Mark 14:28 - Printer Friendly

ESV: But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.”

NIV: But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.'

NASB: But after I am raised, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.'

CSB: But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you to Galilee."

NLT: But after I am raised from the dead, I will go ahead of you to Galilee and meet you there.'

KJV: But after that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee.

NKJV: “But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee.”

Jesus is telling the disciples where to find Him after they abandon Him. He isn't talking about being raised up onto the cross, for which He has used the phrase "lifted up." Here, He means being resurrected. When the women go to the tomb to prepare Jesus' body, they meet an angel who reiterates Jesus' command to meet in Galilee (Mark 16:7). After the crucifixion, they are so afraid of the Jewish leaders they forget these words and hide in a locked room (John 20:19). As a result, Jesus visits them in and around Jerusalem, first.

Shortly after Mary Magdalene hears the message from the angel, Jesus, Himself, appears to her (John 20:1–18). That day, Jesus meets two disciples traveling to Emmaus, about seven miles west of Jerusalem (Luke 24:1–35). One of them is Cleopas, and the other is unnamed, so it's unlikely they were part of the Twelve. Later that evening, Jesus appears to all the disciples but Thomas in a locked room (John 20:19–23). Eight days after this, He again meets with them with Thomas present (John 20:24–29).

We don't know where the two visitations occurred, but they were probably close to Jerusalem because the disciples were afraid of "the Jews," a euphemism meant to mean the Jewish religious leadership. Later, however, Jesus meets with seven of the disciples on the Sea of Tiberias, otherwise known as the Sea of Galilee (John 21). While there, Jesus restores Peter (John 21:15–19).

In the days after the resurrection, both John (John 20:30–31) and Luke (Acts 1:3) note that Jesus provides extensive proof that He has risen from the dead. He appears to many of His followers, including a single group of more than five hundred (1 Corinthians 15:5–7). After forty days, when Jesus and the disciples return to the Jerusalem area, Jesus takes the disciples to the Mount of Olives (Acts 1:12) near Bethany (Luke 24:50), where He ascends into heaven (Acts 1:6–11).

Mark 14:26–31 occurs as Jesus and the twelve disciples have just had the Passover meal in an upper room in Jerusalem. They are now on the Mount of Olives, where they have stayed every night this week (Luke 21:37). After such an intimate celebration, Jesus warns the disciples they will abandon Him, and Peter, specifically, will deny he knows Him. But Jesus isn't trying to shame the disciples; He's telling them where to meet Him after His resurrection. Jesus' warning is also recorded in Matthew 26:30–35, Luke 22:31–34, and John 13:36–38.

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.