Chapter 14

1 A conspiracy against Christ. 3 Precious ointment is poured on his head by a woman. 10 Judas selleth his Master for money. 12 Christ himself foretelleth how he shall be betrayed of one of his disciples: 22 after the passover prepared, and eaten, instituteth his supper: 26 declareth aforehand the flight of all his disciples, and Peter’s denial. 43 Judas betrayeth him with a kiss. 46 He is apprehended in the garden, 53 falsely accused, and impiously condemned of the Jews’ council: 65 shamefully abused by them: 66 and thrice denied of Peter.

1. After two days. [The Betrayal Plot, Mark 14:1, 2, 10, 11=Matt. 26:1–5, 14–16=Luke 22:1–6=John 12:10, 11. Major comment: Matthew.]

3. Being in Bethany. [Simon’s Feast, Mark 14:3–9=Matt. 26:6–13=Luke 7:36–50=John 12:1–9. Major comment: Matthew and Luke.]

8. Done what she could. That is, she made the best use of what she had at hand. That is what God expects of everyone, no more and no less.

11. They were glad. Possibly the offer made by Judas came just at the time when they were ready to give up of immediately putting into effect their plans (see on Matt. 26:15).

Conveniently. See on Matt. 26:5; cf. Mark 14:2.

12. Killed the passover. [Preparation for the Passover, Mark 14:12–16=Matt. 26:17–19=Luke 22:7–13. Major comment: Matthew.]

13. A man. Apparently a servant, not the master of the house (see v. 14). It was unusual for man to carry water in a “pitcher” or earthenware jar; this was usually done by the womenfolk. Men generally transported water in warterskins.

14. Goodman. Gr. despoteµs (see on Luke 2:29).

Guestchamber. Gr. kataluma, a word used in the papyri to describe any lodging place (see on Luke 2:7).

15. A large upper room. Gr. anagaion, literally, any room above ground level, hence, a room in the upper part of the house. Compare the Gr. huperoµon, which strictly means “upper room” (Acts 1:13; etc.). For a suggested identification of this room see on Matt. 26:18.

Furnished. Literally “spread.” Here, the reference is probably to the arrangement of the couches or cushions in the room (see on ch. 2:15).

Prepared. In anticipation, presumably, of the Passover.

17. In the evening. [The Celebration of the Passover, Mark 14:17, 18^a=Matt. 26:20=Luke 22:14–16. Major comment: Luke.] That is, the evening of “the first day of unleavened bread” (v. 12). For a discussion of the chronology of the Last Supper see Additional Notes on Matt. 26, Note 2.

18. As they sat. [The Betrayer Revealed, Mark 14:18b–21=Matt. 26:21–25=Luke 22:21–23=John 13:21–30. Major comment: Matthew and John.] Rather, “as they reclined” (see on ch. 2:15).

22. As they did eat. [The Lord’s Supper, Mark 14:22–25=Matt. 26:26–29=Luke 22:17–20. Major comment: Matthew.]

26. Sung an hymn. [Retirement to Gethsemane, Mark 14:26=Matt. 26:30=Luke 22:39. Major comment: Matthew.]

27. Ye shall be offended. [A Warning to Peter and the Ten, Mark 14:27–31=Matt. 26:31–35=Luke 22:31–38. Major comment: Matthew.]

Because of me this night. Textual evidence favors the omission (cf. p. 146) of these words here, but they are will attested in Matt. 26:31.

30. This day.According to Jewish reckoning the sixth day of the week had already begun, at sunset, and the trial and crucifixion would take place before the following sunset.

Twice. Only Mark notes this detail.

32. They came. [Gethsemane, Mark 14:32–52=Matt. 26:36–56=Luke 22:40–53=John 18:1–12. Major comment: Matthew.]

35. The hour. That is, the events of the hour.

40. Neither wist they. A detail noted only by Mark. For similar situation, in which the disciples were speechless, see ch. 9:6.

41. It is enough. In the papyri the Greek word thus translated appears on receipts indicating payment in full (see on Matt. 6:2). Perhaps Jesus here means that the disciples had slept long enough. Or, He may have meant that the discussion of that particular matter was at an end.

51. A certain young man. This apparently trivial incident does not appear to have any particular connection with the events of the night, yet Inspiration must have had some reason for including it in the narrative. It has been suggested that the author of the Gospel, John Mark (see Acts 12:12), here refers cryptically to his own connection with the arrest of Jesus. This “young man” can hardly have been one of the disciples, for they had all already forsaken Him and fled (Mark 14:50). It should be pointed out, however, that any suggestion regarding the identity of the young man is no more than a conjecture, reasonable though it may appear. Compare John’s studied failure to identify himself by name (John 21:20–24).

The young men. Textual evidence favors (cf. p. 146) the simple reading “they.”

52 Naked. Perhaps completely so, or more likely, clad only in his undergarment, or tunic (see on Matt. 5:40; John 21:7).

53. Led Jesus away. [Night Trial Before the Sanhedrin, Mark 14:53–72=Matt. 26:57–75=Luke 22:54–65=John 18:25–27. Major comment: Matthew.]

54. Fire. Literally, “light.” It was the light of the fire doubtless that revealed Peter.

61. The Blessed. A designation for the Deity, to avoid use of the sacred name Jehovah, or Yahweh (see Vol. I, pp. 171, 172).

Ellen G. White comments

3    ML 80; 6T 310

3–11DA 557–568

6–8DA 560

6     4T 550

7     CS 161; MH 201, 205; PK 652; 4T 552

9     4T 551

10   DA 564

17–25DA 652–661

27, 29  COL 152; DA 688

29–31  DA 673

30   DA 712

32–50DA 685–697

34–388T 100

37, 38  DA 689

38   DA 126; EW 167; GW 163; PP 689; Te 192; 2T 49, 89, 101, 490, 511; 3T 476; 5T 34, 115, 146; 6T 410

40   DA 690

50   DA 697

53–72DA 698–715

56   TM 71

58, 60  DA 706

70   DA 712

72        COL 152