King James Version

What Does Mark 14:48 Mean?

Mark 14:48 in the King James Version says “And Jesus answered and said unto them, Are ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and with staves to take me? — study this verse from Mark chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

And Jesus answered and said unto them, Are ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and with staves to take me?

Mark 14:48 · KJV


Context

46

And they laid their hands on him, and took him.

47

And one of them that stood by drew a sword, and smote a servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.

48

And Jesus answered and said unto them, Are ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and with staves to take me?

49

I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and ye took me not: but the scriptures must be fulfilled.

50

And they all forsook him, and fled.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Jesus answered and said unto them, Are ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and with staves to take me? Jesus' question (ὡς ἐπὶ λῃστήν, hōs epi lēstēn, "as against a robber/revolutionary") exposes the absurdity of armed arrest for one who taught publicly. The term λῃστής (lēstēs) denotes not a common thief but a violent revolutionary or bandit—the term used for Barabbas (John 18:40) and the two crucified with Jesus (Mark 15:27).

The rhetorical question indicts their guilty conscience: Why nighttime? Why weapons? Why such force for an unarmed teacher? Their methods betray their awareness that they act unjustly. Jesus forces them to confront the contradiction between His peaceful ministry and their violent response. Yet in being numbered with transgressors (λῃσταί), Jesus begins fulfilling Isaiah 53:12: "He was numbered with the transgressors."

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

First-century Judea saw numerous revolutionary movements (Zealots, sicarii) that violently opposed Rome. The term lēstēs carried political implications—Josephus uses it for rebels. By treating Jesus as a revolutionary, the authorities ironically prepare His Roman execution as "King of the Jews." Barabbas, the actual revolutionary, would be released while peaceful Jesus is crucified—ultimate injustice serving ultimate justice.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does the armed arrest of an unarmed teacher teach about how guilty consciences overreact to truth's exposure?
  2. How does Jesus' patient questioning even during arrest model redemptive engagement with unjust opposition?
  3. In what ways might Christians be tempted to treat Jesus as a "revolutionary" to co-opt for political agendas rather than submit to as Lord?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 16 words
καὶ1 of 16

And

G2532

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

ἀποκριθεὶς2 of 16

answered

G611

to conclude for oneself, i.e., (by implication) to respond; by hebraism (compare h6030) to begin to speak (where an address is expected)

3 of 16
G3588

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

Ἰησοῦς4 of 16

Jesus

G2424

jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

εἶπεν5 of 16

and said

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

αὐτοῖς6 of 16

unto them

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

Ὡς7 of 16

as

G5613

which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)

ἐπὶ8 of 16

against

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

λῃστὴν9 of 16

a thief

G3027

a brigand

ἐξήλθετε10 of 16

Are ye come out

G1831

to issue (literally or figuratively)

μετὰ11 of 16

with

G3326

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

μαχαιρῶν12 of 16

swords

G3162

a knife, i.e., dirk; figuratively, war, judicial punishment

καὶ13 of 16

And

G2532

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

ξύλων14 of 16

with staves

G3586

timber (as fuel or material); by implication, a stick, club or tree or other wooden article or substance

συλλαβεῖν15 of 16

to take

G4815

to clasp, i.e., seize (arrest, capture); specially, to conceive (literally or figuratively); by implication, to aid

με16 of 16

me

G3165

me


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 14:48 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 14:48 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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