Devine Scripture

Mark 14:21

What does Mark 14:21 mean?

A plain-English look at Mark 14:21 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Mark 14:21 means

Jesus states that the Son of Man goes as it is written of Him, highlighting divine necessity and fulfillment of Scripture. Yet He pronounces woe on the betrayer: it would have been better for that man not to have been born. Both sovereignty and responsibility stand together. Jesus’ death is no accident or mere victimhood; it is the ordained path of the Son of Man. But this does not excuse Judas; his choice is grievous and brings dreadful judgment. The verse steadies the disciples: God’s plan is unfolding, yet it warns that sin against Christ carries fearful consequences.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

For the Son of man goeth, even as it is written of him: but woe unto that man through whom the Son of man is betrayed! good were it for that man if he had not been born.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

For the Son of man goeth, even as it is written of him: but woe unto that man through whom the Son of man is betrayed! good were it for that man if he had not been born.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

The Son of man goes, even as the Writings say of him: but cursed is that man through whom the Son of man is given up! It would have been well for that man if he had never been given birth.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

the Son of Man doth indeed go, as it hath been written concerning him, but woe to that man through whom the Son of Man is delivered up; good were it to him if that man had not been born.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And the Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written of him: but woe to that man by whom the Son of man shall be betrayed. It were better for him, if that man had not been born.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

The Son of man goes indeed as it is written concerning him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is delivered up; [it were] good for that man if he had not been born.

Context

After identifying the betrayer’s closeness, Jesus provides the theological frame: His death fulfills what Scripture wrote about the Son of Man. He simultaneously declares the moral horror of betrayal. This prepares the disciples to understand the cross not as defeat but as divine design. With this solemnity in place, Jesus will now take bread and cup and invest them with meaning that explains His death’s saving purpose. The narrative moves from exposure of sin to provision of grace, from woe to covenant promise sealed in His body and blood.

v.20And he said unto them, It is one of the twelve, he that dippeth with me in the dish.

v.21This passage

v.22And as they were eating, he took bread, and when he had blessed, he brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take ye: this is my body.

Cross references

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

  • Mark 14:49

    I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and ye took me not: but this is done that the scriptures might be fulfilled.

  • Luke 22:22

    For the Son of man indeed goeth, as it hath been determined: but woe unto that man through whom he is betrayed!

  • Genesis 3:15

    and I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed: he shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

  • Daniel 9:26

    And after the threescore and two weeks shall the anointed one be cut off, and shall have nothing: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and even unto the end shall be war; desolations are determined.

  • Matthew 26:24

    The Son of man goeth, even as it is written of him: but woe unto that man through whom the Son of man is betrayed! good were it for that man if he had not been born.

  • Psalms 22:1

    My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Why art thou sofar from helping me, and from the words of my groaning?

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