Mark 14:1
After two days was the feast of the passover, and of unleavened bread: and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take him by craft, and put him to death.
Original Language Analysis
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πάσχα
the feast of the passover
G3957
πάσχα
the feast of the passover
Strong's:
G3957
Word #:
4 of 23
the passover (the meal, the day, the festival or the special sacrifices connected with it)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
5 of 23
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἄζυμα
unleavened bread
G106
ἄζυμα
unleavened bread
Strong's:
G106
Word #:
7 of 23
unleavened, i.e., (figuratively) uncorrupted; (in the neutral plural) specially (by implication) the passover week
μετὰ
of
G3326
μετὰ
of
Strong's:
G3326
Word #:
8 of 23
properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)
ἡμέρας
days
G2250
ἡμέρας
days
Strong's:
G2250
Word #:
10 of 23
day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
11 of 23
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐζήτουν
sought
G2212
ἐζήτουν
sought
Strong's:
G2212
Word #:
12 of 23
to seek (literally or figuratively); specially, (by hebraism) to worship (god), or (in a bad sense) to plot (against life)
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀρχιερεῖς
the chief priests
G749
ἀρχιερεῖς
the chief priests
Strong's:
G749
Word #:
14 of 23
the high-priest (literally, of the jews; typically, christ); by extension a chief priest
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
15 of 23
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πῶς
how
G4459
πῶς
how
Strong's:
G4459
Word #:
18 of 23
an interrogative particle of manner; in what way? (sometimes the question is indirect, how?); also as exclamation, how much!
αὐτὸν
him
G846
αὐτὸν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
19 of 23
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
Historical Context
Mark wrote during the 60s AD to a Roman audience, explaining Jewish customs throughout his Gospel. Passover celebrated Israel's exodus from Egypt (Exodus 12), when lamb's blood on doorposts saved firstborn sons. The Sanhedrin's conspiracy during this feast ironically fulfilled typology: Jesus, the true Passover Lamb, would die at the very hour lambs were slaughtered in the temple.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the leaders' "craft" and "treachery" contrast with Jesus' open teaching in the temple (14:49)?
- What does it mean for Jesus to be both the Passover Lamb and the Son who escaped death's angel?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
After two days was the feast of the passover—Mark's precise temporal marker situates us on Wednesday of Passion Week, with Passover beginning Friday evening. The Greek meta duo hēmeras (μετὰ δύο ἡμέρας) creates dramatic irony: while Israel prepared to commemorate deliverance from Egypt, the ultimate Passover Lamb was about to be sacrificed.
The chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take him by craft (ἐζήτουν πῶς αὐτὸν ἐν δόλῳ κρατήσαντες)—Dolos means "treachery" or "deceit," revealing the leaders' calculated duplicity. Their caution stemmed from fear of the crowds (v. 2), who viewed Jesus favorably. The verb ezētoun (imperfect tense) suggests ongoing, deliberate plotting—not spontaneous hostility but premeditated murder of the one they knew performed undeniable signs (John 11:47-48). Judas' betrayal (vv. 10-11) would provide the "craft" they needed.