Mark 14:13 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And he sent two of his disciples and said to them, "Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him,

NIV: So he sent two of his disciples, telling them, "Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him.

NASB: And He *sent two of His disciples and *said to them, 'Go into the city, and a man carrying a pitcher of water will meet you; follow him;

CSB: So he sent two of his disciples and told them, "Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him.

NLT: So Jesus sent two of them into Jerusalem with these instructions: 'As you go into the city, a man carrying a pitcher of water will meet you. Follow him.

KJV: And he sendeth forth two of his disciples, and saith unto them, Go ye into the city, and there shall meet you a man bearing a pitcher of water: follow him.

NKJV: And He sent out two of His disciples and said to them, “Go into the city, and a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water; follow him.

Jesus and the disciples are most likely on the Mount of Olives, where they have spent every night since they arrived at Jerusalem (Luke 21:37–38). The previous night, they had dinner in Bethany where a woman anointed Jesus' head with costly perfume (Mark 14:3–9). Now they await Passover, which will start at sundown. As Galileans, they follow Leviticus 23:5 and have the Seder meal at twilight on the 14th of Nisan.

Location is important. Deuteronomy 16:5–6 says, "You may not offer the Passover sacrifice within any of your towns that the LORD your God is giving you, but at the place that the LORD your God will choose, to make his name dwell in it…" At the time the Mosaic law was written, the Israelites hadn't even entered the Promised Land. Jerusalem didn't become the capital of Israel until the time of David (2 Samuel 5:5). The ark of the covenant wasn't placed on the temple Mount until the time of Solomon (1 Kings 8:1–11). Generations later, Josiah (2 Kings 23:23) and Hezekiah (2 Chronicles 30:1) recognized that the Passover should be celebrated inside Jerusalem. Since every Jewish man was expected to be there, and many brought their families, those who owned property in Jerusalem proper were expected to let out space for the travelers' meals.

Luke 22:8 identifies the two disciples as Peter and John. They easily find the place they are to use as men do not usually carry water. The text isn't clear how Jesus knows where they will celebrate the meal. He may have coordinated with the home owner beforehand or He may be following the leading of the Holy Spirit.

The Passover, while important, doesn't require a lot of work. It isn't a Sabbath day, as is the next day, the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. In fact, you don't have to be ceremonially clean to participate (Numbers 9:10). Although the ceremony grew in complexity over the years, the required food is merely lamb or young goat with unleavened bread and bitter herbs (Numbers 9:11). The most important aspect is that it absolutely must be kept if at all possible (Numbers 9:13).

Mark 14:12–21 depicts the evening of 14 Nisan, when Jesus and the disciples celebrate the Passover. This is an event Jesus has been earnestly looking forward to (Luke 22:15). After the traditional Jewish Passover, Jesus will transition into the new Lord's Supper. He will also identify Judas as His betrayer and dismiss him to coordinate His arrest with the priests (John 13:21–30). The other disciples are still curious as to when Jesus will liberate Israel. This account is also recorded in Matthew 26:17–25 and Luke 22:7–13, 21–23; John goes into great detail about other aspects, particularly about what Jesus teaches, in John 13—17.

Jesus is anointed in a symbolic anticipation of His death. Judas decides to secretly cooperate with local religious leaders to arrest Jesus in secret. During the Passover meal, Jesus predicts His betrayal by Judas, and Peter's denial. He also institutes the Lord's Supper, also known as communion. After praying on the Mount of Olives, Jesus is captured when Judas identifies Him to a hostile mob sent by Jewish authorities. He endures a corrupt, prejudiced trial, ending in a conviction for blasphemy. Peter, fearing for his life, lies about knowing Jesus, before remembering Jesus' prediction and breaking down in sobs.

Jesus has finished His public teaching ministry and now prepares for the crucifixion. His sacrificial loyalty will provide the means by which the disciples' abandonment will be forgiven. Next, the Romans, as representatives of Gentiles throughout history, will join the Jews and kill Jesus. Jesus will be buried, but He will rise again with the promise that His sacrifice will redeem the world. Matthew 26 and Luke 22 follow Mark 14 more closely while John 13:1—18:27 records more of Jesus' teaching in the upper room.

The Gospel of Mark emphasizes both Jesus' servanthood and His role as the promised Messiah: the Son of God. This is done through a concise, action-packed style. Mark provides relatively few details, instead focusing on actions and simple statements. This relates to the Gospel's authorship, which is believed to be based on the memories of the apostle Peter. These include many of Jesus' miracles, in contrast to other Gospels which include many more of Jesus' teachings and parables. Mark also makes frequent mention of Jesus' ministry being misunderstood by others.