The Plot to Kill Jesus and the Anointing at Bethany
Study note
While the chief priests plot Jesus' arrest, an unnamed woman performs an extravagant act of worship by pouring costly spikenard perfume over his head. Some criticize the waste, but Jesus defends her, interpreting her act as an anointing for his burial and promising that her deed will be remembered wherever the gospel is preached. The juxtaposition of Judas' departure to betray Jesus immediately afterward creates a stark contrast between sacrificial devotion and calculated treachery, showing that proximity to Jesus does not guarantee loyalty.
1 The Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread were only two days away. The chief priests and the scribes were scheming to find a sneaky way to arrest Jesus and have him killed. After two days was the feast of the passover, and of unleavened bread: and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take him by craft, and put him to death.
2 But they agreed, "We cannot do it during the festival, or the people could start a riot." But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar of the people.
3 Jesus was in Bethany, having dinner at the house of Simon the leper. A woman walked in carrying a beautiful alabaster jar filled with extremely expensive perfume made from pure spikenard. She broke the jar open and poured the perfume over his head. And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head.
4 Some of the people there got angry and grumbled to each other, "What a waste of perfume!" And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made?
5 "That could have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and the money could have gone to the poor!" They scolded the woman harshly. For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her.
6 But Jesus stopped them. "Leave her alone. Why are you giving her a hard time? She has done something truly beautiful for me." And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me.
7 "Poor people will always be around, and you can help them whenever you choose. But I will not always be here with you." For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always.
8 "She did the best thing she possibly could. She poured this perfume on my body ahead of time to prepare me for burial." She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying.
9 "I am telling you for certain: wherever this good news is shared across the whole world, people will also tell the story of what this woman did today. She will always be remembered for it." Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.
10 Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples, slipped away. He went to the chief priests to set up a plan to hand Jesus over. And Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went unto the chief priests, to betray him unto them.
11 They were thrilled to hear it and offered to pay him for his help. From that moment on, Judas watched for the right opportunity to betray Jesus. And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money. And he sought how he might conveniently betray him.
Preparations for the Passover
Study note
Jesus sends two disciples into the city with detailed instructions for finding the room where they will eat the Passover, demonstrating his sovereign foreknowledge of events even as they unfold around him. The meticulous preparation underscores the significance of this final meal, connecting Jesus' death to the Passover lamb whose blood protected Israel from death in Egypt.
12 It was the first day of the Feast of Bread Without Yeast. That was the day they killed the Passover lamb. The followers asked Jesus, "Where should we get the Passover meal ready?" And the first day of unleavened bread, when they killed the passover, his disciples said unto him, Where wilt thou that we go and prepare that thou mayest eat the passover?
13 He sent two disciples with these instructions: "Head into the city. You will run into a man carrying a water jug. Follow him wherever he goes." And he sendeth forth two of his disciples, and saith unto them, Go ye into the city, and there shall meet you a man bearing a pitcher of water: follow him.
14 "When he goes inside a house, tell the owner this. 'The Teacher asks: Where is the room for the Passover meal with my followers?'" And wheresoever he shall go in, say ye to the goodman of the house, The Master saith, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples?
15 "He will take you upstairs and show you a big room that is already set up and ready to use. Prepare the meal for us there." And he will shew you a large upper room furnished and prepared: there make ready for us.
16 The two disciples went into the city. Everything happened exactly as Jesus had described, and they got the Passover meal ready. And his disciples went forth, and came into the city, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover.
The Last Supper
Study note
During the Passover meal, Jesus solemnly announces that one of the twelve will betray him, causing sorrow as each asks, 'Is it I?' He then transforms the Passover elements with new meaning: the bread becomes his body, and the cup becomes his blood of the new covenant, shed for many. This institution of what the church calls the Lord's Supper or Eucharist reinterprets the Exodus through the lens of the cross, establishing a new covenant through Jesus' sacrificial death that supersedes the covenant made at Sinai.
17 When evening arrived, Jesus arrived with all twelve disciples. And in the evening he cometh with the twelve.
18 While they were eating together, Jesus said something shocking: "I need to tell you something. One of you who is eating at this table with me right now is going to betray me." And as they sat and did eat, Jesus said, Verily I say unto you, One of you which eateth with me shall betray me.
19 That hit them hard. One after another, each of them asked, "It is not me, is it?" And they began to be sorrowful, and to say unto him one by one, Is it I? and another said, Is it I?
20 He told them, "It is one of you twelve -- the one who is dipping bread in the same bowl as me." And he answered and said unto them, It is one of the twelve, that dippeth with me in the dish.
21 "The Son of man will die, just as the scriptures said he would. But how awful it will be for the man who betrays him. That man would have been better off never being born." The Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written of him: but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! good were it for that man if he had never been born.
22 During the meal, Jesus picked up some bread. He gave thanks to God, broke the bread apart, and handed the pieces to his disciples. He said, "Take this and eat it. This represents my body." And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body.
23 Then he picked up a cup of wine, gave thanks for it, and passed it around. They all drank from it. And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them: and they all drank of it.
24 He told them, "This represents my blood -- the blood that seals God's new covenant, poured out for the sake of many." And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.
25 "Let me tell you, I will not drink wine again until the day I drink it new in God's kingdom." Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God.
Prediction of Peter's Denial
Study note
On the way to the Mount of Olives, Jesus quotes Zechariah's prophecy that striking the shepherd will scatter the sheep, predicting that all the disciples will fall away. He also promises to meet them in Galilee after his resurrection, offering hope beyond the coming crisis. Peter's emphatic insistence that he will never deny Jesus, echoed by all the others, sets up the painful fulfillment later that night. The gap between Peter's confidence and his coming failure illustrates the danger of self-reliance in spiritual matters.
26 They sang a worship song together and then headed out to the Mount of Olives. And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.
27 Jesus told them, "Every one of you is going to abandon me tonight. The scripture says, 'I will strike down the shepherd, and the sheep will scatter in every direction.'" And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered.
28 "But after I have come back to life, I will go to Galilee ahead of you." But after that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee.
29 Peter declared, "Even if everyone else runs away, I never will!" But Peter said unto him, Although all shall be offended, yet will not I.
30 Jesus said to him, "Truly, peter. Today -- tonight, in fact -- before the rooster crows twice, you will say three times that you do not even know me." And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice.
31 Peter pushed back even harder: "I would die before I would ever deny you!" Every other disciple said the exact same thing. But he spake the more vehemently, If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise. Likewise also said they all.
The Agony in Gethsemane
Study note
In Gethsemane, Jesus takes Peter, James, and John aside and reveals his soul is 'crushed with sorrow, even to the point of death.' His prayer to 'Abba, Father' is among the most intimate and agonizing moments in all Scripture, as he asks for the cup of suffering to be removed while ultimately surrendering to the Father's will. The disciples' repeated inability to stay awake provides a painful contrast to Jesus' intense spiritual battle. His resolve to accept the Father's will rather than avoid the cross demonstrates the depth of his obedience and love.
32 They arrived at a place called Gethsemane. Jesus told his disciples, "Sit down here while I go pray." And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray.
33 He took Peter, James, and John with him. A wave of deep anguish and distress came over him. And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy;
34 He told them, "The sadness in my heart is so heavy it could kill me. Please stay here and stay awake." And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch.
35 He walked a short distance away, dropped to the ground, and prayed. He asked that if there was any way possible, he would not have to go through what was coming. And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him.
36 He prayed, "Abba, Father, you can do anything. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. But do not do what I want -- do what you want." And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.
37 He came back and found them fast asleep. He said to Peter, "Simon, you fell asleep? You could not even stay awake with me for one single hour?" And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour?
38 "Stay awake and keep praying so that you do not fall into temptation. Your spirit is eager to do the right thing, but your body is too tired and weak." Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.
39 He walked away again and prayed, asking for the same thing. And again he went away, and prayed, and spake the same words.
40 When he came back, they were sleeping again. Their eyes were so heavy they could not keep them open. They had no idea what to say to him. And when he returned, he found them asleep again, (for their eyes were heavy,) neither wist they what to answer him.
41 He came back a third time and said, "You are still sleeping? Still resting? That is enough. The moment has arrived. Look -- the Son of man is about to be handed over to sinful people." And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
42 "On your feet! Let us go. My betrayer is already here." Rise up, let us go; lo, he that betrayeth me is at hand.
The Betrayal and Arrest
Study note
Judas arrives with an armed crowd from the religious authorities and identifies Jesus with a kiss, a horrific perversion of a gesture of friendship. Jesus submits to arrest while noting the irony that they come with weapons as if he were a criminal, when he taught openly in the temple every day. His statement that 'the scriptures must be fulfilled' shows that even this darkest betrayal unfolds within God's sovereign plan. The disciples all flee, and a mysterious young man escapes naked, possibly Mark himself, dramatizing the total abandonment Jesus suffers.
43 The words were barely out of his mouth when Judas appeared -- one of the twelve. Behind him was a mob armed with swords and clubs, sent by the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders. And immediately, while he yet spake, cometh Judas, one of the twelve, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders.
44 Judas had arranged a signal with them ahead of time: "The man I walk up and kiss -- that is the one you want. Grab him and take him away under heavy guard." And he that betrayed him had given them a token, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he; take him, and lead him away safely.
45 Judas walked straight up to Jesus and said, "Teacher! Teacher!" and kissed him. And as soon as he was come, he goeth straightway to him, and saith, Master, master; and kissed him.
46 The men seized Jesus and placed him under arrest. And they laid their hands on him, and took him.
47 One of the people standing nearby pulled out a sword, swung it at the high priest's servant, and sliced off his ear. And one of them that stood by drew a sword, and smote a servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.
48 Jesus spoke to the mob: "Am I some kind of dangerous criminal? Is that why you came after me with swords and clubs?" And Jesus answered and said unto them, Are ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and with staves to take me?
49 "I was there in the temple day after day, teaching out in the open, and you never laid a hand on me. But all of this is happening so that the scriptures will come true." I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and ye took me not: but the scriptures must be fulfilled.
50 At that point, every disciple left him and ran away. And they all forsook him, and fled.
51 One young man had been following Jesus, wearing nothing but a linen cloth wrapped around his body. The soldiers tried to grab him, And there followed him a certain young man, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body; and the young men laid hold on him:
52 but he slipped out of the cloth and ran off into the night with nothing on. And he left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked.
Trial Before the Sanhedrin
Study note
Jesus is brought before the high priest and the entire Sanhedrin in a nighttime trial marked by false testimony and procedural irregularities. When directly asked whether he is the Christ, the Son of the Blessed, Jesus answers with the unmistakable 'I am' and claims that they will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of power and coming in clouds of heaven. The high priest tears his robes and declares this blasphemy, and the council condemns Jesus to death. The abuse that follows, including spitting, blindfolding, and striking, fulfills Isaiah's prophecy of the Suffering Servant.
53 They took Jesus to the high priest's residence, where all the chief priests, elders, and scribes had assembled. And they led Jesus away to the high priest: and with him were assembled all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes.
54 Peter trailed behind at a safe distance and made it all the way into the high priest's courtyard. He sat down with the guards and warmed his hands by the fire. And Peter followed him afar off, even into the palace of the high priest: and he sat with the servants, and warmed himself at the fire.
55 Inside, the chief priests and the whole council were trying to find testimony against Jesus that would be enough for a death sentence. But they came up empty. And the chief priests and all the council sought for witness against Jesus to put him to death; and found none.
56 Many people told lies about Jesus, but their stories kept saying different things. For many bare false witness against him, but their witness agreed not together.
57 Finally, some men stood up and made this false accusation: And there arose certain, and bare false witness against him, saying,
58 "We heard him say, 'I will tear down this temple that people built. In three days I will build another one that is not made by human hands.'" We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands.
59 But even these witnesses could not get their stories straight. But neither so did their witness agree together.
60 The high priest stood up in front of everyone and demanded, "Are you not going to answer? What do you say about all these charges against you?" And the high priest stood up in the midst, and asked Jesus, saying, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee?
61 Jesus said nothing. He stayed completely silent. The high priest asked him point-blank, "Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?" But he held his peace, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, and said unto him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?
62 Jesus answered, "I am. And you will see the Son of man sitting in the place of honor at God's right side and coming back on the clouds of heaven." And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.
63 The high priest ripped his robes and shouted, "We do not need any more witnesses after that!" Then the high priest rent his clothes, and saith, What need we any further witnesses?
64 "You all heard him claim to be God! What is your verdict?" Every one of them declared he deserved to die. Ye have heard the blasphemy: what think ye? And they all condemned him to be guilty of death.
65 Some of them started spitting on Jesus. They blindfolded him and punched him, taunting, "Tell us who hit you -- go on, prophesy!" The guards slapped him around too. And some began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and to buffet him, and to say unto him, Prophesy: and the servants did strike him with the palms of their hands.
Peter's Denial
Study note
While Jesus faces his accusers with courageous honesty, Peter crumbles under pressure in the courtyard below. Three times he denies knowing Jesus, the last time with cursing and swearing. When the rooster crows a second time, Peter remembers Jesus' prediction and breaks down weeping. The contrast between Jesus' bold confession and Peter's cowardly denial is devastating. Yet Mark's inclusion of this deeply personal failure, almost certainly sourced from Peter himself, serves as both a warning about human weakness and a testimony to the possibility of restoration, since Peter will be specifically named in the resurrection message.
66 While all this was happening, Peter was downstairs in the courtyard. One of the high priest's servant girls walked by. And as Peter was beneath in the palace, there cometh one of the maids of the high priest:
67 She took a close look at Peter as he sat warming himself by the fire. She said, "You were with that Jesus from Nazareth, weren't you?" And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked upon him, and said, And thou also wast with Jesus of Nazareth.
68 Peter denied it flatly: "I have no idea what you are talking about." He moved out toward the porch, and then a rooster crowed. But he denied, saying, I know not, neither understand I what thou sayest. And he went out into the porch; and the cock crew.
69 The servant girl saw him again. She started telling the people nearby, "That guy is one of them for sure." And a maid saw him again, and began to say to them that stood by, This is one of them.
70 Peter denied it a second time. A little while later, the bystanders said to Peter, "Come on, you are obviously one of his followers. You are from Galilee -- your accent gives you away." And he denied it again. And a little after, they that stood by said again to Peter, Surely thou art one of them: for thou art a Galilæan, and thy speech agreeth thereto.
71 Peter began calling down curses on himself and swearing, "I do not know the man you are talking about! I have never met him!" But he began to curse and to swear, saying, I know not this man of whom ye speak.
72 At that exact moment, the rooster crowed for the second time. Peter suddenly remembered what Jesus had told him: "Before the rooster crows twice, you will say three times that you do not know me." It hit him all at once, and he broke down sobbing. And the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him, Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept.