Devine Scripture

Mark 14:1

What does Mark 14:1 mean?

A plain-English look at Mark 14:1 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Mark 14:1 means

Two days before Passover and Unleavened Bread, the religious leaders are not seeking truth but a way to seize Jesus by stealth and kill Him. Their plotting shows how hardened hearts can use sacred seasons as a cover for evil intent. The language of taking Him “with subtlety” exposes a contrast: Jesus has ministered publicly and transparently, yet His enemies operate in secrecy. This verse sets the tone of hostility and danger. The leaders’ goal is not justice but removal of a threat to their authority. God’s plan will use even their malice to carry out what Scripture foretold about the suffering of the Messiah.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Now after two days wasthe feast ofthe passover and the unleavened bread: and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take him with subtlety, and kill him:

KJV

King James Version · 1611

After two days was the feast of the passover, and of unleavened bread: and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take him by craft, and put him to death.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Now after two days wasthe feast ofthe passover and the unleavened bread: and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take him with subtlety, and kill him:

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

It was now two days before the feast of the Passover and the unleavened bread: and the chief priests and the scribes made designs how they might take him by deceit and put him to death:

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And the passover and the unleavened food were after two days, and the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how, by guile, having taken hold of him, they might kill him;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Now the feast of the pasch and of the Azymes was after two days: and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might by some wile lay hold on him and kill him.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Now the passover and the [feast of] unleavened bread was after two days. And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how they might seize him by subtlety and kill him.

Context

Mark shifts from Jesus’ teaching in the temple to the machinery of opposition gearing up against Him. Before the anointing at Bethany, we are told the backdrop: powerful men are planning Jesus’ death. This helps readers understand the significance of the woman’s act in the next scene and Judas’ role soon after. The plot is in motion, but it will be carried out according to God’s timetable, not theirs. The narrative moves from leadership intrigue to an intimate dinner where devotion to Jesus shines in contrast to conspiracy.

v.1This passage

v.2for they said, Not during the feast, lest haply there shall be a tumult of the people.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Psalms 62:4

    They only consult to thrust him down from his dignity; They delight in lies; They bless with their mouth, but they curse inwardly. [Selah

  • John 13:1

    Now before the feast of the passover, Jesus knowing that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own that were in the world, he loved them unto the end.

  • Numbers 28:16

    And in the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month, is Jehovah’s passover.

  • Psalms 64:2

    Hide me from the secret counsel of evil-doers, From the tumult of the workers of iniquity;

  • Exodus 12:6

    and ye shall keep it until the fourteenth day of the same month; and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it at even.

  • Luke 22:1

    Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover.

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