King James Version
What Does Mark 14:21 Mean?
“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.”
Mark 14:21 · KJV
Context
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.
Commentary
KJV Study CommentaryThe Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written of him (ὁ μὲν υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ὑπάγει καθὼς γέγραπται περὶ αὐτοῦ, ho men huios tou anthrōpou hypagei kathōs gegraptai peri autou)—Jesus affirms His death fulfills Scripture (Isaiah 53, Psalm 22, etc.). "Son of man" (υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου) from Daniel 7:13-14 identifies Jesus as the messianic figure receiving eternal dominion. But woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed (οὐαὶ δὲ τῷ ἀνθρώπῳ ἐκείνῳ, ouai de tō anthrōpō ekeinō)—"woe" pronounces divine judgment.
Good were it for that man if he had never been born (καλὸν αὐτῷ εἰ οὐκ ἐγεννήθη ὁ ἄνθρωπος ἐκεῖνος, kalon autō ei ouk egennēthē ho anthrōpos ekeinos)—this severe statement affirms eternal judgment worse than non-existence. Jesus holds together divine sovereignty ("as it is written") and human responsibility ("woe to that man"). Judas wasn't a puppet—he freely chose betrayal and bears full guilt. Yet his evil served God's redemptive purpose. Reformed theology sees here the mystery of providence: God ordains ends and means without violating human agency or excusing sin. Judas's judgment warns that intimate religious proximity without genuine faith leads to damnation.
Good were it for that man if he had never been born (καλὸν αὐτῷ εἰ οὐκ ἐγεννήθη ὁ ἄνθρωπος ἐκεῖνος, kalon autō ei ouk egennēthē ho anthrōpos ekeinos)—this severe statement affirms eternal judgment worse than non-existence. Jesus holds together divine sovereignty ("as it is written") and human responsibility ("woe to that man"). Judas wasn't a puppet—he freely chose betrayal and bears full guilt. Yet his evil served God's redemptive purpose. Reformed theology sees here the mystery of providence: God ordains ends and means without violating human agency or excusing sin. Judas's judgment warns that intimate religious proximity without genuine faith leads to damnation.
KJV Study — Public Domain
Historical & Cultural Context
Jesus's prediction that He "goeth" uses the prophetic present—His death was certain, fulfilling Old Testament prophecy. Isaiah 53 (suffering servant), Psalm 22 (crucifixion details), Zechariah 11:12-13 (thirty pieces of silver), and other texts foretold Messiah's suffering. Yet prophecy didn't excuse Judas—he acted from greed and free will. Early church fathers debated whether Judas could have repented; Matthew 27:3-5 records his remorse but not repentance unto salvation. Jesus's statement "better if he had not been born" affirms hell's reality and eternal judgment's severity—doctrines often denied in modern theology but clearly taught by Christ Himself.
Reflection Questions
- How does Jesus's statement that Scripture must be fulfilled coexist with Judas bearing full moral responsibility for betrayal?
- What does Jesus's pronouncement that non-existence would be better than Judas's fate teach about hell's reality and severity?
- How should the warning about Judas's judgment motivate examining whether our faith is genuine or merely external religious participation?
Original Language Analysis
Greek · 31 wordsμὲν2 of 31
“indeed”
G3303properly, indicative of affirmation or concession (in fact); usually followed by a contrasted clause with g1161 (this one, the former, etc.)
υἱὸς3 of 31
“The Son”
G5207a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
ὑπάγει6 of 31
“goeth”
G5217to lead (oneself) under, i.e., withdraw or retire (as if sinking out of sight), literally or figuratively
περὶ9 of 31
“of”
G4012properly, through (all over), i.e., around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive cas
αὐτῷ10 of 31
“he”
G846the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἐκεῖνος15 of 31
“for that”
G1565that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed
υἱὸς19 of 31
“The Son”
G5207a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
καλὸν23 of 31
“! good”
G2570properly, beautiful, but chiefly (figuratively) good (literally or morally), i.e., valuable or virtuous (for appearance or use, and thus distinguished
αὐτῷ25 of 31
“he”
G846the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἐγεννήθη28 of 31
“been born”
G1080to procreate (properly, of the father, but by extension of the mother); figuratively, to regenerate
ἐκεῖνος31 of 31
“for that”
G1565that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed
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 14:21 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 14:21 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge