Chapter 14
The Plot to Kill Jesus
14 It was now two days before the Passover and the feast of Unleavened Bread.
A Jewish feast related to Passover.
And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to arrest him by stealth, and kill him; 2 for they said, “Not during the feast, lest there be a tumult of the people.”
Like John the Baptist, Jesus was a popular figure.
The Anointing at Bethany
3 And while he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, …
Jesus was visiting them.
…as he sat at table, …
It’s significant that it is in the context of a meal that this woman performs this act of adoration.
…a woman came…
She is unnamed.
…with an alabaster jar of ointment of pure nard, very costly, and she broke the jar and poured it over his head.
She lavishes this gift on Jesus.
4 But there were some who said to themselves indignantly, “Why was the ointment thus wasted?
In other Gospels we find out that Judas seems to be chief among the complainers.
5 For this ointment might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii, and given to the poor.” And they reproached her.
If we assume that they’re being honest in their objection, their objection is laudable, but still wrong. They had neglected the greater good.
6 But Jesus said, “Let her alone; why do you trouble her? She has done a beautiful thing to me.
Jesus doesn’t reproach her.
7 For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you will, you can do good to them; but you will not always have me.
Care of the poor is a good thing, but that does not me we ignore God. Love of neighbour and God.
8 She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for burying.
It was a prophetic action.
9 And truly, I say to you, wherever the gospel is preached in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her.”
…and indeed it was, and later recorded for us in this Gospel.
Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus
10 Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went to the chief priests in order to betray him to them.
This event appears to be a deciding point for Judas.
Mark reminds us that he is one of the twelve, to underscore his betrayal.
11 And when they heard it they were glad, and promised to give him money.
Prophesied
And he sought an opportunity to betray him.
Judas now plays the disciple, but is secretly plotting. Again, this emphasizes his betrayal.
The Passover with the Disciples
12 And on the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrificed the passover lamb, …
This feast was a multi-day affair.
…his disciples said to him, “Where will you have us go and prepare for you to eat the passover?”
They needed to find a place to celebrate the feast.
13 And he sent two of his disciples, and said to them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you; follow him, 14 and wherever he enters, say to the householder, ‘The Teacher says, Where is my guest room, where I am to eat the passover with my disciples?’ 15 And he will show you a large upper room furnished and ready; there prepare for us.” 16 And the disciples set out and went to the city, and found it as he had told them; and they prepared the passover.
Jesus demonstrates his foreknowledge. If He knew about all this, do you think He knew about what would happen on Good Friday?
17 And when it was evening he came with the twelve. 18 And as they were at table eating, Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me.”
Jesus foretells His own betrayal.
19 They began to be sorrowful, and to say to him one after another, “Is it I?” 20 He said to them, “It is one of the twelve, one who is dipping bread in the same dish with me.
Again, the depth of betrayal is emphasized.
21 For the Son of man goes as it is written of him, …
Jesus (“the Son of man”) is going to do what He came to do
…but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.”
I wouldn’t want to be Judas.
The Institution of the Lord’s Supper
22 And as they were eating, he took bread, and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to them, …
We’ve heard these verbs before (“took…blessed…broke…gave”) at the two different feedings of the multitudes.
…and said, “Take; this is my body.”
The words of institution. Jesus is giving Himself sacramentally before Calvary. This is what makes Calvary a sacrifice rather than an execution.
23 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it.
To “give…thanks” in Greek is from where we get the word “Eucharist”
24 And he said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many.
This is the one and only time the word “covenant” is used in the Gospel. This is the new covenant promised by the prophets.
25 Truly, I say to you, I shall not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”
When will this be?
Peter’s Denial Foretold
26 And when they had sung a hymn, …
The Hallel psalm. This shows that their Passover liturgy was interrupted.
…they went out to the Mount of Olives.
This was the same place where He’d previously spoken about the falling of the Temple and Jerusalem.
27 And Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away; for it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’
This is a quote from one of the prophets. Jesus is applying it to what is about to happen.
28 But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.”
They will be reminded of these words at the Empty Tomb.
29 Peter said to him, “Even though they all fall away, I will not.”
Good ol’ Peter.
30 And Jesus said to him, “Truly, I say to you, this very night, before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times.” 31 But he said vehemently, “If I must die with you, I will not deny you.”
Peter’s denial is foretold.
And they all said the same.
Although it’s often overlooked, they all said the same thing. However, Peter’s role is highlighted.
Jesus Prays in Gethsemane
32 And they went to a place which was called Gethsem′ane; …
This is the garden. We have a New Adam.
…and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I pray.” 33 And he took with him Peter and James and John, …
Jesus calls together His inner circle.
…and began to be greatly distressed and troubled. 34 And he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch.”
The human nature struggles. However, unlike Adam, Jesus will pass this test.
35 And going a little farther, he 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 to thee; remove this cup from me; yet not what I will, but what thou wilt.”
Jesus doesn’t want to suffer, but is willing to submit to the Father.
37 And he came and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Could you not watch one hour?
The disciples are already failing!
Jesus calls Peter “Simon” (weak branch)…he’s not being very rock-like!
38 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
He exhorts them to prayer.
39 And again he went away and prayed, saying the same words.
Jesus repeats this prayer again.
40 And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy; and they did not know what to answer him.
They were asleep…again.
41 And he came the third time, …
…and again. Three is significant.
…and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? It is enough; the hour has come; the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 42 Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.”
Jesus is the “Son of man”. His “hour” has now come.
The Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus
43 And immediately, …
Immediately…
…while he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, …
Again, Judas’ identity as one of the twelve is highlighted.
…and with him a crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders.
He brought with him a posse.
44 Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I shall kiss is the man; seize him and lead him away safely.”
Rather than a sign of intimacy, Judas uses a kiss as a sign of betrayal.
45 And when he came, he went up to him at once, and said, “Master!” And he kissed him.
He even calls Him “Master”…
46 And they laid hands on him and seized him.
Jesus is arrested.
47 But one of those who stood by drew his sword, and struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his ear.
In the other Gospels, the one with the sword is identified as Peter and the slave identified as “Malcus”.
48 And Jesus said to them, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me? 49 Day after day I was with you in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me….
He’s basically calling them cowards.
“…But let the scriptures be fulfilled.”
Jesus allowed Himself to be arrested so that He could continue on His mission.
50 And they all forsook him, and fled.
The disciples who said they’d never abandon Him…abandon Him.
51 And a young man followed him, with nothing but a linen cloth about his body; and they seized him,52 but he left the linen cloth and ran away naked.
A very interesting detail to give. It points to eyewitness accounts. Many think that this is the Evangelist Mark himself.
The typological symbolism here is noticeable, pointing back to Genesis, with a man naked in a garden, running away from the Lord.
Jesus before the Council
53 And they led Jesus to the high priest; and all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes were assembled.
This is the Jewish council.
54 And Peter had followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest; and he was sitting with the guards, and warming himself at the fire.
Although Peter does not stand by Jesus as he promised, he follows…
55 Now the chief priests and the whole council sought testimony against Jesus to put him to death; but they found none. 56 For many bore false witness against him, and their witness did not agree. 57 And some stood up and bore 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, not made with hands.’” 59 Yet not even so did their testimony agree.
It is clear that they misunderstood what Jesus said.
60 And the high priest stood up in the midst, and asked Jesus, “Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?” 61 But he was silent and made no answer.
Jesus doesn’t defend Himself.
Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?” 62 And Jesus said, “I am; and you will see the Son of man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.”
Jesus signs His own death warrant, identifying Himself as “the Christ, the Son of the Blessed…the Son of man”.
63 And the high priest tore his mantle, …
Under Levitical Law, he was not allowed to do this.
…and said, “Why do we still need witnesses? 64 You have heard his blasphemy. What is your decision?” And they all condemned him as deserving death.
It was for blasphemy that the Jews sentenced Him to death. This is not the charge they bring to the Romans, however.
65 And some began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and to strike him, saying to him, “Prophesy!” And the guards received him with blows.
Mocking Him.
Peter Denies Jesus
66 And as Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the maids of the high priest came; 67 and seeing Peter warming himself, she looked at him, and said, “You also were with the Nazarene, Jesus.” 68 But he denied it, saying, “I neither know nor understand what you mean.”
The first denial.
And he went out into the gateway.69 And the maid saw him, and began again to say to the bystanders, “This man is one of them.” 70 But again he denied it.
The second denial.
And after a little while again the bystanders said to Peter, “Certainly you are one of them; for you are a Galilean.” 71 But he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know this man of whom you speak.”
The third denial. Peter’s accent would have identified him as a Galilean.
72 And immediately the cock crowed a second time. And Peter remembered how Jesus had said to him, “Before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times.” And he broke down and wept.
Jesus’ prophecy is fulfilled.