Mark Chapter 14 · Verse 10
And Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went unto the chief priests, to betray him unto them.
Original Language Analysis
Καὶ
And
G2532
Καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 16
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
2 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰούδας
Judas
G2455
Ἰούδας
Judas
Strong's:
G2455
Word #:
3 of 16
judas (i.e., jehudah), the name of ten israelites; also of the posterity of one of them and its region
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰσκαριώτης,
Iscariot
G2469
Ἰσκαριώτης,
Iscariot
Strong's:
G2469
Word #:
5 of 16
inhabitant of kerioth; iscariotes (i.e., keriothite), an epithet of judas the traitor
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀπῆλθεν
went
G565
ἀπῆλθεν
went
Strong's:
G565
Word #:
9 of 16
to go off (i.e., depart), aside (i.e., apart) or behind (i.e., follow), literally or figuratively
πρὸς
unto
G4314
πρὸς
unto
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
10 of 16
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀρχιερεῖς
the chief priests
G749
ἀρχιερεῖς
the chief priests
Strong's:
G749
Word #:
12 of 16
the high-priest (literally, of the jews; typically, christ); by extension a chief priest
Cross References
John 13:2And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him;Psalms 41:9Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.Matthew 10:4Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.John 13:30He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night.
Historical Context
The chief priests (ἀρχιερεῖς) were the high priest's family and leaders of the Sadducean party who controlled the temple. They had plotted to kill Jesus (v. 1) but feared popular uprising during Passover when Jerusalem swelled from 50,000 to 250,000+ pilgrims. Judas solved their problem—an insider could identify Jesus for nighttime arrest away from crowds. Matthew 26:15 specifies Judas received thirty pieces of silver, fulfilling Zechariah 11:12-13. This was the price of a slave (Exodus 21:32), showing how cheaply Judas valued the Son of God.
Questions for Reflection
- What warning does Judas—a disciple who followed Jesus for three years—provide about proximity to Christ versus genuine faith?
- How does greed (love of money) blind spiritual perception and lead to horrific sin, even among religious people?
- In what ways might we "betray" Christ through small compromises that culminate in great apostasy?
Analysis & Commentary
Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve (Ἰούδας Ἰσκαριώθ, εἷς τῶν δώδεκα, Ioudas Iskariōth, heis tōn dōdeka)—Mark's emphasis on "one of the twelve" underscores the tragedy. Not an outsider but an intimate disciple betrayed Jesus. The name Iscariot likely means "man of Kerioth," a Judean town, making Judas the only non-Galilean disciple. Went unto the chief priests, to betray him (παραδοῖ αὐτὸν, paradoi auton)—the verb παραδίδωμι (paradidōmi) means "hand over" or "deliver up," used repeatedly in passion narratives.
Judas took initiative—he "went" seeking opportunity. This wasn't impulsive reaction but calculated decision. The chief priests didn't approach Judas; Judas approached them. Mark places this immediately after the anointing (vv. 3-9), creating stark contrast: the woman gave extravagantly; Judas sold cheaply. She loved much; he loved money. Her act memorialized forever; his name synonymous with treachery. Judas's betrayal fulfills Scripture (Psalm 41:9) while demonstrating human culpability—divine sovereignty and human responsibility coexist.