Mark Chapter 14:
Betrayal, Last Supper, and Arrest
Chapter 14 of the Gospel of Mark is a crucial chapter that chronicles the
events leading up to Jesus' arrest and betrayal. It provides insight into the
unfolding drama of the Passion Week.
The chapter opens with the chief priests and scribes plotting to arrest and
kill Jesus. They are determined to do so discreetly, away from the crowds that
still follow Him.
During a dinner at the home of Simon the leper in Bethany, a woman anoints
Jesus with expensive perfume, an act of great love and devotion. Some present
express displeasure at the extravagance, but Jesus commends her for preparing
Him for His burial.
Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus' disciples, approaches the chief priests and
agrees to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. This sets the stage for
Jesus' imminent arrest.
On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, Jesus instructs His
disciples to prepare for the Passover meal. During the Passover meal, Jesus
institutes the Lord's Supper (Holy Communion), symbolizing His body and blood
as a new covenant for the forgiveness of sins.
Jesus predicts that one of His disciples will betray Him, leading to
distress among the disciples. Peter, specifically, vehemently declares that he
would never betray Jesus, but Jesus predicts that Peter will deny Him three
times before the rooster crows twice.
In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prays fervently to God, expressing His
anguish and submission to God's will. He is deeply distressed and sorrowful,
knowing the suffering that awaits Him. He returns to find His disciples
sleeping, despite His plea for them to stay awake and pray.
The chapter concludes with the arrival of Judas and a crowd armed with
swords and clubs sent by the religious leaders to arrest Jesus. Judas
identifies Jesus with a kiss, and Jesus is taken into custody.
