Mark 14

MARK CHAPTER 14

Verses 1-11. See this passage explained in Mt 26:1-16

Verse 1. And of unleavened bread. So called because that at that feast no other bread was used but that which had been made without leaven or yeast.

By craft. By subtilty, (Matt.;) that is, by some secret plan that would secure possession of him without exciting the opposition of the people. Verse 3. Ointment. This word does not convey quite the proper meaning. This was a perfume: it was used only to give a pleasant odour, and was liquid.

Of spikenard. The nard, from which this perfume was made, is a plant of the East Indies, with a small slender stalk, and a heavy, thick root. The best perfume is obtained from the root, though the stalk and fruit are used for that purpose.

And she brake the box. This may mean no more than that she broke the seal of the box. so that it could be poured out. Boxes of perfumes are often sealed, or made fast with wax, to prevent the perfume from escaping. It was not likely that she would break the box itself when it was unnecessary; and when the unguent, being liquid, would have been wasted, when it was very precious. Nor from a broken box or phial, could she easily have poured it on his head. Verse 5. Three hundred pence. About 41 dollars 40 cents.

(1) "three hundred pence" Mt 18:28 Verse 7.

(y) "For ye" De 15:11 Verse 8. She hath done what she could. She has showed the highest attachment in her power; and it was, as it is now, a sufficient argument against there being any real waste, that it was done for the honour of Christ. Verse 10.

(z) "Judas Iscariot" Mt 16:14, Lk 22:3 (a) "betray him" Jn 13:2 Verse 11.

(b) "him money" 1Kgs 21:20, Prov 1:10-16 Verses 12-16. See Mt 16:17-19

Verses 12,13. They killed the passover. The paschal lamb, which was slain in keeping the passover.

Go and prepare. Go and prepare a lamb, have it roasted, and properly prepared with the usual things to eat with it.

The city. The city of Jerusalem. They were now in Bethany, about two miles from the city.

A man bearing a pitcher of water. This could have been known only by the infinite knowledge of Christ. Such a thing could not have been conjectured, nor was there any concert between him and the man, that at that time he should be in a particular place to meet them, for the disciples themselves proposed the inquiry. If Jesus knew a circumstance like that, then he, in the same way, must have known all things. Then he sees all the actions of man; hears every word, and marks every thought. Then the righteous are under his care; and the wicked, much as they may wish to be unseen, cannot escape the notice of his eye.

(d) "unleavened bread" Ex 12:8 (1) "killed" or "sacrificed" Verse 13.

(e) "Go ye" Mk 11:2,3,3, Heb 4:13. Verse 14. The goodman of the house. This signifies simply the master of the house. The original word expresses nothing respecting his character, whether it was good or bad.

The guestchamber. A chamber for guests or friends--an unoccupied room.

(f) "Master saith" Jn 11:28, 13:13 (g) "shall eat" Rev 3:20 Verse 15. A large upper room. The word used here denotes the upper room devoted to purposes of prayer, repose, and often of eating. Mt 9:2.

Furnished and prepared. Literally, spread and ready. Spread with a carpet, or with couches, such as were used in eating. Mt 23:6. Verse 16.

(h) "found as" Jn 16:4 Verses 17-31. Mt 26:20 and Mt 26:21-35. Verse 21.

(k) "good were it" Mt 18:6,7 Verse 22.

(l) "as they did eat" Mt 26:26, Lk 22:19, 1Cor 11:23 (m) "Take, eat" Jn 6:48-58 Verse 24.

(n) "This is my blood" 1Cor 10:16, Jn 6:53 Verse 25.

(o) "it new" Joel 3:18, Amos 9:13,14 Verse 26.

(2) "hymn" or "psalm" Verse 27.

(p) "it is written" Zech 13:7 Verse 28.

(q) "But after that I am" Mk 16:7 Verse 29.

(r) "But Peter" Mt 26:33,34, Lk 22:33,34, Jn 13:37,38 Verse 31. More vehemently. More earnestly, more confidently. Verses 32-42. Mt 26:36-46

(s) "And they came" Mt 26:36, Lk 22:39, Jn 18:1 Verse 34.

(t) "soul is" Jn 12:27 Verse 35.

(u) "prayed" Heb 5:7 Verse 36. Abba. This word denotes father. It is a Syriac word, and is used by our Saviour as a word denoting filial affection and tenderness. See Rom 8:15.

(v) "Said, Abba" Rom 8:15, Gal 4:6 (w) "nevertheless, not" Ps 40:8, Jn 4:34, 5:30, 6:38,39, 18:11, Php 2:8. Verse 38.

(x) "spirit truly" Rom 7:18-25, Gal 5:17 Verse 40. Neither wist they, etc. Neither knew they. They were so conscious of the impropriety of sleeping at that time, that they could not find any answer to give to the inquiry why they had done it. Verse 41. It is enough. There has been much difficulty in determining the meaning of this phrase. Campbell translates it, "All is over;" i.e., the time when you could have been of service to me is gone by. They might have aided him by watching for him, when they were sleeping; but now the time was past, and he was already, as it were, in the hands of his enemies. It is not improbable, however, that after his agony some time elapsed before Judas came. He had required them to watch, i. e., to keep awake, during that season of agony. After that, they might have been suffered to sleep, while Jesus watched alone. As he saw Judas approach, he probably roused them, saying, It is sufficient--as much repose has been taken as is allowable--the enemy is near, and the Son of man is about to be betrayed.

(y) "hour is come" Jn 7:30, 8:20, 13:1 Verses 43-52. Mt 26:47, Mt 26:48-56.

(z) "immediately" Mt 26:47, Lk 22:47, Jn 18:3 (a) "multitude with" Ps 2:2 Verse 44.

(c) "kiss" 2Sam 20:9, Ps 55:21, Prov 27:6 Verse 45. Master, master. As if expressing great joy that he had found him again.

(d) "Master" Ps 22:1, Isa 53:1-12, Lk 24:44 Verse 49.

(e) "Scriptures" Ps 22:1; Isa 53:1-12; Lk 24:44 Verse 50.

(f) "And they all" Mk 14:27, Ps 88:8, Isa 63:3 Verse 51. A certain young man. Who this was, we have no means of determining. That he was not one of the apostles is dear. It is probable that he was of one of the neighbouring villages or houses, and was roused from sleep by the noise made by the rabble, and came to see what was doing; nor is it known why this circumstance is recorded by Mark. It is omitted by all the other evangelists. It may have been recorded to show that the conspirators had instructions to take the apostles as well as Jesus; and supposing him to be one of them, they laid hold of him to take him before the high priest.

A linen cloth cast about his naked body. He was roused from sleep, and probably threw around him what was most convenient. They slept in linen bedclothes commonly, and he seized a part of the clothes, and hastily threw it round him.

The young men. The Roman soldiers, They were called young men because they were made up chiefly of youth originally. This was a Jewish mode of speaking. See Gen 14:24, 2Sam 2:14, Isa 13:18.

Laid hold on him. Supposing him to be one of the apostles. Verse 52.

(g) "left the linen" Mk 13:16 Verse 53.

(h) "And they led" Mt 26:57, Lk 22:54, Jn 18:13 Verse 56.

(i) "For many bare" Ps 35:11 Verse 58.

(k) "I will" Mk 15:29, Jn 2:19 Verse 60.

(l) "against thee" Mt 26:62 Verse 61.

(m) "But he held" Ps 39:9, Isa 53:7, 1Pet 2:23 Verse 62.

(n) "and ye shall" Dan 7:13, Mt 24:30, 26:64, Lk 22:69, Mk 15:19 Verse 63.

(o) "rent his" Isa 58:1 Verse 65.

(p) "spit on him" Isa 1:6, Mk 15:19 Verse 66.

(q) "And as Peter" Mt 26:69, Lk 22:55, Jn 18:16 Verse 68.

(r) "denied, saying" 2Ti 2:12,13 Verse 70.

(s) "Galilean" Acts 2:7