Mark 14:46
What does Mark 14:46 mean?
A plain-English look at Mark 14:46 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Mark 14:46 means
They lay hands on Jesus and arrest Him. The restraint of the narrative underscores the willing nature of His surrender. He does not resist; He yields to the Father’s plan. The illegal, nighttime seizure by force contrasts with His public, peaceful ministry. This stark turn shows the cost of redemption: the Righteous One taken by sinners. Yet the brevity also implies authority—He allows Himself to be taken. Human hands bind Him, but divine purpose binds the moment. The Shepherd submits to being struck for the sake of the sheep.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And they laid hands on him, and took him.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And they laid their hands on him, and took him.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And they laid hands on him, and took him.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And they put their hands on him, and took him.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And they laid on him their hands, and kept hold on him;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But they laid hands on him and held him.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And they laid their hands upon him and seized him.
Context
After the kiss marks Him, the crowd acts swiftly. This captures the transition from betrayal to custody. The next verse shows a bystander drawing a sword and wounding the high priest’s servant, injecting sudden violence from Jesus’ side. Jesus will then speak, questioning their methods and interpreting the arrest as fulfillment of Scripture. Following His words, all His disciples will flee, leaving Him alone with His captors, confirming His earlier prophecy of scattering.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Judges 16:21
And the Philistines laid hold on him, and put out his eyes; and they brought him down to Gaza, and bound him with fetters of brass; and he did grind in the prison-house.
- Lamentations 4:20
The breath of our nostrils, the anointed of Jehovah, was taken in their pits; Of whom we said, Under his shadow we shall live among the nations.
- John 18:12
So the band and the chief captain, and the officers of the Jews, seized Jesus and bound him,
- Acts 2:23
him, being delivered up by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye by the hand of lawless men did crucify and slay:
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