Mark 14:21
The Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written of him: but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! good were it for that man if he had never been born.
Original Language Analysis
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μὲν
indeed
G3303
μὲν
indeed
Strong's:
G3303
Word #:
2 of 31
properly, indicative of affirmation or concession (in fact); usually followed by a contrasted clause with g1161 (this one, the former, etc.)
υἱὸς
The Son
G5207
υἱὸς
The Son
Strong's:
G5207
Word #:
3 of 31
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὑπάγει
goeth
G5217
ὑπάγει
goeth
Strong's:
G5217
Word #:
6 of 31
to lead (oneself) under, i.e., withdraw or retire (as if sinking out of sight), literally or figuratively
γέγραπται
it is written
G1125
γέγραπται
it is written
Strong's:
G1125
Word #:
8 of 31
to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe
περὶ
of
G4012
περὶ
of
Strong's:
G4012
Word #:
9 of 31
properly, through (all over), i.e., around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive cas
αὐτῷ
he
G846
αὐτῷ
he
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
10 of 31
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
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐκεῖνος
for that
G1565
ἐκεῖνος
for that
Strong's:
G1565
Word #:
15 of 31
that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed
δι'
by
G1223
δι'
by
Strong's:
G1223
Word #:
16 of 31
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
οὗ
whom
G3739
οὗ
whom
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
17 of 31
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
υἱὸς
The Son
G5207
υἱὸς
The Son
Strong's:
G5207
Word #:
19 of 31
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
20 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
παραδίδοται·
is betrayed
G3860
παραδίδοται·
is betrayed
Strong's:
G3860
Word #:
22 of 31
to surrender, i.e yield up, entrust, transmit
καλὸν
! good
G2570
καλὸν
! good
Strong's:
G2570
Word #:
23 of 31
properly, beautiful, but chiefly (figuratively) good (literally or morally), i.e., valuable or virtuous (for appearance or use, and thus distinguished
αὐτῷ
he
G846
αὐτῷ
he
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
25 of 31
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
ἐγεννήθη
been born
G1080
ἐγεννήθη
been born
Strong's:
G1080
Word #:
28 of 31
to procreate (properly, of the father, but by extension of the mother); figuratively, to regenerate
Cross References
John 19:28After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.Genesis 3:15And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.Daniel 9:24Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.
Historical Context
Jesus's prediction that He "goeth" uses the prophetic present—His death was certain, fulfilling Old Testament prophecy. Isaiah 53 (suffering servant), Psalm 22 (crucifixion details), Zechariah 11:12-13 (thirty pieces of silver), and other texts foretold Messiah's suffering. Yet prophecy didn't excuse Judas—he acted from greed and free will. Early church fathers debated whether Judas could have repented; Matthew 27:3-5 records his remorse but not repentance unto salvation. Jesus's statement "better if he had not been born" affirms hell's reality and eternal judgment's severity—doctrines often denied in modern theology but clearly taught by Christ Himself.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jesus's statement that Scripture must be fulfilled coexist with Judas bearing full moral responsibility for betrayal?
- What does Jesus's pronouncement that non-existence would be better than Judas's fate teach about hell's reality and severity?
- How should the warning about Judas's judgment motivate examining whether our faith is genuine or merely external religious participation?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written of him (ὁ μὲν υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ὑπάγει καθὼς γέγραπται περὶ αὐτοῦ, ho men huios tou anthrōpou hypagei kathōs gegraptai peri autou)—Jesus affirms His death fulfills Scripture (Isaiah 53, Psalm 22, etc.). "Son of man" (υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου) from Daniel 7:13-14 identifies Jesus as the messianic figure receiving eternal dominion. But woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed (οὐαὶ δὲ τῷ ἀνθρώπῳ ἐκείνῳ, ouai de tō anthrōpō ekeinō)—"woe" pronounces divine judgment.
Good were it for that man if he had never been born (καλὸν αὐτῷ εἰ οὐκ ἐγεννήθη ὁ ἄνθρωπος ἐκεῖνος, kalon autō ei ouk egennēthē ho anthrōpos ekeinos)—this severe statement affirms eternal judgment worse than non-existence. Jesus holds together divine sovereignty ("as it is written") and human responsibility ("woe to that man"). Judas wasn't a puppet—he freely chose betrayal and bears full guilt. Yet his evil served God's redemptive purpose. Reformed theology sees here the mystery of providence: God ordains ends and means without violating human agency or excusing sin. Judas's judgment warns that intimate religious proximity without genuine faith leads to damnation.