Mark 14

The Final Hours of Jesus’ Mortal Life

The chief priests, scribes, and elders of the Jews were unable to embarrass Jesus or get Him to make a mistake in front of the people gathered in Jerusalem for the Passover. In reality, the Jewish leaders themselves had been put to shame by Jesus. Some of those corrupt leaders felt that the only way to keep Jesus from becoming an even bigger threat to their position and power was to have Him killed. Jesus knew of their desires and prepared to give His life. Some of the most important events in history are recorded in Mark 14–16. Take your time as you read and ponder the sacred events in these last three chapters of Mark.

Other Accounts of What You Read in Mark 14

Mark 14:1–2—Matthew 26:1–5; Luke 22:1–2

Mark 14:3–9—Matthew 26:6–13; John 12:1–8

Mark 14:10–16—Matthew 26:14–19; Luke 22:3–13

Mark 14:17–31—Matthew 26:20–35; Luke 22:14–39; John 13

Mark 14:32–42—Matthew 26:36–46; Luke 22:40–46

Mark 14:43–72—Matthew 26:47–75; Luke 22:47–62; John 18:1–27

Understanding the Scriptures

Mark 14

Unleavened bread (vv. 1, 12)Bread made without yeast and part of the Passover meal

Craft (v. 1)Dishonesty

Alabaster (v. 3)A precious and expensive substance

Ointment of spikenard (v. 3)A precious cream that smelled good

Indignation (v. 4)Anger or displeasure over something we think is not right

Three hundred pence (v. 5)A year’s wages for a common worker

Betray (vv. 10, 18)To turn against and deliver to the enemy

Testament (v. 24)Covenant

Vehemently (v. 31)With great feeling

Tarry (v. 34)Stay and wait

Abba (v. 36)A word that means “father”

Wist (v. 40)Knew

Token (v. 44)Sign

Rent (v. 63)Tore (as a sign of being upset)

Buffet (v. 65)Hit

Thy speech agreeth thereto (v. 70)You speak with an accent like you are from there

Swear (v. 71)Declare with an oath or promise

Mark 14:3–9—A Woman Anoints Jesus with Ointment

John 12:3 tells us that this woman was Mary, the sister of Martha and of Lazarus, whom Jesus raised from the dead (see John 11). This act of anointing with very expensive cream showed her deep respect for Jesus and was an act of worship. It was also a custom to anoint a body before it was buried. Jesus used this incident as an opportunity to tell His disciples again that He was preparing to give His life—a truth most of the disciples did not seem to understand or want to believe.

Mark 14:20—“Dippeth with Me in the Dish”

See “Understanding the Scriptures” for John 13:25 (p. 86).

Mark 14:32–42—Gethsemane

See “Understanding the Scriptures” for Matthew 26:36–46 (p. 35).

Mark 14:33—Why Was Jesus “Sore Amazed” and “Very Heavy”?

The suffering of the Atonement began in Gethsemane. President Joseph Fielding Smith explained: “There isn’t one of us … that hasn’t done something wrong and then been sorry and wished we hadn’t. Our consciences strike us and we have been very, very miserable. … But here [in Gethsemane] we have the Son of God carrying the burden of my transgressions and your transgressions and the transgressions of every soul that receives the gospel of Jesus Christ. … He carried the burden—our burden. I added something to it; so did you. So did everybody else. He took it upon himself to pay the price that I might escape—that you might escape—the punishment on the conditions that we will receive his gospel and be true and faithful in it” (Fall—Atonement—Resurrection—Sacrament [address at the Salt Lake Institute of Religion, 14 Jan. 1961], 8).

Mark 14:54–59—False Witnesses

See “Understanding the Scriptures” for Matthew 26:59–60 (p. 35).

Mark 14:66–72—Peter Denies Jesus

See “Understanding the Scriptures” for Luke 22:31–34, 54–62 (p. 71).

Jerusalem map

Golgotha

Antonia fortress

Gethsemane

Golden Gate

Temple

Upper Room

House of Caiaphas

Herod’s Palace

Upper city

Lower city

Hinnom Valley

Kidron Valley

Studying the Scriptures

Do activity A or B as you study Mark 14.

1. How Much Do You Value the Savior?

   In Mark 14:3–11 we read about two people who demonstrated how much they valued the Savior.

   1. How did the woman’s actions show that she valued the Savior more than she valued her money?

   2. How did Judas’ actions show that he valued money more than the Savior?

   3. What are some of the ways in which you show that you love the Savior more than you love your worldly things?

2. “I Stand All Amazed”

   In the hymn “I Stand All Amazed,” we sing of how amazed we are at the love Jesus offers us through His Atonement (see Hymns [1985], no. 193). From Mark 14, choose two things Jesus did that “amaze” you and help you more fully appreciate Him. Write about those two things, telling why they amaze you and deepen your love, respect, and appreciation for the Savior.