Mark 14:14

KJV

And wheresoever he shall go in, say ye to the goodman of the house, The Master saith, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples?

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} wheresoever {G3699}{G1437} he shall go in {G1525}, say ye {G2036} to the goodman of the house {G3617},{G3754} The Master {G1320} saith {G3004}, Where {G4226} is {G2076} the guestchamber {G2646}, where {G3699} I shall eat {G5315} the passover {G3957} with {G3326} my {G3450} disciples {G3101}?

Complete Jewish Bible

and whichever house he enters, tell him that the Rabbi says, `Where is the guest room for me, where I am to eat the Pesach meal with my talmidim?'

Berean Standard Bible

and whichever house he enters, say to the owner, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is My guest room, where I may eat the Passover with My disciples?’

American Standard Version

and wheresoever he shall enter in, say to the master of the house, The Teacher saith, Where is my guest-chamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 14:14 presents Jesus' precise, divinely-informed instructions to His disciples regarding the preparation of the Passover meal. As the hour of His betrayal and crucifixion approaches, Jesus orchestrates the details of this pivotal event, directing them to a specific "goodman of the house" who will provide a "guestchamber" for Him and His disciples to observe the Passover, thereby setting the stage for the institution of the New Covenant. This verse underscores Jesus' sovereign control over circumstances, even in the most challenging moments, and the disciples' call to simple obedience.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Mark 14 opens with the chief priests and scribes plotting to arrest and kill Jesus. Amidst this hostile environment, Jesus is anointed by a woman in Bethany, an act He declares is preparation for His burial. Immediately following this, Judas Iscariot agrees to betray Jesus. It is against this backdrop of impending betrayal and death that the disciples ask Jesus where they should prepare the Passover. Mark 14:14 is Jesus' direct, almost prophetic, response, detailing the seemingly mundane logistics of finding a room, yet imbued with profound theological significance as it leads directly into the Last Supper narrative, the institution of the Lord's Supper ([Mark 14:22-25](/mark/14-22-25 "Mark 14:22-25 - Institution of the Lord's Supper")), and His subsequent arrest and trial.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Passover festival (Pesach) was one of the most significant annual pilgrimages for Jews, commemorating their liberation from slavery in Egypt ([Exodus 12](/exodus/12 "Exodus 12 - The First Passover")). Jerusalem would have been teeming with hundreds of thousands of pilgrims, making lodging scarce and often pre-arranged. The Passover meal itself was a highly ritualized event, traditionally eaten within the city walls. A "guestchamber" (Greek: _katályma_) would typically be an upper room (an "upper chamber" or "large upper room" as described in [Luke 22:12](/luke/22-12 "Luke 22:12 - The Large Upper Room")) in a private home, often specifically designed for guests or communal gatherings, rather than a public inn. The act of a man carrying a water pitcher was unusual, as it was typically a woman's task, suggesting a pre-arranged signal or a divinely orchestrated sign for the disciples to follow.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes to several overarching themes in Mark's Gospel. Firstly, it highlights Jesus' **divine foreknowledge and sovereignty**, demonstrating His complete control over events, even the seemingly ordinary details of finding a room, despite the escalating human plots against Him ([Mark 14:1-2](/mark/14-1-2 "Mark 14:1-2 - Plot to Kill Jesus")). Secondly, it emphasizes the **disciples' need for obedient trust** in Jesus' unconventional instructions, setting a pattern for their future mission. Thirdly, the preparation for the Passover underscores the **continuity and transformation of God's redemptive plan**, as the Old Covenant Passover is about to be reinterpreted and fulfilled in the New Covenant through Jesus' body and blood ([Mark 14:22-24](/mark/14-22-24 "Mark 14:22-24 - The New Covenant")). Finally, the homeowner's willingness to provide the room subtly introduces the theme of **hospitality and divine provision**, as God prepares the way for His pivotal acts.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Master (Greek, _didáskalos_):** From _didaskō_, meaning "to teach." This term, frequently used by the disciples for Jesus, signifies His authority as a teacher and spiritual guide. When Jesus refers to Himself as "The Master" in this context, it is not merely a title of respect, but an assertion of His inherent authority and divine prerogative, commanding the homeowner's cooperation without prior arrangement, implying a pre-existing relationship or a divinely prompted willingness.
* **Guestchamber (Greek, _katályma_):** Properly, a "dissolution" or "breaking up of a journey," by implication, a "lodging-place." While it can refer to a public inn (as in [Luke 2:7](/luke/2-7 "Luke 2:7 - No Room in the Inn")), here it denotes a private room, likely an upper room, specifically prepared for guests. The use of this term suggests a space set aside for a specific purpose, implying that this particular room was divinely designated for the Passover meal, not merely a random lodging.
* **Goodman of the house (Greek, _oikodespótēs_):** A compound word from _oikos_ (house) and _despotēs_ (master), meaning "the head of a family" or "householder." This term identifies the owner or master of the dwelling, the one with authority over the property. Jesus' instruction to address the "goodman of the house" directly highlights the personal and authoritative nature of His request, implying a pre-arranged divine understanding or a supernatural prompting of the homeowner's heart.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And wheresoever he shall go in":** This phrase refers to the man carrying a pitcher of water, whom Jesus instructs the disciples to follow. It emphasizes the precise, divinely guided nature of their journey. The disciples are not to seek out a room on their own but to follow a specific, pre-ordained sign, highlighting Jesus' meticulous foreknowledge and control over the unfolding events.
* **"say ye to the goodman of the house":** Upon entering the designated house, the disciples are given a direct message to deliver to the homeowner. This is not a request from the disciples themselves, but a direct communication from "The Master," lending it immediate authority and ensuring a receptive response. It underscores the homeowner's role as a pre-selected participant in God's redemptive plan.
* **"The Master saith, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples?":** This is the core message Jesus provides. The use of "The Master saith" (Greek: _Didaskalos legei_) is a powerful, authoritative statement. Jesus' question is not born of uncertainty but is a rhetorical inquiry designed to elicit a prepared response. He is not asking _if_ there is a room, but _where_ the designated room is, implying its existence and readiness. The phrase "where I shall eat the passover with my disciples" clearly states the purpose of the room, linking it directly to the sacred, divinely ordained meal that will soon become the Last Supper.

#### Literary Devices
Mark 14:14 employs several significant literary devices. **Foreshadowing** is prominent, as Jesus' precise instructions about the Passover preparations anticipate the momentous events of the Last Supper and His impending sacrifice. The detail of the "man bearing a pitcher of water" functions as a **sign** or a **symbolic guide**, a unique and specific indicator that only Jesus could have known and pre-arranged, reinforcing His **omniscience**. The dialogue itself, particularly Jesus' authoritative "The Master saith," utilizes **direct address** to convey His authority and the divine nature of the request. Furthermore, the entire scene is an example of **divine orchestration**, where seemingly mundane details are revealed to be part of God's meticulous plan, demonstrating His sovereign control even in the face of human betrayal.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 14:14 is a profound testament to Jesus' divine sovereignty and meticulous providence, even in the most human and vulnerable moments leading up to His crucifixion. It reveals that the Son of God is not merely reacting to circumstances but is actively orchestrating them, ensuring that the pivotal events of salvation history unfold according to His divine will. The preparation of the Passover meal, which becomes the institution of the Lord's Supper, is not a mere coincidence but a divinely appointed moment, highlighting the sacred continuity of God's redemptive plan from the Old Covenant to the New. The homeowner's immediate compliance, without question, points to a divinely prepared heart, underscoring God's ability to move individuals to facilitate His purposes.

* [Matthew 26:18](/matthew/26-18 "Matthew 26:18 - Jesus' Instructions for Passover")
* [Luke 22:10-12](/luke/22-10-12 "Luke 22:10-12 - The Man with the Water Jar")
* [John 13:1](/john/13-1 "John 13:1 - Jesus' Love to the End")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 14:14 offers powerful lessons for contemporary believers, inviting us to reflect on God's active involvement in our lives and our call to faithful obedience. Just as Jesus had a specific plan for the Passover, down to the very room and the individual who would provide it, so too does God meticulously orchestrate the details of our lives and His broader redemptive purposes. This should cultivate a deep trust in His provision and guidance, even when the path ahead seems unclear or the instructions unconventional. Our role, like that of the disciples, is to be ready to follow His leading, to trust His word implicitly, and to be available for His service. The homeowner's act of hospitality reminds us of the profound impact simple acts of generosity and openness can have in facilitating God's work, encouraging us to use our resources and homes for His glory. Furthermore, the careful preparation for this sacred meal underscores the reverence and intentionality with which we should approach our spiritual disciplines, particularly the Lord's Supper, recognizing its profound significance as a participation in Christ's sacrifice and the New Covenant.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jesus' foreknowledge in this passage challenge or affirm your understanding of God's sovereignty in your own life?**
* **In what areas of your life might God be asking for simple, immediate obedience to seemingly unconventional instructions?**
* **How can you cultivate a spirit of hospitality, like the "goodman of the house," to facilitate God's purposes in your community or home?**
* **What does the meticulous preparation for the Passover teach us about the reverence and intentionality we should bring to our spiritual practices today?**

### FAQ
**Why did Jesus give such specific instructions about finding the room?**

Answer: Jesus' highly specific instructions—to follow a man carrying a water pitcher (an unusual task for a man in that culture, often a woman's chore, making him distinctive) and then to inquire of the homeowner using a precise phrase—served multiple purposes. Firstly, it demonstrated His divine **foreknowledge and omniscience**, proving that He was in control of the situation, not merely a victim of circumstances. This foresight would have been a powerful affirmation for His disciples. Secondly, it likely ensured the privacy and security of the location for such a crucial and intimate meal, away from the prying eyes of His enemies who were actively seeking to arrest Him ([Mark 14:1-2](/mark/14-1-2 "Mark 14:1-2 - Plot to Kill Jesus")). Finally, it underscored the divine orchestration of the event, indicating that the homeowner was either known to Jesus or divinely prompted to provide the "guestchamber" (_katályma_) for this sacred purpose.

**Who was the "goodman of the house"?**

Answer: The "goodman of the house" (Greek: _oikodespótēs_) refers to the master or owner of the house. The Gospels do not explicitly name him, but tradition and scholarly speculation often suggest he might have been a follower of Jesus, perhaps even a secret disciple, or at least someone known to Jesus and sympathetic to His cause. The fact that he readily provides a large upper room without question upon hearing "The Master saith" implies either a pre-arranged understanding or a supernatural prompting by God. This anonymity allows the focus to remain on Jesus' divine authority and the homeowner's immediate, unquestioning obedience, highlighting the theme of divine provision and hospitality.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 14:14, with its meticulous preparation for the Passover meal, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ Himself. The Passover meal, originally commemorating Israel's deliverance from Egyptian bondage through the blood of the lamb ([Exodus 12:13](/exodus/12-13 "Exodus 12:13 - The Blood as a Sign")), is here transformed by Jesus into the foundational act of the New Covenant. The "guestchamber" becomes the sacred space where Jesus institutes the Lord's Supper, revealing that He is the true Passover Lamb whose body is broken and blood poured out for the forgiveness of sins ([Mark 14:22-24](/mark/14-22-24 "Mark 14:22-24 - Institution of the Lord's Supper")). His divine foreknowledge in orchestrating every detail, from the man with the water pitcher to the willing homeowner, underscores His sovereign control as the Son of God, not merely a prophet, but the Lord of all creation who willingly lays down His life ([John 10:18](/john/10-18 "John 10:18 - Jesus Lays Down His Life")). This prepared room, where the old covenant meal gives way to the new, foreshadows the ultimate "prepared place" Jesus speaks of in [John 14:2-3](/john/14-2-3 "John 14:2-3 - Jesus Prepares a Place"), where He goes to prepare a dwelling for His disciples in His Father's house, inviting all who believe to partake in the eternal banquet of salvation. Thus, the seemingly simple act of finding a room for Passover becomes a profound testament to Jesus as the fulfillment of all Old Testament types and shadows, the one who perfectly accomplishes God's redemptive plan.

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

Revelation 3:20

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

John 13:13

Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for [so] I am.

Mark 11:3

And if any man say unto you, Why do ye this? say ye that the Lord hath need of him; and straightway he will send him hither.

Mark 10:17

¶ And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?

John 11:28

And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Master is come, and calleth for thee.