Bible Commentaries
Mark 14

Verse 1

The feast of the passover and the unleavened bread [το πασχα και τα αζυμα] . Lit., the passover and the unleavened. It was really one and the same festival.

Sought [εζητουν] . Imperfect tense : were all this while seeking.

3 - 9. Compare Matthew 26:6-13.

Verse 3

Alabaster box. See on Matthew 26:7.

Spikenard [ναρδου πιστικης] . The meaning of pistikhv is greatly disputed. The best authorities define it genuine or unadulterated : pure nard.

Brake. Possibly by striking the brittle neck of the flask. This detail is peculiar to Mark.

Verse 4

To what purpose, etc. See on Matthew 26:8.

Verse 5

Murmured [ενεβριμωντο] . See on Mark 1:43.

Verse 6

Good. See on Matthew 26:10.

Verse 7

And whensoever ye will, etc. Note Mark's amplification.

Verse 8

She hath done what she could [ο εσχεν εποιησεν] . Lit., what she had she did. Peculiar to Mark.

She is come aforehand to anoint [προελαβεν μυρισαι] . Lit., she anticipated to anoint. Rev., hath anointed beforehand. The verb murizw is found only here.

Verse 11

Money. See on Matthew 26:15. He sought [εζητει] . Imperfect tense. He kept seeking : busied himself continuously from that time.

Conveniently [ευκαιρως] . Might find a good opportunity [καιρος] .

Verse 13

A man. A slave probably, whose business it was to draw water. See Deuteronomy 19:11.

Pitcher. Of earthenware : keramion from keramov potter 's clay.

Verse 14

My guest - chamber [καταλυμα μου] . Luke 22:11. The word is not classical, and as used by an oriental signifies a khan or caravanserai. Hence inn at Luke 2:7. My chamber. It was a common practice that more than one company partook of the paschal supper in the same apartment; but Christ will have his chamber for himself and his disciples alone.

Verse 15

And he [αυτος] . The Greek is more emphatic. "He will himself show you." So Rev. Probably the owner of the house was a disciple. Furnished [εστρωμενον] . Lit., strewed with carpets, and with couches properly spread.

Verse 20

Dish [τρυβλιον] . See on Matthew 26:23.

Verse 23

The cup. The wine was the ordinary one of the country, only red. It was mixed with water, generally in the proportion of one part to two of water.

Verse 24

Covenant. See on Matthew 26:28.

Is shed [το εκχυννομενον] . Lit., is being shed. This present participle is significant. To the Lord 's mind the sacrifice is already being offered.

Verse 25

New. See on Matthew 26:29.

Verse 26

Sung an hymn. See on Matthew 26:30.

Verse 28

Go before. See on Matthew 26:32.

Verse 30

Cock crow. See on Matthew 26:34. Mark alone adds twice. Deny [απαρνηση] . The compound verb signifies utterly deny.

Verse 31

I will not deny [ου μη σε απαρνησομαι] . The double negative with the future forms the strongest possible assertion.

Verse 32

Gethsemane. See on Matthew 26:36.

Verse 33

To be sore amazed [εκθαμβεισθαι] . A word peculiar to Mark. Compare Mark 9:15; Mark 16:5, Mark 16:6.

Verse 35

Prayed [προσηυχετο] . Imperfect tense : began to pray.

Verse 40

Heavy [καταβαρυνομενοι] . Lit., weighed down : very heavy.

Verse 41

It is enough [απεχει] . Peculiar to Mark. In this impersonal sense the word occurs nowhere else in the New Testament. Expositors are utterly at sea as to its meaning.

Verse 43

One of the twelve. See on Matthew 26:47; as also on multitude.

Verse 44

Token [συσσημον] . A later Greek compound used only by Mark in this passage. Compare shmeion, Matthew 26:48. The sun, with, gives the force of mutual token : a concerted signal.

Verse 45

Kissed. See on Matthew 26:49.

Verse 47

The servant. See on Matthew 26:51.

Ear [ωταριον] . A word found only here and at Joh 23:10. See on Matthew 26:51.

Verse 48

A thief. Rev., better, robber. See on Matthew 26:55, and Mark 11:17.

51, 52. The incident is related by Mark only. There is no means of knowing who the youth may have been. Conjecture has named Mark himself, John, James the Just, Lazarus, the brother of Martha and Mary, and St. Paul !

Verse 51

Linen cloth [σινδονα] . The probable derivation is from jIndov, an Indian : India being the source from which came this fine fabric used for wrapping dead bodies, and in which Christ 's body was enveloped. See Matthew 27:59; Mark 14:46; Luke 23:53.

Verse 54

Palace [αυλην] . Rather, court, as Rev., the quadrangle round which the chambers were built. See on Matthew 26:3.

Sat with [ην συγκαθημενος] . The verb With the participle denoting continuousness. What occurred after occurred while he was sitting. So Rev. Servants. Rev., officers. See on Matthew 5:25.

At the fire [προς το φως] . Fwv is never used of the fire itself, but of the light of the fire; and this is the point to which the evangelist directs attention : that the firelight, Shining on Peter's face, Called forth the challenge of the maid (verse 66).

Verse 56

Their witness agreed not. Peculiar to Mark. Lit., their testimonies were not equal. Hence the difficulty of fulfilling the requirement of the law, which demanded two witnesses. See Deuteronomy 27:6; and compare Matthew 28:16; 1 Timothy 5:19; Hebrews 10:28.

Verse 58

Made with hands. Mark adds this detail; also made without hands, and the following sentence.

Verse 62

I am. See on Matthew 26:64.

Verse 64

Guilty of death. See on Matthew 26:66.

Verse 65

Buffet. See on Matthew 26:67. Palms of their hands [ραπισμασιν] . An unclassical word, but used also by John (xix. 3). The word means blows.

Did strike. Following the old reading, eballon. The Correct reading is elabon, received. So Rev. Received him into custody.

Verse 66

Beneath. In relation to the chambers round the court above.

Verse 68

Porch (proaulion). Only here in New Testament. The vestibule, extending from the outside gate to the court.

Verse 71

Curse [αναθεματιζειν] . Compare on Matthew 26:74; where the word is kataqematizein, to call down [κατα] curses on himself if he were not telling the truth. The words are Synonymous.

Verse 72

When he thought thereon [επιβαλων] . From ejpi, upon, and, ballw, to throw. When he threw his thought upon it. ===Mr_15

CHAPTER XV

Compare verses 1 - 5 with Matthew 27:1, Matthew 27:2, Matthew 27:11-14.