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Mark Chapter Fourteen

 

I. Content of the Chapter

 

The Bondman the Savior Was Rejected

A.   The scheme to kill Him (v.1-2);

B.   He was anointed beforehand for burial (v.3-9);

C.   Judas sold the Lord (v.10-11).

D.  The Feast of the Passover ---- the sign of being rejected (v.12-25);

E.  He prophesied that the disciples would be scattered and deny Him (v.27-31).

F.   He was suffered in the garden of Gethsemane (v.32-42).

G.  He was caught (v.43-52).

H.  He was judged by the council (v.53-65).

I.     He was denied by Peter thrice (v.66-72).

 

II. Verse by Verse commentary

 

Mark. 14:1 After two days it was the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. And the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take Him by trickery and put Him to death.

YLT: “And the passover and the unleavened food were after two days, and the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how, by guile, having taken hold of him, they might kill him;”

The Background: “the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread”, one of the three great feasts of the Jews every year, was purposed to remember that God delivered their patriarchs out of Egypt. It was held in the first month on the fourteenth day in the evening according to the Jewish calendar. And they would eat unleavened bread among the subsequent seven days, namely, the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Ex. 12:18-19).

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    The chief priests and the elders of the people were actually utilized by Satan that they wanted to kill the Lord Jesus. Satan utilized not only sinners in the world but also clergymen. It shows that the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one (1John. 5:19).

2)    If there was not the participation of men, the type of the lamb of the Passover still could not be fulfilled in the Lord. Those who rejected the Lord were actually used by God to help Him to accomplish His plan.

 

Mark. 14:2 But they said, "Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar of the people."

YLT: “and they said, `Not in the feast, lest there shall be a tumult of the people.'”

Literal Meaning: “during the feast”, it started from the supper of the Passover and included the whole following seven days of the feast of the unleavened bread.

    “Lest there be an uproar of the people”, during the period of the Passover every year, thousands upon thousands Jews in all parts went to Jerusalem to have the feast. Then, the population might suddenly multiply, making it difficult to keep the order. Their words also revealed that they admitted the Lord Jesus was fully endorsed by the people.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    Though men schemed not to kill the Lord on the Passover, later their plan were failed (see John. 19:14-16). God’s words must be fulfilled.

2)    The Lord Jesus is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world (see John. 1:29) and was killed on the Passover.

3)    All men’s schemes outside the will of God will be falsehood (see Ps. 119:118).

 

Mark. 14:3 And being in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, as He sat at the table, a woman came having an alabaster flask of very costly oil of spikenard. Then she broke the flask and poured it on His head.

YLT: “And he, being in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, at his reclining (at meat), there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment, of spikenard, very precious, and having broken the alabaster box, did pour on his head;”

The Background: anointment of oil was a social etiquette to show welcome and respect at that time. The oil was often anointed on the head and feet (see John. 12:3; Luke. 7:38, 46).

Literal Meaning: “sat at the table”, it referred to a reclining gesture at the table ---- it was the habitual gesture when the Jews had feast.

“A woman”, she was Mary (see John 12:3).

“Very costly oil of spikenard”, it was a kind of expensive ointment of spikenard made from the oil that was refined from the root and stem of a certain plant named nard from India.

“Broke the flask”, the flask with a narrow bottleneck is sealed closely. The bottleneck should be broken so that the oil of spikenard can be flown out. Once the flask is broken, it can never keep the oil of spikenard.

Spiritual Meaning:Bethany” typifies the church; “leprosy” typifies sin; “the leper” typifies the sinner. We believers were all sinners who have received the grace of the Lord.

   “An alabaster flask” symbolizes “the outward man” of a believer; “oil of spikenard” symbolizes “the inner man” of a believer and the virtue manifested from the inner heart.

  Mary represents all those who love the Lord. Having seen Christ who has been crucified for us, they are deeply moved and devote themselves to the Lord and pour all their heart to the Lord.

  This verse also expresses the real meaning of devotion:

1.  “Very costly oil of spikenard”, all that are devoted should be most precious.

2.  “Broke the flask”, there is nothing remaining for oneself.

3.  “And poured it on His head”, all that of us are devoted to the Lord completely.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    Believers in the church, who were sinners in the past, have now been washed by the precious blood. Therefore, the Lord delights in living with them and sitting at the table with them.

2)    All those who have really known that they are sinners and have been favored by the Lord will always be grateful to the Lord, love Him, open his house to receive Him and devote their possessions to the Lord.

3)    Mary not only devoted the very costly oil of spikenard to the Lord, but also used a precious flask holding the oil of spikenard. All that devoted to the Lord should be the most precious.

4)    The alabaster flask must be broken and then the fragrant oil can be poured out (see Mark. 14:3). If the outward men were delivered unto death, the inward treasure will be manifested (see 2Cor. 4:7-16).

5)    Once the oil of spikenard was poured out, the whole house would be filled with sweet savor. All that we have devoted to the Lord for the sake of loving the Lord will be a fragrant testimony to men around us.

6)    Once the flask was broken, it could not be used for other purposes. Once we have been devoted to the Lord, we will have no other purpose in our life but live for the Lord (Rom. 14:8).

7)    Here it only mentioned “a woman” without telling her name, which teaches us that what this woman does can also be done by common believers. The problem lies in that whether we know the preciousness of the Lord like her.

8)    Many people desire the salvation of the Lord, but not the Lord Himself. Many people value the Lord’s blessings but not value the Lord Himself. What do we really desire? All that beside the Lord? Or the Lord Himself?

 

Mark. 14:4 But there were some who were indignant among themselves, and said, "Why was this fragrant oil wasted?

YLT: “and there were certain much displeased within themselves, and saying, `For what hath this waste of the ointment been made?”

Meaning of Words: “waste”: ruin, loss, destruction, perdition;

Literal Meaning: “but there were some who were indignant among themselves”, “some” refers to the disciples (see Matt. 26:8), including Judas who sold the Lord (see John 12:4-5).

Enlightenment in the Word:  

1)    To those who believe, the Lord is precious (1Pet. 2:7). The degree of our devotion to the Lord shows the Lord’s valuein the sight of us.

2)    All those who do not regard the Lord precious will think the actions of loving the Lord and giving up something to the Lord are too far and what is given to the Lord is “wasted”.

3)    Comments from others show their conditions in loving the Lord. Our devotion to the Lord is purposed to pleasing the Lord, not satisfy men (Gal. 1:10).

4)    There is no limitation of loving and serving the Lord. All that are used for the sake of the Lord cannot be “wasted”.

5)    In the matters of loving and serving the Lord, we shall give ample space and liberty for others. We should neither judge others nor interfere with others.

Mark. 14:5 For it might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor." And they criticized her sharply.

YLT: “for this could have been sold for more than three hundred denaries, and given to the poor;' and they were murmuring at her.”

Literal Meaning: “three hundred denarii”, it amounted to the salary of a whole year for a common worker at that time (see Matt 20:2).

  “And given to the poor”, such good things had to be done by all those who came to have feast in Jerusalem (see 13:29), and by the true believers (see Gal 2:10).

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    The oil of spikenard poured on the head of the Lord was “wasted”, but was not wasted in the poor. The Lord was even not as important as the poor in many believers’ heart.

2)    If man does not love Christ, he will devote the works done for the Lord in place of his love that should be given to the Lord. How easily that some “good” and “spiritual” excuses may move the Lord’s status which He should have in believers!

3)    Today in the church, there is a group of men who, like Mary, give all to Christ and hold that Christ is worthy of everything. However, there is also another group of men who take “pragmatism” into consideration and hold that they should pay attention to economic benefits in everything, and otherwise it is a “waste” or ruin.

4)    There are not many ones drawn near by the love of the Lord among believers. Most of them, standing in the position of reasons, do not quite approve the works of others who walk in love.

5)    Many times, love may be interrupted by reasons. Once a man takes economic factors into consideration, the will of the Lord will be eclipsed behind.

6)    He who has really been touched by the Lord’s love does not care for his personal gain or loss, success or failure, but the delight of the Lord only. Therefore, they are willing to do things that are unprofitable in men’s perspectives.

7)    If we see from the perspective of love, there will be nothing done for the Lord is unworthy, and no money spent for the Lord is in vain.

8)    Today there are so many works done for the need of work (“being given to the poor”), not for the delight of the Lord Himself (“anointing Him”). Obviously, many works in the church seem to be done for the Lord, but actually they are for the need of the environment.

9)    The disciples were indignant (v.4) at first, but now turned to “criticize her sharply”. In the church, it is often seen that men criticize others for loving the Lord too much.

 

Mark. 14:6 But Jesus said, "Let her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a good work for Me.

YLT: “And Jesus said, `Let her alone; why are ye giving her trouble? a good work she wrought on me;”

Meaning of Words: “trouble”: toil, trouble;

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    If we can love the Lord as Mary, it is the best. If we cannot, we shall either hold back others from loving the Lord (“let her alone”), nor “trouble” them.

2)    How different the Lord’s view is from ours ---- men say that it is “wasted”, but the Lord says that, “it is a good work”.

3)    We need not care about others’ views too much concerning our services. What is really important is our evaluation of the Lord ---- is He worthy of our service like this?

4)    Though we may be misunderstood by others for what we have done for the sake of loving the Lord, the Lord can know our heart and He Himself will clear up everything for us.

5)    No matter what have others said, as long as the Lord says that, “it is a good work”, we shall be joyful no matter how we are “troubled”.

 

Mark. 14:7 For you have the poor with you always, and whenever you wish you may do them good; but Me you do not have always.

YLT: “for the poor always ye have with you, and whenever ye may will ye are able to do them good, but me ye have not always;”

Literal Meaning: “For you have the poor with you always”, it does not mean the Lord does not care for the poor. Actually He is usually concerned about the need of the poor (see Matt. 6:2-4; Luke 4:18; 6:20; 14:13, 21; 18:22; John 13:29).

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    The Lord does not oppose our doing good or relieving the poor, but opposes to regarding what has been done on Him as “being wasted”.

2)    Those who are of the Lord usually make a mistake, i.e. they may be busy with working for “the poor” (e.g. the objects of the glad tidings, brothers who have stumbled, ministrations of the social welfare, and ministrations in the church etc.), but ignore the Lord Himself.

3)    Believers shall learn to distinguish between what “have with us always” and what “have not with us always”. Otherwise, we may lose the opportunity we do not always have for the sake of those frequent opportunities.

4)    We shall let the Lord have the first place in all things (Col 1:18).

 

Mark. 14:8 She has done what she could. She has come beforehand to anoint My body for burial.

YLT: “what she could she did, she anticipated to anoint my body for the embalming.”

The Background: according to the funeral ceremony of the Jews in the old times, they anointed the body of the dead and bound it up in linen clothes with the spices (see Mark. 16:1; John. 19:40).

   Literal Meaning: Mary was bound to know that He was about to be crucified (see Matt. 26:2) from His words and know that the days were not long. Therefore she seized a chance to show her grateful thanks to His death while He was alive.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    Mary poured all her good things on the Lord because she had received the revelation. We must obtain revelation first and then we can love Him with good love.

2)    Mary Bethany seized a chance to anoint the Lord before His death. Mary Magdalene wanted to anoint the Lord after His death, however, she did not have the chance to do so (see 16:1-6). We should seize chances to love and serve the Lord.

3)    Mary did what she could do when the Lord had not been dead. Let us do what we can before the Lord’s second coming.

4)    The Lord asks us to do what we can. He neither asks us to do what we cannot nor preserve what we have had, but asks us to do what we can.

 

Mark. 14:9 Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her."

YLT: “Verily I say to you, wherever this good news may be proclaimed in the whole world, what also this woman did shall be spoken of -- for a memorial of her.'”

Literal Meaning: “wherever this gospel is preached”, it means that the good news that the Lord Jesus has saved sinners in the world ---- how the Lord Jesus loved sinners and even poured out His life.

“What this woman has done will also be told”, it means that the good example of Mary who loved the Lord ---- how she was touched by the love of the Lord and then she loved the Lord and even poured her life on the Lord.

It means that wherever the gospel is preached by us, there must be someone who is touched by the Lord’s love and thus reacts to the Lord’s love and love Him at any cost.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    For the love of Christ constrained us; because we thus judge, that He died for all, that we who should not henceforth live unto ourselves, but unto Him which died for us and rose again (see 2Cor. 5:14-15).

2)    To preach the gospel is to make men believe in the Lord Jesus --- it is for men’s gain. Telling what this woman has done is for the Lord’s gain. Salvation is not only for men but also for Christ.

3)    Salvation must bring in dedication. The salvation is not complete, if it has not brought in dedication.

4)    The gospel is that the Lord becomes men’s satisfaction and rest. To anoint the Lord is that men become the Lord’s satisfaction and rest. We need the Lord and vice versa.

5)    The fruit of preaching the gospel is not only letting sinners come to the heaven, but also making those who have received the grace become men who love Christ.

 

Mark. 14:10 Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Him to them.

YLT: “And Judas the Iscariot, one of the twelve, went away unto the chief priests that he might deliver him up to them,”

Literal Meaning: “went to the chief priests to betray Him to them”, the scriptures mentioned what Mary and Judas had done respectively (v.3-11), showing that they were in great contrast to each other ---- one loved Him, and the other betrayed Him

 

Mark. 14:11 And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money. So he sought how he might conveniently betray Him.

YLT: “and having heard, they were glad, and promised to give him money, and he was seeking how, conveniently, he might deliver him up.”

Literal Meaning: “when they heard it, they were glad”,

  “And promised to give him money”, it was “thirty pieces of silver” that was clearly recorded in other place of the Scriptures (see Matt. 26:15). Every piece of silver weighed one shekel and the whole was thirty shekels which was equal to the evaluation of a slave (see Exod. 21:32).

  “So he sought how he might conveniently betray Him.” ---- It showed that he sought an occasion that the people were absent to inform them to catch Jesus, lest there be uproar of the people.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    Mary did not stint herself in the fragrant oil costing thirty denarii because she loved the Lord. Judas sold the Lord for thirty pieces of sliver because he loved money. Whether one has acted as Mary or Judas depends on whether he “loves the Lord” or “the Lord” (see John. 12:4-6).

2)    In the eyes of Judas and the chief priests, the Lord Jesus was like a slave who was worthy of only thirty pieces of silver. If our evaluation of the Lord is the same with them and we regard the Lord as usual, we may sell Him in some circumstances (for example: someone denies the Lord in order to save his own life and someone sells truth and witness for status, fame and gain and etc).

3)    Apparently, Judas sold the Lord out for thirty pieces of silver, but actually, he sold out his own soul for thirty piece of silver (see Matt. 27:3-5; Acts. 1:18).

4)    Judas sold himself out to the devil for the sake of thirty pieces of silver. Mary dedicated herself to the Lord in the fragrant oil which was worthy of thirty denarii.

5)    Judas made merchandise of Christ. He who supposes that gain is godliness (1Tim. 6:5) and barters Christ’s grace for his own gain has fallen in the principle of Judas.

6)    Mary “seized the opportunity” and devoted herself to the Lord. Judas “sought how he might conveniently betray Him” (find the opporitunity) and schemed to deliver the Lord to the power of darkness.

7)    “To seize the opportunity” is “to cherish the time” (see the original of Eph. 5:16). However, “finding the opportunity” means wasting the time.

 

Mark. 14:12 Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they killed the Passover lamb, His disciples said to Him, "Where do You want us to go and prepare, that You may eat the Passover?"

YLT: “And the first day of the unleavened food, when they were killing the passover, his disciples say to him, `Where wilt thou, having gone, we may prepare, that thou mayest eat the passover?'”

The Background: there were seven days in the Feast of the Unleavened Bread starting from the sunset of the fourteenth day of the first month according to the Jewish calendar (the month Nisan) to the sunset of the twenty-first day. “The first day of the Feast of the Unleavened Bread” referred to the time from six o’clock in the evening of the fourteenth day of the first month (Thursday) to six o’clock in the next evening, i.e. the Passover (see Ex. 12:15-20). According to the informal way of counting among the Jews, the fourteenth day of the first month was also counted into the Feast of the Unleavened Bread. Therefore, the whole feast turned to eight days and the day of the fourteenth day of the first month became the “first day of the Feast of the Unleavened Bread”.

    “The Feast of the Passover”, the Jews started to kill the lamb of the Passover in the afternoon of the fourteenth day of the first month, and each family ate the Feast of the Passover together at nightfall. 

   Spiritual Meaning: “the Unleavened Bread” typifies that Christ is the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth and He makes those who believe in Him be a new lump and live a holy life (see 1Cor. 5:7-8). “The Feast of the Unleavened Bread” typifies that Christ is our enjoyment of life giving us strength to walk in the heavenly way (see Ex. 12:8-11).

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    On one hand, we must cleanse ourselves (“the first day of the Unleavened Bread”) and then we are able to come to the Lord (see Heb. 12:14) and enjoy Him as the provision of our life.

2)    On the other hand, we must enjoy the Lord as the provision of our life (“where…to eat the Passover”) in order to live a holy life before God (“the Unleavened Bread” extends for seven days).

 

Mark. 14:13 And He sent out two of His disciples and said to them, "Go into the city, and a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water; follow him.

YLT: “And he sendeth forth two of his disciples, and saith to them, `Go ye away to the city, and there shall meet you a man bearing a pitcher of water, follow him;”

Literal Meaning: “He sent out two of His disciples”, they were Peter and John (see Luke 22:8).

  “A man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water”. ---- According to the Jewish custom, only women could carry the pitcher of water. Therefore, if it was a man who carried the pitcher of water, it would be easy to distinguish.

 

Mark. 14:14 Wherever he goes in, say to the master of the house, "The Teacher says, "Where is the guest room in which I may eat the Passover with My disciples?"'

YLT: “and wherever he may go in, say ye to the master of the house -- The Teacher saith, Where is the guest-chamber, where the passover, with my disciples, I may eat?”

Literal Meaning: “the master of the house”, according to the research of Bible scholars, “the master of the house” might be the father or mother of the author of this book. However, the Bible did not directly show us who it was, indicating that we had to know that everything was arranged by God and God Himself had prepared the feast of the Passover.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    The Lord, the lord of all, can dominate everything to work for Him (see 11:2-6; Matt. 17:27).

2)    The Lord had prepared for Himself many people who loved and served Him (see Rom. 11:4) in secret, so we should not see the outward appearance of things but trust the Lord absolutely ---- He Himself must have prepared everything.

3)    The master of the house prepared “the Feast of the Passover” for the Lord. Today, the leading brothers also prepare the “feast of the Lord” for the Lord. The owner of the feast is the Lord Jesus, so we have no right to refuse to allow those who have believed the Lord to be assembled to break bread.

 

Mark. 14:15 Then he will show you a large upper room, furnished and prepared; there make ready for us."

YLT: “and he will shew you a large upper room, furnished, prepared -- there make ready for us.'”

Literal Meaning: “show you a large upper room”, it might be the upper chamber where the disciples, about a hundred and twenty, were gathered to pray before the day of Pentecost (see Luke 22:12; Acts. 1:13-15). It was called “the house of Mark” afterwards.

 

Mark. 14:16 So His disciples went out, and came into the city, and found it just as He had said to them; and they prepared the Passover.

YLT: “And his disciples went forth, and came to the city, and found as he said to them, and they made ready the passover.”

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    “Found it just as He had said to them”, the Lord’s word is faithful and is not Yes and No (see 2Cor. 1:19-20).

2)    As long as we obey the Lord’s “commandments”, we can enjoy Him as “the Feast of the Passover” ---- the spiritual provision of life.

 

Mark. 14:17 In the evening He came with the twelve.

YLT: “And evening having come, he cometh with the twelve,”

 

Mark. 14:18 Now as they sat and ate, Jesus said, "Assuredly, I say to you, one of you who eats with Me will betray Me."

YLT: “and as they are reclining, and eating, Jesus said, `Verily I say to you -- one of you, who is eating with me -- shall deliver me up.'”

Literal Meaning: “one of you who eats with Me will betray Me”, the purpose of the Lord’s word was to expect that Judas could pull back before it was too late and He did not want to see him perish. Actually, the council could also arrest Jesus without the help of Judas and they merely wanted to find an “opportunity” when the multitudes were absent.

Spiritual Meaning: the Lord “sat down” with the disciples, symbolizing that the Lord had fellowship with the disciples and shared Himself with them (see 1Cor. 10:16-22).

 

Mark. 14:19 And they began to be sorrowful, and to say to Him one by one, "Is it I?" And another said, "Is it I?"

YLT: “And they began to be sorrowful, and to say to him, one by one, `Is it I?' and another, `Is it I?'”

Enlightenment in the Word: to sell out the Lord ---- to suppose gain is godliness ---- makes those who are of the Lord sorrowful most.

 

Mark. 14:20 He answered and said to them, "It is one of the twelve, who dips with Me in the dish.

YLT: “And he answering said to them, `One of the twelve who is dipping with me in the dish;”

The Background: “who dips with Me in the dish”, in the Feast of the Passover, every one of the Jews was gathered to enjoyed the food such as mutton, bread, bitter herbs and etc. During the dinner, there was a plate of sauce which was boiled by fruits, vinegar and etc. Everyone took a small piece of bread (or meat sandwich) and dipped into the sauce in the plate.

  According to customs at that time, when someone had dinner with others, it indicated that he was stating, “you are my friend and I will never do anything that hurts you.”

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    The Lord knew obviously that Judas was about to betray Him. But He still “dipped His hand with him”, showing that how tolerant and merciful He was.

2)    Today in the church, those with whom we have the closest fellowship may become drastic opponents.

 

Mark. 14:21 The Son of Man indeed goes just as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had never been born."

YLT: “the Son of Man doth indeed go, as it hath been written concerning him, but wo to that man through whom the Son of Man is delivered up; good were it to him if that man had not been born.'”

Literal Meaning: “just as it is written of Him”, possibly, prophecies in the book of Psalm chapter 22 and the book of Isaiah chapter 53 might rise in the mind of the Lord Jesus at that time.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    God can use positive man to fulfill His will and He can also use negative man (Judas) to facilitate His will. However, we would rather be “vessels” made by firewood than the firewood which were used to make vessels.

2)    What the Lord is concerned about is not His own safety but the soul of the one who betrayed Him.

3)    The significance of men’s life lies in Christ. If we do not love Christ only, or even betray Christ for the sake of gain ---- no matter it is worldly or earthly, or spiritual or heavenly. How meaningless such life is and how miserable and vain the end is! It will “have been good for that man if he has never been born”.

 

Mark. 14:22 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them and said, "Take, eat; this is My body."

YLT: “And as they are eating, Jesus having taken bread, having blessed, brake, and gave to them, and said, `Take, eat; this is my body.'”

The Background: in the Feast of the Passover, it was customary the householder that broke the bread. When breaking the bread, the householder took the bread in his hand and said, “This is the bread of affliction that our ancestors had eaten in Egypt” ---- “the bread in the hand” represented “the bread of that day”.

Literal Meaning: “this is My body.” ---- Here “is” refers to “represents” or “means”.

   Spiritual Meaning: “bread” symbolizes the body of the Lord Jesus; “broke it” means that His body was broken for us on the cross; “eat” refers to sharing the being of Christ.

  According to records in other Scriptures, at this time, Judas who had betrayed the Lord had gone out and was not present (see John. 13:26-30). From that time, the Lord set His desk (the New Testament) to replace the Feast of the Passover (the Old Testament), directly indicating that He is the true Passover of us (see 1Cor. 5:7).

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    Christ was “broken” for us and delivered His holy life to us so that we are able to share His life (“Take, eat.”) by this, thus becoming a mysterious body (see 1Cor. 12:17, 27).

2)    The Lord gives Himself to us and what do we give to Him?

3)    Since it is the communion of the blood of Christ and the body of Christ (see 1Cor. 10:16-17), we should be bound up with each other and take care of each other (see 1Cor. 12:12-27).

 

Mark. 14:23 Then He took the cup, and when He had given thanks He gave it to them, and they all drank from it.

YLT: “And having taken the cup, having given thanks, he gave to them, and they drank of it -- all;”

The Background: according to the Jewish customs of eating the supper of the Passover, they ate bitter herbs before the unleavened bread and also passed the cup to each other to drink the wine and this cup symbolized “the cup of pain”. When they ate the unleavened bread and mutton, they passed the cup to each other again and this cup symbolized “the cup of blessing”.

   Spiritual Meaning: “cup” symbolizes the “portion” that we deserve before God. In Adam, what a sinner deserves is “the cup of God’s wrath” (see Rev. 14:10). However, the Lord Jesus had drunk that cup on the cross for us (see John. 18:11). Therefore the nature of the cup had changed from “the cup of pain” to “the cup of blessing” (see 1Cor. 10:16; Ps. 23:5). The blood of the Lord shed on the cross made the sins of those who believe in Him be remitted. All blessing of God and even Himself become the portion of our cup therefrom (see Ps. 16:5). Therefore it is called “the cup of salvation” (see Ps. 116:13).

  Believers share the cup of salvation, showing that it is the communion of the blood of Christ (see 1Cor. 10:16), i.e. partaking in the fellowship of the blood of Christ.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    “The curse endured He, the blessing enjoy we.” He bore the punishment of sins for us and made us enjoy the good blessing.

2)    “He took the cup and gave thanks.” The Lord received the cross with thanksgiving, which was different from our usual complaints in similar situations.

 

Mark. 14:24 And He said to them, "This is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many.

YLT: “and he said to them, `This is my blood of the new covenant, which for many is being poured out;”

Literal Meaning: “this is My blood of the new covenant.” “Covenant” refers to contract or will.

“Which is shed for many”, “many” referred to “all men” according to the Jewish common usage (see Matt. 20:28; Is. 53:12).

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    The body of the Lord which is broken for us and His blood shed for us become the proof of the new covenant ---- the crucified Christ is the foundation of all blessing of the New Testament.

2)    Believers break the bread and drink the cup to announce the death of the Lord. We do so in remembrance of Him (see 1Cor. 11:24-26).

 

Mark. 14:25 Assuredly, I say to you, I will no longer drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God."

YLT: “verily I say to you, that no more may I drink of the produce of the vine till that day when I may drink it new in the reign of God.'”

Literal Meaning: “I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on.” ---- “The fruit of the vine” includes the juice of grape, grape wine and etc.

“That day when I drink it new with you”, it refers to the day when overcomers sit with the Lord in the kingdom of a thousand years (see Matt. 25:10).

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    Though the Lord no longer drinks with us in the flesh, He will share the unlimited and abundant blessings with us in the eternal age. Therefore we break the bread, drink the cup today, and they are only a foretaste of “the day when we drink it new”. The blessing (cup) we enjoy will never cease in the eternal age.

2)    The hope of our breaking the bread and drinking the cup is to drink new with the Lord in the kingdom of God the Father. The way for believers to enter into the kingdom and enjoy the blessings forever is to have habitual fellowship with Christ’s death on the cross today ---- through many tribulations, we must enter into the kingdom of God (Acts. 14:22).

 

Mark. 14:26 And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

YLT: “And having sung an hymn, they went forth to the mount of the Olives,”

The Background: “they had sung a hymn”, the Jews sang the psalm of “Hallel” during the dinner of the Passover. The psalm included the Ps. 104 to Ps. 105, Ps. 113 to Ps. 118. In the dinner, they sang the first part of Hallel, i.e. from Ps. 104 to Ps. 105, from Ps. 113 to Ps. 114. After dinner, they sang the second part of Hallel, i.e. from Ps. 115 to Ps. 118.

  Enlightenment in the Word: every time after we have broken the bread, the Lord Himself will lead us to sing songs to praise (see Heb. 2:12) and worship God the Father.

 

Mark. 14:27 Then Jesus said to them, "All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written: "I will strike the Shepherd, And the sheep will be scattered.'

YLT: “and Jesus saith to them -- `All ye shall be stumbled at me this night, because it hath been written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered abroad,”

Literal Meaning: “be made to stumble”, it indicated that the disciples forsook Him and fled (see v.50) and Peter denied the Lord (see v.66-72).

 “I will strike the Shepherd, And the sheep of the flock will be scattered.” ---- This sentence is quoted from the prophecy in the Book of Zechariah (13:7). The flock shall follow the shepherd. Now the shepherd is gone and the sheep of the flock will flee because they do not know the voice of strangers (see John. 10:4-5).

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    The reason why many believers have stumbled is that the Lord, seeming to be a common person, has not shown miraculous works before them to deliver them from danger. However, the Lord’s “doing nothing” must have His goodwill.

2)    “I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.” If Christ is struck, the church must be scattered. If we want to keep the true oneness of the church, we have to exalt Christ and let Him receive the position that He deserves.

3)    The Lord is the element of the oneness of believers. If someone in the church holds high men and makes the position of the Lord suffer loss, it will lead to division.

4)    Our Lord had been struck that day, now He has ascended into the heaven as the “the great shepherd of the sheep” (see Heb. 13:20) and will never be struck. Therefore, we shall be protected by this great shepherd for ever and never be scattered.

 

Mark. 14:28 "But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee."

YLT: “but after my having risen I will go before you to Galilee.'”

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    The Lord reveals not only His death but also His resurrection. We should know both Christ’s death for the remission of sins as well as the risen life of Christ’s resurrection.

2)    The promise of the Lord’s resurrection brings us unlimited encouragement and death will be swallowed up in victory (see 1Cor. 15:54). Therefore we should not dare death for we have the hope of resurrection.

3)    The Lord reveals not merely that the sheep of the flock will be scattered (v.31), but also the sheep of the flock will be gathered together. We should never stay in the condition of the negative darkness, but shall go forward towards the light.

4)    The Lord goes before us and we all follow Him (see John. 10:4, 27).

 

Mark. 14:29 Peter said to Him, "Even if all are made to stumble, yet I will not be."

YLT: “And Peter said to him, `And if all shall be stumbled, yet not I;'”

Literal Meaning: “are made to stumble”: to give up because of disappointment.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    Those who do not know themselves always think that they are stronger and love the Lord more than others and consequently they usually stumble the most seriously.

2)    Each should esteem other better than themselves (Pill. 2:3).

3)    Wherefore let him that thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall (1Cor. 10:12).

 

Mark. 14:30 Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you that today, even this night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times."

YLT: “And Jesus said to him, `Verily I say to thee, that to-day, this night, before a cock shall crow twice, thrice thou shalt deny me.'”

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    Environment is the best tool of God to manifest our “selves”. Sometimes the Lord arranges for us some dark environment (“this night, before the rooster crows”) and permits us to experience frustrations and stumbles (“you will deny Me three times”) in order to enable us to know ourselves.

2)    The experience of failure may also have advantages to us ---- it makes us no longer trust in ourselves but fully in Him (see 2Cor. 1:9).

 

Mark. 14:31 But he spoke more vehemently, "If I have to die with You, I will not deny You!" And they all said likewise.

YLT: “And he spake the more vehemently, `If it may be necessary for me to die with thee -- I will in nowise deny thee;' and in like manner also said they all.”

Literal Meaning: Peter and all the disciples indeed had the willingness to die with the Lord. Since they did not know their own weakness, they said such irresponsible words.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    Many times, the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. Therefore we should watch and pray (see v.41).

2)    “One is unable to do what he wants very much to do.” ---- One still cannot do something if he only has willingness and does not have power. Believers should never work in the flesh.

 

Mark. 14:32 Then they came to a place which was named Gethsemane; and He said to His disciples, "Sit here while I pray."

YLT: “And they come to a spot, the name of which Gethsemane, and he saith to his disciples, `Sit ye here till I may pray;'”

Meaning of Words: Gethsemane”: the place to press oil, olive oil press;

   Literal Meaning: “called Gethsemane”, a garden of olive, was on the other side of the valley of Kidron which was about one point two kilometer away from the city wall of Jerusalem. Jesus often restored with His disciples in that garden (see John. 18:1-2). It was said that the garden was the possession of the house of Mark.

Spiritual Meaning: the prayer of the Lord Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane typified that He was pressed and tortured alone there and spread the oil (which typified the Holy Spirit) to be our Comforter (see John. 7:39; 16:7).

 

Mark. 14:33 And He took Peter, James, and John with Him, and He began to be troubled and deeply distressed.

YLT: “and he taketh Peter, and James, and John with him, and began to be amazed, and to be very heavy,”

Literal Meaning: “He began to be troubled and deeply distressed”, the Lord Jesus is both God and man. In His humanity, He was a man subject to like passions as we are (see James. 5:17) and therefore He might weep and be troubled (see John. 11:33, 35). However, the reason why the Lord was distressed was not death, but was that He feared to be forsaken by God because of bearing our sins (see 15:34).

Enlightenment in the Word: the Lord Himself has suffered being tempted and therefore He can sympathize with our infirmities (see Heb. 2:18; 4:15).

 

Mark. 14:34 Then He said to them, "My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch."

YLT: “and he saith to them, `Exceeding sorrowful is my soul -- to death; remain here, and watch.'”

Enlightenment in the Word: “stay here and watch.” ---- It shows that even the Lord Jesus also needs others’ support. Furthermore, believers should also have the same concern one for another (see 1Cor. 12:25; Heb. 10:24).

 

Mark. 14:35 He went a little farther, and fell on the ground, and prayed that if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him.

YLT: “And having gone forward a little, he fell upon the earth, and was praying, that, if it be possible the hour may pass from him,”

Literal Meaning: “the hour” referred to the hour of His Crucifixion.

 

Mark. 14:36 And He said, "Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will."

YLT: “and he said, `Abba, Father; all things are possible to Thee; make this cup pass from me; but, not what I will, but what Thou.'”

Literal Meaning: “let this cup pass from Me”, “cup” refers to suffering and death (see 10:38). “This cup” is the cup of God’s wrath (see Rev. 14:10) and it was the portion that we deserved to have. However, God sent the Lord Jesus to the earth to make Him replace us to drink this cup, i.e. letting Him bear sins and die on the cross. Therefore the cup referred to the death of the cross.

  The Lord there touched the heart of God the Father in order to make sure whether there were other ways besides “the death of the cross” to fulfill the will of God.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    “My Father”, The Lord’s shout shows us that all our environments and misfortune are measured to us by God the Father and He never treats us badly without sake at all.

2)    “Not as I will, but as You will.” The key for the Lord to overcome is to fully obey the will of God the Father.

3)    If there is not the obedience in the garden of Gethsemane, there will be no death of the cross in Golgotha. Obedience should be before the cross.

4)    True experience of the cross is to make one’s soul suffer pain in order to obey the will of God (see v.37-38).

5)    God’s will to believers is letting us deny ourselves and take up our crosses to follow the Lord (see Matt. 16:24).

6)    Though the soul of the Lord Jesus was exceedingly sorrowful and infirm (see v.33-34), He still obeyed the will of the Father. This is the principle of the cross ---- one shall not face the difficulty in fleshly strength, but choose the will of God the Father though he may be excessively pressed beyond power in extreme infirmity. Therefore, we should not lose the faithfulness to the Lord under the pretext of saying that “I am too weak”.

 

Mark. 14:37 Then He came and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, "Simon, are you sleeping? Could you not watch one hour?

YLT: “And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith to Peter, `Simon, thou dost sleep! thou wast not able to watch one hour!”

Enlightenment in the Word: Peter was willing to die with the Lord together (see v.35), but was unable to watch one hour with the Lord. Those who are unable to watch one hour will be unable to face death.

 

Mark. 14:38 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."

YLT: “Watch ye and pray, that ye may not enter into temptation; the spirit indeed is forward, but the flesh weak.'”

Meaning of Words: “spirit”: breath, wind; “willing”: ready;

Literal Meaning: “temptation”, here it indicates that one gives chance to the enemy to take advantage of the crack to enter in.

  “The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” ---- The flesh cannot be up to standard of spirit. What the spirit is willing cannot be done by the flesh (see Rom. 7:18-24).

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    The only way to avoid the temptation of Satan is to “watch and pray”.

2)    The condition of men’s “body” usually cannot catch up with men’s “willingness”. Therefore we have to exercise our bodies until we could keep under our bodies and bring them into subjection (1Cor. 9:27).

 

Mark. 14:39 Again He went away and prayed, and spoke the same words.

YLT: “And again having gone away, he prayed, the same word saying;”

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    The Lord Jesus prayed God three times and the words of His prayers were the same. It reveals us a principle of prayer ---- prayer must be sufficient, thorough and to the point and we should not stop praying until we receive God’s answer.

2)    There is no doubt that we should not use vain repetitions when praying (see Matt. 6:7). However, when we pray and seek the will of God for one thing, we should ask Him again and again until we clearly understand the will of God.

 

Mark. 14:40 And when He returned, He found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy; and they did not know what to answer Him.

YLT: “and having returned, he found them again sleeping, for their eyes were heavy, and they had not known what they might answer him.”

Meaning of Words: “heavy”: burden, tired;

Enlightenment in the Word: if our spiritual eyes are blurred and “heavy”, it will bring about a deep sleep or even death in spirit (see Acts. 20:9).

 

Mark. 14:41 Then He came the third time and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? It is enough! The hour has come; behold, the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners.

YLT: “And he cometh the third time, and saith to them, `Sleep on henceforth, and rest -- it is over; the hour did come; lo, the Son of Man is delivered up to the hands of the sinful;”

Literal Meaning: “are you still sleeping and resting?” ---- In the original it is “sleep on now and take your rest.” It meant that the thing was settled finally and the time to watch and pray had passed by.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    Every time when the Lord had finished the prayer, He returned to the disciples. At this time He was tortured and the most painful, but He was still concerned about the disciples. What the bowels of Christ!

2)    The Lord’s disciples were unable to watch or share the suffering with Him because of their weakness. However, the Lord did not force them to pray with Him and He departed from them and prayed alone. It shows that though corporate prayer is important, sometimes the individual prayer may even touch the feeling of God more.

 

Mark. 14:42 Rise, let us be going. See, My betrayer is at hand."

YLT: “rise, we may go, lo, he who is delivering me up hath come nigh.'”

Literal Meaning: “rise, let us be going.” ---- It is not to escape but to face that group of forces.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    After we have clearly known the will of God through prayer, we should rise and keep the will of God (“rise, let us be going”).

2)    The Lord likes us to rise, walk on the way of the cross with Him, follow the steps of the Lamb and have fellowship with His sufferings.

 

Mark. 14:43 And immediately, while He was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, with a great multitude with swords and clubs, came from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders.

YLT: “And immediately -- while he is yet speaking -- cometh near Judas, one of the twelve, and with him a great multitude, with swords and sticks, from the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders;”

Literal Meaning: “Judas, one of the twelve”, he was usually called “one of the twelve” in the Bible (see v.10).

  “With a great multitude with swords and clubs”, they were the Roman soldiers and officers from the chief priests and servants of the Pharisees (see John 18:3).

  “The chief priests and elders of the people”, they were the main members of the Sanhedrin (see v.53).

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    The way of the world is “a great multitude” and “with swords and clubs”, however, we do not wrestle against flesh and blood (see Eph. 6:12). Therefore those who rely on the strength of men and fleshly weapons will fall under the fleshly principle. They may think that they win a victory but actually they suffer a crushing defeat.

2)    The principle of the Lamb is that who, when he was reviled, did not revile again. When he suffered, he did not threaten (1Pet. 2:23).

3)    When the church hears the voice of the Lord, revives and is willing to work with the Lord, the enemy comes and wants to hold back the church from going forth.

 

Mark. 14:44 Now His betrayer had given them a signal, saying, "Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him and lead Him away safely."

YLT: “and he who is delivering him up had given a token to them, saying, `Whomsoever I shall kiss, he it is, lay hold on him, and lead him away safely,'”

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    According to the customs of the Jews, “kiss” was an expression of intimacy and honor. Unexpectedly, it was used as a secret sign of betraying the Lord. Many intimate expressions and sweat words are horrible and may even “betray” us.

2)    Some leaders of the church like to be flattered by praise of his followers, however, they will be harmed seriously by flatterers sooner or later.

 

Mark. 14:45 As soon as he had come, immediately he went up to Him and said to Him, "Rabbi, Rabbi!" and kissed Him.

YLT: “and having come, immediately, having gone near him, he saith, `Rabbi, Rabbi,' and kissed him.”

Literal Meaning: “and kissed Him”, “kiss” was a way for the disciples to pay respects to teachers (rabbi) in the Jewish society. Therefore after he had said, “greetings, Rabbi!” (Matt. 26:49), it was common to kiss Him. However, the word “kissed” in this verse was different from the “kiss” in the previous verse in the original. The tone of emphasis in this verse showed that it was a very intimate act (see Luke. 15:20; Acts. 20:37). Therefore, Judas’s pretense and affectation were manifested more obviously.

 

Mark. 14:46 Then they laid their hands on Him and took Him.

YLT: “And they laid on him their hands, and kept hold on him;”

 

Mark. 14:47 And one of those who stood by drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.

YLT: “and a certain one of those standing by, having drawn the sword, struck the servant of the chief priest, and took off his ear.”

Literal Meaning: “one of those who stood by drew his sword”, the one was Peter (see John. 18:10).

Spiritual Meaning: “sword” symbolizes fleshly warfare (see 2Cor. 10:4).

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    Those who do not know the meaning of the cross always stretch out his fleshly “hand” of flesh and draw the fleshly “sword”, tempting to protect the Lord and things that are of the Lord. It brings about no effect and is even harmful.

2)    The fleshly warfare could cut off men’s “ear” at most and make men not listen to the words of God.

 

Mark. 14:48 Then Jesus answered and said to them, "Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs to take Me?

YLT: “And Jesus answering said to them, `As against a robber ye came out, with swords and sticks, to take me!”

Literal Meaning: “as against a robber?”, the words of the Lord exposed the unrighteousness of religionists on one hand, on the other hand He also pointed that He would be crucified with “robbers” (see 15:27). This word that “He was numbered with the transgressors” was fulfilled (see Is. 53:12).

 

Mark. 14:49 I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and you did not seize Me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled."

YLT: “daily I was with you in the temple teaching, and ye did not lay hold on me -- but that the Writings may be fulfilled.'”

Literal Meaning: “but the Scriptures must be fulfilled.” ---- It meant that the words of verse 27 in this chapter quoted from the Book of Zechariah (13:7) was fully fulfilled ---- There is sword awaking and striking the Shepherd. And the sheep will be scattered.

Enlightenment in the Word: the Lord would not protect Himself in order to fulfill the will of God the Father.

 

Mark. 14:50 Then they all forsook Him and fled.

YLT: “And having left him they all fled;”

Literal Meaning: though all the disciple’s faithful words unto death (see v.31) were still ringing in one's ears, when the temptations came upon them, their reality was manifested.

Enlightenment in the Word: when the trial came, all the disciples failed. All the spiritual merits are precious after the trial (see 1 Pet. 1:7; 1Cor. 3:13).

 

Mark. 14:51 Now a certain young man followed Him, having a linen cloth thrown around his naked body. And the young men laid hold of him,

YLT: “and a certain young man was following him, having put a linen cloth about naked body, and the young men lay hold on him,”

Literal Meaning: “a certain young man”, it might be the author of this book Mark (please see the Introduction of the Gospel of Mark, the part of the Author). When the Lord Jesus prayed to God the Father, the disciples like Peter were asleep. Maybe Mark followed the Lord until the Garden of Gethsemane and saw on the spot, and therefore we can know the condition in the Garden of Gethsemane today and the words of the Lord’s prayer. It was inferred that this young man might be the key character who passed down this fact.

  “Having a linen cloth thrown around his naked body”, it showed that he did not wear his body coat. Probably, when he was about to sleep, he saw the Lord Jesus and the disciples go into the Garden of Gethsemane. He was curious and followed behind them hurriedly with a linen cloth to see what would happen.

 

Mark. 14:52 and he left the linen cloth and fled from them naked.

YLT: “and he, having left the linen cloth, did flee from them naked.”

Enlightenment in the Word: if we want to follow the crucified Christ by the righteousness worked by us, we shall never be able to endure the trial. Once we are confronted with pressure, this “cloth” will be left, and thus our reality is exposed and we shall “flee from” the way of the cross.

 

Mark. 14:53 And they led Jesus away to the high priest; and with him were assembled all the chief priests, the elders, and the scribes.

YLT: “And they led away Jesus unto the chief priest, and come together to him do all the chief priests, and the elders, and the scribes;”

Spiritual Meaning: it fulfills that the Lord Himself is the Lamb of the Passover and before He was killed, He must be sent to the priests to look on and identify that whether He is the one without blemish and then He can be sacrificed unto God (see Exod. 12:5; Deut. 17:1).

Enlightenment in the Word: the Lord Jesus did not know sin and was made be sin for us, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him (see 2Cor. 5:21).

 

Mark. 14:54 But Peter followed Him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. And he sat with the servants and warmed himself at the fire.

YLT: “and Peter afar off did follow him, to the inside of the hall of the chief priest, and he was sitting with the officers, and warming himself near the fire.”

Literal Meaning: “the high priest’s courtyard”, the “courtyard” referred to the outdoor yard with buildings around.

  “He sat with the servants and warmed himself at the fire”. ---- “Servants” referred to the servants of the high priest, and there might be security guarders who kept the order of the Holy Temple.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    Those who follow the Lord by natural strength all “follow Him at a distance” and finally his real condition will be manifested when being forced by environment.

2)    Today many believers seem to follow the Lord apparently. However, they actually “follow Jesus at a distance”, keep a distance, look on the situation and get ready to abandon the Lord to flee at any moment.

 

Mark. 14:55 Now the chief priests and all the council sought testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but found none.

YLT: “And the chief priests and all the sanhedrim were seeking against Jesus testimony -- to put him to death, and they were not finding,”

The Background: “all the council”, the Jewish Sanhedrin was the supreme governing office of the Jews and the high priest was the chairman. In the age of Jesus, the Sanhedrin was the council of seventy-one members which was comprised of the high priest, the elders and scribes. The number of twenty-three is the effective and legal number of people.

 

Mark. 14:56 For many bore false witness against Him, but their testimonies did not agree.

YLT: “for many were bearing false testimony against him, and their testimonies were not alike.”

The Background: “many bore false witness against Him”, in the Jewish judicatory procedure, the witness takes the responsibility for accusation.

  “But their testimonies did not agree.” ---- One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity. At the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, the matter concerning his sin shall be established (see Deut. 19:15).

Enlightenment in the Word: religionists had used up all lies (“false witnesses”) and still could not condemn the Lord. The Lord is indeed the lamb without blemish and without spot (see 1Pet. 1:19; Heb. 9:14).

 

Mark. 14:57 Then some rose up and bore false witness against Him, saying,

YLT: “And certain having risen up, were bearing false testimony against him, saying --”

 

Mark. 14:58 "We heard Him say, "I will destroy this temple made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands."'

YLT:`We heard him saying -- I will throw down this sanctuary made with hands, and by three days, another made without hands I will build;'”

The Background: the Holy Temple, the most sacred religious body in the mind of the Jews, symbolizes the center of the whole service and life. Any impious word towards the Holy Temple constitutes the sin of blasphemy though one does not blaspheme God directly.

Literal Meaning: the accusation in this verse purposely distorted the words of the Lord (see John. 2:19).

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    Religionists did not care that they had made the temple of God into the den of thieves (see Matt. 21:13), but they distorted the words of the Lord here to show their concern to the Holy Temple. They seek the appearance of the Holy Temple only but refuse the reality of the Holy Temple.

2)    Today sins are brought into the church by many believers and they are greatly fervent for the mere name of the church.

 

Mark. 14:59 But not even then did their testimony agree.

YLT: “and neither so was their testimony alike.”

 

Mark. 14:60 And the high priest stood up in the midst and asked Jesus, saying, "Do You answer nothing? What is it these men testify against You?"

YLT: “And the chief priest, having risen up in the midst, questioned Jesus, saying, `Thou dost not answer anything! what do these testify against thee?'”

Literal Meaning: the Lord did not defend Himself before the council, which fulfilled the words that “as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so He did not open His mouth” (Is. 53:7).

 

Mark. 14:61 But He kept silent and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked Him, saying to Him, "Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?"

YLT: “and he was keeping silent, and did not answer anything. Again the chief priest was questioning him, and saith to him, `Art thou the Christ -- the Son of the Blessed?'”

Literal Meaning: “are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?” ---- “The Blessed”, it is an appellation to call God with the purpose of avoiding calling the name of God directly, lest men commit the sin of idly uttering the name of God (see Ex. 20:7). “Christ” is a Greek word, which means “the Messiah” in Hebrew.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    “But Jesus kept silent.” ---- We need not pay attention to the unfaithful accusation of the enemy.

2)    Christ is “the Son of God”. This is the most fundamental witness of Christians and we should hold fast this witness. If we lose only one step, all truth will become vain.

 

Mark. 14:62 Jesus said, "I am. And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven."

YLT: “and Jesus said, `I am; and ye shall see the Son of Man sitting on the right hand of the power, and coming with the clouds, of the heaven.'”

Literal Meaning: “you will see the Son of Man”, “the Son of Man” is the position and identity of the incarnated Lord. The high priest asked Him whether He is the Son of God. The Lord presented Himself as the Son of Man in His answer because He suffered pain in Humanity, and He also overcame in the position of man, arose from the dead, was carried up into heaven and will come again.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    When men brought false charge against Him, He kept silent. Only when He was asked whether He is the Son of God, He had to declare His identity because He came into the world with the aim of bearing witness to Christ (See Matt. 16:15-17).

2)    To other things, we should hold the tolerant and yielding attitude. However, we should never make a concession on the witness of Jesus Christ and contrarily we should be strong and of a good courage and we should not make a compromise at all.

3)    We should learn from the apostle Paul who determined not to know any thing, except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified (1Cor. 2:2).

 

Mark. 14:63 Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, "What further need do we have of witnesses?

YLT: “And the chief priest, having rent his garments, saith, `What need have we yet of witnesses?”

Literal Meaning: “the high priest tore his clothes”, “tearing one’s clothes” was actually an expression of the Jews when they were grievous and indignant, except that the high priest could not tear his clothes even when his family members were dead (see Lev. 10:6; 21:10) and only when he hears blasphemy could he tear his clothes.

 

Mark. 14:64 You have heard the blasphemy! What do you think?" And they all condemned Him to be deserving of death.

YLT: “Ye heard the evil speaking, what appeareth to you?' and they all condemned him to be worthy of death,”

Literal Meaning: “Blasphemy” means evil speaking and profanation.

“What do you think?” means that, “how do you judge?”

    “He is deserving of death”, the Jews, under the domination of the Roman Empire at that time, had no right of executing death penalty. Therefore that the council condemned the Lord for being deserved of death was indeed not the legal judgment.

  Note that that the high priest and others condemned the Lord Jesus was not for the reason that He “is” the Son of God but that He “testified” that He is the Son of God. They did not want to prove whether He is the Son of God at all. They only desired to find an excuse for condemnation.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    Religionists dispute the words and names with others (see Acts. 18:15; 2Tim. 2:14) and yet neglect the spiritual reality, that the Son of God was condemned for death by them.

2)    The members of the council purposed to take away Jesus. It was not because they cared about the things of God but the words and deeds of Jesus strictly threatened the rights and interests of the council. Today, if any person or group puts their own interest in a place higher than that of the will of God, they will play the role of those who kill the Lord.

3)    Who condemns the Lord the very first was not the political power of the Gentiles but men of Judaism ---- the elect of God. If believers have no revelation of God, even those who are fervent may do things that hurt the Lord seriously.

 

Mark. 14:65 Then some began to spit on Him, and to blindfold Him, and to beat Him, and to say to Him, "Prophesy!" And the officers struck Him with the palms of their hands.

YLT: “and certain began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and to buffet him, and to say to him, `Prophesy;' and the officers were striking him with their palms.”

Literal Meaning: “to spit on Him…and to beat Him”, such acts usually expressed rejection and condemnation (see Num. 12:14; Deut. 25:9; Job.3-:10; Is. 50:6).

  “And to blindfold Him, and to beat Him, and to say to Him, "Prophesy!"” ---- It meant that “you say who the one that beats you is”.

Enlightenment in the Word: these words and deeds of religionists completely exposed their base, low, unreasonable and evil nature. Meanwhile, we could see that the Lord was actually willing to be humiliated in order to save us. Should not we be moved and go forth therefore unto Him without the camp, bearing His reproach (see Heb. 13:13).

 

Mark. 14:66 Now as Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came.

YLT: “And Peter being in the hall beneath, there doth come one of the maids of the chief priest,”

Literal Meaning: “as Peter was below in the courtyard”, the Lord Jesus was now judged and humiliated in the upper room of the house of the chief priest, and Peter was questioned in the courtyard.

  “One of the servant girls of the high priest”, this servant girl was a doorkeeper (see John 18:17).

 

Mark. 14:67 And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked at him and said, "You also were with Jesus of Nazareth."

YLT: “and having seen Peter warming himself, having looked on him, she said, `And thou wast with Jesus of Nazareth!'”

Spiritual Meaning: “Peter warming himself”, it symbolized that Peter could not bear the darkness and chillness of both the environment and the mental state, so he came to seek the warmness of men and of the world. However, neither did the earthly fire warm his spirit, nor the flame enlightened his conscience (see v.68-71).

 

Mark. 14:68 But he denied it, saying, "I neither know nor understand what you are saying." And he went out on the porch, and a rooster crowed.

YLT: “and he denied, saying, `I have not known , neither do I understand what thou sayest;' and he went forth without to the porch, and a cock crew.”

Literal Meaning: “I do not know what you are saying”, it means that “I do not know the meaning of your words.”

Enlightenment in the Word: Peter, who thought he was strong and loved the Lord, could not even bear a sentence of a weak servant girl. Wherefore let him that thinks he stands take heed lest he fall (see 1Cor. 10:12). 

 

Mark. 14:69 And the servant girl saw him again, and began to say to those who stood by, "This is one of them."

YLT: “And the maid having seen him again, began to say to those standing near -- `This is of them;'”

 

Mark. 14:70 But he denied it again. And a little later those who stood by said to Peter again, "Surely you are one of them; for you are a Galilean, and your speech shows it."

YLT: “and he was again denying. And after a little again, those standing near said to Peter, `Truly thou art of them, for thou also art a Galilean, and thy speech is alike;'”

The Background: “you are a Galilean”, the Galileans spoke Aramaic and they had a strong accent of Galilean, which was notably different from that of men in the land of Judah.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    The Lord did not debate for Him, though He is true. However, Peter debated again and again, for he was false. Concerning true things, it is clear even though there is no debate. As regards false things, the more they are debated, the more obviously the “speech” is shown.

2)    One’s habitual practices, words and deeds thoughout many years will naturally show the true state in him. And it is hard for him to be disguised himself.

3)    God arranges our environment and makes us be tried again and again. The trial becomes hasher and harsher until we fully realize our weakness and no longer rely on ourselves.

 

Mark. 14:71 Then he began to curse and swear, "I do not know this Man of whom you speak!"

YLT: “and he began to anathematize, and to swear -- `I have not known this man of whom ye speak;'”

Meaning of Words: “curse”: bind with an oath; “swear”: declare on an oath strongly;

Literal Meaning: “curse and swear”, it showed us that he attempted to defend himself. If what he had said was not true, he was willing to receive the result of the curse.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    When men accused the Lord, He did not defend Himself at all. The truth would be manifested naturally. However, the more Peter defended himself, the sooner he was exposed. When men misunderstand us, the best way is not defense for ourselves but prayer.

2)    When the Lord Jesus was questioned that “whether He is the Son of God Christ”, He answered openly that He “is” (see v.61-62). When Peter was questioned “whether He was with Jesus”, he denied the fact three times for the sake of his own gain. What a strong comparision! Can we bear witness of Christ like the Lord who is willing to sacrifice his own gain?

 

Mark. 14:72 A second time the rooster crowed. Then Peter called to mind the word that Jesus had said to him, "Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times." And when he thought about it, he wept.

YLT: “and a second time a cock crew, and Peter remembered the saying that Jesus said to him -- `Before a cock crow twice, thou mayest deny me thrice;' and having thought thereon -- he was weeping.”

Enlightenment in the Word:

1)    The Lord, through the crows of the rooster, reminded Peter that he owed Him. We should notice that whether the Lord has spoken to us to remind us that we owe Him or we are unfaithful to Him through our experience or environment around.

2)    Believers may unavoidably fail or be offended. What is the most important is that we should learn to know the word of the Lord (“remembered the word of Jesus who had said to him”) in the failing experience or environment (“crows of the rooster”) and be touched by the word of the Lord and feel broken and contrite from heart (“he went out and wept bitterly”). In this way, we can continue to go forth in the Lord.

3)    The Lord’s words are the tool of Him to purify and renew us. As long as we have His words and let them work in us, though we may fail, we shall not be in darkness long without awareness.

 

III. Outlines of the Spiritual Lessons

 

Different Reactions of Men Toward Christ Who Was About to Be Crucified

A.   The chief priests and the scribes ---- who schemed to take and kill Jesus (v.1-2);

B.   Mary ---- Who caught the opportunity to do a good thing for the Lord (v.3-9);

C.   Judas ---- who sought how he might conveniently deliver Him to the chief priests (v.10-11);

D.   A anonymous owner of the house ---- who prepared the Feast of the Passover (v.12-16);

 

The Suffering of the Bondman the Savior

A.   The Lord Jesus was shown as the Lamb of the Passover ---- men schemed to kill Him (v.1-2);

B.   Men’s evaluation towards the Lamb of the Passover:

1. He is worthy to be anointed with fragrant oil which costs three hundred denarii (v.3-9).

2. Judas betrayed the Lord for the sake of thirty pieces of silver (v.10-11; see Matt.26:14-16).

C.   The sign of the bondman the savior’s suffering:

1. The Feast of the Passover (v.12-21);

2. The table of the Lord (v.22-26);

D.   The Lord Jesus bore the suffering alone:

1. The sheep of the flock were scattered because the shepherd was struck (v.27-31).

2. The Lord was tortured in the garden of Gethsemane (v. 32-42).

E.   The Lamb of the Passover was looked on by the priest:

1. He was brought as a lamb to the slaughter (v.43-51).

2. He was looked on and manifested as the lamb without blemish (v.52-65).

F.    The extremity of the suffering ---- the Lord was denied by His close disciple (v.66-72).

 

A Good Work

A.   As He sat at the table (v.3) ---- she seized the opportunity to love the Lord.

B.   She broke the flask and poured it on His head (v.3) ---- she knew the preciousness of the Lord.

C.   She was criticized and blamed by others (v.4-5) ---- she disregarded others’ opinions.

D.   It was done for the Lord (v.6) ---- she only pleased the Lord.

E.   It was praised by the Lord as a good work (v.6) ---- she knew the will of the Lord.

F.    She loved the Lord more than the poor (v.7) ---- she loved the Lord more than anything.

G.   It was done for the Lord’s burial (v.8) ---- she knew the meaning of the cross and was united to the death of the Lord.

H.   Wherever this gospel is preached, what this woman has done will also be told (v.9) ---- this good work is the aim of the gospel.

 

Mary Anointed the Lord

A.   It was done at the house of Simon the leper (v.3).

B.   It was a behavior of love and faith towards the Lord (v.3).

C.   It was the dedication which seemed to be “waste” and exceeded conventions (v.4-5).

D.   It was a good work done by seizing the opportunity (v.6-7).

E.   It was done for the burial of the Lord (v.8).

F.    It was worthy to be told as a memorial all over the world (v.9).

 

The Comparison Between Mary and Judas

A.   The former cost three hundred denarii for the Lord, and the latter received three hundred denarii by selling the Lord.

B.   The former was misunderstood by others and suffered their indignant attitude, and the latter pleased others.

C.   The former did a good work, and the latter did an evil one.

D.   The former was preached and remembered by others everywhere, and the latter was taken as a warning for others.

 

The Lord’s Desk (i.e. The So-called Eucharist)

A.   Its typification in narrow sense:

1. The bread ---- the body of the Lord was broken for us (v.26).

2. The cup ---- the blood of the Lord was shed for us (v.27).

B.   Its typification in broad sense (see 1Cor. 10:16-17):

1. The bread ---- all the believers become the body of Christ through “eating” the bread.

2. The cup ---- all the believers partake in the blessing of Christ through “drinking” the cup.

 

The Prayer of the Lord in the Garden of Gethsemane (v.32-42)

A.  The Lord Jesus was sorrowful alone ---- the disciples could not understand the suffering of the cross (the cup) at all.

B.  The Lord Jesus prayed alone ---- the disciples were unable to watch and pray with Him because of their weakness.

C.  The Lord Jesus asked the connection between the cup and the will of God ---- He only sought the fulfillment of the will of God the Father.

D.  The Lord prayed three times ---- until He clearly understood the will of God the Father.

E.  The Lord Jesus faced what was going to happen calmly ---- because He clearly knew the will of God the Father.

 

The Spirit Indeed is Willing, but the Flesh is Weak

A.   Peter Thought He was Strong ---- The Spirit is Willing:

1.  Even if all are made to stumble, yet I will not be (v.29).

2.  If I have to die with You, I will not deny You (v.31)!

3.  Peter drew his sword and cut off the ear of the servant of the high priest (v.47; see John 18:10).

B.   Peter Knew Himself Finally ---- The Flesh was Weak:

1.  He was sleeping and could not watch one hour (v.37).

2.  His eyes were heavy (v.40).

3.  He forsook the Lord and fled (v.50).

4.  He followed Him at a distance (v.54).

5.  He denied the Lord three times (v.66-72).

C.   The Way of Remedy:

1.  The example of the Lord ---- not as I will, but as you will (v.36).

2.  The teaching of the Lord ---- to watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation (v.38).

 

The Comparison Between the Lord and Peter

A.   The high priest asked Him, “Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?” Jesus said: “I am” (v.61-62).

B.   Men asked Peter, “You also were with Jesus of Nazareth.” Peter denied (v.66-71).

 

── Caleb HuangChristian Digest Bible Commentary Series

   Translated by Mary Zhou