Introduction

Mark 14 covers more ground than any other chapter in this Gospel—from the anointing at Bethany to Peter's denial in the courtyard. Every event moves toward the cross: the conspiracy, the anointing, the betrayal, the Last Supper, Gethsemane's agony, the arrest, the trial, the denials. The chapter reveals both the depravity that killed Jesus and the love that allowed it.

The Plot and the Anointing (Verses 1-11)

[1-11] Hatred and devotion frame this section.

• Two Days to Passover: [1-2] It is two days before Passover. Chief priests and scribes seek how to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill Him—"Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar from the people."
• At Simon the Leper's House: [3] Jesus is at Bethany, at the house of Simon the leper, reclining at table.
• The Anointing: [3] A woman comes with an alabaster flask of very expensive ointment of pure nard. She breaks the flask and pours it over His head. Extravagant devotion.
• Indignation: [4-5] Some are indignant: "Why was the ointment wasted like that? It could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor." They scold her harshly.
• Jesus Defends Her: [6-8] Jesus says: "Leave her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. For you always have the poor with you... but you will not always have me. She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for burial."
• Remembered Forever: [9] "Wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her."
• Judas Conspires: [10-11] Judas Iscariot goes to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them. They are glad and promise him money. He seeks an opportunity to betray Him.

The Last Supper (Verses 12-26)

[12-26] Jesus shares a final meal that institutes a new covenant.

• Preparation: [12-16] On the first day of Unleavened Bread, Jesus sends two disciples to prepare the Passover. They will find a man carrying a water jar (unusual—women carried water). Follow him, ask the homeowner for the guest room. They find everything as Jesus said.
• "One of You Will Betray Me": [17-20] At evening, Jesus comes with the Twelve. As they recline and eat, Jesus says: "Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me." They are sorrowful and ask one by one, "Is it I?" He says: "It is one of the Twelve, one who is dipping bread into the dish with me."
• Woe to the Betrayer: [21] The Son of Man goes as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.
• The Bread: [22] As they are eating, Jesus takes bread, blesses and breaks it, and gives it to them: "Take; this is my body."
• The Cup: [23-24] He takes a cup, gives thanks, and gives it to them. They all drink of it. He says: "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many."
• Not Until the Kingdom: [25] "Truly, I say to you, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God."
• A Hymn: [26] When they have sung a hymn, they go out to the Mount of Olives.

Peter's Denial Predicted (Verses 27-31)

[27-31] Jesus predicts failure; Peter protests.

• All Will Fall Away: [27] Jesus tells them: "You will all fall away, for it is written, 'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.'" Quoting Zechariah 13:7.
• After Resurrection: [28] "But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee."
• Peter's Protest: [29] Peter says: "Even though they all fall away, I will not."
• Before the Rooster Crows: [30] Jesus says: "Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times."
• Peter's Vehemence: [31] Peter says vehemently: "If I must die with you, I will not deny you." And they all said the same.

Gethsemane (Verses 32-42)

[32-42] Jesus faces His darkest hour in prayer.

• Gethsemane: [32] They come to a place called Gethsemane. Jesus tells His disciples: "Sit here while I pray."
• Taking Peter, James, and John: [33] He takes Peter, James, and John with Him and begins to be greatly distressed and troubled.
• Sorrowful unto Death: [34] He says to them: "My soul is very sorrowful, even to death. Remain here and watch."
• The Prayer: [35-36] Going a little farther, He falls on the ground and prays that if possible, the hour might pass from Him. "Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will." Perfect submission in perfect agony.
• Disciples Sleeping: [37-38] He comes and finds them sleeping. He says to Peter: "Simon, are you asleep? Could you not watch one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."
• Second and Third Prayers: [39-41] He goes away and prays the same words. He comes and finds them sleeping again. They do not know what to answer Him. He comes the third time: "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."
• "Rise, Let Us Be Going": [42] "Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand."

The Arrest (Verses 43-52)

[43-52] Judas arrives with a mob.

• Judas Arrives: [43] Immediately, while Jesus is still speaking, Judas comes with a crowd with swords and clubs from the chief priests, scribes, and elders.
• The Kiss: [44-45] The betrayer has arranged a signal: "The one I will kiss is the man. Seize him and lead him away under guard." He comes and says, "Rabbi!" and kisses Him.
• Seized: [46] They lay hands on Jesus and seize Him.
• A Sword Drawn: [47] One of those standing by draws a sword and strikes the servant of the high priest and cuts off his ear.
• "As Against a Robber?": [48-49] Jesus says: "Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me? Day after day I was with you in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me. But let the Scriptures be fulfilled."
• All Forsake Him: [50] They all left Him and fled.
• A Young Man Flees: [51-52] A young man follows Him with nothing but a linen cloth. They seize him, but he leaves the linen cloth and runs away naked. (Possibly Mark himself.)

Before the Sanhedrin (Verses 53-65)

[53-65] Jesus is tried before the Jewish council.

• To the High Priest: [53-54] They lead Jesus to the high priest. All the chief priests, elders, and scribes assemble. Peter follows at a distance into the high priest's courtyard, sitting with the guards and warming himself at the fire.
• Seeking Testimony: [55-56] The chief priests and whole council seek testimony against Jesus to put Him to death but find none. Many bear false witness, but their testimony does not agree.
• Destroy the Temple?: [57-59] Some stand up and falsely testify: "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.'" But even this testimony does not agree.
• Jesus' Silence: [60-61] The high priest asks Jesus: "Have you no answer? What is it that these men testify against you?" But He remains silent and makes no answer.
• "Are You the Christ?": [61-62] The high priest asks: "Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?" Jesus says: "I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven."
• Tearing Robes: [63-64] The high priest tears his garments: "What further witnesses do we need? You have heard his blasphemy. What is your decision?" They all condemn Him as deserving death.
• Mocking: [65] Some begin to spit on Him, cover His face, and strike Him, saying: "Prophesy!" And the guards receive Him with blows.

Peter's Denial (Verses 66-72)

[66-72] Peter's confident vows collapse.

• First Denial: [66-68] Below in the courtyard, a servant girl sees Peter warming himself. She looks at him: "You also were with the Nazarene, Jesus." But he denies it: "I neither know nor understand what you mean." He goes out into the gateway, and the rooster crows.
• Second Denial: [69-70] The servant girl sees him again and tells bystanders: "This man is one of them." But again he denies it.
• Third Denial: [70-71] After a little while, bystanders say to Peter: "Certainly you are one of them, for you are a Galilean." He begins to invoke a curse on himself and to swear: "I do not know this man of whom you speak."
• The Rooster Crows: [72] Immediately the rooster crows a second time. Peter remembers how Jesus had said to him: "Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times." And he breaks down and weeps.

Key Takeaways

• Extravagant Devotion Is Appropriate: The woman's costly anointing was "a beautiful thing." Jesus deserves our best.
• The New Covenant Is Established: Jesus' body broken and blood poured out inaugurate the new covenant for forgiveness.
• Human Strength Fails: Peter's confident vows dissolved under pressure. We are weaker than we think.
• Jesus Submitted: In Gethsemane, Jesus dreaded the cup but chose the Father's will over His own.

Reflection Questions

• What extravagant act of devotion might you offer to Jesus, regardless of what others think?
• Peter overestimated his loyalty. Where might you be overconfident in your own strength?
• In Gethsemane, Jesus prayed, "Not what I will, but what you will." Can you pray that prayer today?