Grace Presbyterian Church, Montclair, New Jersey

The fourteenth chapter of Mark begins the account of Jesus’ death. It opens with Jesus’ preparations for the Passover Meal and ends with Peter’s denial of Jesus. This section includes also Judas’ betrayal, Jesus’ prayer in Gethsemane and the religious leaders’ plans to kill him. For Mark’s readers, living in the time of Nero, this whole passage is a somber warning of the need to remain faithful, alert and awake in following Jesus. This same warning applies to us as well.

1. The Last Supper – Mark 14:1-31
   1. This scene takes place in the middle of Holy Week, probably Wednesday. The religious leaders plan to kill Jesus but they must be careful lest there is an uprising on the part of the people which would lead to severe Roman retaliation. (Mark 14:1)
   2. Jesus is spending the evening at the home of Simon the Leper (who may have been cured by him). An unknown woman anoints his head with precious ointment (Mark 14:3-4). This is doubly important. Anointing the head does not so much suggest anointing the dead as it does anointing a king (cf. I Samuel 16:13). The fact that this act is performed by a nameless woman, rather than a male priest or prophet, is also significant. A famous Jewish prayer began, “Blessed art thou, O Lord our God, King of the universe, who has not made me a woman” (Obviously this was only prayed by men!).
   3. The woman is scolded by angry critics (Mark 14:4-9). Jesus will have none of this. The objection is that the ointment could have been sold to benefit the poor. Jesus responds that the poor will need attention throughout history (Deuteronomy 15:11). This is a special moment. The judgmental attitude of those present represents Jesus’ followers at their worst. It is understandable that Jesus has no patience with them and affirms that what she has done will be remembered throughout history (Mark 14:9).
   4. Judas Iscariot plans to betray Jesus. No motive is given for his actions, though he will be well paid (thirty pieces of silver). The religious leaders are pleased because they assume (rightly) that they will be able to arrest Jesus in some private setting. (Mark 14:10-11)
   5. Jesus prepares for the celebration of Passover. Clearly, he has made advance arrangements. He tells the two disciples to look for a man carrying a jar of water. It would be unusual for a man to be performing this task. Usually women carried water. Jesus has arranged for a guest room to observe the Passover. (Mark 14:12-17)
   6. As they begin the meal Jesus announces that one of them will betray him. All of the disciples are distressed at the news and ask, “Surely, not I?” This suggests that each of them saw himself as a potential betrayer of Jesus. Jesus announces that the Son of Man (himself) goes “as it was written” but that does not absolve the betrayer of his guilt. This again underscores the authority of the written word for Jesus (in this case the Old Testament, cf. Mark 12:24). The “one who is dipping bread” is the fulfillment of Psalm 41:9.
   7. Jesus establishes the communion at this last Passover supper. The bread is his body. The cup is his blood. The word, “many,” here is a synonym for “all” (cf. Mark 1:32, 34 where they are used in a parallel form. This passage is not saying that Jesus simply casts out some of the demons). Jesus’ death is for all, the whole world, cf. Mark 10:45; John 12:32; I John 2:2; Romans 5:18-19. There will be a final communion when he returns. This may also refer to the Messianic Banquet mentioned elsewhere, Luke 13:29; Revelation 19:9.
   8. They sing a hymn and go out to the Mount of Olives. Jesus indicates that another prophecy is going to be fulfilled. They will desert him. He quotes from the prophet Zechariah (Zechariah 13:7).
   9. Jesus offers them the hope that he will gather them together in Galilee after his resurrection. Peter protests that he will never deny Jesus. Jesus assures Peter that, tragically, in fact, he will. (Mark 14:28-31)
2. Jesus in Gethsemane – Mark 14:32-52
   1. Jesus goes to pray in the Garden of Gethsemane. He takes Peter, James and John with him. Commentators describe this scene as one of “shuddering horror.” There is a mythical theme throughout history of the “fantastic four.” A hero is sustained and supported by three comrades. Odysseus is supported by his son and two servants. Other examples include Robin Hood with Little John, Friar Tuck and Will Scarlet, D’Artagnon and the three musketeers and Frodo with Sam, Merry and Pippin. In Jesus’ case there is no “fantastic four.” Rather than being supported in his hour of testing, the three disciples fall asleep, more than once. (Mark 14:32-42)
   2. Jesus prays that the cup be removed. The cup is the cup of God’s wrath on sin. Psalm 75:8; Isaiah 51:17.
   3. Jesus surrenders, “yet not what I want, but what you want.” – Mark 14:36
   4. Mark 14:43 introduces another “immediately.” Judas comes to betray Jesus. Again Jesus expresses his trust in Scripture (Mark 14:49). Presumably it is Peter who cuts off the servant’s ear but in this gospel based on Peter, the incident is not emphasized.
   5. Jesus’ prophecy that all would desert him comes true – Mark 14:50.
   6. Many believe that the “certain young man” (Mark 14:51) is Mark himself. He too deserts in a scene that is almost comic.
3. Jesus on Trial – Mark 14:53-72
   1. Jesus is taken to the home of the high priest to appear before the whole council of Jewish leaders. This was not a formal trial but more a hearing. The leaders are preparing to present a charge to Pontius Pilate, the Roman Governor. (Mark 14:53-55)
   2. Many false witnesses testify contradicting themselves. (Mark 14:57-59)
   3. The climactic moment comes when the high priest asks Jesus directly if he is “the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?” Jesus replies, “I am.” The Messianic Secret is over. Jesus now answers directly and adds that the Son of Man will appear at the right hand of the Power coming with the clouds of heaven. The high priest cries out that this is blasphemy. To claim to be the Messiah or the Son of Man would not have been blasphemous statements in themselves. However the reference to being at the right hand of God (the “Power”) suggested someone equal to God. This, of course, sounded like blasphemy. All condemn Jesus to death. Their brutal treatment of him is a direct fulfillment of his own prophecy (Mark 10:33-34). Under both Jewish and Roman law, they could have stoned him on the spot (see the example of Stephen in Acts 7). However, clearly they want the Romans to carry out the execution. They may still be afraid of the reaction of the common people. They may also want to see Jesus publicly humiliated and cursed (Deuteronomy 21:22-23) as a warning against Jesus’ followers or other would be messiahs. (Mark 14:60-65)
   4. In the final scene, Peter does deny Jesus three times, just as Jesus said (Mark 14:30). Peter himself obviously is the source for this account. The denial is made all the more painful by its being repeated and Peter’s dishonest indignation including oaths and cursing. The dark scene ends with Peter breaking down and weeping. (Mark 14:66-72)
4. Questions for us –
   1. What does it mean for us to consider seriously Jesus’ dedication to the task of dying for our salvation? He planned every detail beginning with the man carrying a jar of water (Mark 14:13). He knew the harsh treatment was coming and accepted it. He acknowledged the terror but submitted to God’s will. How should all this affect how we live as Christians?
   2. Mark clearly wrote this initially to sustain the faith of the Roman Christians facing Nero. How do we apply this to our own lives, seeing the disciples’ negative example of falling asleep, abandoning Jesus and denying him? Do we see ourselves as having the potential to deny Jesus (“Surely, not I?”)?
   3. How should Jesus’ continual reliance on Scripture motivate and guide us (Mark 14:21, 49)?
   4. What do we learn from the role of unnamed disciples like the woman who anoints Jesus’ head? Her story has been told throughout the centuries as Jesus foretold, but we don’t even know her name. Why do you think that is?

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