Devine Scripture

Mark 14:53

What does Mark 14:53 mean?

A plain-English look at Mark 14:53 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Mark 14:53 means

Jesus is led to the high priest, and all the chief priests, elders, and scribes assemble. The full weight of the religious establishment gathers to judge Him. The scene suggests a coordinated, urgent session, likely at night, raising questions of legality and fairness. Jesus, the true High Priest and Temple, stands before a court determined to condemn Him. Their authority appears imposing, but their motives are corrupt. This shift marks a new phase: from betrayal and arrest to formal charges. The Shepherd now confronts the shepherds of Israel, exposing their hearts by His steadfast silence and later confession.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And they led Jesus away to the high priest: and there come together with him all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And they led Jesus away to the high priest: and with him were assembled all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And they led Jesus away to the high priest: and there come together with him all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And they took Jesus away to the high priest; and there came together with him all the chief priests and those in authority and the scribes.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And they led away Jesus unto the chief priest, and come together to him do all the chief priests, and the elders, and the scribes;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And they brought Jesus to the high priest. And all the priests and the scribes and the ancients assembled together.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And they led away Jesus to the high priest. And there come together to him all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes.

Context

After the garden, the narrative enters the judicial arena. Jesus is brought to the high priest’s residence where the Sanhedrin convenes. This prepares for the search for testimony against Him and for the climactic moment when Jesus affirms His identity. Simultaneously, Peter follows at a distance into the courtyard, creating an inner-outer contrast: Jesus on trial inside, Peter under pressure outside. The council’s proceedings will feature false witnesses and conflicting reports, highlighting the injustice driving the case.

v.52but he left the linen cloth, and fled naked.

v.53This passage

v.54And Peter had followed him afar off, even within, into the court of the high priest; and he was sitting with the officers, and warming himself in the light of the fire.

Cross references

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

  • Matthew 26:3

    Then were gathered together the chief priests, and the elders of the people, unto the court of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas;

  • Isaiah 53:7

    He was oppressed, yet when he was afflicted he opened not his mouth; as a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and as a sheep that before its shearers is dumb, so he opened not his mouth.

  • Luke 22:54

    And they seized him, and led himaway, and brought him into the high priest’s house. But Peter followed afar off.

  • Mark 15:1

    And straightway in the morning the chief priests with the elders and scribes, and the whole council, held a consultation, and bound Jesus, and carried him away, and delivered him up to Pilate.

  • Acts 4:5

    And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers and elders and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem;

  • Matthew 26:57

    And they that had taken Jesus led him away to the house of Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were gathered together.

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