Mark 14:43
And immediately, while he yet spake, cometh Judas, one of the twelve, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 29
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αὐτοῦ
him
G846
αὐτοῦ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
4 of 29
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
παραγίνεται
cometh
G3854
παραγίνεται
cometh
Strong's:
G3854
Word #:
6 of 29
to become near, i.e., approach (have arrived); by implication, to appear publicly
Ἰούδας
Judas
G2455
Ἰούδας
Judas
Strong's:
G2455
Word #:
7 of 29
judas (i.e., jehudah), the name of ten israelites; also of the posterity of one of them and its region
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
12 of 29
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
μετὰ
with
G3326
μετὰ
with
Strong's:
G3326
Word #:
13 of 29
properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)
αὐτοῦ
him
G846
αὐτοῦ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
14 of 29
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
ὄχλος
multitude
G3793
ὄχλος
multitude
Strong's:
G3793
Word #:
15 of 29
a throng (as borne along); by implication, the rabble; by extension, a class of people; figuratively, a riot
πολὺς
a great
G4183
πολὺς
a great
Strong's:
G4183
Word #:
16 of 29
(singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely
μετὰ
with
G3326
μετὰ
with
Strong's:
G3326
Word #:
17 of 29
properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)
μαχαιρῶν
swords
G3162
μαχαιρῶν
swords
Strong's:
G3162
Word #:
18 of 29
a knife, i.e., dirk; figuratively, war, judicial punishment
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
19 of 29
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ξύλων
staves
G3586
ξύλων
staves
Strong's:
G3586
Word #:
20 of 29
timber (as fuel or material); by implication, a stick, club or tree or other wooden article or substance
παρὰ
from
G3844
παρὰ
from
Strong's:
G3844
Word #:
21 of 29
properly, near; i.e., (with genitive case) from beside (literally or figuratively), (with dative case) at (or in) the vicinity of (objectively or subj
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
22 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀρχιερέων
the chief priests
G749
ἀρχιερέων
the chief priests
Strong's:
G749
Word #:
23 of 29
the high-priest (literally, of the jews; typically, christ); by extension a chief priest
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
24 of 29
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
25 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
27 of 29
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Historical Context
The Sanhedrin was Judaism's supreme court (71 members). Chief priests represented the Sadducean aristocracy, scribes the legal experts (often Pharisaic), and elders the lay nobility. Their unanimous opposition fulfilled Psalm 2:2—"The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed." Jewish law prohibited nighttime trials, but expediency trumped legality.
Questions for Reflection
- What does the phrase "one of the twelve" repeated four times in Mark 14 teach about the tragedy of insider betrayal?
- How does the religious establishment's use of weapons and nighttime operations warn against religion divorced from righteousness?
- What modern expressions of religiosity might parallel the chief priests' midnight arrest—appearing righteous while opposing God's purposes?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And immediately, while he yet spake, cometh Judas, one of the twelve—the title one of the twelve (εἷς τῶν δώδεκα, heis tōn dōdeka) stings with tragic irony. Mark repeatedly emphasizes this throughout chapter 14 (vv. 10, 20, 43), underscoring that betrayal came from within the inner circle. And with him a great multitude with swords and staves (ὄχλος μετὰ μαχαιρῶν καὶ ξύλων, ochlos meta machairōn kai xylōn)—the armed crowd suggests expected resistance, revealing their misunderstanding of Jesus' mission.
From the chief priests and the scribes and the elders—the Sanhedrin's three constituent groups unite against Jesus. This unholy alliance of religious authorities sending armed men at night reveals their guilt-consciousness; righteousness doesn't require midnight arrests. The "swords and staves" (implements of violence) carried by religion's representatives dramatize how far Israel's leadership had fallen from God's purposes.