Mark 14:65
And some began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and to buffet him, and to say unto him, Prophesy: and the servants did strike him with the palms of their hands.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 23
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αὐτὸν
him
G846
αὐτὸν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
5 of 23
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
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
6 of 23
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
περικαλύπτειν
to cover
G4028
περικαλύπτειν
to cover
Strong's:
G4028
Word #:
7 of 23
to cover all around, i.e., entirely (the face, a surface)
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πρόσωπον
face
G4383
πρόσωπον
face
Strong's:
G4383
Word #:
9 of 23
the front (as being towards view), i.e., the countenance, aspect, appearance, surface; by implication, presence, person
αὐτὸν
him
G846
αὐτὸν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
10 of 23
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
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
11 of 23
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αὐτὸν
him
G846
αὐτὸν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
13 of 23
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
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
14 of 23
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
λέγειν
to say
G3004
λέγειν
to say
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
15 of 23
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
αὐτὸν
him
G846
αὐτὸν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
16 of 23
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
Προφήτευσον
Prophesy
G4395
Προφήτευσον
Prophesy
Strong's:
G4395
Word #:
17 of 23
to foretell events, divine, speak under inspiration, exercise the prophetic office
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
18 of 23
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
19 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὑπηρέται
the servants
G5257
ὑπηρέται
the servants
Strong's:
G5257
Word #:
20 of 23
an under-oarsman, i.e., (generally) subordinate (assistant, sexton, constable)
Cross References
Acts 23:2And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth.Isaiah 50:6I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting.John 19:3And said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands.Isaiah 53:3He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.Isaiah 52:14As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men:Job 30:10They abhor me, they flee far from me, and spare not to spit in my face.Mark 15:19And they smote him on the head with a reed, and did spit upon him, and bowing their knees worshipped him.John 18:22And when he had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, Answerest thou the high priest so?Numbers 12:14And the LORD said unto Moses, If her father had but spit in her face, should she not be ashamed seven days? let her be shut out from the camp seven days, and after that let her be received in again.Esther 7:8Then the king returned out of the palace garden into the place of the banquet of wine; and Haman was fallen upon the bed whereon Esther was. Then said the king, Will he force the queen also before me in the house? As the word went out of the king's mouth, they covered Haman's face.
Historical Context
This abuse violated every principle of judicial procedure. Roman law (Lex Julia) and Jewish law both prohibited physical abuse of unconvicted defendants. The treatment echoes the suffering servant of Isaiah 52:14: 'his visage was so marred more than any man.' The 'servants' (ὑπηρέται, hypēretai) were Temple police, Levites charged with maintaining order who instead participated in violence.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the Sanhedrin's physical abuse expose the moral bankruptcy of their supposed defense of God's honor?
- What is the significance of Jesus enduring mockery of His prophetic office while actually fulfilling prophecy?
- How should this passage shape Christian response to mockery and physical persecution for faith?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And some began to spit on him (καί τινες ἤρξαντο ἐμπτύειν αὐτῷ, kai tines ērxanto emptýein autō)—The verb ἐμπτύω (emptýō) means to spit upon, expressing contempt. Isaiah 50:6 prophesied: 'I hid not my face from shame and spitting.' To cover his face (περικαλύπτειν αὐτοῦ τὸ πρόσωπον, perikalýptein autou to prosōpon)—blindfolding the prophet-king to mock His claims. To buffet him (κολαφίζειν αὐτόν, kolaphizein auton)—means to strike with fists, brutal physical abuse.
And to say unto him, Prophesy (καὶ λέγειν αὐτῷ, Προφήτευσον, kai legein autō, Prophēteuson)—cruel mockery demanding Jesus identify His attackers while blindfolded. And the servants did strike him with the palms of their hands (καὶ οἱ ὑπηρέται ῥαπίσμασιν αὐτὸν ἔλαβον, kai hoi hypēretai rapismasin auton elabon)—ῥάπισμα (rapisma) means a blow with a rod or open hand. The court officers joined the abuse, showing complete breakdown of legal decorum.