Mark Chapter 14 · Verse 11
And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money. And he sought how he might conveniently betray him.
Original Language Analysis
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐχάρησαν
it they were glad
G5463
ἐχάρησαν
it they were glad
Strong's:
G5463
Word #:
4 of 15
to be "cheer"ful, i.e., calmly happy or well-off; impersonally, especially as salutation (on meeting or parting), be well
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
5 of 15
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐπηγγείλαντο
promised
G1861
ἐπηγγείλαντο
promised
Strong's:
G1861
Word #:
6 of 15
to announce upon (reflexively), i.e., (by implication) to engage to do something, to assert something respecting oneself
αὐτὸν
him
G846
αὐτὸν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
7 of 15
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
ἀργύριον
money
G694
ἀργύριον
money
Strong's:
G694
Word #:
8 of 15
silvery, i.e., (by implication) cash; specially, a silverling (i.e., drachma or shekel)
δοῦναι
to give
G1325
δοῦναι
to give
Strong's:
G1325
Word #:
9 of 15
to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
10 of 15
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐζήτει
he sought
G2212
ἐζήτει
he sought
Strong's:
G2212
Word #:
11 of 15
to seek (literally or figuratively); specially, (by hebraism) to worship (god), or (in a bad sense) to plot (against life)
πῶς
how
G4459
πῶς
how
Strong's:
G4459
Word #:
12 of 15
an interrogative particle of manner; in what way? (sometimes the question is indirect, how?); also as exclamation, how much!
Historical Context
The Sanhedrin (Jewish ruling council) wanted Jesus dead but needed Roman approval for execution and feared mob reaction. Judas provided the solution: isolated arrest at night. The "convenient" time came Thursday night after the Last Supper, when Jesus went to Gethsemane with eleven disciples. Judas knew Jesus's habits (John 18:2) and led an armed crowd to arrest Him. The thirty pieces of silver Judas received (Matthew 26:15) was wages for betraying the priceless Son of God—illustrating how greed blinds to true value.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the chief priests' gladness at murder opportunity reveal religion's capacity for evil when divorced from genuine love for God?
- What does Judas's careful planning of convenient betrayal teach about sin's deceptive progression from temptation to calculated action?
- How might pursuing "convenience" or comfort lead to compromising faithfulness to Christ?
Analysis & Commentary
When they heard it, they were glad (ἐχάρησαν, echarēsan)—the chief priests rejoiced at Judas's offer, revealing hearts that celebrated murder. Their gladness stands in grotesque contrast to proper response to the Messiah. Promised to give him money (ἀργύριον, argyrion)—silver coins, the price of blood. Money motivated Judas; convenience motivated the priests. He sought how he might conveniently betray him (πῶς εὐκαίρως αὐτὸν παραδοῖ, pōs eukairōs auton paradoi)—εὐκαίρως means "at an opportune time."
Judas became a hunter, waiting for the right moment to strike. The adverb "conveniently" shows calculated treachery—not passionate impulse but cold pragmatism. Mark's terse narrative highlights the horror: religious leaders glad, disciple selling, Jesus betrayed, all for money. This verse exposes the alliance of religious hypocrisy and greed against the Son of God. Yet sovereign providence governs all—Judas's "convenient" timing fulfilled God's predetermined plan (Acts 2:23) without diminishing Judas's guilt.