What does Mark 14:12-26 mean?
"Now when the even was come, he sat down with the" - Mark 14:12-26
The Bible verse Mark 14:12-26 from the King James Version (KJV) reads:
12 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 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 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 And he will shew you a large upper room furnished and prepared: there make ready for us.
16 And his disciples went forth, and came into the city, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover.
17 And in the evening he cometh with the twelve.
18 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 And they began to be sorrowful, and to say unto him one by one, Is it I? and another said, Is it I?
20 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 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 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 And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them: and they all drank of it.
24 And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.
25 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.
26 And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.
This passage from the Gospel of Mark describes the preparation for and the institution of the Last Supper, a significant event in the life of Jesus Christ. It is a pivotal moment in the narrative, as it sets the stage for the betrayal, arrest, and crucifixion of Jesus.
First, the passage begins with the disciples preparing for the Passover meal, which commemorates the Israelites' exodus from Egypt. The details of the preparation are given with precise instructions from Jesus. This demonstrates Jesus' foreknowledge and control over the events that are about to unfold. It also highlights the disciples' obedience to Jesus' instructions, which underscores the respect and authority they attribute to him.
Next, Jesus announces that one of the twelve disciples will betray him, leading to a sense of suspense and tension among the group. This revelation reflects the fulfillment of prophecy and the unfolding of God's redemptive plan. It also serves as a reminder of the fallen nature of humanity and the presence of betrayal even among those closest to Jesus.
The institution of the Lord's Supper is a central focus of this passage, as Jesus presents bread and wine to his disciples, symbolizing his body and blood. This act establishes the Eucharist or Communion, a sacrament that holds great significance in Christian tradition. Jesus' words, "This is my body" and "This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many," emphasize the sacrificial nature of his death and the atonement for sins that it provides. The imagery of the bread and wine as symbols of Jesus' body and blood underscores the spiritual nourishment and sustenance that believers receive through Christ's sacrifice.
Furthermore, Jesus' statement about not drinking the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God is fulfilled points to the anticipation of the future Messianic banquet and the ultimate fulfillment of God's plan for redemption. This forward-looking perspective encourages believers to anticipate the glorious reign of Christ and the consummation of God's kingdom.
Finally, the passage concludes with Jesus and his disciples singing a hymn and going to the Mount of Olives, where Jesus will soon be arrested. This transition towards the events of Jesus' betrayal, trial, and crucifixion signals a shift in the narrative towards the climax of Jesus' earthly ministry.
Overall, the passage Mark 14:12-26 serves as a rich and multi-layered account that encapsulates themes of obedience, betrayal, sacrifice, and the anticipation of God's kingdom. It also lays the foundation for the central sacrament of the Christian faith, the Lord's Supper, and points towards the redemptive significance of Jesus' impending death and resurrection. As believers reflect on this passage, they are reminded of the profound love and sacrifice of Christ and the hope of the future kingdom that he inaugurates.
Have questions about Mark 14:12-26?
Dive deeper into this scripture with Bible Chat — an AI-powered tool for exploring God's Word through conversation. Ask questions, get context, and grow in your understanding of the Bible.
Get Our Apps
Mark 14:12-26 Artwork
Mark 14:12-26 - "On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, when it was customary to sacrifice the Passover lamb, Jesus’ disciples asked him, “Where do you want us to go and make preparations for you to eat the Passover?” So he sent two of his disciples, telling them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him. Say to the owner of the house he enters, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there.” The disciples left, went into the city and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover. When evening came, Jesus arrived with the Twelve. While they were reclining at the table eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me—one who is eating with me.” They were saddened, and one by one they said to him, “Surely you don’t mean me?” “It is one of the Twelve,” he replied, “one who dips bread into the bowl with me. The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.” While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take it; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it. “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many,” he said to them. “Truly I tell you, I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.” When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives."
"On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, when it was customary to sacrifice the Passover lamb, Jesus’ disciples asked him, “Where do you want us to go and make preparations for you to eat the Passover?” So he sent two of his disciples, telling them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him. Say to the owner of the house he enters, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there.” The disciples left, went into the city and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover. When evening came, Jesus arrived with the Twelve. While they were reclining at the table eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me—one who is eating with me.” They were saddened, and one by one they said to him, “Surely you don’t mean me?” “It is one of the Twelve,” he replied, “one who dips bread into the bowl with me. The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.” While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take it; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it. “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many,” he said to them. “Truly I tell you, I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.” When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives." - Mark 14:12-26
Mark 14:26 - "¶ And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives."
"¶ And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives." - Mark 14:26
Mark 12:26 - "And as touching the dead, that they rise: have ye not read in the book of Moses, how in the bush God spake unto him, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?"
Mark 14:12 - "¶ 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?"
Mark 12:14 - "And when they were come, they say unto him, Master, we know that thou art true, and carest for no man: for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth: Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not?"
Mark 14:51
Mark 15:26 - "And the superscription of his accusation was written over, THE KING OF THE JEWS."
Mark 12:8
Mark 12:8
Mark 15:12
Mark 13:26 - "And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory."
Mark 4:26 (KJVA) 26 And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground;
Mark 4:14 - "¶ The sower soweth the word."
Mark 10:26 - "And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved?"
Mark 4:26 - "¶ And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground;"
Mark 14:17 - "And in the evening he cometh with the twelve."
Mark 14:50 - "And they all forsook him, and fled."
mark 2:1-12
Mark 12:41 - 44
Mark 12:41 - 44
Mark 3:26 - "And if Satan rise up against himself, and be divided, he cannot stand, but hath an end."
Mark 11:26 - "But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses."
Mark 12:41 - 44
Mark 2:1-12
Mark 12:41 - 44
Mark 12:41 - 44
Mark 14:46 - "¶ And they laid their hands on him, and took him."
Genisis 26:12