King James Version

What Does Mark 14:26 Mean?

Mark 14:26 in the King James Version says “And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives. hymn: or, psalm” — study this verse from Mark chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives. hymn: or, psalm”

Mark 14:26 · KJV

Context

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. hymn: or, psalm

27

And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered. offended: or, scandalized, or, shall stumble

28

But after that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives. The hymn (ὑμνέω, hymneō) was likely the second half of the Hallel (Psalms 115-118), traditionally sung at Passover's conclusion. Jesus and the disciples sang praise knowing what lay ahead—His betrayal, their desertion, His death. The verb ὑμνέω carries the sense of worship through song, making this one of Scripture's rare glimpses of Jesus singing.

Their destination, the mount of Olives (τὸ ὄρος τῶν Ἐλαιῶν, to oros tōn Elaiōn), fulfilled Zechariah 14:4's prophecy about Messiah standing there. This garden became the arena where the second Adam faced temptation—not in Eden's pleasure but Gethsemane's agony. Luke 22:39 notes this was Jesus' custom (κατὰ τὸ ἔθος, kata to ethos), showing deliberate habit even unto death.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem across the Kidron Valley, was a place of Jewish eschatological expectation. First-century pilgrims camped there during Passover when Jerusalem's population swelled from 50,000 to over 200,000. Jesus' regular use of this location made Judas's betrayal logistically simple.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does Jesus singing hymns before His crucifixion teach about worship in suffering?
  2. How does Jesus' habitual prayer pattern (Luke 22:39) challenge your consistency in spiritual disciplines?
  3. Why might Mark emphasize the fulfillment of Old Testament geography and prophecy at this crucial moment?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 8 words
Καὶ1 of 8

“And”

G2532

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

ὑμνήσαντες2 of 8

“when they had sung an hymn”

G5214

to hymn, i.e., sing a religious ode; by implication, to celebrate (god) in song

ἐξῆλθον3 of 8

“they went out”

G1831

to issue (literally or figuratively)

εἰς4 of 8

“into”

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

τὸ5 of 8
G3588

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

Ὄρος6 of 8

“the mount”

G3735

a mountain (as lifting itself above the plain)

τῶν7 of 8
G3588

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

Ἐλαιῶν8 of 8

“of Olives”

G1636

an olive (the tree or the fruit)

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 14:26 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 14:26 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Matthew 26:30Luke 22:39Psalms 47:6-7Acts 16:25James 5:131 Corinthians 14:15

Places in This Verse

Mount of OlivesHill · Modern: Mount of Olives · 31.78°N, 35.25°E18 verses across 9 books
View all places in Mark 14 →

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