Mark 14:13

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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;

Berean Standard Bible

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,

American Standard Version

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

### SUMMARY
Mark 14:13 details Jesus' precise and divinely foreknown instructions to two of his disciples regarding the preparation for the Passover meal, which would become known as the Last Supper. This pivotal verse reveals Jesus' sovereign control over circumstances and sets the stage for the institution of the New Covenant, emphasizing the meticulous divine orchestration of events leading to his crucifixion and resurrection.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the disciples' inquiry about where they should prepare the Passover meal ([Mark 14:12](/mark/14-12 "Mark 14:12 - Disciples Ask About Passover Preparation")). It is part of the passion narrative, specifically the events leading up to the Last Supper and Jesus' arrest. The detailed instructions given by Jesus here contrast sharply with the betrayal by Judas and the disciples' later desertion, highlighting Jesus' calm authority and purposeful action even as his suffering approaches. The specific nature of Jesus' directions also serves to underscore his divine knowledge, a theme woven throughout Mark's Gospel.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is Jerusalem during the Passover festival, a time of immense religious significance and heightened tension. Passover commemorated Israel's liberation from slavery in Egypt, and the city would have been teeming with pilgrims. Preparing for the Passover meal involved specific rituals, including the removal of leaven and the sacrifice of a lamb. Historically, carrying water in a pitcher (a clay jar) was typically a task performed by women, who would carry jars on their heads or shoulders. Men usually carried water in wineskins. Therefore, a man bearing a pitcher of water would have been an unusual and easily identifiable sight in the bustling streets of Jerusalem, making Jesus' instruction a unique and unambiguous sign for his disciples.
* **Key Themes:** Mark 14:13 contributes significantly to several key themes within the Gospel. Firstly, it powerfully demonstrates **Jesus' divine foreknowledge and sovereignty**, showing his intimate knowledge of future events and his ability to orchestrate them precisely. This echoes earlier instances where Jesus predicts his suffering and resurrection ([Mark 8:31](/mark/8-31 "Mark 8:31 - Jesus Predicts His Death and Resurrection"), [Mark 9:31](/mark/9-31 "Mark 9:31 - Second Prediction of Death"), [Mark 10:33-34](/mark/10-33-34 "Mark 10:33-34 - Third Prediction of Death")). Secondly, the disciples' unquestioning **obedience and trust** in Jesus' unconventional instructions is a vital theme, emphasizing the importance of following Christ's leading even when it seems unusual. Finally, the verse highlights the **sacred preparation for a momentous event**, as the Passover meal is about to be transformed into the institution of the Lord's Supper, a foundational sacrament for the church ([Mark 14:22-25](/mark/14-22-25 "Mark 14:22-25 - Institution of the Lord's Supper")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **sendeth forth (Greek, _apostéllō'_):** This verb signifies "to send out on a mission" or "to set apart." It implies a deliberate, purposeful dispatch, often with authority. Here, Jesus is not merely sending his disciples on an errand but commissioning them for a specific, divinely ordained task, underscoring the importance and sacred nature of their mission.
* **disciples (Greek, _mathētḗs'_):** Meaning "a learner" or "pupil," this term identifies those who follow Jesus, committed to his teachings and way of life. The fact that Jesus sends "two" of them aligns with Jewish custom for sending witnesses or messengers, lending credibility and authority to their mission.
* **pitcher (Greek, _kerámion'_):** This refers to an "earthenware vessel" or "jar." As noted in the historical context, a man carrying such a vessel for water was highly unusual. This specific, uncommon detail serves as an unambiguous sign, demonstrating Jesus' precise knowledge and ensuring the disciples would correctly identify the designated individual.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he sendeth forth two of his disciples,"**: Jesus initiates the action, demonstrating his leadership and authority. The selection of "two" disciples is significant, aligning with the Jewish principle of two witnesses or messengers, providing confirmation and mutual support for the task ahead.
* **"and saith unto them,"**: This introduces Jesus' direct, authoritative command. The following instructions are not suggestions but specific directives that require immediate and faithful execution.
* **"‹Go ye into the city,"**: The command to "go" implies immediate movement and engagement with the urban environment of Jerusalem. This is the first step in their precise mission, directing them to a specific location where their next instruction will be fulfilled.
* **"and there shall meet you a man bearing a pitcher of water:"**: This is the crucial, divinely provided sign. Jesus' foreknowledge is strikingly evident here, as he knows exactly whom they will encounter and the distinctive detail that will identify him. The unusual sight of a man carrying a water pitcher ensures the disciples will recognize the correct individual without confusion.
* **"follow him.›"**: This final, simple command requires immediate obedience and trust. The disciples are not to question or deliberate but simply to follow the man, trusting that he will lead them to the prepared location for the Passover meal.

#### Literary Devices
Mark 14:13 masterfully employs several literary devices. **Foreshadowing** is prominent, as Jesus' precise instructions about the man with the pitcher not only reveal his divine foreknowledge but also subtly hint at the meticulous divine orchestration of the events leading to his passion. The unusual detail of "a man bearing a pitcher of water" functions as a clear **Symbol**, an unambiguous sign given by Jesus to his disciples, which also carries a subtle **Irony** given the typical gender roles for water-carrying in that culture. This specific detail serves to highlight Jesus' **Divine Sovereignty**, demonstrating his control over seemingly random encounters and his ability to prepare the way for his purposes, even in the midst of human plans. The narrative also exhibits **Conciseness** and **Directness**, characteristic of Mark's Gospel, delivering the essential information without unnecessary embellishment, focusing on action and divine authority.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 14:13 profoundly illustrates God's meticulous providence and Jesus' divine omniscience. It reveals that even the seemingly mundane details of life, such as encountering a specific individual in a bustling city, are under divine orchestration when they pertain to God's redemptive plan. This passage underscores the importance of obedient faith, where disciples are called to trust and follow Christ's unconventional guidance, knowing that His instructions, however unusual, lead to His intended purposes. The preparation for the Passover, facilitated by this divine encounter, culminates in the institution of the Lord's Supper, transforming an ancient Jewish feast into the central sacrament of the New Covenant, a testament to God's continuous work of salvation.

* [Matthew 26:17-19](/matthew/26-17-19 "Matthew 26:17-19 - Parallel Account of Passover Preparation")
* [Luke 22:7-13](/luke/22-7-13 "Luke 22:7-13 - Parallel Account of Passover Preparation")
* [John 13:1-17](/john/13-1-17 "John 13:1-17 - Jesus Washes Disciples' Feet Before Passover")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 14:13 serves as a powerful reminder that God is intimately involved in the details of our lives, orchestrating circumstances to fulfill His perfect will. Just as Jesus provided specific, even unusual, guidance to His disciples, God often leads us in ways that require a step of faith and a willingness to trust beyond our conventional understanding. This passage encourages us to cultivate a posture of attentiveness and obedience, recognizing that divine appointments and seemingly small details can be crucial steps in God's larger plan for us and for the world. Our willingness to follow His unique directions, even when the path is unclear or unconventional, prepares us for deeper encounters with Him and enables us to participate in His redemptive work. It calls us to trust that the Lord knows the way, even when we do not, and that His timing and methods are always perfect.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life might God be providing specific, perhaps unconventional, guidance that requires your trust and obedience?**
* **How can you cultivate a greater attentiveness to the "signs" or subtle leadings God might be providing in your daily circumstances?**
* **What does Jesus' foreknowledge in this passage teach you about His sovereignty and control over even the seemingly random events of life?**
* **How does your willingness to obey God's instructions, even when they seem unusual, prepare you for deeper spiritual experiences or participation in His work?**

### FAQ

**Why was a man carrying a pitcher of water so unusual?**

Answer: In ancient Israel, carrying water from a well or spring was typically a chore performed by women, who would carry the water in pitchers or jars on their heads or shoulders. Men, when they carried liquids, usually transported them in wineskins. Therefore, a man openly carrying a pitcher of water through the city streets would have been an uncommon and easily identifiable sight, making Jesus' instruction a very precise and unambiguous sign for his disciples to follow. This unusual detail underscores Jesus' divine foreknowledge and meticulous planning for the Passover preparations, ensuring the disciples would find the exact person and place He intended, leading them to the "large upper room" ([Mark 14:15](/mark/14-15 "Mark 14:15 - The Large Upper Room")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 14:13, while seemingly a logistical detail, is profoundly Christ-centered, revealing Jesus as the ultimate orchestrator of salvation history. The man with the pitcher is not merely a random individual but a divinely appointed sign, pointing to Jesus' sovereign control over every detail leading to his atoning work. This moment foreshadows Jesus as the host of the new covenant meal, transforming the ancient Passover into the Lord's Supper, where He Himself becomes the sacrificial Lamb ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). The "large upper room" to which the man leads them becomes the sacred space where Jesus institutes the sacrament of His body and blood, establishing the new covenant in His sacrifice ([Luke 22:19-20](/luke/22-19-20 "Luke 22:19-20 - Institution of the New Covenant")). Thus, Jesus is not just giving directions; He is actively preparing the way for His ultimate act of love and redemption, demonstrating His divine authority as the one who fulfills all prophecy and brings about the salvation of the world through His death and resurrection ([Hebrews 9:11-14](/hebrews/9-11-14 "Hebrews 9:11-14 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI 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].