Mark 14:16 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And the disciples set out and went to the city and found it just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover.

NIV: The disciples left, went into the city and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover.

NASB: The disciples left and came to the city, and found everything just as He had told them; and they prepared the Passover.

CSB: So the disciples went out, entered the city, and found it just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover.

NLT: So the two disciples went into the city and found everything just as Jesus had said, and they prepared the Passover meal there.

KJV: And his disciples went forth, and came into the city, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover.

NKJV: So His disciples went out, and came into the city, and found it just as He had said to them; and they prepared the Passover.

Jesus has asked Peter and John to prepare the Passover meal for Him and the disciples (Luke 22:8). They go into Jerusalem and find a man carrying a jar of water—distinctive since carrying water is usually a woman's task. In the house the man enters, they find a room in an upper story furnished for a meal, large enough for at least thirteen people. To prepare for the Passover, they get a lamb without blemish, unleavened bread, bitter herbs, and wine. As Galileans, they will eat in the evening of 14 Nisan, as the law states (Leviticus 23:5).

Jesus' sacrifice fulfills the requirements of all the Jewish feasts. He fulfills the seven-day Feast of Unleavened Bread by living a sinless life, as leaven is a metaphor for the sin in our lives (Leviticus 23:6). He fulfills the requirement of Firstfruits (Leviticus 23:10) in His resurrection as the "firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep" (1 Corinthians 15:20). After He ascends to heaven, the early church experiences the true Feast of Pentecost, as the Holy Spirit falls on them and causes three thousand to accept Christ as their Savior.

Scholars believe that the fulfilment of the Feast of Trumpets (Leviticus 23:24), Day of Atonement (Leviticus 23:27), and Feast of Booths (Leviticus 23:34) will occur in the future as the rapture of the church (1 Thessalonians 4:13–18), Jesus' second coming (Zechariah 12:10), and the establishment of Jesus' kingship (Micah 4:1–7). But even these are only possible because of the crucifixion and resurrection.

Jesus' death, however, is most closely identified with the Passover. His is our Passover Lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7), who will die as the literal Passover lambs are slaughtered at the temple. The application of His spilt blood will save us from God's holy wrath, even as the blood of the Passover lambs saved the firstborn Israelites from God's vengeance (Exodus 12:1–32). It is not by doing something that we are saved, it is simply by identifying as those who are saved by Jesus' blood.

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.