14:1 Now the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread were two days away and the chief priests and scribes sought how to secretly arrest him and kill him.
14:2 Because they maintained, ‘Not during the feast, otherwise the people might protest.”
14:3 In Bethany, at the home of Simon the leper, Jesus sat at the table and a woman with an alabaster container of expensive essential oil of spikenard. She opened the container and applied it onto his head.
14:4 But some remarked indignantly to each other, “Why has this ointment been wasted?
14:5 For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor.” Thus they admonished her.
14:6 But Jesus said, “Leave her alone – why are you disturbing her? She is doing an important service for me.
14:7 For you will always have the poor with you and you are able to do well for them anytime – but I will not always be with you.
14:8 She has served me within her capacity – and she has anointed my body in preparation for its burial.
14:9 Truly I tell you, where ever the Gospel is preached around the world, the memory of this woman and her service will be told.”
14:10 Then Judas Iscariot – who was one of the twelve – departed for the chief priests in order to turn him over to them.
14:11 This pleased them to hear this, and they promised to give him money. Then he began searching for the best opportunity to have him arrested.
14:12 On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread – during the Passover offering – his disciples asked him, “Where should we go to prepare for your Passover feast?”
14:13 So he sent two of his disciples, telling them, “Go into the city and a man carrying a pot of water will meet you. Follow him –
14:14 and whatever house he enters, tell the owner of the house: “The Teacher says, ‘where is there dining quarters where I can eat the Passover with my disciples?’
14:15 Then he will show you a large furnished room upstairs that is ready: Make the preparations there.”
14:16 The students departed and entered the city to find it exactly as he told them – and they prepared the Passover.
14:17 Once it was evening time, he arrived with the twelve.
14:18 As they were sitting at the table and eating, Jesus stated, “Truly I tell you that one of you will have me arrested – one who is eating with me.
14:19 They were saddened and each said, one by one, to him, “Is it me?”
14:20 Then he replied, saying, “One of the twelve – the one who dips with me into the bowl.
14:21 Because the Servant of Humanity will depart just as it is written about him. But it will be dreadful for the person who will have the Servant of Humanity arrested. It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.
14:22 During their meal he picked up some bread and after he offered it to God he broke it and gave it to his disciples and said, “Take it – this is my substance.”1
14:23 Then he picked up a cup and offered it to God, and gave it to them and they all drank from it.
14:24 Then he said to him, “This is the essence2 of my testament – to be distributed around.
14:25 Truly I tell you, I won’t be refreshed from this fruit of the vine until the time I drink it fresh in the realm of the Lord.”
14:26 After singing praises to God3 they departed for the Mount of Olives.
14:27 Then Jesus told them, “You will all fall away from me this evening because it is written, ‘I will strike down the shepherd and the sheep will be scattered.’4
14:28 But once I have risen from the body, I will be waiting for you in Galilee.”
14:29 But Peter said to him, “Even if everyone falls away, I won’t.”
14:30 Jesus replied to him, “Truly I tell you that this very night, before a rooster crows twice, you will disown me three times.”
14:31 But Peter insisted, “Even if I have to die with you, I will not disown you!" The others said the same thing.
14:32 They left for a place called Gethsemane and he told his disciples, “Sit here until I have prayed.”
14:33 He brought Peter, James and John with him, and became sad and troubled.
14:34 He told them, “My spirit is deeply saddened to the point of death – stay here and keep watch.”
14:35 He went a little further and fell to the ground and started to pray, asking if it were possible that this moment for him might be averted.
14:36 “Abba – Lord, everything is possible for You – please let this cup be taken from me – yet not what pleases me but what pleases You.”
14:37 Then he returned to find them sleeping; and said to Peter, “Simon, are you sleeping? Couldn’t you have kept watch for even an hour?
14:38 Watch and pray that you won’t fall into temptation – the spirit may be willing but the physical body is weak.”
14:39 Again he left and prayed, repeating the same words.
14:40 When he returned, again he found them asleep, for their eyes were heavy and they couldn’t explain it to him.
14:41 Then he returned a third time and told them, “Are you still asleep and resting? That’s enough: The time has arrived: Look, the Servant of Humanity is being arrested into the hands of the wicked.
14:42 Wake up – let’s get going. Just look, the one who will have me arrested is getting close.”
14:43 Right away, while he was still speaking, Judas – one of the twelve – arrived with a brigade of soldiers with swords and knives – from the chief priests, scribes and elders.
14:44 Now the one who turned him in gave them a signal. He said, “Whoever I kiss will be him – seize him and arrest him.”
14:45 After his arrival, Judas immediately approached him saying, “Teacher,” and kissed him.
14:46 They seized him and arrested him.
14:47 Then one of those who was standing with him drew his sword and struck a servant of the high priest – cutting off his ear.
14.48 Then Jesus told them, “Have you come with swords and clubs to arrest me as you would a thief?
14:49 Every day I was with you, preaching in the temple. And you didn’t seize me. Rather, this has occurred to confirm the Scriptures.”
14:50 Then they all abandoned him and ran off.
14:51 A young man who was his follower wore only a single linen when they arrested him –
14:52 he pulled off the linen and ran off naked.
14:53 They led Jesus away to the high priest – where the chief priests, scribes and elders had assembled.
14:54 Peter followed him from afar into the high priest’s palace – and he sat with the guards and warmed himself at the fire.
14:55 Then the chief priests and all of the council tried to find testimony against Jesus to condemn him to die – but they weren’t finding any.
14:56 Many gave false witness against him but their testimony about him was inconsistent.
14:57 Some came forward to bring false testimony against him and said –
14:58 “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy the temple made by the hands of men and in three days I will build another made without hands.’”
14:59 Not even in this respect was their testimony consistent.
14:60 Then the high priest rose and approached, and asked Jesus, “Aren’t you going to answer? What are these men testifying against you?”
14:61 Yet he remained silent and didn’t answer. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Anointed of God [Messiah, Christ] – the Representative of the Blessed One?”
14:62 Then Jesus said, “I am. And you will see the Servant of Humanity seated at the right side of the Mighty One – appearing within the spiritual realm.”
14:63 Tearing his robe, the high priest said, “Why do we still need to have witnesses?
14:64 You have heard the blasphemy. How does it look to you?” Then they all condemned him as deserving death.
14:65 Then some of them spat at him and blindfolded him and beat him with their fists as they chanted, “Prophesy!”
14:66 Peter was below in the courtyard. One of the servant women of the high priest came in.
14:67 Seeing Peter warm himself, she looked him over and said, “You were also with Jesus the Nazarene.”
14:68 But he refuted it, saying, “I don’t know you, nor do I know what you are talking about.” And he went out the palace entryway – and a rooster crowed.
14:69 The servant woman saw him and again began to say to others, “This is one of them!”
14:70 Yet again he denied it. And after awhile those onlookers once again said to Peter, “Certainly you are one of them because you are also a Galilean.”
14:72 He started to curse and swear, “I do not know this man you are speaking of.”
14:73 Suddenly a rooster crowed a second time. And Peter remembered that Jesus had told him, “Before a rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” And he began to weep.
Footnotes:
1. Verse 14:22. The Greek word σῶμα (sōma) can mean the physical body or a body of men, a “society” or in a metaphorical sense, an “ethical or mystical” body, or a “heavenly body.” It can also be used to describe a vehicle of one’s consciousness, which can be, for example, a vehicle of dedication or servitude. Because Jesus is referring to bread that has been offered to the Supreme Being, we know he wasn’t referring to his physical body. His physical body did not become the bread. His physical body continued to exist separately from the bread. Rather, Jesus was using the term metaphorically to indicate that his very substance – the body of his life – like the bread he offered – is an offering to God.
2. Verse 14:24. The Greek word, αἷμα (haima) can mean “blood” when speaking literally about the physical body of men or animals – or “the seat of one's life” when speaking in a larger sense – or “of those things that resemble blood, grape juice” when speaking of those things that are the essence of other things. Within the metaphorical context of Jesus' discussion, these would all be captured with the word “essence.” The fact that Jesus was not speaking of physical blood is confirmed in the verse following this. “Fruit of the vine” is considered the essence of the vine, not its blood. Jesus is speaking of the juice he has just offered to the Supreme Being. The text indicates that Jesus is referring to the juice in a metaphorical sense because juice is the essence of the grape. His life is an offering to God. Thus he is stating that his offering to God is his essence.
3. Verse 14:26. The Greek word ὑμνέω (hymneō) refers to singing praises to the Supreme Being.
4. Verse 14:27.
Continue to Gospel of Mark Chapter Fifteen
14:2 Because they maintained, ‘Not during the feast, otherwise the people might protest.”
14:3 In Bethany, at the home of Simon the leper, Jesus sat at the table and a woman with an alabaster container of expensive essential oil of spikenard. She opened the container and applied it onto his head.
14:4 But some remarked indignantly to each other, “Why has this ointment been wasted?
14:5 For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor.” Thus they admonished her.
14:6 But Jesus said, “Leave her alone – why are you disturbing her? She is doing an important service for me.
14:7 For you will always have the poor with you and you are able to do well for them anytime – but I will not always be with you.
14:8 She has served me within her capacity – and she has anointed my body in preparation for its burial.
14:9 Truly I tell you, where ever the Gospel is preached around the world, the memory of this woman and her service will be told.”
14:10 Then Judas Iscariot – who was one of the twelve – departed for the chief priests in order to turn him over to them.
14:11 This pleased them to hear this, and they promised to give him money. Then he began searching for the best opportunity to have him arrested.
14:12 On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread – during the Passover offering – his disciples asked him, “Where should we go to prepare for your Passover feast?”
14:13 So he sent two of his disciples, telling them, “Go into the city and a man carrying a pot of water will meet you. Follow him –
14:14 and whatever house he enters, tell the owner of the house: “The Teacher says, ‘where is there dining quarters where I can eat the Passover with my disciples?’
14:15 Then he will show you a large furnished room upstairs that is ready: Make the preparations there.”
14:16 The students departed and entered the city to find it exactly as he told them – and they prepared the Passover.
14:17 Once it was evening time, he arrived with the twelve.
14:18 As they were sitting at the table and eating, Jesus stated, “Truly I tell you that one of you will have me arrested – one who is eating with me.
14:19 They were saddened and each said, one by one, to him, “Is it me?”
14:20 Then he replied, saying, “One of the twelve – the one who dips with me into the bowl.
14:21 Because the Servant of Humanity will depart just as it is written about him. But it will be dreadful for the person who will have the Servant of Humanity arrested. It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.
14:22 During their meal he picked up some bread and after he offered it to God he broke it and gave it to his disciples and said, “Take it – this is my substance.”1
14:23 Then he picked up a cup and offered it to God, and gave it to them and they all drank from it.
14:24 Then he said to him, “This is the essence2 of my testament – to be distributed around.
14:25 Truly I tell you, I won’t be refreshed from this fruit of the vine until the time I drink it fresh in the realm of the Lord.”
14:26 After singing praises to God3 they departed for the Mount of Olives.
14:27 Then Jesus told them, “You will all fall away from me this evening because it is written, ‘I will strike down the shepherd and the sheep will be scattered.’4
14:28 But once I have risen from the body, I will be waiting for you in Galilee.”
14:29 But Peter said to him, “Even if everyone falls away, I won’t.”
14:30 Jesus replied to him, “Truly I tell you that this very night, before a rooster crows twice, you will disown me three times.”
14:31 But Peter insisted, “Even if I have to die with you, I will not disown you!" The others said the same thing.
14:32 They left for a place called Gethsemane and he told his disciples, “Sit here until I have prayed.”
14:33 He brought Peter, James and John with him, and became sad and troubled.
14:34 He told them, “My spirit is deeply saddened to the point of death – stay here and keep watch.”
14:35 He went a little further and fell to the ground and started to pray, asking if it were possible that this moment for him might be averted.
14:36 “Abba – Lord, everything is possible for You – please let this cup be taken from me – yet not what pleases me but what pleases You.”
14:37 Then he returned to find them sleeping; and said to Peter, “Simon, are you sleeping? Couldn’t you have kept watch for even an hour?
14:38 Watch and pray that you won’t fall into temptation – the spirit may be willing but the physical body is weak.”
14:39 Again he left and prayed, repeating the same words.
14:40 When he returned, again he found them asleep, for their eyes were heavy and they couldn’t explain it to him.
14:41 Then he returned a third time and told them, “Are you still asleep and resting? That’s enough: The time has arrived: Look, the Servant of Humanity is being arrested into the hands of the wicked.
14:42 Wake up – let’s get going. Just look, the one who will have me arrested is getting close.”
14:43 Right away, while he was still speaking, Judas – one of the twelve – arrived with a brigade of soldiers with swords and knives – from the chief priests, scribes and elders.
14:44 Now the one who turned him in gave them a signal. He said, “Whoever I kiss will be him – seize him and arrest him.”
14:45 After his arrival, Judas immediately approached him saying, “Teacher,” and kissed him.
14:46 They seized him and arrested him.
14:47 Then one of those who was standing with him drew his sword and struck a servant of the high priest – cutting off his ear.
14.48 Then Jesus told them, “Have you come with swords and clubs to arrest me as you would a thief?
14:49 Every day I was with you, preaching in the temple. And you didn’t seize me. Rather, this has occurred to confirm the Scriptures.”
14:50 Then they all abandoned him and ran off.
14:51 A young man who was his follower wore only a single linen when they arrested him –
14:52 he pulled off the linen and ran off naked.
14:53 They led Jesus away to the high priest – where the chief priests, scribes and elders had assembled.
14:54 Peter followed him from afar into the high priest’s palace – and he sat with the guards and warmed himself at the fire.
14:55 Then the chief priests and all of the council tried to find testimony against Jesus to condemn him to die – but they weren’t finding any.
14:56 Many gave false witness against him but their testimony about him was inconsistent.
14:57 Some came forward to bring false testimony against him and said –
14:58 “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy the temple made by the hands of men and in three days I will build another made without hands.’”
14:59 Not even in this respect was their testimony consistent.
14:60 Then the high priest rose and approached, and asked Jesus, “Aren’t you going to answer? What are these men testifying against you?”
14:61 Yet he remained silent and didn’t answer. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Anointed of God [Messiah, Christ] – the Representative of the Blessed One?”
14:62 Then Jesus said, “I am. And you will see the Servant of Humanity seated at the right side of the Mighty One – appearing within the spiritual realm.”
14:63 Tearing his robe, the high priest said, “Why do we still need to have witnesses?
14:64 You have heard the blasphemy. How does it look to you?” Then they all condemned him as deserving death.
14:65 Then some of them spat at him and blindfolded him and beat him with their fists as they chanted, “Prophesy!”
14:66 Peter was below in the courtyard. One of the servant women of the high priest came in.
14:67 Seeing Peter warm himself, she looked him over and said, “You were also with Jesus the Nazarene.”
14:68 But he refuted it, saying, “I don’t know you, nor do I know what you are talking about.” And he went out the palace entryway – and a rooster crowed.
14:69 The servant woman saw him and again began to say to others, “This is one of them!”
14:70 Yet again he denied it. And after awhile those onlookers once again said to Peter, “Certainly you are one of them because you are also a Galilean.”
14:72 He started to curse and swear, “I do not know this man you are speaking of.”
14:73 Suddenly a rooster crowed a second time. And Peter remembered that Jesus had told him, “Before a rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” And he began to weep.
Footnotes:
1. Verse 14:22. The Greek word σῶμα (sōma) can mean the physical body or a body of men, a “society” or in a metaphorical sense, an “ethical or mystical” body, or a “heavenly body.” It can also be used to describe a vehicle of one’s consciousness, which can be, for example, a vehicle of dedication or servitude. Because Jesus is referring to bread that has been offered to the Supreme Being, we know he wasn’t referring to his physical body. His physical body did not become the bread. His physical body continued to exist separately from the bread. Rather, Jesus was using the term metaphorically to indicate that his very substance – the body of his life – like the bread he offered – is an offering to God.
2. Verse 14:24. The Greek word, αἷμα (haima) can mean “blood” when speaking literally about the physical body of men or animals – or “the seat of one's life” when speaking in a larger sense – or “of those things that resemble blood, grape juice” when speaking of those things that are the essence of other things. Within the metaphorical context of Jesus' discussion, these would all be captured with the word “essence.” The fact that Jesus was not speaking of physical blood is confirmed in the verse following this. “Fruit of the vine” is considered the essence of the vine, not its blood. Jesus is speaking of the juice he has just offered to the Supreme Being. The text indicates that Jesus is referring to the juice in a metaphorical sense because juice is the essence of the grape. His life is an offering to God. Thus he is stating that his offering to God is his essence.
3. Verse 14:26. The Greek word ὑμνέω (hymneō) refers to singing praises to the Supreme Being.
4. Verse 14:27.
“Awake, sword, against my shepherd, against the man who is close to me!" declares the LORD Almighty. "Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered, and I will turn my hand against the little ones.” (Zechariah 13:7 NIV)
Continue to Gospel of Mark Chapter Fifteen
