Mark 14:16

And his disciples went forth, and came into the city, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover.

And {G2532} his {G846} disciples {G3101} went forth {G1831}, and {G2532} came {G2064} into {G1519} the city {G4172}, and {G2532} found {G2147} as {G2531} he had said {G2036} unto them {G846}: and {G2532} they made ready {G2090} the passover {G3957}.

The talmidim went off, came to the city and found things just as he had told them they would be; and they prepared the Seder.

So the disciples left and went into the city, where they found everything as Jesus had described. And they prepared the Passover.

And the disciples went forth, and came into the city, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover.

Commentary

Mark 14:16 KJV describes the disciples' successful execution of Jesus' instructions for preparing the Passover meal, a crucial prelude to the Last Supper and His crucifixion. It highlights their obedience and the precise fulfillment of Christ's foreknowledge.

Context

This verse immediately follows Jesus' specific and somewhat mysterious instructions to two of his disciples (traditionally believed to be Peter and John, though Mark does not explicitly name them) regarding where and how to prepare the Passover. In Mark 14:13-15, Jesus tells them they would encounter a man carrying a pitcher of water, who would lead them to a large upper room. The disciples' journey into Jerusalem and their subsequent discovery of everything "as he had said unto them" underscores Jesus' divine foresight and control over circumstances, even seemingly mundane details.

Key Themes

  • Divine Foreknowledge and Sovereignty: Jesus' ability to predict the exact circumstances and details of the Passover preparation demonstrates His omniscience. He knew precisely where and how the arrangements would unfold, reaffirming His divine authority and the orchestration of God's plan. This foreknowledge is a recurring theme throughout the Gospels, showing Christ's control even over His impending suffering, a concept also seen in John 13:19.
  • Disciples' Obedience and Faith: The disciples, without question or hesitation, follow Jesus' instructions. Their immediate compliance and the successful outcome affirm their trust in His words. This act of obedience paves the way for one of the most significant events in Christian history.
  • Preparation for the Passover and Last Supper: The verse marks the physical preparation for the traditional Jewish Passover meal, which Jesus transformed into the institution of the New Covenant through the Last Supper. This meal, symbolizing redemption from slavery in Egypt (Exodus 12:27), would now point to Christ's ultimate sacrifice for the redemption of humanity.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "made ready the passover" comes from the Greek word hetoimazล (แผ‘ฯ„ฮฟฮนฮผฮฌฮถฯ‰), which means "to prepare, to make ready, to get in readiness." It implies a thorough and complete preparation, not just a superficial one. This meticulous readiness underscores the solemnity and significance of the meal that was about to take place, a pivotal moment leading to the institution of the Lord's Supper, further expounded upon by Paul in 1 Corinthians 11:23-26.

Practical Application

Mark 14:16 offers valuable lessons for believers today. It encourages us to trust in God's perfect plan, even when the path ahead is unclear or requires steps of faith. Just as the disciples obeyed Jesus' specific instructions and found everything prepared for them, we too are called to be obedient to Christ's commands, knowing that He has already made provisions for our journey. This verse also reminds us of the importance of spiritual preparation for communion with God and for participating in His divine purposes, much like the disciples prepared for this sacred meal.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“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 โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Luke 22:13

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

  • John 16:4

    But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you.

  • Luke 22:35

    And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing.
โ† Back