Mark 14

Jesus Is Anointed (14:1–11)

1 It would be the Passover, and the feast of unleavened bread, after two days. And the chief priests and the scriptorians were looking for a way that they might kill him [after] having taken him by stealth. 2 For they were saying, “Not during the feast, or there will be a riot by the people.”

3 And being in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, being reclined [at the table], there came a woman having an alabaster flask of expensive ointment of pure nard; having broken the alabaster flask, she poured it on his head. 4 But some were angry among themselves: “Why was this ointment wasted? 5 For this ointment could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and [the money] have been given to the poor.” And they were scolding her. 6 But Jesus said, “Leave her alone. Why do you bother her? She did a good work in me. 7 For ‘you always have the poor with you,’ and whenever you want to, you are able to do them good. But me you do not always have. 8 She did what she could: she came before the fact to anoint my body for burial. 9 Amen, I say to you: wherever the good news is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.”

10 And Judas Iscariot, the one of the Twelve, went away to the chief priests that he might betray Jesus to them. 11 But having heard, they rejoiced and promised to give him money. And he was looking for a good opportunity to betray him.

Jesus Observes Passover (14:12–25)

12 And on the first day of [the feast of] unleavened bread, when the Passover lamb was being sacrificed, his disciples say to him, “Where do you want us to go to prepare for you to eat the Passover meal?” 13 And he sends out two of his disciples and says to them, “Go into the city and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him. 14 And wherever he enters, say to the owner of the house, ‘The teacher says, “Where is my guest room, where I might eat the Passover with my disciples?”’ 15 And he will show you a big room upstairs, furnished and ready. Prepare for us there.” 16 And the disciples left and came into the city. And they found things just as he had said to them. And they prepared the Passover.

17 And when it was evening, he comes with the Twelve. 18 And as they were reclining and as they were eating, Jesus said, “Amen, I say to you: one of you will betray me, the one who is eating with me.” 19 They began to be distressed and to say to him, one by one, “Not me, right?” 20 But he said to them, “[It is] one of the Twelve, who is dipping [his hand] in the bowl with me. 21 For the son of man goes, as it has been written about him, but woe to the man who betrays the son of man! It would have been better for that man had he never been born.”

22 And while they were eating, having taken bread, [and] having blessed, he broke [it] and gave [it] to them and said, “Take [it]. This is my body.” 23 And having taken a cup, having given thanks, he gave [it] to them, and they all drank of it. 24 And he said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant being poured out for many. 25 Amen, I say to you that I will never drink of the fruit of the vine until the day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”

Jesus Prophesies Betrayal (14:26–31)

26 And having sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. 27 And Jesus says to them, “All of you will desert me, for it has been written, ‘I will strike down the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’ 28 But after I am raised, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.” 29 But Peter said to him, “Even if everyone deserts you, I will not!” 30 And Jesus says to him, “Amen, I say to you: today—this very night—before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” 31 But he was insisting, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never deny you!” And they all said the same thing.

Jesus Prays (14:32–42)

32 And they come to a place that is called Gethsemane. And he says to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” 33 And he takes Peter, Jacob, and John with him. And he began to be stunned and deeply distressed. 34 And he says to them, “My soul is greatly grieved—even to death. Stay here and watch.” 35 And having moved forward a little, he threw himself on the ground and prayed that, if it is possible, the hour might pass from him. 36 And he was saying, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Take away this cup from me. But not what I want, but what you want.” 37 And he comes and finds them sleeping. And he says to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Were you not strong enough to watch for one hour? 38 Watch and pray so that you don’t enter into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 39 And having gone away again, he prayed, having said the same words. 40 And having returned again, he found them sleeping—because they could not keep their eyes open. And they didn’t know what to tell him. 41 And he comes the third time, and he says 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 up, let’s go. Look: the one who is betraying me is approaching.”

Jesus Is Arrested (14:43–52)

43 And immediately—while Jesus was still speaking—Judas, one of the Twelve, arrives. And a crowd [was] with him, with swords and clubs, [sent] from the chief priests and the scriptorians and the elders. 44 The one who was betraying him had given a signal to them, saying, “Whomever I kiss is he. Arrest him and securely lead him away.” 45 And having arrived, immediately having come up to him, he says, “Rabbi.” And he kissed him. 46 And they took hold of him and arrested him. 47 But one who was standing there, having drawn his sword, struck the high priest’s slave and cut off his ear. 48 And answering, Jesus said to them, “Are you come out, as [if] against a bandit, with swords and clubs to capture me? 49 Every day I was with you in the temple teaching—and you did not arrest me. But the scriptures must be fulfilled.” 50 And having deserted him, they all fled.

51 And a certain young man was following him, wearing a linen cloth on his naked body. And they seize him. 52 But having left behind the linen cloth, he fled naked.

Jesus Is Questioned by Jewish Leaders (14:53–65)

53 And they led Jesus to the high priest. And all of the chief priests, elders, and scriptorians assembled. 54 And Peter followed him from a distance, up to the high priest’s courtyard. And he was sitting with the guards and warming himself at the fire. 55 But the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were seeking testimony against Jesus, to put him to death, but they were not finding any. 56 For many were falsely testifying against him, but their testimonies were not consistent. 57 And some, having risen up, falsely testified against him, saying, 58 “We heard him saying, ‘I will destroy this temple, the one made with hands, and in three days another one—not made with hands—I will build.’” 59 And thus their testimony did not agree. 60 And having stood up in the middle, the high priest questioned Jesus, saying, “Do you have no answer? What is it that these people testify against you?” 61 But he was being silent and did not answer at all. Again the high priest was questioning him and says to him, “Are you the anointed one, the son of the Blessed One?” 62 And Jesus said, “I am. And you will see the son of man ‘sitting at the right hand’ of the Power and ‘coming with the clouds of heaven.’” 63 But the high priest, having torn his clothing, says, “Why do we still need witnesses? 64 You heard the blasphemy. What do you decide?” And all judged him to be deserving of death. 65 And some began to spit on him and to cover his face and hit him and to say to him, “Prophesy!” And the guards slapped him.

Peter Denies Jesus (14:66–72)

66 And while Peter was below, in the courtyard, one of the female servants of the high priest comes. 67 And having seen Peter warming himself, having looked at him, she says, “And you were with the Nazarene, Jesus.” 68 But he denied it, saying, “I don’t know, or even understand, what you say.” And he went out onto the entryway. 69 And the servant, having seen him, began again to say to those nearby, “This is one of them!” 70 But again he was denying it. And after a little while, again those nearby were saying to Peter, “Surely you are with them. For you are definitely a Galilean.” 71 But he began to curse and to swear [an oath]: “I don’t know this man you are talking about!” 72 And immediately, a rooster crowed the second time. And Peter remembered what Jesus had said to him: “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” And having broken down, he cried.