King James Version

What Does Mark 14:64 Mean?

Mark 14:64 in the King James Version says “Ye have heard the blasphemy: what think ye? And they all condemned him to be guilty of death.” — study this verse from Mark chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“Ye have heard the blasphemy: what think ye? And they all condemned him to be guilty of death.”

Mark 14:64 · KJV

Context

62

And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.

63

Then the high priest rent his clothes, and saith, What need we any further witnesses?

64

Ye have heard the blasphemy: what think ye? And they all condemned him to be guilty of death.

65

And some began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and to buffet him, and to say unto him, Prophesy: and the servants did strike him with the palms of their hands.

66

And as Peter was beneath in the palace, there cometh one of the maids of the high priest:

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Ye have heard the blasphemy (ἠκούσατε τῆς βλασφημίας, ēkousate tēs blasphēmias)—The noun βλασφημία (blasphēmia) means reviling God's name or claiming divine prerogatives. Leviticus 24:16 prescribed death for blasphemy: 'he that blasphemeth the name of the LORD, he shall surely be put to death.' What think ye? (τί ὑμῖν φαίνεται; ti hymin phainetai?)—literally, 'How does it appear to you?' Caiaphas frames this as requiring their judgment, though the verdict was predetermined.

And they all condemned him to be guilty of death (οἱ δὲ πάντες κατέκριναν αὐτὸν ἔνοχον εἶναι θανάτου, hoi de pantes katekrinan auton enochon einai thanatou)—The verb κατακρίνω (katakrinō) means to judge against, condemn. The adjective ἔνοχος (enochos) means liable, guilty, deserving. The universal πάντες (pantes, 'all') indicts the entire Sanhedrin, though John 19:38-39 suggests Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus may have absented themselves or dissented.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Capital verdicts in the Sanhedrin required a one-day delay before sentencing (Mishnah Sanhedrin 4:1) to allow reflection and prevent hasty judgment. This trial violated that rule, moving from arrest to verdict in hours. 'Guilty of death' (ἔνοχος θανάτου, enochos thanatou) was a legal formula, but the Sanhedrin lacked authority to execute under Roman occupation, necessitating Pilate's involvement (15:1).

Reflection Questions

  1. Was Jesus's claim truly blasphemy, or was it truth that the Sanhedrin refused to accept?
  2. How does the universal condemnation ('all') prefigure humanity's corporate guilt requiring Christ's substitutionary death?
  3. Why did the religious leaders view Jesus's self-identification as more dangerous than His miracle-working?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 14 words
ἠκούσατε1 of 14

“Ye have heard”

G191

to hear (in various senses)

τῆς2 of 14
G3588

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

βλασφημίας·3 of 14

“the blasphemy”

G988

vilification (especially against god)

τί4 of 14

“what”

G5101

an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)

ὑμῖν5 of 14

“ye”

G5213

to (with or by) you

φαίνεται6 of 14

“think”

G5316

to lighten (shine), i.e., show (transitive or intransitive, literal or figurative)

οἱ7 of 14
G3588

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

δὲ8 of 14

“And”

G1161

but, and, etc

πάντες9 of 14

“they all”

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

κατέκριναν10 of 14

“condemned”

G2632

to judge against, i.e., sentence

αὐτὸν11 of 14

“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

εἶναι12 of 14

“to be”

G1511

to exist

ἔνοχον13 of 14

“guilty”

G1777

liable to (a condition, penalty or imputation)

θανάτου14 of 14

“of death”

G2288

(properly, an adjective used as a noun) death (literally or figuratively)

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 14:64 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 14:64 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Leviticus 24:16John 19:7John 10:31-33John 8:58-59John 5:18Matthew 26:65-66

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