Mark 14

Mark 14:1

The feast of the passover and the unleavened bread [τοπασχακαιτααζυμα] . 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.

Mark 14:3

Alabaster box. See on Matthew 26:7.

Spikenard [ναρδουπιστικης] . 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.

Mark 14:4

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

Mark 14:5

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

Mark 14:6

Good. See on Matthew 26:10.

Mark 14:7

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

Mark 14:8

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

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

Mark 14:11

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] .

Mark 14:13

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.

Mark 14:14

My guest - chamber [καταλυμαμου] . 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.

Mark 14:15

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.

Mark 14:20

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

Mark 14:23

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.

Mark 14:24

Covenant. See on Matthew 26:28.

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

Mark 14:25

New. See on Matthew 26:29.

Mark 14:26

Sung an hymn. See on Matthew 26:30.

Mark 14:28

Go before. See on Matthew 26:32.

Mark 14:30

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

Mark 14:31

I will not deny [ουμησεαπαρνησομαι] . The double negative with the future forms the strongest possible assertion.

Mark 14:32

Gethsemane. See on Matthew 26:36.

Mark 14:33

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

Mark 14:35

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

Mark 14:40

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

Mark 14:41

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.

Mark 14:43

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

Mark 14:44

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.

Mark 14:45

Kissed. See on Matthew 26:49.

Mark 14:47

The servant. See on Matthew 26:51.

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

Mark 14:48

A thief. Rev., better, robber. See on Matthew 26:55, and Mr 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 !

Mark 14:51

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; Mr 14:46; Luke 23:53.

Mark 14:54

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

Sat with [ηνσυγκαθημενος] . 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 [προςτοφως] . 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).

Mark 14:56

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.

Mark 14:58

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

Mark 14:62

I am. See on Matthew 26:64.

Mark 14:64

Guilty of death. See on Matthew 26:66.

Mark 14:65

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.

Mark 14:66

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

Mark 14:68

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

Mark 14:71

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.

Mark 14:72

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, 2, 11 - 14.