Mark 14

Plot To Kill Jesus

“It was now two days before the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to arrest him by stealth and kill him, for they said, “Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar from the people.”” (Mark 14:1–2, ESV)

This is the festival which originally established Israel as the covenant people.

There will be a new Passover and a new covenant - central image being the Lord’s Supper.

Mark for You The Plot against Jesus

It is two days before the Passover (14:1). The Passover was the beginning of the week-long Feast of Unleavened Bread (Exodus 12:15–20; Deuteronomy 16:1–8). This was a remembrance and commemoration of the hurried departure of the Israelites from Egypt when they could not wait for the dough to rise and had to eat unleavened bread.

The camera zooms in on the religious leaders. They are spending their time seeking how to arrest and kill Jesus—by stealth and in secrecy (Mark 14:1). They do their work in the shadows because they are enslaved to the fear of man (v 2).

Everyone was here. All Israel was gathered to see what was to happen to Jesus.

Jesus Anointed at Bethany

“And while he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he was reclining at table, a woman came with an alabaster flask of ointment of pure nard, very costly, and she broke the flask and poured it over his head. There were some who said to themselves indignantly, “Why was the ointment wasted like that? For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.” And they scolded her. But Jesus said, “Leave her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you want, you can do good for them. But you will not always have me. She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for burial. And truly, I say to you, wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her.”” (Mark 14:3–9, ESV)

300 Denarii is about $25,000

Probably a family heirloom

She smashed the jar, using all of it and holding nothing back

She values Jesus and the others value money — this will be echoed in the next story of Judas, where a price again is set on the body of Christ. In each story, the value of Jesus is less than the money.

John 12:4–6 “4 But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, 5 “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” 6 He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it.”

V.8 — Jesus says that she is anointing His body for burial

This is the gift to a king

Apply to giving, generosity, hospitality, etc.

It is not the self-righteous charity of the (presumably male) onlookers which will be remembered, but the rash extravagance of an unnamed woman whose devotion to Jesus leaves no room for pious calculation. - RT France

Imagine smelling this extravagant perfume and in such great amount as you went to kiss Him in betrayal, arrest Him, beat Him, and crucify Him. The smell is a testimony against you.

Judas and Betrayal

“Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went to the chief priests in order to betray him to them. And when they heard it, they were glad and promised to give him money. And he sought an opportunity to betray him.” (Mark 14:10–11, ESV)

What were his motives? Betrayal of Jesus? Did he want money or did he think he could get money and nothing would happen to Jesus?

It seems that he initiated the betrayal

Here is another connection of valuing money over valuing Jesus.

why did they need Judas to authenticate who Jesus was? For those who came to arrest him, they didn’t know who Jesus was in the dark. But also, they needed to know where Jesus would be — the priests and scribes didn’t know that information.

During their mock trial, they seemed to know information that has only been expressed to the disciples (Jesus as messiah language). Does that mean that Judas was also an informant?

Psalm 41:9 “Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me.”

Passover Meeting Place

“And on the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrificed the Passover lamb, his disciples said to him, “Where will you have us go and prepare for you to eat the Passover?” 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, and wherever he enters, say to the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says, Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ And he will show you a large upper room furnished and ready; there prepare for us.” And the disciples set out and went to the city and found it just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover.” (Mark 14:12–16, ESV)

Mark for You Preparations for the Lord’s Supper

The effect of both stories in the narrative is to show us that Jesus is in complete control. In Mark 14, there are plots swirling around Jesus to kill him. His disciples are going to betray him, deny him, and abandon him. But he never responds with fear or desperation. He does not lash out or anxiously try to maneuver or manipulate the situation. He does not hide in fear or retreat from the dangerous plots around him. He walks through these events with a sovereign freedom and a striking note of authority. It is his colt, his temple, his guest room. No one outsmarts him, overpowers him, outmaneuvers him, catches him off guard, or takes his life from him. He will lay it down of his own accord (John 10:18)—and he will raise it up as well. Don’t you dare draw the conclusion that Jesus is out of his depth here, Mark is telling us. He remains in complete control!

Mark for You Preparations for the Lord’s Supper

Jesus is still in control over all that happens on earth. His sovereign freedom is the best news in the world. Here I am, a small and limited creature, walking through this vast world of time. How will I make it? This text heralds the rock-solid truth that God rules and reigns over this world in meticulous detail. He is not just generally in control over some things or many things or most things, but meticulously in control of all things. “He is before all things, and in him all things hold together” (Colossians 1:17)—including our lives.

The disciples seem to be eating the Passover meal a day early - they weren’t reconning Jewish days which start at sunset. But it makes for a unique moment. The priests try to arrest him quickly before the Passover really gets under way. He is arrested the night before, but is crucified the day of — fitting the day when the lambs were to be slaughtered.

Jesus crucified the same day as the lambs were to be sacrificed in the temple.

After sunset: disciples ask about and make preparations

During the night: Passover meal held; walk out to Gethsemane; arrest and preliminary hearing of Jesus

At daybreak: transfer to Pilate; formal trial and conviction

Morning/noon: crucifixion

Afternoon: official date for sacrifice of lambs.

R. T. France, The Gospel of Mark: A Commentary on the Greek Text, New International Greek Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI; Carlisle: W.B. Eerdmans; Paternoster Press, 2002), 562.

Jesus Predicts Betrayal

“And when it was evening, he came with the twelve. 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.” They began to be sorrowful and to say to him one after another, “Is it I?” He said to them, “It is one of the twelve, one who is dipping bread into the dish with me. For the Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.”” (Mark 14:17–21, ESV)

The Lord’s Supper

“And as they were eating, he took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it. And he said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. Truly, I say to you, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”” (Mark 14:22–25, ESV)

Mark for You The Last Supper

In fact, this blood will not simply be thrown over the people; they will drink it, taking it deep inside of themselves.

Mark for You The Last Supper

The second is how patient Jesus is. The disciples have been spiritually blind and slow to understand when Jesus has told them about his coming death and resurrection. He tries again here with perfect patience. He says, Let me give you a picture of what I am trying to say. Jesus’ predictions of the betrayals highlight this as well. He is eating with Judas. He is also eating with those who will deny him and leave him. Yet he continues to speak words of truth and love to them.

The Lord’s Supper is a meal for sinners, not achievers. The use of the word “all” is somewhat haunting throughout this section. They “all” drank of the cup (

Jesus describes this meal as His. It is His body and blood.

head of the family to the child’s question (arising from the requirement in Ex. 12:26–27 that the significance of the meal should be explained to children), and something like this ritual was probably already normal in Jesus’ day

R. T. France, The Gospel of Mark: A Commentary on the Greek Text, New International Greek Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI; Carlisle: W.B. Eerdmans; Paternoster Press, 2002), 563.

Exodus 12:26–27 “And when your children say to you, ‘What do you mean by this service?’ you shall say, ‘It is the sacrifice of the Lord’s Passover, for he passed over the houses of the people of Israel in Egypt, when he struck the Egyptians but spared our houses.’ ” And the people bowed their heads and worshiped.”

In the context of the Passover meal, the memorial of the rescue of God’s covenant people from slavery and of the lamb whose death was a necessary part of that deliverance, these words gave the disciples a whole new dimension against which to set Jesus’ insistent prediction that he had come to Jerusalem to die.

R. T. France, The Gospel of Mark: A Commentary on the Greek Text, New International Greek Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI; Carlisle: W.B. Eerdmans; Paternoster Press, 2002), 563.

Exodus 24:8 “And Moses took the blood and threw it on the people and said, “Behold the blood of the covenant that the Lord has made with you in accordance with all these words.””

This is the new covenant - the fountainhead of God’s people is here in the sacrifice and deliverance of Jesus.

Abstinence of wine until we meet Him in the kingdom might allude to a Nazarite vow for office, service, or priesthood.

This is at least the second time that the second part of the Book of Zechariah has been drawn on as a pattern for Jesus’ passion—the third, if there is an intentional echo of Zc. 9:11 along with that to Ex. 24:8 in v. 24. The same prophetic book which portrays the Messiah as a king riding into Jerusalem on a donkey (see on 11:1–10) also presents the rejected shepherd, described as Yahweh’s ‘associate’ but yet apparently struck down by the sword of God himself (Zc. 13:7–9). If these are two aspects of the same prophetic perspective, the passage forms a uniquely appropriate source for Jesus’ interpretation of his own messianic suffering, and Matthew takes further the lead offered here in Mark by including also not only an explicit citation of Zc. 9:9–10, but also allusions to Zc. 12:10 and 11:12–13 (Mt. 21:4–5; 24:30; 27:9–10), all in connection with aspects of Jesus’ passion as the ‘Shepherd-King’ rejected by his own people (‘flock

R. T. France, The Gospel of Mark: A Commentary on the Greek Text, New International Greek Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI; Carlisle: W.B. Eerdmans; Paternoster Press, 2002), 575–576.

Jesus Foretells Peter’s Denial

“And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. And Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away, for it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’ But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” Peter said to him, “Even though they all fall away, I will not.” And Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” But he said emphatically, “If I must die with you, I will not deny you.” And they all said the same.” (Mark 14:26–31, ESV)

Mark for You Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial

Jesus predicts the desertion of the disciples. They will all scatter (14:27). Once again, this will be a fulfillment of Scripture: Jesus quotes Zechariah 13:7. It is a stunning prophecy. Notice the first person singular: “I” will strike. God will strike Jesus the shepherd. Evil will be used by God to fulfill his saving purpose. It is just like Isaiah 53:10—“Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush him; he has put him to grief.”

Mark for You Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial

But there is a note of hope. I will be struck. You will scatter. But I will be raised from the dead. Then I will go before you to Galilee (Mark 14:28). In other words, he will gather them again.

Mark for You Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial

These words of prophecy trigger a response of spiritual bravado. Peter previously rebuked Jesus for saying he was going to die (Mark 8:32). Now he promises that even if everyone falls away, he will not (14:29). But Jesus tells Peter where the story will go. “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times” (v 30).

Peter responds emphatically: he would rather die than deny Jesus. “And they all said the same” (v 31). They all respond with bravado. They think that nothing could ever destroy their commitment and resolve.

The cock is known for his bravado — a fitting image of Peter

The cock is awake but Peter is asleep

He is being rebuked by an animal, a beast

3x denial is not succumbing to pressure, it is a deliberate dissociation. Not weakness but apostasy

Prayer in Gethsemane

“And they went to a place called Gethsemane. And he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” And he took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be greatly distressed and troubled. And he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death. Remain here and watch.” And going a little farther, he fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. And he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” And he came and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Could you not watch one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” And again he went away and prayed, saying the same words. And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy, and they did not know what to answer him. And he came the third time and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? It is enough; the hour has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.”” (Mark 14:32–42, ESV)

Mark for You The Agony in Gethsemane

The Gospel of Mark loves to put events together in threes. There are three boat scenes, where the disciples fail to understand who Jesus is (4:35–41; 6:45–52; 8:14–21). There are three passion predictions, and each time the disciples again fail to understand (8:31–10:45). There are three trips to the temple, and in each one the people fail to grasp that the Messiah has come to his temple. In this next section, Jesus prays three times in the garden, while urging the disciples three times to stay awake (14:32–42).

Mark for You The Agony in Gethsemane

Jesus tells the three disciples that his whole soul is overcome with sorrow and grief—not only to the point of exhaustion but to the point of death (v 34). So he commands Peter, James, and John to stay and pray and watch—and moves on alone.

Jesus does not just fold his hands and get on his knees. Mark tells us that he “fell on the ground” (v 35). Imagine a workout that is so intense that you virtually collapse on the ground. This is much more intense than that! Incalculable darkness has descended on Jesus and the strain is taking a toll on his very body. The weight of sorrow has made him collapse to the ground.

Mark for You The Agony in Gethsemane

In this sheer agony, can the will of the Son stay aligned with the will of the Father? Jesus has taught the disciples to pray, “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10). He now prays the deepest and truest expression of that prayer ever uttered. He has come from heaven to earth to do the Father’s will on earth as it is done in heaven, and so he prays in complete submission: “Yet not what I will, but what you will” (Mark 14:36).

Jesus is totally awake to the plan of the Father. The disciples are the opposite. They are asleep (v 37). They certainly are not aligning their hearts and minds to the purpose of the Father! Jesus rebukes them: they must watch and pray in order not to enter into temptation (v 38). He warns them that the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. He is saying, Do not be content with good intentions. Good intentions in your spirit will be no match for the weakness of your flesh without the sustaining power of prayer.

Prayer helps us to accept God’s will rather than change it.

In that sense, was Jesus’ prayer answered? Yes, not in what He wished, but in God’s will being done. For the joy set before Him He endured.

It’s a similar picture to Jesus in the wilderness with his three part temptation. The disciples are stretched to exhaustion, like Jesus was in his fast, but He succeeds where they fail. He is the faithful priest. He is the one who can save. He is the strong man. He is the man of faith.

Jesus’ obedience versus the disciples inability to stay awake. Look at the difference of will and of strength

Prayer for Jesus (unlike some others, 12:40) was not a public performance

R. T. France, The Gospel of Mark: A Commentary on the Greek Text, New International Greek Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI; Carlisle: W.B. Eerdmans; Paternoster Press, 2002), 582.

It may also be significant that it is these three disciples specifically who have already declared their willingness to share Jesus’ suffering (10:38–39; 14:29, 31); now they have their opportunity to live up to their brave words

R. T. France, The Gospel of Mark: A Commentary on the Greek Text, New International Greek Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI; Carlisle: W.B. Eerdmans; Paternoster Press, 2002), 582.

They chose self-preservation over suffering. They have been taught to pray deliver us from temptation — to see us through them, but here they are running away to avoid it all together.

The Son of Man is delivered “Into the hands of sinners”

Jesus’ agony in prayer

Mark for You The Cup of Wrath

Mark is helping us to see that, in one sense, Jesus was already being crucified. Jesus’ hands and feet were crucified on the cross, but his heart and will were crucified here. Gethsemane can be called the real earthly battle before Calvary.

It reminds me of something J.R.R. Tolkien said in The Hobbit about the decision of the main character, Bilbo, to walk down a tunnel into a dragon’s lair:

“Going on from there was the bravest thing he ever did. The tremendous things that happened afterward were as nothing compared to it. He fought the real battle in the tunnel alone, before he ever saw the vast danger that lay in wait.” (p 193)

Going to the depths

Mark for You The Cup of Wrath

the moment he stepped down from heaven to earth. He laid aside his glory and emptied himself in the incarnation by adding true humanity to his deity (Philippians 2:7). He took on the form of a servant so that he could be the servant prophesied in Isaiah. That first step down from heaven to earth started a journey of descent. Now he is ready to go to the lowest rung—to the excruciating depths of suffering in facing the wrath of God on the cross. Jesus prayed to stay totally awake to and aligned with the Father’s plan and purpose. Let us pray that our hearts will be awakened with fresh awe as we see what the Son has done for us and for our salvation.

The Spirit is willing but the flesh is weak

The Gospel of Mark Jesus’ Prayer in Gethsemane (14:32–42)

the purpose of his prayer has been to overcome his human weakness which shrinks from fulfilling the Father’s will.

Arrest of Jesus

“And immediately, while he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders. Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man. Seize him and lead him away under guard.” And when he came, he went up to him at once and said, “Rabbi!” And he kissed him. And they laid hands on him and seized him. But one of those who stood by drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear. And Jesus said to them, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me? Day after day I was with you in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me. But let the Scriptures be fulfilled.” And they all left him and fled.” (Mark 14:43–50, ESV)

Arrested like a robber and crucified between actual robbers

A Young Man Flees

“And a young man followed him, with nothing but a linen cloth about his body. And they seized him, but he left the linen cloth and ran away naked.” (Mark 14:51–52, ESV)

The total humiliating scene of the sheep fleeing the shepherd.

A contrast of Peter and Jesus

Jesus Before The Council

“And they led Jesus to the high priest. And all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes came together. And Peter had followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. And he was sitting with the guards and warming himself at the fire. Now the chief priests and the whole council were seeking testimony against Jesus to put him to death, but they found none. For many bore false witness against him, but their testimony did not agree. And some stood up and bore false witness against him, saying, “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another, not made with hands.’ ” Yet even about this their testimony did not agree. And the high priest stood up in the midst and asked Jesus, “Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?” But he remained silent and made no answer. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?” 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.” And the high priest tore his garments and said, “What further witnesses do we need? You have heard his blasphemy. What is your decision?” And they all condemned him as deserving death. And some began to spit on him and to cover his face and to strike him, saying to him, “Prophesy!” And the guards received him with blows.” (Mark 14:53–65, ESV)

Remember, Mark has raised the question of authority. Jesus has proved to be a greater authority than these leaders, and here is their response. “This town ain’t big enough for the two of us…”

The messianic secret laid bare: “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?

“I am”

Mark (The Hearing before the Sanhedrin (Mark 14:53–65))

For the first time in the Gospel, “the Son of God” title (cf. 1:1) appears on the lips of a human character in the story. Only demons (Mark 3:11; 5:7) and the voice from the cloud (Mark 1:11; 9:7) have uttered it until now. Also for the first time in the Gospel (see Mark 1:34; 3:11–12; 8:30; 9:9, 30–31), Jesus publicly accepts that he is the Messiah, with his reply: “I am.” The title of this Gospel is “the beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God” (Mark 1:1); (Garland)

A kangaroo court — trying to find a charge that sticks to their intended scheme of killing Jesus. This isn’t so much a trial as it is getting their story straight for handing Jesus over to the Romans.

The false trial couldn’t agree on the charges and fell short of the necessary two witnesses to condemn (DT. 19:15), but Jesus gave the confident and uncompromising testimony of Himself that they needed to crucify Him.

They are trying not to bear false witness and violate the 9th commandment as they plan murder, a violation of the 6th.

The Romans wouldn’t have killed him for Jewish blasphemy, but since Jesus said of Himself that He is the messiah, they can now accuse Him of being a treacherous self-proclaimed rebel.

Isaiah 53:7 ESV

7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth.

Mark for You The Trial of Jesus

“The whole council were seeking testimony against Jesus” (v 55); “many bore false witness against him” (v 56); “they all condemned him as deserving death” (v 64). Mark does not record the voice of anyone who defended Jesus. He stood trial all alone, and everyone spoke against him.

As they make their accusations, Jesus remains silent—to the fury of the high priest (v 60–61). This is a fulfillment of Isaiah 53:7:

“He was oppressed, and he was afflicted,

yet he opened not his mouth;

like a lamb that is led to the slaughter,

and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent,

so he opened not his mouth.”

Mark for You The Trial of Jesus

Then the high priest asks, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?” (Mark 14:61). Jesus says, “I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven” (v 62). The title “Son of Man,” the “right hand of Power,” and the “clouds of heaven” are all references to Daniel 7:13–14, a prophecy about the Messiah. Jesus could hardly make his claim clearer.

This passage goes right to the heart of the gospel as it lays out the identity of Jesus as both Isaiah’s Suffering Servant and Daniel’s son of man in power. Jesus is judged by humanity while at the same time being the authoritative Judge over humanity.

The high priest thinks Jesus has just uttered blasphemy (Mark 14:63–64). Rather than tear his clothes in repentance, he tears them in outrage.

Mark for You The Trial of Jesus

The irony is that he has just committed blasphemy. The eternal God is standing before them, and here he is claiming to be who he is, and they deny that it is him. The reader knows that Jesus is who he says he is. The priests think they are the judge over him, but he says that the next time they see him, the roles will be reversed: he will be at the right hand of God, coming on the clouds to judge and punish them.

Mark for You The Trial of Jesus

As the trial closes, they insult Jesus and treat him with mockery; they cover his face, strike him, and tell him to prophesy (Mark 14:65). But the reader gets a glimpse of a great irony because we can see what is happening in the courtyard at this same moment. Jesus’ prophecy from the previous chapter is about to come true.

“You will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds”.

— This is a sign of authority. I will be killed, but I will rise. The temple will fall, and my government will be established. This isn’t merely far off, but immediate, for them to observe.

Peter Denies Jesus

“And as Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came, and seeing Peter warming himself, she looked at him and said, “You also were with the Nazarene, Jesus.” But he denied it, saying, “I neither know nor understand what you mean.” And he went out into the gateway and the rooster crowed. And the servant girl saw him and began again to say to the bystanders, “This man is one of them.” But again he denied it. And after a little while the bystanders again said to Peter, “Certainly you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.” But he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know this man of whom you speak.” And immediately the rooster crowed a second time. And Peter remembered how Jesus had said to him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” And he broke down and wept.” (Mark 14:66–72, ESV)

Mark for You The Denial (“Trial”) of Peter

Peter denies the fact that he knows Jesus three times—twice to the servant girl and a third time to the other bystanders (v 68, 70, 71). Peter, the disciple who swore with the most bravado that he would not fall away (v 31), now denies Jesus in the most detailed, repeated way. He even invokes a curse on himself—he’s saying, Let me be cursed if I’m lying (v 71). “I do not know this man of whom you speak,” he insists.

How can you really know him and yet turn around and deny him? Has Peter ever really known Jesus? No; he has never really understood Jesus and his mission. All along, he has been thinking the things of man, not the things of God.

But at last Peter realizes the mistake he has made. “Immediately the rooster crowed a second time … And he broke down and wept” (v 72). He has failed to be awake at the time when it mattered.

Peter essentially curses Jesus.

Peter isn’t mentioned again in Mark, only in Mark 16:7 — “7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.””

Peter’s restoration

Jesus is delivered to Pilate

“And as soon as it was morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council. And they bound Jesus and led him away and delivered him over to Pilate. And Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” And he answered him, “You have said so.” And the chief priests accused him of many things. And Pilate again asked him, “Have you no answer to make? See how many charges they bring against you.” But Jesus made no further answer, so that Pilate was amazed.” (Mark 15:1–5, ESV)

Are you the king of the Jews? They have translated Jesus’ answer to Pilate — He’s an insurrectionist.

Jesus’ response of “you have said so” seems evasive, but it might also be that the title is far beneath the scope of what Jesus has been saying. I’m not just the king of the Jews, I’m the king of the Romans, too. What you are ascribing to me can fit that title. But I am the Son of Man — the Lord. My kingdom is not of this world.

Pilate delivers Jesus to be crucified

“Now at the feast he used to release for them one prisoner for whom they asked. And among the rebels in prison, who had committed murder in the insurrection, there was a man called Barabbas. And the crowd came up and began to ask Pilate to do as he usually did for them. And he answered them, saying, “Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?” For he perceived that it was out of envy that the chief priests had delivered him up. But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release for them Barabbas instead. And Pilate again said to them, “Then what shall I do with the man you call the King of the Jews?” And they cried out again, “Crucify him.” And Pilate said to them, “Why? What evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Crucify him.” So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.” (Mark 15:6–15, ESV)

The irony is that Barabbas was a true insurrectionist, and that’s what these religious leaders hoped the Messiah would be. But here Jesus is, the true Messiah, coming in a way of holiness and for His kingdom, and they trade the innocent for the guilty.

Of course, that is what substitutionary atonement is, the innocent for the guilty. We don’t know if Barabbas every reckoned with that and repented, but we should see ourselves in him. Everyone needs to reckon with Jesus. It’s not just an idea or a philosophy when we talk about salvation. We are talking about the work of Jesus. Jesus died for you. He who knew no sin became sin that we may be the righteousness of God.

The pharisees and scribes are blind and wicked guides, and you see this in the cry for blood from the crowd who follow them.

Pilate knows that the charge is from envy and not from guilt. They cannot produce evidence that Jesus is guilty. He even asks in v.14, “what evil has he done?” But they can’t answer him.

But Pilate still caves to the mob and is willing to let the innocent be murdered to keep the peace.

Jesus is rejected by the Jews and is rejected by the Gentiles as well. The whole world is complicit in His death.

All of the world from time before the cross and time beyond, to our time, is connected to this moment. We can all see ourselves in the Jews and the Gentiles who reject the authority of Christ, who run from Him, those who despise His authority and seek to silence the voice of God. A missionary can go around the world and preach the gospel and the people of that country can find themselves represented at this moment and in these people. But the Christian of course also lives with a great comfort from this moment in time. At the cross, that is where we are also represented. Our rebellion and treachery, our mockery and fear, our sin and shame, have gone to die with Christ. It’s like a tear has been made in the marking of time, and indeed, the calendar of our world has been altered to reflect this, where everything else is centered around Jesus’ life.

Jesus is sent away and scourged

There is a type of guilt and inner tension that tries to tear itself apart over sin. Sometimes physically cutting or maiming the image of God upon you in some way. Sometimes in action, vices and indulgence and pain becomes the means of trying to find relief.

But here is Jesus who takes the pain for us. Jesus who is torn so that we can be made whole. Jesus who washes not just the outside but gives us the cup of his blood to drink, taking it deep inside us where our guilt and trouble lies, finding every nook and cranny of sin and stain and making us whole.

“But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:5–6, ESV)

““Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.” (Isaiah 1:18, ESV)

Jesus is Mocked

“And the soldiers led him away inside the palace (that is, the governor’s headquarters), and they called together the whole battalion. And they clothed him in a purple cloak, and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on him. And they began to salute him, “Hail, King of the Jews!” And they were striking his head with a reed and spitting on him and kneeling down in homage to him. And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the purple cloak and put his own clothes on him. And they led him out to crucify him.” (Mark 15:16–20, ESV)

Mark points to the blindness of the disciples, the blindness of the Pharisees, and the blindness of Pilate and the Gentiles, but he is also asking you to see as well. Do you see who Jesus is in this mockery of His kingship? Do you see Him as the true King?

Mark for You Jesus and the Soldiers

All eternity hinges on this question: do you see what everyone else in the story missed? Jesus is the divine King, who should be received and worshiped by the Jews and Gentiles, but instead he was rejected and condemned by the Jews and Gentiles in fulfillment of the Father’s plan to save the Jews and the Gentiles.

Seeing this truth means that you can no longer live as the king of your life or try to save yourself—your King came from heaven to earth to take your place and bring you salvation. Embrace him as Savior. Hail him as Lord. Worship him as God.

The Crucifixion

“And they compelled a passerby, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his cross. And they brought him to the place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull). And they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it. And they crucified him and divided his garments among them, casting lots for them, to decide what each should take. And it was the third hour when they crucified him. And the inscription of the charge against him read, “The King of the Jews.” And with him they crucified two robbers, one on his right and one on his left. And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads and saying, “Aha! You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself, and come down from the cross!” So also the chief priests with the scribes mocked him to one another, saying, “He saved others; he cannot save himself. Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross that we may see and believe.” Those who were crucified with him also reviled him.” (Mark 15:21–32, ESV)

The death of Jesus

“And when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” And some of the bystanders hearing it said, “Behold, he is calling Elijah.” And someone ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink, saying, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to take him down.” And Jesus uttered a loud cry and breathed his last. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!” There were also women looking on from a distance, among whom were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. When he was in Galilee, they followed him and ministered to him, and there were also many other women who came up with him to Jerusalem.” (Mark 15:33–41, ESV)

Jesus is buried

“And when evening had come, since it was the day of Preparation, that is, the day before the Sabbath, Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God, took courage and went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Pilate was surprised to hear that he should have already died. And summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he was already dead. And when he learned from the centurion that he was dead, he granted the corpse to Joseph. And Joseph bought a linen shroud, and taking him down, wrapped him in the linen shroud and laid him in a tomb that had been cut out of the rock. And he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where he was laid.” (Mark 15:42–47, ESV)