King James Version

What Does Mark 10:34 Mean?

Mark 10:34 in the King James Version says “And they shall mock him, and shall scourge him, and shall spit upon him, and shall kill him: and the third day he shall ... — study this verse from Mark chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

And they shall mock him, and shall scourge him, and shall spit upon him, and shall kill him: and the third day he shall rise again.

Mark 10:34 · KJV


Context

32

And they were in the way going up to Jerusalem; and Jesus went before them: and they were amazed; and as they followed, they were afraid. And he took again the twelve, and began to tell them what things should happen unto him,

33

Saying, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be delivered unto the chief priests, and unto the scribes; and they shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him to the Gentiles:

34

And they shall mock him, and shall scourge him, and shall spit upon him, and shall kill him: and the third day he shall rise again.

35

And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him, saying, Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire.

36

And he said unto them, What would ye that I should do for you?


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Jesus continued describing His passion: 'they shall mock him, and shall scourge him, and shall spit upon him, and shall kill him: and the third day he shall rise again' (ἐμπαίξουσιν αὐτῷ καὶ μαστιγώσουσιν αὐτὸν καὶ ἐμπτύσουσιν αὐτῷ καὶ ἀποκτενοῦσιν αὐτόν, καὶ μετὰ τρεῖς ἡμέρας ἀναστήσεται). The verbs describe extreme humiliation: mocking (empaizō, ἐμπαίζω), scourging (mastigoō, μαστιγώσουσιν, Roman flagellation tearing flesh), spitting (emptyō, ἐμπτύσουσιν, supreme insult), killing (apokteinō, ἀποκτενοῦσιν). All occurred exactly as Jesus predicted (Mark 14:65; 15:15-20). Yet Jesus emphasizes resurrection—'the third day he shall rise again' (anast​ēsetai, ἀναστήσεται). Suffering doesn't end the story; vindication follows. This pattern—suffering then glory—characterizes Jesus' path and ours (Romans 8:17; 2 Timothy 2:11-12; 1 Peter 4:13).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Every detail Jesus predicted occurred: Jewish leaders mocked Him in trial (Mark 14:65), Roman soldiers mocked Him before crucifixion (Mark 15:16-20), He was scourged (Mark 15:15), spat upon (Mark 14:65; 15:19), and crucified (Mark 15:24). Roman scourging used leather whips embedded with bone/metal, tearing flesh—victims often died from this alone. Crucifixion was Rome's cruelest execution, reserved for slaves and rebels. Jesus endured maximum human cruelty and divine wrath (Mark 15:34). Yet the prediction ends with resurrection—divine vindication proving Jesus' identity and accomplishing salvation. Early Christian preaching centered on fulfilled prophecy: Jesus predicted death and resurrection, it occurred, validating His claims (Acts 2:22-36; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Jesus' detailed prediction of suffering demonstrate His voluntary submission to the Father's redemptive plan?
  2. What does the pattern of suffering followed by resurrection teach about Christian hope amid present trials?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 17 words
καὶ1 of 17

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἐμπαίξουσιν2 of 17

they shall mock

G1702

to jeer at, i.e., deride

αὐτὸν,3 of 17

him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

καὶ4 of 17

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

μαστιγώσουσιν5 of 17

shall scourge

G3146

to flog (literally or figuratively)

αὐτὸν,6 of 17

him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

καὶ7 of 17

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἐμπτύσουσιν8 of 17

shall spit upon

G1716

to spit at or on

αὐτὸν,9 of 17

him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

καὶ10 of 17

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἀποκτενοῦσιν11 of 17

shall kill

G615

to kill outright; figuratively, to destroy

αὐτὸν,12 of 17

him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

καὶ13 of 17

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τῇ14 of 17
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

τρίτῃ15 of 17

the third

G5154

third; neuter (as noun) a third part, or (as adverb) a (or the) third time, thirdly

ἡμέρᾳ16 of 17

day

G2250

day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of

ἀναστήσεται17 of 17

he shall rise again

G450

to stand up (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Mark. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Mark 10:34 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Mark 10:34 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study