Mark 14:1 - Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

Bible Comments

The Trial, Death and Resurrection of Jesus (14:1-16:20).

That this is what the Gospel has been leading up to has been demonstrated by the three passages which have prepared the way (Mark 8:31; Mark 9:30-31; Mark 10:33-34 see also Mark 2:20; Mark 9:9; Mark 9:12; Mark 10:45). The emphasis from now on will be on the coming humiliation, death and resurrection of Jesus as the Coming King (Mark 11:10; Mark 14:62; Mark 15:2; Mark 15:9; Mark 15:12; Mark 15:26; Mark 15:32), as the mediator between God and men through His blood (Mark 14:24) and as the Servant of the Lord Who has come to give His life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45). This is the essence of the Good News.

Analysis of 14:1-16:8. The Final Days of Jesus Leading Up to His Crucifixion and Resurrection

a The Chief Priests and Scribes seek to arrest Jesus by stealth but are apprehensive about the effect on the people (Mark 14:1-2).

b A woman anoints Jesus in preparation for His death (Mark 14:3-9).

c Judas seeks to betray Jesus to the Chief Priests and is offered money (Mark 14:10-11).

d Preparation for and celebration of the Passover and the giving of His body and blood (Mark 14:12-25).

e Peter says that he will not deny Jesus (Mark 14:26-31).

f Jesus trial before God in Gethsemane (Mark 14:32-42).

g The arrival of Judas and arrest of Jesus. The Scriptures must be fulfilled (Mark 14:43-52).

f Jesus trial before the Chief Priests (Mark 14:53-65).

e Peter denies Jesus three times (Mark 14:66-72).

d Preparation for and crucifixion of Jesus as He offers up Himself (Mark 15:1-41)

c Joseph of Arimathea, a member of the Sanhedrin, seeks to bury Jesus and offers his own new tomb (Mark 15:42-47).

b The women come to anoint Jesus but do not have to do so because He is risen (Mark 16:1-5).

a The women leave the tomb by stealth for they are afraid (Mark 16:6).

Note that in ‘a' the enemies of Jesus seek to arrest Him by stealth but are apprehensive, while in the parallel the women who have received the news of Jesus' resurrection act by stealth and are ‘afraid'. In ‘b' the woman anoints Jesus in preparation for His burial, and in the parallel women come to anoint Jesus but now find it unnecessary. In ‘c' Judas betrays Jesus to the leaders of the Council and is offered money, and in the parallel Joseph of Arimathea, a member of the Council, seeks to bury Jesus in his own new tomb. In ‘d' the Passover is celebrated with reference to the blood of the covenant, and in the parallel the Passover is fulfilled and the blood of the covenant is shed. In ‘e' Peter says that he will not deny Jesus, and in the parallel he does so three time. In ‘f' Jesus faces His trial alone in Gethsemane, and in the parallel faces His trial before the Chief Priests. Centrally in ‘g' Jesus is arrested in fulfilment of the Scriptures.

Mark 14:1

1 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.