Mark 14:62 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And Jesus said, “I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.”

NIV: I am,' said Jesus. 'And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.'

NASB: And Jesus said, 'I am; and you shall see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.'

CSB: "I am," said Jesus, "and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming with the clouds of heaven."

NLT: Jesus said, 'I AM. And you will see the Son of Man seated in the place of power at God’s right hand and coming on the clouds of heaven. '

KJV: And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.

NKJV: Jesus said, “I am. And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.”

Leviticus 24:15 bans "cursing" God while the parallel poetry of Leviticus 24:16 indicates the punishment is death. To "curse," from the Hebrew root word qalal, is to speak of lightly or trivially. Caiaphas hears in Jesus' words a claim that He has similar glory and authority to God, and interprets such a notion as a trivial treatment of God's honor.

The "Son of Man" is a character from one of Daniel's visions. In the future, the Ancient of Days will give the Son of Man an everlasting kingdom and dominion over all peoples, nations, and languages (Daniel 7:13–14). Jesus has called Himself the "Son of Man" throughout His ministry (Mark 2:10, 28; 8:31, 38; 9:9, 12, 31; 10:33, 45; 13:26; 14:21, 41).

Clouds have often represented God. God led the Israelites through the wilderness with a cloud by day (Exodus 13:21). He also used a cloud to show the people He was speaking to Moses (Exodus 19:9; 24:15). When the tabernacle was completed, God enveloped it with a cloud (Numbers 9:15). When Solomon finished the temple and the priests brought the ark of the covenant into the Holy of Holies, God filled the temple with a cloud (1 Kings 8:10). In Jesus' life, a cloud came down when God spoke at His Transfiguration (Mark 9:7).

The cloud isn't just God's messenger, it's God's veil. It allows God to directly interact with His people without exposing them to the brilliance of His glory (Exodus 33:20). For Jesus to say He will be coming "with the clouds of heaven" means He is coming with the glory of God: that He is God.

Jesus' claim is ironic considering the circumstances. He was betrayed by a friend, and arrested by a mob at night outside of Jerusalem. He is now in front of the Sanhedrin at an illegal trial. There is no overt indication that Jesus has any authority, position, or control in the situation.

The witnesses do not understand that Jesus has always been in control. Months, if not years, before, He said, "For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father" (John 10:17–18).

Jesus chose to go to Jerusalem (John 11:8–10). Jesus released the Satan-possessed Judas to arrange for His arrest that night (John 13:27). And Jesus chose to stay that night on the Mount of Olives, close to Jerusalem (Mark 14:32), not on the other side, near Bethany, where He might have had more defenders. Everything is going according to God's plan (Matthew 26:53).

Mark 14:53–65 happens immediately after Jesus' arrest in the garden of Gethsemane. Jesus will face four separated trials, in multiple segments. The first is with the Sanhedrin, the council that judges if Jews have broken the Mosaic law. The second trial is with Pilate, the Roman governor (Mark 15:1–5). Pilate sends Jesus to Herod Antipas, who rules over Jesus' home district of Galilee and happens to be in town (Luke 23:6–16). Herod sends Jesus back to Pilate who, at the Sanhedrin's insistence, sentences Jesus to death (Mark 15:6–15). Jesus' interview with the Sanhedrin is also found in Matthew 26:57–68, Luke 22:63–71, and John 18:12–14, 19–24.

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.