Day 42 – Thursday, February 27, 2025

One Year Journey Through the New Testament

Mark 14

Welcome to our journey through the New Testament!

Leaders Plot to Kill Jesus

Matt. 26:1–5; Luke 22:1, 2

1 After two days it was the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. And the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take Him by trickery and put Him to death. ² But they said, “Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar of the people.”

The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), Mk 14:1–2.

Points to Ponder:

• The strategy of the religious leaders begins to take shape.
• They decide to wait until just after the feast of Passover to avoid crowd resistance, for Jesus was loved.

Mary Anoints Jesus

Matt. 26:6–13; John 12:2–8

³ And being in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, as He sat at the table, a woman came having an alabaster flask of very costly oil of spikenard. Then she broke the flask and poured it on His head. ⁴ But there were some who were indignant among themselves, and said, “Why was this fragrant oil wasted? ⁵ For it might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.” And they criticized her sharply.⁶ But Jesus said, “Let her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a good work for Me. ⁷ For you have the poor with you always, and whenever you wish you may do them good; but Me you do not have always. ⁸ She has done what she could. She has come beforehand to anoint My body for burial. ⁹ Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her.”

The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), Mk 14:3–9.

Points to Ponder:

• In the Matthew 26 passage and here, the woman is not named, but assumed to be Mary by scholars, because John’s gospel specifically names her.
• Mary broke an expensive flask of spikenard oil, worth nearly the wages for a year’s labor, and poured it on Jesus’ head.
• Some of the people present at the dinner were outraged at the waste of such a valuable asset. Jesus defended Mary and praised her, declaring that she had anointed His body for burial.
• He said that the poor will always be present to aid and assist, but that He was only here for a short time.
• This woman’s sacrifice would be remembered forever.
• What can you or I do for the Lord that would be remembered forever?

Judas Plans to Betray Jesus

Matt. 26:14; Luke 22:3–6

¹⁰ Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Him to them. ¹¹ And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money. So he sought how he might conveniently betray Him.

The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), Mk 14:10–11.

Points to Ponder:

• Judas Iscariot went to the religious leaders and offered to betray Christ’s location in a strategic moment when He was in private, away from the multitudes.
• They were very glad, and offered him money.
• He agreed and began to plan when and where to betray Him.

The Passover is Prepared

Matt. 26:17–19; Luke 22:7–13

¹² Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they killed the Passover lamb, His disciples said to Him, “Where do You want us to go and prepare, that You may eat the Passover?”¹³ And He sent out two of His disciples and said to them, “Go into the city, and a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water; follow him. ¹⁴ Wherever he goes in, say to the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says, “Where is the guest room in which I may eat the Passover with My disciples?” ’ ¹⁵ Then he will show you a large upper room, furnished and prepared; there make ready for us.”¹⁶ So His disciples went out, and came into the city, and found it just as He had said to them; and they prepared the Passover.

The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), Mk 14:12–16.

Points to Ponder:

• Just as in Matthew 26, the disciples asked Jesus where He would like to eat the Passover meal.
• In Mark, we find Jesus giving a bit more detail about how to find the place (“follow a man carrying a pitcher of water”).
• The basic message is the same, however.
• Ask him where the guest room is where they can eat Passover, and he will take you to a large upper room, furnished and prepared.
• They did all that, made the room ready, and they could then eat Passover together.

The Passover is Celebrated

Matt. 26:20–25; Luke 22:14–16; John 13:21–30

¹⁷ In the evening He came with the twelve. ¹⁸ Now as they sat and ate, Jesus said, “Assuredly, I say to you, one of you who eats with Me will betray Me.”¹⁹ And they began to be sorrowful, and to say to Him one by one, “Is it I?” And another said, “Is it I?”²⁰ He answered and said to them, “It is one of the twelve, who dips with Me in the dish. ²¹ The Son of Man indeed goes just as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had never been born.”

The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), Mk 14:17–21.

Points to Ponder:

• Jesus pointed out that one of the disciples would betray Him.
• Each disciple asked if he was the one, sorrowfully, ending with Judas.
• Jesus, in Matthew, revealed that is was Judas.
• Mark does not reveal that, but he does declare the woe on the one who betrayed Jesus.

The Lord’s Supper is Instituted

Matt. 26:26–29; Luke 22:17–23

²² And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.”²³ Then He took the cup, and when He had given thanks He gave it to them, and they all drank from it. ²⁴ And He said to them, “This is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many. ²⁵ Assuredly, I say to you, I will no longer drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”

The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), Mk 14:22–25.

Points to Ponder:

• Jesus served the disciples Passover. He prayed and then broke the bread, distributing it to all the disciples.
• He told them of its meaning as the body of Christ.
• He did the same with the cup, and signified that it represented the blood of Christ.
• He then shared that the time for Him to observe Passover was final this year.

Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial

Matt. 26:30–35; Luke 22:31–39; John 13:36–38

²⁶ And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.²⁷ Then Jesus said to them, “All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written:‘I will strike the Shepherd,And the sheep will be scattered.’²⁸ “But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee.”²⁹ Peter said to Him, “Even if all are made to stumble, yet I will not be.”³⁰ Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you that today, even this night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times.”³¹ But he spoke more vehemently, “If I have to die with You, I will not deny You!”And they all said likewise.

The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), Mk 14:26–31.

Points to Ponder:

• They sang a hymn, and walked to the Mount of Olives.
• He warned them that the prophecies of Isaiah 53 and Zechariah 13 would be fulfilled: when He was struck, they would all scatter.
• He encouraged them to go to Galilee after His resurrection, and that He would meet them there.
• Peter swore that He would not forsake Jesus, even if He had to die defending Christ.
• Jesus told Him that He would deny Jesus three times before the rooster crowed twice. Peter again resisted the thought.

Jesus Prays in Gethsemane

Matt. 26:36–46; Luke 22:39–46

³² Then they came to a place which was named Gethsemane; and He said to His disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” ³³ And He took Peter, James, and John with Him, and He began to be troubled and deeply distressed. ³⁴ Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch.”³⁵ He went a little farther, and fell on the ground, and prayed that if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him. ³⁶ And He said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will.”³⁷ Then He came and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “Simon, are you sleeping? Could you not watch one hour? ³⁸ Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”³⁹ Again He went away and prayed, and spoke the same words. ⁴⁰ And when He returned, He found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy; and they did not know what to answer Him.⁴¹ Then He came the third time and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? It is enough! The hour has come; behold, the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. ⁴² Rise, let us be going. See, My betrayer is at hand.”

The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), Mk 14:32–42.

Points to Ponder:

• This passage is nearly identical to the one in Matthew 26.
• Jesus tells them to wait in a spot in Gethsemane while He went a little further to pray.
• He comes back to them three times and finds them asleep.
• On the third time, He tells them that His betrayer is near.

Judas Betrays Jesus

Matt. 26:47–56; Luke 22:47–53; John 18:1–11

⁴³ And immediately, while He was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, with a great multitude with swords and clubs, came from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders. ⁴⁴ Now His betrayer had given them a signal, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him and lead Him away safely.”⁴⁵ As soon as he had come, immediately he went up to Him and said to Him, “Rabbi, Rabbi!” and kissed Him.⁴⁶ Then they laid their hands on Him and took Him. ⁴⁷ And one of those who stood by drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.⁴⁸ Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs to take Me? ⁴⁹ I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and you did not seize Me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled.”⁵⁰ Then they all forsook Him and fled.⁵¹ Now a certain young man followed Him, having a linen cloth thrown around his naked body. And the young men laid hold of him, ⁵² and he left the linen cloth and fled from them naked.

The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), Mk 14:43–52.

Points to Ponder:

• At once, Judas appears with a mob carrying swords and clubs. Judas had arranged a sign to identify Jesus. Whomever he kissed would be the target.
• Judas greeted Jesus with a kiss, and the arrest began. One of the disciples drew his sword and cut off the ear of the high priest’s servant.
• Jesus asked why they came out as hunting a criminal, and offered that they could have arrested Him in public at any time.
• The disciples scattered. A young man draped in a linen cloth was there, and they grabbed him, too. He ran out of his garment and fled the scene naked. The identity of this young man is not revealed, but has been speculated as John the son of Zebedee, John Mark, or maybe James the brother of Jesus.

The Sanhedrin Tries Jesus

Matt. 26:57–68; Luke 22:54, 55, 63–65; John 18:12, 18, 24

⁵³ And they led Jesus away to the high priest; and with him were assembled all the chief priests, the elders, and the scribes. ⁵⁴ But Peter followed Him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. And he sat with the servants and warmed himself at the fire.⁵⁵ Now the chief priests and all the council sought testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but found none. ⁵⁶ For many bore false witness against Him, but their testimonies did not agree.⁵⁷ Then some rose up and bore false witness against Him, saying, ⁵⁸ “We heard Him say, ‘I will destroy this temple made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands.’ ” ⁵⁹ But not even then did their testimony agree.⁶⁰ And the high priest stood up in the midst and asked Jesus, saying, “Do You answer nothing? What is it these men testify against You?” ⁶¹ But He kept silent and answered nothing.Again the high priest asked Him, saying to Him, “Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?”⁶² 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 Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “What further need do we have of witnesses? ⁶⁴ You have heard the blasphemy! What do you think?”And they all condemned Him to be deserving of death.⁶⁵ Then some began to spit on Him, and to blindfold Him, and to beat Him, and to say to Him, “Prophesy!” And the officers struck Him with the palms of their hands.

The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), Mk 14:53–65.

Points to Ponder:

• Jesus was taken before the Sanhedrin court. Peter followed at a distance.
• The high priest tried to find people who would testify against Jesus, but none could bring a story that would condemn Jesus of wrongdoing.
• The high priest, in his anger, asked Jesus if He was, in fact, the Christ, the Son of God. Jesus confirmed that He was, and the high priest then tore his clothes and declared Jesus’ assertion as blasphemous.
• They all condemned Jesus as worthy of execution.
• Many mocked Him and beat Him and shouted for Him to prophecy who hit him.

Peter Denies Jesus

Matt. 26:69–75; Luke 22:55–62; John 18:15–18, 25–27

⁶⁶ Now as Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came. ⁶⁷ And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked at him and said, “You also were with Jesus of Nazareth.”⁶⁸ But he denied it, saying, “I neither know nor understand what you are saying.” And he went out on the porch, and a rooster crowed.⁶⁹ And the servant girl saw him again, and began to say to those who stood by, “This is one of them.” ⁷⁰ But he denied it again.And a little later those who stood by said to Peter again, “Surely you are one of them; for you are a Galilean, and your speech shows it.”⁷¹ Then he began to curse and swear, “I do not know this Man of whom you speak!”⁷² A second time the rooster crowed. Then Peter called to mind the word that Jesus had said to him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times.” And when he thought about it, he wept.

The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), Mk 14:66–72.

• The final passage in this chapter tells the story of Peter denying Christ, according to Jesus’ prophecy.
• Three times, individuals asked Peter if he was one of Jesus’ disciples, and Peter denied knowing Him, even cursing in his response once. After his third denial, he heard the rooster crow, and Peter wept in shame.

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All Scriptures from New King James Version unless otherwise noted.

Join us this afternoon at 5:00 pm for a discussion of this chapter live online. Live@5 with Dr. Greg Sloop can be found on Facebook on the Dr. Greg Sloop page or on the Kannapolis Church of God Facebook page or Youtube page. Another blog will be posted each weekday at 6:00 a.m.