King James Version

What Does Mark 14:1 Mean?

Mark 14:1 in the King James Version says “After two days was the feast of the passover, and of unleavened bread: and the chief priests and the scribes sought how ... — study this verse from Mark chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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.

Mark 14:1 · KJV


Context

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.

2

But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar of the people.

3

And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head. spikenard: or, pure nard, or, liquid nard


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
After two days was the feast of the passover—Mark's precise temporal marker situates us on Wednesday of Passion Week, with Passover beginning Friday evening. The Greek meta duo hēmeras (μετὰ δύο ἡμέρας) creates dramatic irony: while Israel prepared to commemorate deliverance from Egypt, the ultimate Passover Lamb was about to be sacrificed.

The chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take him by craft (ἐζήτουν πῶς αὐτὸν ἐν δόλῳ κρατήσαντες)—Dolos means "treachery" or "deceit," revealing the leaders' calculated duplicity. Their caution stemmed from fear of the crowds (v. 2), who viewed Jesus favorably. The verb ezētoun (imperfect tense) suggests ongoing, deliberate plotting—not spontaneous hostility but premeditated murder of the one they knew performed undeniable signs (John 11:47-48). Judas' betrayal (vv. 10-11) would provide the "craft" they needed.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Mark wrote during the 60s AD to a Roman audience, explaining Jewish customs throughout his Gospel. Passover celebrated Israel's exodus from Egypt (Exodus 12), when lamb's blood on doorposts saved firstborn sons. The Sanhedrin's conspiracy during this feast ironically fulfilled typology: Jesus, the true Passover Lamb, would die at the very hour lambs were slaughtered in the temple.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the leaders' "craft" and "treachery" contrast with Jesus' open teaching in the temple (14:49)?
  2. What does it mean for Jesus to be both the Passover Lamb and the Son who escaped death's angel?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 23 words
Ἦν1 of 23

was

G2258

i (thou, etc.) was (wast or were)

δὲ2 of 23

After

G1161

but, and, etc

τὸ3 of 23
G3588

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

πάσχα4 of 23

the feast of the passover

G3957

the passover (the meal, the day, the festival or the special sacrifices connected with it)

καὶ5 of 23

and

G2532

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

τὰ6 of 23
G3588

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

ἄζυμα7 of 23

unleavened bread

G106

unleavened, i.e., (figuratively) uncorrupted; (in the neutral plural) specially (by implication) the passover week

μετὰ8 of 23

of

G3326

properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)

δύο9 of 23

two

G1417

"two"

ἡμέρας10 of 23

days

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

καὶ11 of 23

and

G2532

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

ἐζήτουν12 of 23

sought

G2212

to seek (literally or figuratively); specially, (by hebraism) to worship (god), or (in a bad sense) to plot (against life)

οἱ13 of 23
G3588

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

ἀρχιερεῖς14 of 23

the chief priests

G749

the high-priest (literally, of the jews; typically, christ); by extension a chief priest

καὶ15 of 23

and

G2532

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

οἱ16 of 23
G3588

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

γραμματεῖς17 of 23

the scribes

G1122

a professional writer

πῶς18 of 23

how

G4459

an interrogative particle of manner; in what way? (sometimes the question is indirect, how?); also as exclamation, how much!

αὐτὸν19 of 23

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

ἐν20 of 23

by

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

δόλῳ21 of 23

craft

G1388

a trick (bait), i.e., (figuratively) wile

κρατήσαντες22 of 23

they might take

G2902

to use strength, i.e., seize or retain (literally or figuratively)

ἀποκτείνωσιν·23 of 23

and put him to death

G615

to kill outright; figuratively, to destroy


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 14:1 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 14:1 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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