Mark 14

The Anointed One, anointed for His burial

Messiah — the Anointed One

And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head. Mark 14:3–9

Jesus is literally anointed on the head, as kings and priests were, which fits His title Messiah, 'Anointed One.' He says the anointing prepares His body for burial, foretelling His death only days away.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• a parallel account in Matthew 26:6-13 — Matthew's account of the anointing at Bethany
• the same event in John 12:1-8 — John's account, naming Mary of Bethany

Passover lamb

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? Mark 14:12–16

Jesus dies at Passover, the very week the lambs are killed. The blood of the first Passover lamb saved Israel from death, a type of Christ, whose blood saves us.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to Exodus 12:21-23 — The lamb's blood on the doorposts turns away the destroyer
• interpreted by 1 Corinthians 5:7 — Christ our passover is sacrificed for us
• a parallel account in Matthew 26:17-19 — Matthew's account of preparing the Passover

Son of Man, betrayed as it is written

Son of Man — Son of the Man of Holiness, God the Father (Moses 6:57)

And as they sat and did eat, Jesus said, Verily I say unto you, One of you which eateth with me shall betray me. Mark 14:18–21

Jesus knows He will be betrayed by a friend who eats with Him. He goes to His death willingly, 'as it is written of him' in the prophets.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• fulfils Psalm 41:9 — Mine own familiar friend... which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me
• the same event in John 13:18 — At the same supper Jesus quotes Psalm 41:9
• a parallel account in Matthew 26:21-24 — Matthew's account of the same announcement

The Sacrament of His body and blood

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. Mark 14:22–23

Jesus gives His disciples the ordinance we now call the sacrament. The broken bread stands for His body given for us, and every week we remember Him through it.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• a parallel account in Matthew 26:26-28 — Matthew's account of the Last Supper
• a parallel account in Luke 22:19-20 — Luke's account: this do in remembrance of me
• the same event in 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 — Paul's account of the institution of the sacrament
• fulfils John 6:51 — The bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world

Blood of the new testament (covenant)

And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many. Mark 14:24

'Testament' means covenant. Jesus teaches that His blood, shed for many, seals a new covenant between God and His people, fulfilling the animal sacrifices of the old law.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to Exodus 24:8 — Moses sprinkles 'the blood of the covenant' on Israel
• fulfils Jeremiah 31:31-33 — The Lord promises a new covenant with Israel
• alludes to Isaiah 53:12 — He bare the sin of many

Drinking it new in the kingdom

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. Mark 14:25

Jesus looks past His death to a day when He will partake of the sacrament again with His faithful followers in God's kingdom.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• a parallel account in Matthew 26:29 — Matthew's account of the same promise
• alluded to by D&C 27:5 — The hour cometh that I will drink of the fruit of the vine with you on the earth

The Shepherd who is smitten

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. Mark 14:27

Jesus applies Zechariah's prophecy to Himself: He is the Shepherd who will be struck, and His disciples will scatter.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• quotes Zechariah 13:7 — Smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered
• fulfilled by Mark 14:50 — They all forsook him, and fled
• the same title in John 10:11 — I am the good shepherd
• a parallel account in Matthew 26:31 — Matthew's account of the same prophecy

Resurrection foretold

But after that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee. Mark 14:28

On the night He is betrayed, Jesus promises that He will rise and meet His disciples again in Galilee.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• fulfilled by Mark 16:7 — The angel: he goeth before you into Galilee... as he said unto you
• fulfilled by Matthew 28:16-17 — The eleven see the risen Lord on a mountain in Galilee
• a parallel account in Matthew 26:32 — Matthew's account of the same promise

Gethsemane

And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray. Mark 14:32–36

In Gethsemane ('oil press'), Jesus begins to take upon Himself the sins and pains of all people. He calls God 'Abba,' a tender word for Father, and fully submits His will to the Father's.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• a parallel account in Luke 22:41-44 — Luke's account: His sweat as great drops of blood
• a parallel account in Matthew 26:36-39 — Matthew's account of the prayer in Gethsemane
• fulfils Mosiah 3:7 — King Benjamin: blood cometh from every pore, so great shall be his anguish
• interpreted by D&C 19:16-19 — The Savior describes this suffering for all, which caused Him to bleed at every pore

Son of Man betrayed into the hands of sinners

Son of Man — Son of the Man of Holiness, God the Father (Moses 6:57)

And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour? Mark 14:37–42

While His closest disciples sleep, Jesus finishes His agony alone and then goes out to meet His betrayer instead of running away.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• fulfils Mark 9:31 — The Son of man is delivered into the hands of men
• a parallel account in Matthew 26:40-46 — Matthew's account of the same moment

Betrayed and arrested, the scriptures fulfilled

And immediately, while he yet spake, cometh Judas, one of the twelve, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders. Mark 14:43–50

Jesus is betrayed with a kiss and arrested, and He says it happens so the scriptures will be fulfilled. His disciples all run away, just as He had said.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• fulfils Zechariah 13:7 — The shepherd smitten and the sheep scattered
• a parallel account in Matthew 26:47-56 — Matthew's account of the arrest
• the same event in John 18:3-12 — John's account of the arrest

Temple of His body, raised in three days

We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands. Mark 14:58

False witnesses twist something Jesus really said. John explains that He meant the temple of His own body, which would rise again on the third day.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• interpreted by John 2:19-21 — He spake of the temple of his body
• alluded to by Mark 15:29 — Mockers at the cross repeat the temple saying

The Christ, the Son of the Blessed

Son of the Blessed — Son of God; 'the Blessed' is a reverent Jewish way of naming God the Father

And the high priest stood up in the midst, and asked Jesus, saying, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee? Mark 14:60–62

Silent before His false accusers, Jesus plainly answers the one question that matters: yes, He is the Christ, the Son of God. His 'I am' may also echo the divine name Jehovah revealed to Moses.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• fulfils Isaiah 53:7 — As a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth
• a parallel account in Matthew 26:63-64 — Matthew's account of the trial before Caiaphas
• a parallel account in Luke 22:67-70 — Luke's account: Ye say that I am
• alludes to Exodus 3:14 — I AM THAT I AM (a soft echo)

Son of Man at the right hand of power

Son of Man — Son of the Man of Holiness, God the Father (Moses 6:57)

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. Mark 14:62

Jesus tells His judges that one day He will judge them. He will sit at God's right hand and return in the clouds, joining Daniel's and David's prophecies into one testimony of Himself.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to Daniel 7:13 — One like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven
• alludes to Psalm 110:1 — Sit thou at my right hand
• the same event in Mark 13:26 — The Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory
• a parallel account in Matthew 26:64 — Matthew's account of the same declaration

The suffering Servant, spat upon and buffeted

Then the high priest rent his clothes, and saith, What need we any further witnesses? Mark 14:63–65

The Lord of all allows Himself to be condemned, spat on, and beaten, exactly as Isaiah and Nephi foretold.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• fulfils Isaiah 50:6 — I hid not my face from shame and spitting
• fulfils 1 Nephi 19:9 — They smite him... they spit upon him, and he suffereth it
• a parallel account in Matthew 26:65-68 — Matthew's account of the mocking before the council