trials (Lu. 22:28), we may well imagine what a grief it was to him, that they deserted him now in the greatest, when they might have done him some service-when he was abused, to protect him, and when accused, to witness for him. Let not those that suffer for Christ, think it strange, if they be thus deserted, and if all the herd shun the wounded deer; they are not better than their Master, nor can expect to be better used either by their enemies or by their friends. When St. Paul was in peril, none stood by him, but all men forsook him, 2 Tim. 4:16.
  • IX. The noise disturbed the neighbourhood, and some of the neighbours were brought into danger by the riot, v. 51, 52. This passage of story we have not in any other of the evangelists. Here is an account of a certain young man, who, as it should seem, was no disciple of Christ, nor, as some have imagined, a servant of the house wherein Christ had eaten the passover, who followed him to see what would become of him (as the sons of the prophets, when they understood that Elijah was to be taken up, went to view afar off, 2 Ki. 2:7), but some young man that lived near the garden, perhaps in the house to which the garden belonged. Now observe concerning him,
    • 1. How he was frightened out of his bed, to be a spectator of Christ's sufferings. Such a multitude, so armed, and coming with so much fury, and in the dead of night, and in a quiet village, could not but produce a great stir; this alarmed our young man, who perhaps thought they was some tumult or rising in the city, some uproar among the people, and had the curiosity to go, and see what the matter was, and was in such haste to inform himself, that he could not stay to dress himself, but threw a sheet about him, as if he would appear like a walking ghost, in grave clothes, to frighten those who had frightened him, and ran among the thickest of them with this question, What is to do here? Being told, he had a mind to see the issue, having, no doubt, heard much of the fame of this Jesus; and therefore, when all his disciples had quitted him, he continued to follow him, desirous to hear what he would say, and see what he would do. Some think that his having no other garment than this linen cloth upon his naked body, intimates that he was one of those Jews who made a great profession of piety that their neighbours, in token of which, among other instances of austerity and mortification of the body, they used no clothes but one linen garment, which, though contrived to be modest enough, was thin and cold. But I rather think that this was not his constant wear.
    • 2. See how he was frightened into his bed again, when he was in danger of being made a sharer in Christ's sufferings. His own disciples had run away from him; but this young man, having no concern for him, thought he might securely attend him, especially being so far from being armed, that he was not so much as clothed; but the young men, the Roman soldiers, who were called to assist, laid hold of him, for all was fish that came to their net. Perhaps they were now vexed at themselves, that they had suffered the disciples to run away, and they being got out of their reach they resolved to seize the first they could lay their hands on; though this young man was perhaps one of the strictest sect of the Jewish church, yet the Roman soldiers made no conscience of abusing him upon this occasion. Finding himself in danger, he left the linen cloth by which they had caught hold of him, and fled away naked. This passage is recorded to show what a barbarous crew this was, that was sent to seize Christ, and what a narrow escape the disciples had of falling into their hands, out of which nothing could have kept them but their Master's care of them; If ye seek me, let these go their way, Jn. 18:8. It also intimates that there is no hold of those who are led by curiosity only, and not by faith and conscience, to follow Christ.

Mar 14:53-65

We have here Christ's arraignment, trial, conviction, and condemnation, in the ecclesiastical court, before the great sanhedrim, of which the high priest was president, or judge of the court; the same Caiaphas that had lately adjudged it expedient he should be put to death, guilty or not guilty (Jn. 11:50), and who therefore might justly be excepted against as partial.

  • I. Christ is hurried away to his house, his palace it is called, such state did he live in. And there, though, in the dead of the night, all the chief priests, and elders, and scribes, that were in the secret, were assembled, ready to receive the prey; so sure were they of it.
  • II. Peter followed at a distance, such a degree of cowardice was his late courage dwindled into, v. 54. But when he came to the high priest's palace, he sneakingly went, and sat with the servants, that he might not be suspected to belong to Christ. The high priest's fire side was no proper place, nor his servants proper company, for Peter, but it was his entrance into a temptation.
  • III. Great diligence was used to procure, for love or money, false witnesses against Christ. They had seized him as a malefactor, and now they had him they had no indictment to prefer against him, no crime to lay to his charge, but they sought for witnesses against him; pumped some with ensnaring questions, offered bribes to others, if they would accuse him, and endeavored to frighten others, if they would not, v. 55, 56. The chief priests and elders were by the law entrusted with the prosecuting and punishing of false witnesses (Deu. 19:16, 17); yet those were now ringleaders in a crime that tends to overthrow of all justice. It is time to cry, Help, Lord, when the physicians of a land are its troublers, and those that should be the conservators of peace and equity, are the corrupters of both.
  • IV. He was at length charged with words spoken some years ago, which, as they were represented, seemed to threaten the temple, which they had made no better than an idol of (v. 57, 58); but the witnesses to this matter did not agree (v. 59), for one swore that he said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days (so it is in Matthew); the other swore that he said, I will destroy this temple, that is made with hands, and within three days, I will build not it, but another made without hands; now these two differ much from each other; oude iseµ eµn heµ martyria-their testimony was not sufficient, nor equal to the charge of a capital crime; so Dr. Hammond: they did not accuse him of that upon which a sentence of death might be founded, no not by the utmost stretch of their law.
  • V. He was urged to be his own accuser (v. 60); The high priest stood up in a heat, and said, Answerest thou nothing? This he said under pretence of justice and fair dealing, but really with a design to ensnare him, that they might accuse him, Lu. 11:53, 54; 20:20. We may well imagine with what an air of haughtiness and disdain this proud high priest brought our Lord Jesus to this question; "Come you, the prisoner at the bar, you hear what is sworn against you; what have you now to say for yourself?' Pleased to think that he seemed silent, who had so often silenced those that picked quarrels with him. Still Christ answered nothing, that he might set us an example,
    • 1. Of patience under calumnies and false accusations; when we are reviled, let us not revile again, 1 Pt. 2:23. And,
    • 2. Of prudence, when a man shall be made an offender for a word (Isa. 29:21), and our defence made our offence; it is an evil time indeed when the prudent shall keep silence (lest they make bad worse), and commit their cause to him that judgeth righteously. But,
  • VI. When he was asked whether he was the Christ, he confessed, and denied not, that he was, v. 61, 62. He asked, Art thou the Son of the Blessed? that is the Son of God? for, as Dr. Hammond observes, the Jews, when they named God, generally added, blessed for ever; and thence the Blessed is the title of God, a peculiar title, and applied to Christ, Rom. 9:5. And for the proof of his being the Son of God, he binds them over to his second coming; "Ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power; that Son of man that now appears so mean and despicable, whom ye see and trample upon (Isa. 53:2, 3), you shall shortly see and tremble before.' Now, one would think that such a word as this which our Lord Jesus seems to have spoken with a grandeur and majesty not agreeable to his present appearance (for through the thickest cloud of his humiliation some rays of glory were still darted forth), should have startled the court, and at least, in the opinion of some of them, should have amounted to a demurrer, or arrest of judgment, and that they should have stayed process till they had considered further of it; when Paul at the bar reasoned of the judgment to come, the judge trembled, and adjourned the trial, Acts 24:25. But these chief priests were so miserably blinded with malice and rage, that, like the horse rushing into the battle, they mocked at fear, and were not affrighted, neither believed they that it was the sound of the trumpet, Job 39:22, 24. And see Job 15:25, 26.
  • VII. The high priest, upon this confession of his, convicted him as a blasphemer (v. 63); He rent his clothes-chitoµnas autou. Some think the word signifies his pontifical vestments, which, for the greater state, he had put on, though in the night, upon this occasion. As before, in his enmity to Christ, he said he knew not what (Jn. 11:51, 52), so now he did he knew not what. If Saul's rending Samuel's mantle was made to signify the rending of the kingdom from him (1 Sa. 15:27, 28), much more did Caiaphas's rending his own clothes signify the rending of the priesthood from him, as the rending of the veil, at Christ's death, signified the throwing of all open. Christ's clothes, even when he was crucified, were kept entire, and not rent: for when the Levitical priesthood was rent in pieces and done away, This Man, because he continues ever, has an unchangeable priesthood.
  • VIII. They agreed that he was a blasphemer, and, as such, was guilty of a capital crime, v. 64. The question seemed to be put fairly, What think ye? But it was really prejudged, for the high priest had said, Ye have heard the blasphemy; he gave judgment first, who, as president of the court, ought to have voted last. So they all condemned him to be guilty of death; what friends he had in the great sanhedrim, did not appear, it is probable that they had not notice.
  • IX. They set themselves to abuse him, and, as the Philistines with Samson, to make sport with him, v. 65. It should seem that some of the priests themselves that had condemned him, so far forgot the dignity, as well as duty, of their place, and the gravity which became them, that they helped their servants in playing the fool with a condemned prisoner. This they made their diversion, while they waited for the morning, to complete their villany. That night of observations (as the passover-night was called) they made a merry night of. If they did not think it below them to abuse Christ, shall we think any thing below us, by which we may do him honour?

Mar 14:66-72

We have here the story of Peter's denying Christ.

  • 1. It began in keeping at a distance from him. Peter had followed afar off (v. 54), and now was beneath in the palace, at the lower end of the hall. Those that are shy of Christ, are in a fair way to deny him, that are shy of attending on holy ordinances, shy of the communion of the faithful, and loth to be seen on the side of despised godliness.
  • 2. It was occasioned by his associating with the high priest's servants, and sitting among them. They that think it dangerous to be in company with Christ's disciples, because thence they may be drawn in to suffer for him, will find it much more dangerous to be in company with his enemies, because there they may be drawn in to sin against him.
  • 3. The temptation was, his being charged as a disciple of Christ; Thou also wert with Jesus of Nazareth, v. 67. This is one of them (v. 69), for thou art a Galilean, one may know that by thy speaking broad, v. 70. It doth not appear that he was challenged upon it, or in danger of being prosecuted as a criminal for it, but only bantered upon it, and in danger of being ridiculed as a fool for it. While the chief priests were abusing the Master, the servants were abusing the disciples. Sometimes the cause of Christ seems to fall so much on the losing side, that every body has a stone to throw at it, and even the abjects gather themselves together against it. When Job was on the dunghill, he was had in derision of those that were the children of base men, Job 30:8. Yet, all things considered, the temptation could not be called formidable; it was only a maid that casually cast her eye upon him, and, for aught that appears, without design of giving him any trouble, said, Thou art one of them, to which he needed not to have made any reply, or might have said, "And if I be, I hope that is no treason.'
  • 4. The sin was very great; he denied Christ before men, at a time when he ought to have confessed and owned him, and to have appeared in court a witness for him. Christ had often given notice to his disciples of his own sufferings; yet, when they came, they were to Peter as great a surprise and terror as if he had never heard of them before. He had often told them that they must suffer for him, must take up their cross, and follow him; and yet Peter is so terribly afraid of suffering, upon the very first alarm of it, that he will lie and swear, and do any thing, to avoid it. When Christ was admired and flocked after, he could readily own him; but now that he is deserted, and despised, and run down, he is ashamed of him, and will own no relation to him.
  • 5. His repentance was very speedy. He repeated his denial thrice, and the third was worst of all, for then he cursed and swore, to confirm his denial; and that the third blow, which, one would think, should have stunned him, and knocked him down, startled him, and roused him up. Then the cock crew the second time, which put him in mind of his Master's words, the warning he had given him, with that particular circumstance of the cock crowing twice; by recollecting that, he was made sensible of his sin and the aggravations of it; and when he thought thereon, he wept. Some observe that this evangelist, who wrote, as some have thought, by St. Peter's direction, speaks as fully of Peter's sin as any of them, but more briefly of his sorrow, which Peter, in modesty, would not have to be magnified, and because he thought he could never sorrow enough for great a sin. His repentance here is thus expressed, epibaloµv eklaie, where something must be supplied. He added to weep, so some; making it a Hebraism; he wept, and the more he thought of it, the more he wept; he continued weeping; he flung out, and wept; burst out into tears; threw himself down, and wept; he covered his face, and wept, so some; cast his garment about his head, that he might not be seen to weep; he cast his eyes upon his Master, who turned, and looked upon him; so Dr. Hammond supplies it, and it is a probable conjecture. Or, as we understand it, fixing his mind upon it, he wept. It is not a transient thought of that which is humbling, that will suffice, but we must dwell upon it. Or, what if this word should mean his laying a load upon himself, throwing a confusion into his own face? he did as the publican that smote his breast, in sorrow for sin; and this amounts to his weeping bitterly.