Mark 14 Studies

For those who may wish to ‘study’ this chapter, the following simple resources are provided for you. Each chapter is divided into a number of studies and each study or passage has a simple four-Part approach to help you take in and think further about what you have read.

Passage: Mark 14:1-2,10,11

1 Now the Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread were only two days away, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were scheming to arrest Jesus secretly and kill him. 2 ‘But not during the festival,’ they said, ‘or the people may riot.’

10 Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them. 11 They were delighted to hear this and promised to give him money. So he watched for an opportunity to hand him over.

A. Find Out:

1. How long was it before Passover? v.1a
2. What were the chief priests looking to do? v.1b
3. Why didn’t they want to move during the Feast? v.2
4. Why did Judas go to them? v.10
5. How did they respond to him? v.11a
6. So what did Judas start looking for? v.11b

B. Think:

1. How do we see that the arrest of Jesus was deliberately planned  beforehand?
2. How strong were the religious leaders’ feelings in respect of Jesus?
3. What was Jesus’ standing with the people?

C. Comment:

In these few verses we see the prologue to the arrest, trial and death of Jesus, and see quite clearly that it was not an on-the-spur-of-the-moment thing. First we see the religious leaders have, in response to Jesus’ activities, been building up their hatred for him. Nothing less than hatred can account for plans to kill Jesus. These are the religious LEADERS of the day, the people supposedly closest to God!!! It only shows how barren was their ‘religion’ that it could come to this.

Not only that, but we see that they want to do it in a sly way, that will not upset public opinion which was obviously on Jesus’ side. In others words any action they take must not be in full public view when the crowds might react against them. They need someone on the inside who can tell them when such a time will be, and so when Judas volunteers to help them they are delighted. They even promise him money. This is sin in its worst form – plotting to kill God! Whatever these men’s motives they were deceived into believing they were right. What a shocking warning!

D. Application?

1. Do we let anyone “get under our skin” so that we are upset even by their appearance?
2. If that IS so, confess it to the Lord and ask His forgiveness and cleansing from it

Passage: Mark 14:3-9

3 While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head.

4 Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, ‘Why this waste of perfume? 5 It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.’ And they rebuked her harshly.

6 ‘Leave her alone,’ said Jesus. ‘Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 7 The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. 8 She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. 9 Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.’

A. Find Out:

1. In whose home was Jesus? v.3a
2. What did the woman have in the jar? v.3b
3. What did she do with it? v.3c
4. Why did some people say it was a waste? v.4,5
5. What did Jesus say she was doing? v.8
6. How did Jesus describe her act? v.6

B. Think:

1. What do you think motivated this woman to do this?
2. What did the reaction of some indicate they felt about Jesus?
3. How do you think she felt after Jesus had spoken?

C. Comment:

Jesus is relaxing in the home of a man who had not been one of the most respected in society. A leper (healed possibly by Jesus?) was not normally accepted by society at large, but Jesus accepted him and was having a meal with him. A woman comes (part of the house party?) similarly not of a high repute in society (see other Gospels) and pours out the one thing of real value she has – over Jesus!

Jesus must have seen what she was doing and willingly submitted to it. Others were scandalised! At this point hearts are revealed! On one side are the people who appear righteous as they think of all the good that could have been done with the money it could have been sold for. On the other side are those who just love Jesus and who see that he is worthy of anything of value they can pour out for him.

In the room there were two lots of “sinners”: the obvious ones who were the lowest members of society and the religious sinners. Sinners are all the same! Yes, there will come a time to bless the poor, but Jesus won’t be around much longer. Something within her (God speaking to her?) prompts her to act in this unselfish, totally generous manner, and for this she receives the Lord’s commendation. Great!

D. Application?

1. Are we stingy in our giving or do we give to the Lord with full and loving hearts?
2. Pour out your love to Him today.

Passage: Mark 14:12-21

12 On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, when it was customary to sacrifice the Passover lamb, Jesus’ disciples asked him, ‘Where do you want us to go and make preparations for you to eat the Passover?’

13 So he sent two of his disciples, telling them, ‘Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him. 14 Say to the owner of the house he enters, “The Teacher asks: where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?” 15 He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there.’

16 The disciples left, went into the city and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover.

17 When evening came, Jesus arrived with the Twelve. 18 While they were reclining at the table eating, he said, ‘Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me – one who is eating with me.’

19 They were saddened, and one by one they said to him, ‘Surely you don’t mean me?’

20 ‘It is one of the Twelve,’ he replied, ‘one who dips bread into the bowl with me. 21 The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.’

A. Find Out:

1. What had started? v.12a
2. What did the disciples naturally ask? v.12b
3. How did Jesus tell them to go about it? v.13-15
4. What did Jesus predict at supper? v.18
5. How did the disciples react? v.19
6. How did he say he would go? v.21a

B. Think:

1. What does this passage show us several times about Jesus?
2. What appears to be the disciples view of all this?
3. How did Jesus show that this was not something that had just been planned?

C. Comment:

When Passover came Jesus’ disciples naturally expected that they would keep it, for Jesus observed all that the Jews normally observed. Their questions indicate that it is natural for him to take the lead and them to follow in all things. The means of getting a room for the supper show that either Jesus had already prepared this with someone or he has foreknowledge and knows what will happen and who will have an available room. Whichever it is it shows Jesus who is in complete control of the situation.

At the Passover supper, Jesus starts sharing more fully with the disciples what will shortly happen – with his full knowledge! One of them is going to betray him, and the thought of this horrifies them. Oh yes, Jesus reiterates, one of you here, but understand it will all be in accordance with what the Scriptures have said. This is not an out-of-control happening, this is God’s pre-planned and carefully prepared strategy to save the world that is being enacted here. Men are playing a large part in it and are exercising their free wills but God planned this long ago! This was planned before the world was made (Revelation 13:8b). There are no mistakes in all this!

D. Application?

1. Thank the Lord that He was in complete control
2. He IS in control today!

Passage: Mark 14:22-31

22 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, ‘Take it; this is my body.’

23 Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it.

24 ‘This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many,’ he said to them. 25 ‘Truly I tell you, I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.’

26 When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

27 ‘You will all fall away,’ Jesus told them, ‘for it is written:

‘“I will strike the shepherd,
    and the sheep will be scattered.”

28 But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.’

29 Peter declared, ‘Even if all fall away, I will not.’

30 ‘Truly I tell you,’ Jesus answered, ‘today – yes, tonight – before the cock crows twice[y] you yourself will disown me three times.’

31 But Peter insisted emphatically, ‘Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.’ And all the others said the same.

A. Find Out:

1. What did Jesus say the bread & wine represented? v.22-24
2. What did he next predict? v.27a
3. What confirmed this? v.27b
4. What would he do after he had risen? v.28
5. Who denied he would ever leave Jesus? v.29
6. What did Jesus tell him? v.30

B. Think:

1. How is this again seen to be part of God’s pre-planned programme?
2. What was the point of the bread and wine?
3. What specific things was Jesus predicting here?

C. Comment:

In these verses we see the origin of what we call “Communion” or “The Lord’s Supper”, the taking of bread and wine, explained. (See also 1 Corinthians 11:23-26). In it Jesus says very simply, you must take me into your very inner beings, you must rely on my sacrifice for you for your salvation. Christianity is not about solemn ritual or following rules, but about taking Jesus into your very inner being as Lord and Saviour. Jesus then predicts a) that the disciples will desert him, b) that he will die, rise again and go back up to Galilee to meet them, c) Peter will deny him three times soon.

In this Jesus shows his clear foreknowledge of future events, some of which involve him and some of which affect his disciples. The Scriptures, for those with eyes to see, had predicted their being scattered and Jesus points this out to them now. Note there is no negative feeling in Jesus towards them though. It is one thing to know the future, it is another to maintain a right attitude towards other in it. That is probably why the Lord so often doesn’t give us lots of insight into the future.

D. Application?

1. Perhaps God doesn’t reveal the future to you because He knows you wouldn’t cope with it!
2. Rest in His love for today and leave tomorrow to Him. He can be trusted with it.

Passage: Mark 14:32-42

32 They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Sit here while I pray.’ 33 He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. 34 ‘My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,’ he said to them. ‘Stay here and keep watch.’

35 Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. 36 ‘Abba, Father,’ he said, ‘everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.’

37 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. ‘Simon,’ he said to Peter, ‘are you asleep? Couldn’t you keep watch for one hour? 38 Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.’

39 Once more he went away and prayed the same thing. 40 When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. They did not know what to say to him.

41 Returning the third time, he said to them, ‘Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. 42 Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!’

A. Find Out:

1. Where did Jesus go to pray? v.32
2. What did he feel? v.33
3. How great did he say his sorrow was? v.34
4. What did he ask the 3 to do? v.34
5. What did he ask his Father? v.35,36
6. But what did he conclude in his prayer? v.36c
7. What did he find his disciples doing? v.37

B. Think:

1. What was Jesus’ attitude towards his Father’s will?
2. Why do you think he took the 3 with him?
3. How did they fail him?

C. Comment:

Before the events leading up to his death really got under way, Jesus takes time to pray and seek his Father in heaven. He takes with him his three closest disciples, perhaps for comfort, perhaps to give him warning, perhaps to teach them something about prayer. As Jesus prays, they appear to manage to stay awake to hear at least the opening words of his praying. Jesus appears to have prayed an hour in the first of the three times of prayer, at least. Only in John’s Gospel do we get a fuller account of what he prayed.

Sometimes the enemy appears to be able to come with a spirit of weariness and perhaps that happened here, or perhaps they were just tired out. Whatever the cause, Jesus was left alone in his time of very real need. Mankind let him down! As he prays Jesus shows his humanity, not in any way looking forward to what he knows is coming, and yet he submits himself to his Father’s will. As he comes to the end of his third time of prayer, when yet again the disciples have been unable to stick with him, the enemy comes to claim him. Prayer proceeded the most difficult time of his life. He needed it! So do we!

D. Application?

1. Do we understand the importance of keeping close contact with our Father in heaven, especially when times are difficult?
2. Share your heart with Him today.

Passage: Mark 14:43-52

43 Just as he was speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, appeared. With him was a crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders.

44 Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: ‘The one I kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard.’ 45 Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, ‘Rabbi!’ and kissed him. 46 The men seized Jesus and arrested him. 47 Then one of those standing near drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.

48 ‘Am I leading a rebellion,’ said Jesus, ‘that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? 49 Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled.’ 50 Then everyone deserted him and fled.

51 A young man, wearing nothing but a linen garment, was following Jesus. When they seized him, 52 he fled naked, leaving his garment behind.

A. Find Out:

1. Who came with the armed crowd? v.43a
2. Who had sent them? v.43b
3. What was Judas’s sign to them? v.44
4. What happened to the priest’s servant? v.47
5. What did Jesus’ followers do? v.50
6. What happened to the young man? v.51,52

B. Think:

1. What was obviously the response of some of the disciples first of all?
2. When was it that they fled?
3. Why do you think it was necessary for Judas to identify Jesus?

C. Comment:

The crowd come probably with torches as the disciples are sitting out on the dark hillside. “Dark deeds” are often in fact done in darkness and it is in the dark that this wrongful arrest takes place. It isn’t easy to see who is who, that is probably why Judas has to identify Jesus. In all the scuffling that goes on, one of the disciples strikes out with a sword. It is only John’s Gospel that identifies him as impetuous Peter (John wrote long after the others, possibly after Peter was dead).

Jesus stops the disciples resisting and rebukes his captors for coming at night for him, but never the less, so that Scripture is fulfilled, he submits to them. When the disciples see this their courage evaporates and they flee in fear.

The reference to a young man fleeing is only given in this Gospel and it is usually thought that this young man was the writer Mark. Who else would have remembered it, given it significance and bothered to include it? It is little things like this that confirm the historicity of the Gospels. Yes these are real down to earth historical events that actually happened.

D. Application?

1. Do we ever act hastily like Peter, contrary to Jesus’ wishes?
2. Are we convinced as to the historical accuracy of God’s record of the affairs of His Son?

Passage: Mark 14:53-65

53 They took Jesus to the high priest, and all the chief priests, the elders and the teachers of the law came together. 54 Peter followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. There he sat with the guards and warmed himself at the fire.

55 The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death, but they did not find any. 56 Many testified falsely against him, but their statements did not agree.

57 Then some stood up and gave this false testimony against him: 58 ‘We heard him say, “I will destroy this temple made with human hands and in three days will build another, not made with hands.”’ 59 Yet even then their testimony did not agree.

60 Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, ‘Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?’ 61 But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer.

Again the high priest asked him, ‘Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?’

62 ‘I am,’ said Jesus. ‘And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.’

63 The high priest tore his clothes. ‘Why do we need any more witnesses?’ he asked. 64 ‘You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?’

They all condemned him as worthy of death. 65 Then some began to spit at him; they blindfolded him, struck him with their fists, and said, ‘Prophesy!’ And the guards took him and beat him.

A. Find Out:    

1. Before whom was Jesus taken? v.53
2. What were they looking for? v.55
3. What happened to their witnesses? v.56
4. Of what was he first accused? v.58
5. What did they then ask him? v.61
6. What was Jesus’ reply? v.62
7. Of what did they declare him guilty? v.64

B. Think:

1. How would you describe the case brought by the religious leaders?
2. What did Jesus obviously think about it?
3. Why were they eventually able to condemn Jesus?

C. Comment:

Jesus is taken before the top religious leaders who are just looking for some reason to condemn him. They bring in unscrupulous witnesses who have been so badly prepared they can’t even agree. The case against Jesus is a shambles! They vaguely remember him saying something about destroying the temple and grasp for that. But even there they cannot agree. The “prosecution” witnesses are so disordered it is clear that there is no case to answer, and Jesus just remains silent, there is nothing worth saying about it. It condemns itself! Everything about this so-called trial is wrong. It is the very epitome of sinful man denying their God.

Out of desperation the high priest asks a question that no sane man would answer, “Are you the Christ (Messiah)?”. Jesus’ answer could perhaps be summarised, “Oh yes. Definitely!”. Because man can’t provide a case against him, Jesus himself has to give them something on which to hang the death penalty. Blasphemy! Of course he spoke the simple truth but for unbelieving men, it’s blasphemy and blasphemy deserves death. The lamb WILL be sacrificed.

D. Application?

1. Do we ever condemn people against the evidence, perhaps because we won’t hear it?
2. Ask the Lord to help you not be afraid to testify to Him

Passage: Mark 14:66-72

66 While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant-girls of the high priest came by. 67 When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked closely at him.

‘You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus,’ she said.

68 But he denied it. ‘I don’t know or understand what you’re talking about,’ he said, and went out into the entrance.

69 When the servant-girl saw him there, she said again to those standing round them, ‘This fellow is one of them.’ 70 Again he denied it.

After a little while, those standing near said to Peter, ‘Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.’

71 He began to call down curses, and he swore to them, ‘I don’t know this man you’re talking about.’

72 Immediately the cock crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: ‘Before the cock crows twice you will disown me three times.’ And he broke down and wept.

A. Find Out:

1. Where was Peter? v.66a
2. Who questioned him? v.66b
3. Of what was he accused twice? v.67,69
4. What was his reaction? v.68
5. How strongly did he react the third time? v.71
6. What jogged his memory? v.72

B. Think:

1. Why do you think Peter denied Jesus?
2. It is thought that Peter helped Mark write this Gospel. What does it say about him that he could include this passage?
3. How do WE deny Jesus?

C. Comment:

Peter represents the disciples in general and probably us as well, there is nothing special about him. By nature he is more impetuous and outspoken than some, but that’s the only difference. He had walked with Jesus, shared in his miracles, but is still very much a human being and as such is prone to weakness, fear and selfishness. We need to recognise that we are all prone to these things, it just depends on the circumstances for them to be revealed. With Jesus we may be something very different, but on our own that’s the sort of people we humans are!

Peter had just been through the trauma of seeing Jesus arrested. They had just been through a week of tension with the religious authorities in Jerusalem . Something in Peter had drawn him after his master, that much was good. Now come the challenges to “own up” and acknowledge who he was with. Fear grips him. What might happen to him? He denies Jesus three times. Let’s not cast the first stone at Peter. The wonder of this is that Jesus knew this would happen and despite it (or even perhaps because of it – think on that) Jesus called him as the chief apostle and later used him mightily.

D. Application?

1. Thank the Lord that He knows our failures.
2. Thank Him that He still loves us!