King James Version

What Does Mark 14:12 Mean?

Mark 14:12 in the King James Version says “And the first day of unleavened bread, when they killed the passover, his disciples said unto him, Where wilt thou that ...” — study this verse from Mark chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“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? killed: or, sacrificed”

Mark 14:12 · KJV

Context

10

And Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went unto the chief priests, to betray him unto them.

11

And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money. And he sought how he might conveniently betray him.

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? killed: or, sacrificed

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?

Read Mark 14 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The first day of unleavened bread (τῇ πρώτῃ ἡμέρᾳ τῶν ἀζύμων, tē prōtē hēmera tōn azymōn) refers to Nisan 14, when leaven was removed from homes before Passover. When they killed the passover (ὅτε τὸ πάσχα ἔθυον, hote to pascha ethyon)—thousands of lambs were slaughtered in the temple on Passover eve (afternoon of Nisan 14), then consumed that evening (beginning of Nisan 15). Where wilt thou that we go and prepare—disciples seek Jesus's instructions for the most significant meal in Jewish calendar.

This Passover holds cosmic significance: Jesus will institute the New Covenant meal replacing Passover. The timing isn't coincidental—as Passover lambs were slain, Jesus ("our Passover," 1 Corinthians 5:7) would be crucified. The disciples' question about preparation contrasts with their ignorance of what Jesus was truly preparing for—His sacrificial death. Just as the original Passover marked Israel's exodus from Egyptian slavery through lamb's blood, Jesus's Passover would accomplish exodus from sin's slavery through His blood.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Passover commemorated Israel's deliverance from Egypt (Exodus 12) when lamb's blood on doorposts caused death to "pass over." By Jesus's day, Passover required pilgrimage to Jerusalem. Families brought yearling male lambs "without blemish" to temple priests, who slaughtered them in afternoon sacrifice. The lamb was roasted whole and consumed with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. Jesus's Passover (Thursday evening, Nisan 14/15) came hours before His crucifixion (Friday afternoon, Nisan 14). John's Gospel emphasizes Jesus died when Passover lambs were slain, perfectly fulfilling the typology.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the Passover lamb's requirement of being "without blemish" illuminate Jesus's sinless perfection as our sacrificial substitute?
  2. What does Jesus's deliberate timing of the Last Supper at Passover reveal about His intentional fulfillment of Old Testament typology?
  3. How should understanding Jesus as "our Passover lamb" transform your view of communion and what His death accomplished?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 23 words
Καὶ1 of 23

“And”

G2532

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

τῇ2 of 23
G3588

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

πρώτῃ3 of 23

“the first”

G4413

foremost (in time, place, order or importance)

ἡμέρᾳ4 of 23

“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

τῶν5 of 23
G3588

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

ἀζύμων6 of 23

“of unleavened bread”

G106

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

ὅτε7 of 23

“when”

G3753

at which (thing) too, i.e., when

τὸ8 of 23
G3588

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

πάσχα9 of 23

“the passover”

G3957

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

ἔθυον10 of 23

“they killed”

G2380

properly, to rush (breathe hard, blow, smoke), i.e., (by implication) to sacrifice (properly, by fire, but genitive case); by extension to immolate (s

λέγουσιν11 of 23

“said”

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

αὐτοῦ12 of 23

“his”

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

οἱ13 of 23
G3588

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

μαθηταὶ14 of 23

“disciples”

G3101

a learner, i.e., pupil

αὐτοῦ15 of 23

“his”

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

Ποῦ16 of 23

“Where”

G4226

as adverb of place; at (by implication, to) what locality

θέλεις17 of 23

“wilt thou”

G2309

to determine (as an active option from subjective impulse; whereas g1014 properly denotes rather a passive acquiescence in objective considerations),

ἀπελθόντες18 of 23

“that we go”

G565

to go off (i.e., depart), aside (i.e., apart) or behind (i.e., follow), literally or figuratively

ἑτοιμάσωμεν19 of 23

“and prepare”

G2090

to prepare

ἵνα20 of 23

“that”

G2443

in order that (denoting the purpose or the result)

φάγῃς21 of 23

“thou mayest eat”

G5315

to eat (literally or figuratively)

τὸ22 of 23
G3588

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

πάσχα23 of 23

“the passover”

G3957

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

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 14:12 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 14:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Exodus 12:6Matthew 26:17-19Exodus 12:8Exodus 12:18Numbers 28:16-181 Corinthians 5:7-8

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