Mark 14:18 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And as they were reclining at table and eating, Jesus said, "Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me."

NIV: While they were reclining at the table eating, he said, "Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me—one who is eating with me."

NASB: And as they were reclining at the table and eating, Jesus said, 'Truly I say to you that one of you will betray Me— one who is eating with Me.'

CSB: While they were reclining and eating, Jesus said, "Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me—one who is eating with me."

NLT: As they were at the table eating, Jesus said, 'I tell you the truth, one of you eating with me here will betray me.'

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

NKJV: Now as they sat and ate, Jesus said, “Assuredly, I say to you, one of you who eats with Me will betray Me.”

After four hundred years of slavery and nine horrible plagues, God knew that if He killed the firstborns of Egypt, the Pharaoh would give the Israelites just enough freedom to make it to the Dead Sea. The Israelites needed to be ready to go. God told the Israelites to roast a lamb and place the blood on their doorposts and lintels. This would identify their house as protected from the curse. He told them to eat, "with your belt fastened, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand. And you shall eat it in haste" (Exodus 12:11).

Today, some thirty-five hundred years later, the feast commemorating that first Passover has become a much more involved affair, including a ceremony of food, wine, and ritual that take no less than fifteen steps. Jesus' meal is probably a bit less complicated, but the presence of reclining benches suggests a long meal. And John 13—17 shows that what Jesus may have lacked in liturgy, He made up for with teaching.

During this deeply significant Passover observance, Jesus tells the disciples that one of them will betray Him; eleven, at least, never suspected.

Every time Judas is mentioned in the Gospels, he is either identified as Jesus' betrayer or is in the process of that betrayal. Jesus chose Judas to follow Him with full knowledge that Judas would one day betray Him (John 6:64). He is the "son of destruction [or perdition]perdition" (John 17:12), the one destined for destruction. Of all the people who wanted Jesus dead (Mark 3:6; 11:18), Judas' betrayal stings most acutely. The Jewish leaders want to protect their law or position (Mark 3:6) or the peace in Jerusalem (Matthew 26:3–5; John 11:49–50). They have listened to Jesus teach and resolved that He is a threat. Judas has listened to Jesus teach and just doesn't care—about the teaching or the man. He may have higher, political, motivations, but the Scriptures only mention he wants money (Matthew 26:15).

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.