Mark
Copyright © 2008 Darroll Evans

 

CHAPTER 14

 

Mark 14:1-2
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.

 

The Passover was fast approaching. The chief priests and the scribes debated how they might seize Christ, and put Him to death. But they decided that to do it on the feast day would cause chaos among the “folks.”

 

Satan may be demonic and his followers may be demonically led, but they fear the power pf God among the people!  Did you realize that Satan lives in fear of Christ and His followers?

 

Mark 14:3-9
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.

 

As Christ and the others ate a meal in Simon the leper’s home in Bethany, a woman came bringing an alabaster box filled with ointment of spikenard. It was an ointment from India, very fragrant and very costly. She broke open the box, and poured it on Jesus’ head.

 

The act of anointing Christ with the ointment caused some indignation among those present at the meal.  They thought, “Why waste it in such a manner?  It might have been sold for

more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor.”

 

They complained!

 

But, Jesus said, “Let her alone! Why do you trouble her? She has done a good deed on Me.”

 

Then He went on to tell them, “You will always have the destitute {of Spirit} with you!”

 

Furthermore He said, “Whenever you are of a mind, you have the power to do good for them. But you will not always have Me nearby. She did what she could. She came to anoint my body for burial beforehand.”

 

Jesus concluded with prophecy, “Truthfully I say, wherever this gospel shall be preached throughout the entire world, what she has done shall be told as a memorial to her.”

 

Mark 14:10-16
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.

 

Then, Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went to the chief priests, to betray Christ Jesus. When they heard of the betrayal they were glad, and promised to give Judas money. And Judas sought for an opportune time to betray Christ.  Judas’ betrayal was premeditated, well thought out, but in accord with God’s predetermined plan!

 

On the first day of the feast of unleavened bread, at a time when the Temple Priests killed the Passover lambs, Jesus’ disciples asked, “Where will we go and prepare the Passover?”

 

Jesus sent two disciples into the city and told them, “There, you shall meet a man carrying a pitcher of water, follow him. And, into whatever home he enters, go in and tell the homeowner, ‘The Master asks, ‘Where is the guest room, where I shall eat the Passover with my disciples?’ He will show you a large upper room furnished and prepared. Make preparation for us there.”

 

The two disciples went into the city, and found all that Jesus told them. So, they made preparations for the Passover.

 

Mark 14:17-25
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.

 

That evening Jesus and the rest arrived. And as they reclined at the meal, Jesus said, “Truthfully I tell you, one of you who is eating with me shall betray me.”

 

They began to be sorrowful, and each one asked, “Is it I?”

 

Jesus answered, “It is one of the twelve that dips bread with me in the dish. As it is written, ‘Woe to him that betrays the Son of man!’ It would be better for him if he had never been born.”

 

Then, as they ate the Seder (Passover meal), Jesus took (pita) bread, blessed, and broke it. That is part of the orthodox Jewish Passover. As He gave it to them, Jesus said, “Take, and eat! This is my body!”

 

Jesus is the bread from heaven.  If we do not spiritually ingest Him, we have no part in what He has accomplished.

 

Jesus took the cup, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to each of them, and they all drank of it.

 

Jesus told them, “This is my blood of the New Testament, which is shed (Gr. ekchunnomenon-ekcunnomenon), poured out over many. Truthfully, I tell you, I will no more drink the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”

 

Our sins were forgiven by the pouring out of His blood for us! It is in Him and only in Him that we have redemption!

 

Eph 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

 

Col 1:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

 

Have you acknowledged that His blood was shed for you?

 

Mark14:26-31
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.

 

After singing a Hymn (Gr. humneesantes-umnhsanteV), they went to the Mount of Olives.

 

The fact that they sang a hymn has always been of interest to me.  By definition, psalms are sung a cappella and hymns are sung with accompaniment.  That may indicate that at least one of the Apostles was a musician and had his instrument with him at the Last Supper.

It was there, on the Mount of Olives that Jesus told them, “All of you shall be offended, enticed to sin because of me this very night, because it is written, ‘I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered.’

 

“But, after I have risen, I will go before you into Galilee.”

 

Christ went to the cross fully accepting both death and resurrection!

 

But, Peter told Jesus, “Although all others are stumbling, I will not!”

 

But, he did!  So much for the power of positive thinking!

 

Jesus prophesied to Peter, “Verily I say to you that today, even tonight, before the cock crows twice, you shall deny me three times.

 

But, Peter became inflexible, “Even if I should die with You, I will not deny You!”

 

They all agreed with Peter’s opinion.  They would all be proven wrong!

 

Mark 14:32-42
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.

 

When they came to Gethsemane: Jesus told them, “Sit here, while I pray.”

 

He took Peter, James, and John, aside with Him as He prayed.  It was at that time that Christ began to be extremely distressed and troubled.

 

Christ told the three, “My soul is seriously grief-stricken to the point of death. Wait here and watch.”

 

Jesus did not say what they were to watch for.

 

Then, He went a short distance from them, and fell on the ground, and prayed concerning the events that would soon come to pass.

 

Jesus prayed, “Abba, Father, all things are possible to You! Take away this cup from me. Nevertheless, I shall abide not with what I will, but what You will.”

 

He returned to the three only to find them asleep.  Awakening them He asked Peter, “Why are you sleeping?  Couldn’t you watch just one hour?”

 

Then Jesus warned them, “Watch and pray, so that you will not enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.”

 

Again Christ went a short distance away and prayed.  He spoke the same words as before. And, when He returned again, He found them asleep again. When He found them asleep a second time, they offered no excuses.

 

He left them a third time to pray and returned a third time.  However, the third time Jesus returned, and found them sleeping, He simply said, “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.”

 

The Jesus awakened them saying, “Rise up! Let’s go! The one who betrays me is near.”

 

Mark 14:43-52
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.

 

While Jesus was speaking, Judas arrived bringing with him an armed mob from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders.

 

Judas, the one who that betrayed him had given them a signal saying, “Whomever I kiss is Jesus, seize, and take Him away for trial.”

 

As soon as he arrived, he went straight to Jesus, and said, “Rabbi.”

 

Then, Judas kissed Him.

 

At that they seized Christ, and took him away.

 

One of the Apostles drew his sword, and cut off the servant of the high priest’s ear.  Did you realize that the Apostles went around armed?  It was a dangerous time.

 

Jesus asked, “Have you all come to arrest a thief, with swords and with staves to take me?  Each day, I was with you in the temple teaching, and you did not take me, but the scriptures must be fulfilled!”

 

At that all the Apostles ran away, forsaking Him.

 

In the midst of all that confusion, Mark tells a side story about a certain young man who was a follower of Jesus.  Mark tells us that all the young man had on was a linen cloth. Otherwise, the young man was naked.  In the turmoil, the young man dropped the linen cloth, and “fled from them naked.”

 

We are never told, but could the young man have been Mark?

 

Mark 14:53-65
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.

 

The armed mob led Jesus away to the High Priest.  The High Priest, other religious leaders, Elders and Scribes were all assembled to falsely accuse and reject Christ Jesus.

 

Brave Peter followed at a distance, and at the High Priest’s palace, he sat with the servants, and warmed himself at their fire.

 

The assembled kangaroo court tried to find witnesses to testify against Jesus so they could put Him to death.  That proved to be a problem. None could be found.

 

Finally they assembled a motley group of false witnesses, and that presented another problem.  They could not agree!  They were all liars!

 

Finally certain false witnesses said, “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.’”

 

Only one word comes to mind:  BOGUS!

 

But even those witnesses disagreed on other things in their lying testimony.

 

Finally, the High Priest (that model of Jewish virtue) stood, and asked Jesus, “Aren’t You going to defend Yourself against all these witnesses?”

 

But Jesus did not speak!

 

That was in response to Isaiah.

 

Isaiah 53:7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

 

The High Priest finally asked, “Are You the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed?

 

At that Jesus answered, “I am (Gr. egoo eimi-egw eimi): and you all shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.”

 

The “I am” is Jesus reply was not a statement of God’s name.  It was a personal and pointed declaration that He was indeed the true Messiah, and Son of God!

 

The Jewish leaders considered that blasphemy, because they knew that Jesus was telling them that He was equivalent to the Holy One of Israel!  He is!

 

The High Priest tore his clothes as a sign of anguish and asked the assembly, “Do we need any further witnesses?  You all have heard the blasphemy! What do you think?”

 

And, they all condemned Him to death!  It was a collective decision.

 

Some began to spit on him, cover his face, and to hit him demanding, “Prophesy!”

 

The servants in the room hit Him.

 

Servants do their masters bidding.  They follow orders!

 

Mark 14:66-72
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.

 

Back to Peter: As he waited in the palace area, one of the maids who served the High Priest came along. When she saw him, she asked, “Weren’t you with Jesus of Nazareth?”

 

Peter denied it saying, “I understand why you would say such a thing.”

 

And, he left that area just as the rooster cock crowed.

 

But the maid saw him again, and began to say to those around him, “This man is one of them.”

 

Again, Peter denied it.

 

A little after that as they were standing around, a third time someone said to Peter, “Surely you are one of them, because you are Galilean. Your speech pattern shows it to be true.”

 

At that Peter began to curse and swear saying, “I don’t know the man of whom you speak!”

 

Then Peter heard the rooster crow the second time.

 

He was immediately reminded of what Jesus told him. And, Peter wept!

 

Chapter 15
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