The big picture
Mark 14 opens in verse 1 with “After two days was the feast of the passover, and of unleavened bread: and the chief…”, reaches its middle movement near verse 36 with “And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from…”, and closes in verse 72 with “And the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said…” Repeated or prominent terms include Jesus, Peter, high, priest, witness. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
Mark · King James Version · 72Mark 14:1-8
1–8: After two days was the feast of the passover, and of unleavened bread…
Mark 14:1–8 opens with “After two days was the feast of the passover, and of unleavened bread: and the chief priests and…” and reaches “She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Jesus anointed at Bethany, Judas arranging betrayal, and the Passover meal; Jesus in Gethsemane, the arrest, the hearing before the council, and Peter weeping after his denials, with particular weight carried by always, feast, good.
Context that brings the passage to life
This block contains 2 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.
“After two days was the feast of the passover, and of unleavened bread: and the chief priests and the scribes sought…” The number two makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.
“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…” Naming Bethany and Simon keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
Mark 14:1-8
King James Version1After 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.
2But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar of the people.
3And 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.
4And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made?
5For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her.
6And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me.
7For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always.
8She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying.
Mark 14:9-16
9–16: Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached…
Mark 14:9–16 opens with “Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world…” and reaches “And his disciples went forth, and came into the city, and found as he had said unto them: and…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Jesus anointed at Bethany, Judas arranging betrayal, and the Passover meal; Jesus in Gethsemane, the arrest, the hearing before the council, and Peter weeping after his denials, with particular weight carried by disciples, passover, betray.
Context that brings the passage to life
This block contains 2 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.
“Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
“And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money. And he sought how he might conveniently betray…” The line’s distinctive content terms include betray, conveniently, glad. Its relationship to verses 10 and 12 shows what work it does in this passage.
Mark 14:9-16
King James Version9Verily 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.
10And Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went unto the chief priests, to betray him unto them.
11And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money. And he sought how he might conveniently betray him.
12And 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?
13And 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.
14And 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?
15And he will shew you a large upper room furnished and prepared: there make ready for us.
16And his disciples went forth, and came into the city, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover.
Mark 14:17-24
17–24: In the evening he cometh with the twelve.
Mark 14:17–24 opens with “And in the evening he cometh with the twelve.” and reaches “And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Jesus anointed at Bethany, Judas arranging betrayal, and the Passover meal; Jesus in Gethsemane, the arrest, the hearing before the council, and Peter weeping after his denials, with particular weight carried by gave, Jesus, took.
Context that brings the passage to life
This block contains 1 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.
“And in the evening he cometh with the twelve.” The number twelve makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.
“And they began to be sorrowful, and to say unto him one by one, Is it I? and another said, Is it I?” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.
Mark 14:17-24
King James Version17And in the evening he cometh with the twelve.
18And as they sat and did eat, Jesus said, Verily I say unto you, One of you which eateth with me shall betray me.
19And they began to be sorrowful, and to say unto him one by one, Is it I? and another said, Is it I?
20And he answered and said unto them, It is one of the twelve, that dippeth with me in the dish.
21The 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.
22And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body.
23And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them: and they all drank of it.
24And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.
Mark 14:25-32
25–32: Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine…
Mark 14:25–32 opens with “Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I…” and reaches “And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Jesus anointed at Bethany, Judas arranging betrayal, and the Passover meal; Jesus in Gethsemane, the arrest, the hearing before the council, and Peter weeping after his denials, with particular weight carried by deny, drink, Jesus.
Context that brings the passage to life
“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…” Naming Verily keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
“And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
Mark 14:25-32
King James Version25Verily 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.
26And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.
27And 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.
28But after that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee.
29But Peter said unto him, Although all shall be offended, yet will not I.
30And 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.
31But he spake the more vehemently, If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise. Likewise also said they all.
32And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray.
Mark 14:33-40
33–40: He taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore…
Mark 14:33–40 opens with “And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very…” and reaches “And when he returned, he found them asleep again, (for their eyes were heavy,) neither wist they…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Jesus anointed at Bethany, Judas arranging betrayal, and the Passover meal; Jesus in Gethsemane, the arrest, the hearing before the council, and Peter weeping after his denials, with particular weight carried by watch, heavy, hour.
Context that brings the passage to life
This block contains 1 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.
“And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy;” Naming James and John keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
Mark 14:33-40
King James Version33And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy;
34And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch.
35And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him.
36And 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.
37And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour?
38Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.
39And again he went away, and prayed, and spake the same words.
40And when he returned, he found them asleep again, (for their eyes were heavy,) neither wist they what to answer him.
Mark 14:41-48
41–48: He cometh the third time, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take…
Mark 14:41–48 opens with “And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is…” and reaches “And Jesus answered and said unto them, Are ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and with…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Jesus anointed at Bethany, Judas arranging betrayal, and the Passover meal; Jesus in Gethsemane, the arrest, the hearing before the council, and Peter weeping after his denials, with particular weight carried by betrayed, cometh, hands.
Context that brings the passage to life
This block contains 1 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.
“And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is come…” Naming Sleep and Son keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
Mark 14:41-48
King James Version41And 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.
42Rise up, let us go; lo, he that betrayeth me is at hand.
43And 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.
44And 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.
45And as soon as he was come, he goeth straightway to him, and saith, Master, master; and kissed him.
46And they laid their hands on him, and took him.
47And one of them that stood by drew a sword, and smote a servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.
48And Jesus answered and said unto them, Are ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and with staves to take me?
Mark 14:49-56
49–56: I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and ye took me not: but the…
Mark 14:49–56 opens with “I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and ye took me not: but the scriptures must be…” and reaches “For many bare false witness against him, but their witness agreed not together.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Jesus anointed at Bethany, Judas arranging betrayal, and the Passover meal; Jesus in Gethsemane, the arrest, the hearing before the council, and Peter weeping after his denials, with particular weight carried by witness, chief, cloth.
Context that brings the passage to life
“I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and ye took me not: but the scriptures must be fulfilled.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
Mark 14:49-56
King James Version49I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and ye took me not: but the scriptures must be fulfilled.
50And they all forsook him, and fled.
51And there followed him a certain young man, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body; and the young men laid hold on him:
52And he left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked.
53And they led Jesus away to the high priest: and with him were assembled all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes.
54And 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.
55And the chief priests and all the council sought for witness against Jesus to put him to death; and found none.
56For many bare false witness against him, but their witness agreed not together.
Mark 14:57-64
57–64: There arose certain, and bare false witness against him, saying,
Mark 14:57–64 opens with “And there arose certain, and bare false witness against him, saying,” and reaches “Ye have heard the blasphemy: what think ye? And they all condemned him to be guilty of death.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Jesus anointed at Bethany, Judas arranging betrayal, and the Passover meal; Jesus in Gethsemane, the arrest, the hearing before the council, and Peter weeping after his denials, with particular weight carried by high, priest, witness.
Context that brings the passage to life
This block contains 4 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.
“And there arose certain, and bare false witness against him, saying,” The line’s distinctive content terms include arose, bare, certain. Its relationship to verses 58 shows what work it does in this passage.
Mark 14:57-64
King James Version57And there arose certain, and bare false witness against him, saying,
58We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands.
59But neither so did their witness agree together.
60And the high priest stood up in the midst, and asked Jesus, saying, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee?
61But 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?
62And 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.
63Then the high priest rent his clothes, and saith, What need we any further witnesses?
64Ye have heard the blasphemy: what think ye? And they all condemned him to be guilty of death.
Mark 14:65-72
65–72: Some began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and to buffet him, and…
Mark 14:65–72 opens with “And some began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and to buffet him, and to say unto him…” and reaches “And the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Jesus anointed at Bethany, Judas arranging betrayal, and the Passover meal; Jesus in Gethsemane, the arrest, the hearing before the council, and Peter weeping after his denials, with particular weight carried by Peter, began, cock.
Context that brings the passage to life
“And some began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and to buffet him, and to say unto him, Prophesy: and the…” Naming Prophesy keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
“And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked upon him, and said, And thou also wast with Jesus of Nazareth.” Naming Jesus and Nazareth keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
Mark 14:65-72
King James Version65And 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.
66And as Peter was beneath in the palace, there cometh one of the maids of the high priest:
67And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked upon him, and said, And thou also wast with Jesus of Nazareth.
68But he denied, saying, I know not, neither understand I what thou sayest. And he went out into the porch; and the cock crew.
69And a maid saw him again, and began to say to them that stood by, This is one of them.
70And 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.
71But he began to curse and to swear, saying, I know not this man of whom ye speak.
72And 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.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
Mark 14:1 begins with “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…”
Where the chapter turns
Mark 14:37 forms a natural hinge: “And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour?”
The final note
Mark 14:72 leaves the reader with “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…”
A word trail through the chapter
The words Jesus, Peter, high, priest, witness, began help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
What contrasts the two royal encounters?
Melchizedek blesses God as the source of victory; Abram refuses a financial arrangement that would let Sodom claim credit for his wealth.
How does Abram treat Lot after their separation?
He risks resources to rescue him rather than treating earlier disagreement as a reason for abandonment.
KJV words made clear
- behold
- look, or pay close attention
- unto
- to
- thee
- you
- thou
- you
- thy
- your
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.
