Mark 14:13

And he sendeth forth two of his disciples, and saith unto them, Go ye into the city, and there shall meet you a man bearing a pitcher of water: follow him.

And {G2532} he sendeth forth {G649} two {G1417} of his {G846} disciples {G3101}, and {G2532} saith {G3004} unto them {G846}, Go ye {G5217} into {G1519} the city {G4172}, and {G2532} there shall meet {G528} you {G5213} a man {G444} bearing {G941} a pitcher {G2765} of water {G5204}: follow {G190} him {G846}.

He sent two of his talmidim with these instructions: "Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him;

So He sent two of His disciples and told them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jug of water will meet you. Follow him,

And he sendeth two of his disciples, and saith unto them, Go into the city, and there shall meet you a man bearing a pitcher of water: follow him;

Commentary

Mark 14:13 recounts Jesus' remarkably precise instructions to two of his disciples concerning the preparations for the Passover meal, which would become known as the Last Supper. This verse highlights Jesus' divine foreknowledge and sets the stage for one of the most significant events in the Christian narrative.

Context

This verse is situated during the Passover week in Jerusalem, a time of intense spiritual and political tension. The disciples approach Jesus asking where they should prepare for the Passover feast (Mark 14:12). Jesus' response is not a general direction but a highly specific, almost prophetic, set of instructions. Parallel accounts of this preparation can be found in Matthew 26:17-19 and Luke 22:7-13, underscoring the importance and uniqueness of this moment.

Key Themes

  • Divine Foreknowledge and Sovereignty: Jesus demonstrates His omniscience by knowing precisely who the disciples will meet and what specific sign will identify him—"a man bearing a pitcher of water." This was not a common sight, as water-carrying was typically women's work. This detailed knowledge emphasizes Jesus' divine authority and His sovereign control over seemingly random events, orchestrating circumstances for His purposes.
  • Obedience and Trust in Guidance: The disciples are called to obey an unusual and specific instruction without question. Their willingness to follow this unique sign, rather than seeking a more conventional method, illustrates their faith and trust in Jesus' leadership. This theme encourages believers to trust God's leading, even when His directions seem unconventional.
  • Preparation for a Sacred Event: The immediate purpose of these instructions is to secure a private location—a "large upper room"—for the Passover meal. This meal would soon be transformed into the institution of the Lord's Supper, a foundational sacrament for Christians (Mark 14:22-25). The meticulous preparation highlights the sanctity and significance of the events that were about to unfold.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "a man bearing a pitcher of water" translates from the Greek keramion hydatos (κεράμιον ὕδατος). A keramion was a clay jar. In ancient Israel, carrying water was typically a chore performed by women, often at a well or spring. Therefore, a man carrying a water pitcher through the city streets would have been an unusual and easily identifiable sight. This distinctive detail made the sign unambiguous for the disciples, ensuring they would find the correct individual and, subsequently, the designated room.

Practical Application

Mark 14:13 offers valuable lessons for believers today:

  • Trust God's Specific Direction: Just as Jesus provided unique and clear instructions to His disciples, God often provides specific guidance for our lives. This verse encourages us to trust His leading, even when the path is unconventional or requires a step of faith.
  • Be Attentive to Divine Signs: God may use unexpected or subtle means to guide us. Developing spiritual discernment and being attentive to the details of our circumstances can help us recognize His hand at work.
  • Embrace Preparation for God's Work: The disciples' obedience led them to a place where a profound spiritual truth would be revealed. Similarly, our willingness to follow God's instructions prepares us for deeper encounters with Him and enables us to participate in His divine plans.
This narrative serves as a powerful reminder that God is intricately involved in the details of our lives, orchestrating events to fulfill His perfect will and purpose.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Luke 22:10

    And he said unto them, Behold, when ye are entered into the city, there shall a man meet you, bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the house where he entereth in.

  • Luke 22:13

    And they went, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover.

  • Matthew 26:18

    And he said, Go into the city to such a man, and say unto him, The Master saith, My time is at hand; I will keep the passover at thy house with my disciples.

  • Matthew 26:19

    And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them; and they made ready the passover.

  • Hebrews 4:13

    Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things [are] naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

  • John 15:14

    Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

  • Matthew 8:9

    For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this [man], Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth [it].
← Back