Mark 14:51
And there followed him a certain young man, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body; and the young men laid hold on him:
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 15
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἠκολούθει
there followed
G190
ἠκολούθει
there followed
Strong's:
G190
Word #:
5 of 15
properly, to be in the same way with, i.e., to accompany (specially, as a disciple)
αὐτόν·
him
G846
αὐτόν·
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
6 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
περιβεβλημένος
cast
G4016
περιβεβλημένος
cast
Strong's:
G4016
Word #:
7 of 15
to throw all around, i.e., invest (with a palisade or with clothing)
σινδόνα
having a linen cloth
G4616
σινδόνα
having a linen cloth
Strong's:
G4616
Word #:
8 of 15
byssos, i.e., bleached linen (the cloth or a garment of it)
ἐπὶ
about
G1909
ἐπὶ
about
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
9 of 15
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
γυμνοῦ
his naked
G1131
γυμνοῦ
his naked
Strong's:
G1131
Word #:
10 of 15
nude (absolute or relative, literal or figurative)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
11 of 15
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
κρατοῦσιν
laid hold
G2902
κρατοῦσιν
laid hold
Strong's:
G2902
Word #:
12 of 15
to use strength, i.e., seize or retain (literally or figuratively)
αὐτόν·
him
G846
αὐτόν·
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
13 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
Historical Context
Linen (sindōn) was costly—the same word describes Jesus' burial cloth (15:46). The Garden of Gethsemane was on the Mount of Olives, near estates owned by wealthy Jerusalem families. If this was Mark, it suggests his family's prominence and explains how Mark obtained detailed information for his Gospel. Ancient church tradition (Papias, Irenaeus) identified Mark as Peter's interpreter, whose Gospel contains Peter's reminiscences.
Questions for Reflection
- If this young man was Mark himself, what does his inclusion of this embarrassing detail teach about Gospel writers' honesty?
- How does this youth's narrow escape contrast with Jesus' voluntary surrender to arrest?
- What might the linen cloth symbolize about the inadequacy of human coverings/efforts when following Christ requires total commitment?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And there followed him a certain young man, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body—this vivid detail appears only in Mark's Gospel, prompting speculation. The term νεανίσκος (neaniskos, "young man") and σινδών (sindōn, "linen cloth")—expensive material—suggests wealth. Many scholars identify this unnamed follower as Mark himself, including autobiographical detail with characteristic modesty (avoiding his name).
The description naked body (γυμνοῦ, gymnou, "naked" underneath the linen) suggests he was roused from sleep, perhaps from a nearby home where the upper room was located. And the young men laid hold on him (οἱ νεανίσκοι, hoi neaniskoi)—same term used for the youth, creating wordplay. The attempt to seize him parallels their seizing Jesus, perhaps suggesting guards sweeping for any follower.