{"id":51804,"date":"2014-12-16T12:16:59","date_gmt":"2014-12-16T19:16:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/restlesspilgrim.net\/blog\/?page_id=51804"},"modified":"2014-12-16T12:17:26","modified_gmt":"2014-12-16T19:17:26","slug":"chapter-14","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/restlesspilgrim.net\/blog\/commentary\/mark\/chapter-14\/","title":{"rendered":"Chapter 14"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Plot to Kill Jesus<\/span><\/h3>\n

14\u00a0<\/span>It was now two days before the Passover and the feast of Unleavened Bread. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

A Jewish feast related to Passover.<\/p>\n

And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to arrest him by stealth, and kill him; <\/span>2\u00a0<\/sup>for they said, \u201cNot during the feast, lest there be a tumult of the people.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Like John the Baptist, Jesus was a popular figure.<\/p>\n

The Anointing at Bethany<\/span><\/h3>\n

3\u00a0<\/sup>And while he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, …<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Jesus was visiting them.<\/p>\n

…as he sat at table, …<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

It’s significant that it is in the context of a meal that this woman performs this act of adoration.<\/p>\n

…a woman came…<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

She is unnamed.<\/p>\n

…with an alabaster jar of ointment of pure nard, very costly, and she broke the jar and poured it over his head.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

She lavishes this gift on Jesus.<\/p>\n

4\u00a0<\/sup>But there were some who said to themselves indignantly, \u201cWhy was the ointment thus wasted?<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

In other Gospels we find out that Judas seems to be chief among the complainers.<\/p>\n

<\/span>5\u00a0<\/sup>For this ointment might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii,\u00a0and given to the poor.\u201d And they reproached her.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

If we assume that they’re being honest in their objection, their objection is laudable, but still wrong. They had neglected the greater good.<\/p>\n

<\/span>6\u00a0<\/sup>But Jesus said, \u201cLet her alone; why do you trouble her? She has done a beautiful thing to me.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Jesus doesn’t reproach her.<\/p>\n

<\/span>7\u00a0<\/sup>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.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Care of the poor is a good thing, but that does not me we ignore God. Love of neighbour\u00a0and<\/strong> God.<\/p>\n

<\/span>8\u00a0<\/sup>She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for burying.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

It was a prophetic action.<\/p>\n

<\/span>9\u00a0<\/sup>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.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

…and indeed it was, and later recorded for us in this Gospel.<\/p>\n

Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus<\/span><\/h3>\n

10\u00a0<\/sup>Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went to the chief priests in order to betray him to them.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

This event appears to be a deciding point for Judas.<\/p>\n

Mark reminds us that he is one of the twelve, to underscore his betrayal.<\/p>\n

11\u00a0<\/sup>And when they heard it they were glad, and promised to give him money. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Prophesied<\/p>\n

And he sought an opportunity to betray him.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Judas now plays the disciple, but is secretly plotting. Again, this emphasizes his betrayal.<\/p>\n

The Passover with the Disciples<\/span><\/h3>\n

12\u00a0<\/sup>And on the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrificed the passover lamb, …<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

This feast was a multi-day affair.<\/p>\n

…his disciples said to him, \u201cWhere will you have us go and prepare for you to eat the passover?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

They needed to find a place to celebrate the feast.<\/p>\n

13\u00a0<\/sup>And he sent two of his disciples, and said to them, \u201cGo into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you; follow him,\u00a0<\/span>14\u00a0<\/sup>and wherever he enters, say to the householder, \u2018The Teacher says, Where is my guest room, where I am to eat the passover with my disciples?\u2019 <\/span>15\u00a0<\/sup>And he will show you a large upper room furnished and ready; there prepare for us.\u201d <\/span>16\u00a0<\/sup>And the disciples set out and went to the city, and found it as he had told them; and they prepared the passover.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Jesus demonstrates his foreknowledge. If He knew about all this, do you think He knew about what would happen on Good Friday?<\/p>\n

17\u00a0<\/sup>And when it was evening he came with the twelve. <\/span>18\u00a0<\/sup>And as they were at table eating, Jesus said, \u201cTruly, I say to you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me.\u201d <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Jesus foretells His own betrayal.<\/p>\n

19\u00a0<\/sup>They began to be sorrowful, and to say to him one after another, \u201cIs it I?\u201d <\/span>20\u00a0<\/sup>He said to them, \u201cIt is one of the twelve, one who is dipping bread in the same dish with me.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Again, the depth of betrayal is emphasized.<\/p>\n

<\/span>21\u00a0<\/sup>For the Son of man goes as it is written of him, …<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Jesus (“the Son of man”<\/span>) is going to do what He came to do<\/p>\n

…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.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

I wouldn’t want to be Judas.<\/p>\n

The Institution of the Lord\u2019s Supper<\/span><\/h3>\n

22\u00a0<\/sup>And as they were eating, he took bread, and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to them, …<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

We’ve heard these verbs before (“took…blessed…broke…gave”<\/span>) at the two different feedings of the multitudes.<\/p>\n

…and said, \u201cTake; this is my body.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The words of institution. Jesus is giving Himself sacramentally before Calvary. This is what makes Calvary a sacrifice rather than an execution.<\/p>\n

23\u00a0<\/sup>And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

To “give…thanks”<\/span> in Greek is from where we get the word “Eucharist”<\/p>\n

<\/span>24\u00a0<\/sup>And he said to them, \u201cThis is my blood of the\u00a0covenant, which is poured out for many.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

This is the one and only time the word “covenant”<\/span> is used in the Gospel. This is the new covenant promised by the prophets.<\/p>\n

25\u00a0<\/sup>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.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

When will this be?<\/p>\n

Peter\u2019s Denial Foretold<\/span><\/h3>\n

26\u00a0<\/sup>And when they had sung a hymn, …<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The Hallel psalm. This shows that their Passover liturgy was interrupted.<\/p>\n

…they went out to the Mount of Olives.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

This was the same place where He’d previously spoken about the falling of the Temple and Jerusalem.<\/p>\n

27\u00a0<\/sup>And Jesus said to them, \u201cYou will all fall away; for it is written, \u2018I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.\u2019<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

This is a quote from one of the prophets. Jesus is applying it to what is about to happen.<\/p>\n

<\/span>28\u00a0<\/sup>But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

They will be reminded of these words at the Empty Tomb.<\/p>\n

<\/span>29\u00a0<\/sup>Peter said to him, \u201cEven though they all fall away, I will not.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Good ol’ Peter.<\/p>\n

<\/span>30\u00a0<\/sup>And Jesus said to him, \u201cTruly, I say to you, this very night, before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times.\u201d <\/span>31\u00a0<\/sup>But he said vehemently, \u201cIf I must die with you, I will not deny you.\u201d <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Peter’s denial is foretold.<\/p>\n

And they all said the same.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Although it’s often overlooked, they\u00a0all<\/strong> said the same thing. However, Peter’s role is highlighted.<\/p>\n

Jesus Prays in Gethsemane<\/span><\/h3>\n

32\u00a0<\/sup>And they went to a place which was called Gethsem\u2032ane; …<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

This is the garden. We have a New Adam.<\/p>\n

…and he said to his disciples, \u201cSit here, while I pray.\u201d <\/span>33\u00a0<\/sup>And he took with him Peter and James and John, …<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Jesus calls together His inner circle.<\/p>\n

…and began to be greatly distressed and troubled. <\/span>34\u00a0<\/sup>And he said to them, \u201cMy soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The human nature struggles. However, unlike Adam, Jesus will pass this test.<\/p>\n

35\u00a0<\/sup>And going a little farther, he fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. <\/span>36\u00a0<\/sup>And he said, \u201cAbba, Father, all things are possible to thee; remove this cup from me; yet not what I will, but what thou wilt.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Jesus doesn’t want to suffer, but is willing to submit to the Father.<\/p>\n

<\/span>37\u00a0<\/sup>And he came and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter, \u201cSimon, are you asleep? Could you not watch\u00a0one hour?<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The disciples are already failing!<\/p>\n

Jesus calls Peter “Simon” (weak branch)…he’s not being very rock-like!<\/p>\n

<\/span>38\u00a0<\/sup>Watch\u00a0and pray that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

He exhorts them to prayer.<\/p>\n

<\/span>39\u00a0<\/sup>And again he went away and prayed, saying the same words.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Jesus repeats this prayer again.<\/p>\n

<\/span>40\u00a0<\/sup>And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy; and they did not know what to answer him.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

They were asleep…again.<\/p>\n

<\/span>41\u00a0<\/sup>And he came the third time, …<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

…and again. Three is significant.<\/p>\n

…and said to them, \u201cAre 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. <\/span>42\u00a0<\/sup>Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Jesus is the “Son of man”<\/span>. His “hour”<\/span> has now come.<\/p>\n

The Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus<\/span><\/h3>\n

43\u00a0<\/sup>And immediately, …<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Immediately…<\/p>\n

…while he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, …<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Again, Judas’ identity as one of the twelve is highlighted.<\/p>\n

…and with him a crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

He brought with him a posse.<\/p>\n

44\u00a0<\/sup>Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, \u201cThe one I shall kiss is the man; seize him and lead him away safely.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Rather than a sign of intimacy, Judas uses a kiss as a sign of betrayal.<\/p>\n

<\/span>45\u00a0<\/sup>And when he came, he went up to him at once, and said, \u201cMaster!\u201d\u00a0And he kissed him. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

He even calls Him “Master”<\/span>…<\/p>\n

46\u00a0<\/sup>And they laid hands on him and seized him.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Jesus is arrested.<\/p>\n

<\/span>47\u00a0<\/sup>But one of those who stood by drew his sword, and struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his ear.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

In the other Gospels, the one with the sword is identified as Peter and the slave identified as “Malcus”.<\/p>\n

<\/span>48\u00a0<\/sup>And Jesus said to them, \u201cHave you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me? <\/span>49\u00a0<\/sup>Day after day I was with you in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me….<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

He’s basically calling them cowards.<\/p>\n

“…But let the scriptures be fulfilled.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Jesus allowed Himself to be arrested so that He could continue on His mission.<\/p>\n

<\/span>50\u00a0<\/sup>And they all forsook him, and fled.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The disciples who said they’d never abandon Him…abandon Him.<\/p>\n

51\u00a0<\/sup>And a young man followed him, with nothing but a linen cloth about his body; and they seized him,<\/span>52\u00a0<\/sup>but he left the linen cloth and ran away naked.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

A very interesting detail to give. It points to eyewitness accounts. Many think that this is the Evangelist Mark himself.<\/p>\n

The typological symbolism here is noticeable, pointing back to Genesis, with a man naked in a garden, running away from the Lord.<\/p>\n

Jesus before the Council<\/span><\/h3>\n

53\u00a0<\/sup>And they led Jesus to the high priest; and all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes were assembled.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

This is the Jewish council.<\/p>\n

54\u00a0<\/sup>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.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Although Peter\u00a0does not stand by Jesus as he promised, he follows…<\/p>\n

<\/span>55\u00a0<\/sup>Now the chief priests and the whole council sought testimony against Jesus to put him to death; but they found none. <\/span>56\u00a0<\/sup>For many bore false witness against him, and their witness did not agree. <\/span>57\u00a0<\/sup>And some stood up and bore false witness against him, saying, <\/span>58\u00a0<\/sup>\u201cWe heard him say, \u2018I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another, not made with hands.\u2019\u201d <\/span>59\u00a0<\/sup>Yet not even so did their testimony agree.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

It is clear that they misunderstood what Jesus said.<\/p>\n

<\/span>60\u00a0<\/sup>And the high priest stood up in the midst, and asked Jesus, \u201cHave you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?\u201d <\/span>61\u00a0<\/sup>But he was silent and made no answer.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Jesus doesn’t defend Himself.<\/p>\n

Again the high priest asked him, \u201cAre you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?\u201d <\/span>62\u00a0<\/sup>And Jesus said, \u201cI am; and you will see the Son of man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Jesus signs His own death warrant, identifying Himself as “the Christ, the Son of the Blessed…the Son of man”<\/span>.<\/p>\n

<\/span>63\u00a0<\/sup>And the high priest tore his mantle, …<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Under Levitical Law, he was not allowed to do this.<\/p>\n

…and said, \u201cWhy do we still need witnesses? <\/span>64\u00a0<\/sup>You have heard his blasphemy. What is your decision?\u201d And they all condemned him as deserving death.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

It was for blasphemy that the Jews sentenced Him to death. This is not the charge they bring to the Romans, however.<\/p>\n

<\/span>65\u00a0<\/sup>And some began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and to strike him, saying to him, \u201cProphesy!\u201d And the guards received him with blows.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Mocking Him.<\/p>\n

Peter Denies Jesus<\/span><\/h3>\n

66\u00a0<\/sup>And as Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the maids of the high priest came; <\/span>67\u00a0<\/sup>and seeing Peter warming himself, she looked at him, and said, \u201cYou also were with the Nazarene, Jesus.\u201d <\/span>68\u00a0<\/sup>But he denied it, saying, \u201cI neither know nor understand what you mean.\u201d <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The first denial.<\/p>\n

And he went out into the gateway.<\/span>69\u00a0<\/sup>And the maid saw him, and began again to say to the bystanders, \u201cThis man is one of them.\u201d <\/span>70\u00a0<\/sup>But again he denied it. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The second denial.<\/p>\n

And after a little while again the bystanders said to Peter, \u201cCertainly you are one of them; for you are a Galilean.\u201d <\/span>71\u00a0<\/sup>But he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, \u201cI do not know this man of whom you speak.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The third denial. Peter’s accent would have identified him as a Galilean.<\/p>\n

<\/span>72\u00a0<\/sup>And immediately the cock crowed a second time. And Peter remembered how Jesus had said to him, \u201cBefore the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times.\u201d And he broke down and wept.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Jesus’ prophecy is fulfilled.<\/p>\n

Return to Chapter Index<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Plot to Kill Jesus 14\u00a0It 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\u00a0for they said, \u201cNot during the feast, lest there be a tumult of the people.\u201d Like John<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":51781,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"_crdt_document":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-51804","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/restlesspilgrim.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/51804","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/restlesspilgrim.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/restlesspilgrim.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/restlesspilgrim.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/restlesspilgrim.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=51804"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/restlesspilgrim.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/51804\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":51810,"href":"https:\/\/restlesspilgrim.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/51804\/revisions\/51810"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/restlesspilgrim.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/51781"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/restlesspilgrim.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=51804"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}