Mark 14:21

KJV

The Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written of him: but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! good were it for that man if he had never been born.

KJV (with Strong's)

The Son {G5207} of man {G444} indeed {G3303} goeth {G5217}, as {G2531} it is written {G1125} of {G4012} him {G846}: but {G1161} woe {G3759} to that {G1565} man {G444} by {G1223} whom {G3739} the Son {G5207} of man {G444} is betrayed {G3860}! good {G2570} were it {G2258} for that {G1565} man {G444} if {G1487} he {G846} had {G1080} never {G3756} been born {G1080}.

Complete Jewish Bible

For the Son of Man will die, just as the Tanakh says he will; but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for him had he never been born!"

Berean Standard Bible

The Son of Man will go just as it is written about Him, but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed! It would be better for him if he had not been born.”

American Standard Version

For the Son of man goeth, even as it is written of him: but woe unto that man through whom the Son of man is betrayed! good were it for that man if he had not been born.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 14:21 presents Jesus' profound and somber declaration during the Last Supper, simultaneously affirming the divine necessity of His suffering and death as prophesied in Scripture, and pronouncing a severe judgment upon the individual who would betray Him. This pivotal statement underscores God's sovereign plan for redemption while highlighting the dire, eternal consequences of human sin and treachery, particularly against the Son of God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a direct continuation of Jesus' startling announcement to His disciples that one of them would betray Him, a revelation that plunged them into deep sorrow and confusion as they questioned, "Is it I?" [Mark 14:19](/mark/14-19 "Mark 14:19 - Disciples' Distress"). Spoken within the intimate setting of the Passover meal, which Jesus reinterprets as the institution of the New Covenant through His body and blood [Mark 14:22-25](/mark/14-22-25 "Mark 14:22-25 - Institution of the Lord's Supper"), this prophecy of betrayal sets a dark tone for the events immediately following. It precedes Jesus' departure to Gethsemane [Mark 14:26](/mark/14-26 "Mark 14:26 - To Gethsemane"), where the betrayal by Judas Iscariot will indeed occur, leading directly to Jesus' arrest and passion. The parallel accounts in [Matthew 26:24](/matthew/26-24 "Matthew 26:24 - Betrayal Prophecy") and [Luke 22:22](/luke/22-22 "Luke 22:22 - Luke's Betrayal Prophecy") underscore the significance of this declaration within the Synoptic Gospels.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Passover meal itself was a deeply significant annual Jewish celebration commemorating God's deliverance of Israel from slavery in Egypt [Exodus 12](/exodus/12 "Exodus 12 - The Passover"). Jesus' reinterpretation of this meal, transforming its elements into symbols of His impending sacrifice, would have been profoundly impactful for His Jewish disciples. Betrayal, especially by a close associate, was considered a heinous act in ancient Near Eastern culture, violating sacred bonds of hospitality and loyalty. The "woe" pronouncement carries the weight of prophetic denunciation, common in Old Testament prophetic literature against those who defied God or committed grave injustices. The phrase "good were it for that man if he had never been born" is an ancient idiom expressing the most extreme form of regret or condemnation, signifying a fate so terrible that non-existence would be preferable.
* **Key Themes:** Mark 14:21 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within Mark's Gospel and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it powerfully reinforces the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Prophetic Fulfillment**. Jesus' suffering and death are presented not as a tragic accident or a failure, but as the predetermined will of God, explicitly "as it is written of him." This points to the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies concerning the suffering Messiah, such as those found in [Isaiah 53](/isaiah/53 "Isaiah 53 - The Suffering Servant") and [Psalm 22](/psalm/22 "Psalm 22 - A Psalm of Suffering"). Secondly, the verse highlights the **Gravity of Sin and Personal Culpability**. Despite God's sovereign plan, Judas's act of betrayal is presented as a morally reprehensible choice for which he bears full personal responsibility and faces severe judgment. This underscores the reality of human free will within God's overarching purposes. Lastly, it powerfully illustrates the **Eternal Consequences of Rejecting Christ and Committing Grave Sin**. The stark pronouncement regarding the betrayer's fate serves as a solemn warning about the ultimate, catastrophic outcome for those who decisively turn away from God's light and grace.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Woe (Greek, _ouaí'_):** This interjection is a primary exclamation of grief, sorrow, and often a prophetic denunciation or curse. In this context, it signifies impending judgment and severe misfortune, not merely an expression of regret but a solemn declaration of divine condemnation upon the betrayer.
* **Betrayed (Greek, _paradídōmi'_):** From _pará_ (alongside) and _dídōmi_ (to give), this verb means "to surrender," "yield up," "entrust," or "transmit." While it can have neutral meanings (e.g., delivering someone to prison), in this context, it specifically refers to the act of handing over Jesus to His enemies, implying a malicious and treacherous act of surrender.
* **Born (Greek, _gennáō'_):** This verb means "to procreate," "beget," or "be born." Figuratively, it can also mean "to regenerate." In this verse, it refers to the physical act of being brought into existence, emphasizing the profound and irreversible nature of the betrayer's fate, where non-existence would be preferable to the judgment awaiting him.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written of him:"** This clause affirms the divine necessity and preordained nature of Jesus' suffering and death. "The Son of man" is Jesus' favorite self-designation, emphasizing both His humanity and His messianic authority and role as the suffering servant prophesied in the Old Testament [Daniel 7:13](/daniel/7-13 "Daniel 7:13 - Son of Man in Daniel"). The phrase "goeth" (Greek _hypágō_) implies a deliberate, purposeful departure towards His destiny, not a reluctant or accidental one. "As it is written of him" explicitly links His impending passion to the fulfillment of Scripture, emphasizing God's sovereign plan for redemption.
* **"but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed!"** Here, Jesus shifts from divine necessity to human culpability. The conjunction "but" (Greek _dé_) introduces a sharp contrast. The "woe" (Greek _ouaí_) is a pronouncement of severe judgment and condemnation. It highlights the profound wickedness of betraying the Son of Man, especially by one of His own disciples. This part of the verse underscores that while God's plan was fixed, the human agent's choice to betray was still a free, morally accountable act.
* **"good were it for that man if he had never been born."** This powerful, idiomatic expression emphasizes the catastrophic and eternal consequences awaiting the betrayer. It signifies a fate so terrible, so utterly miserable, that non-existence would be a merciful alternative. This is not a statement about annihilation, but about a state of profound and unending suffering and separation from God, indicating the ultimate ruin brought about by such a grave sin against the Son of God.

#### Literary Devices
Mark 14:21 employs several potent literary devices. **Prophecy and Fulfillment** are central, as Jesus explicitly states His path is "as it is written of him," directly linking His passion to Old Testament Scriptures. A stark **Contrast** is drawn between the divine necessity of Jesus' suffering and the moral culpability of the betrayer. While Jesus' path is ordained, the betrayer's actions are presented as a choice leading to severe judgment. The phrase "good were it for that man if he had never been born" is a powerful example of **Hyperbole** or a strong **Idiom**, emphasizing the extreme and irreversible nature of the betrayer's damnation. It is not meant literally as a wish for non-existence, but rather to convey the utter wretchedness of his future state. The repetition of "Son of man" also serves as a form of **Emphasis**, reinforcing Jesus' identity and the gravity of the offense against Him. The entire verse also functions as **Foreshadowing**, setting the stage for the imminent betrayal by Judas Iscariot.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 14:21 profoundly illustrates the paradox of divine sovereignty and human responsibility. While God's redemptive plan for humanity, culminating in Christ's atoning sacrifice, was immutably established and foretold in Scripture, the human agents involved in bringing about that plan, particularly the betrayer, remain fully accountable for their sinful choices. This tension highlights that God can use even the darkest human sin to accomplish His righteous purposes without diminishing the gravity or culpability of that sin. The "woe" pronounced upon Judas serves as a stark reminder of the eternal consequences of rejecting divine truth and betraying the Son of God, emphasizing the infinite value of Christ's person and the severity of sin committed against Him.

* [Matthew 26:24](/matthew/26-24 "Matthew 26:24 - Parallel Betrayal Prophecy")
* [Luke 22:22](/luke/22-22 "Luke 22:22 - Luke's Account of the Betrayal Prophecy")
* [Psalm 41:9](/psalm/41-9 "Psalm 41:9 - Prophecy of Betrayal by a Friend")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 14:21 calls us to a profound self-examination regarding our allegiance to Christ. It challenges us to consider the weight of our own choices and the potential for spiritual betrayal in our lives, not necessarily through overt acts like Judas, but through subtle compromises, lukewarm faith, or prioritizing self over Christ. The verse reminds us that even within God's sovereign plan, our individual choices have eternal ramifications. It urges us to live in conscious awareness of God's perfect will, aligning our lives with His purposes and actively resisting any temptation to betray Him through our actions or attitudes. We are called to cultivate genuine devotion, recognizing the immense privilege of knowing Christ and the dire consequences of turning away from Him. This passage serves as a powerful call to repentance, faithfulness, and unwavering commitment to the One who "goeth" to the cross for our salvation.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the tension between divine sovereignty and human responsibility in this verse challenge or affirm your understanding of God's plan and your own choices?**
* **In what subtle ways might we, as believers, be tempted to "betray" Christ in our daily lives, perhaps through compromise, apathy, or unfaithfulness?**
* **What does the severe judgment pronounced upon the betrayer teach us about the gravity of sin, especially sin against God's Son?**
* **How does this verse deepen your appreciation for the sacrifice Jesus willingly made, knowing the cost and the betrayal He would face?**

### FAQ
**Was Judas's betrayal predetermined, making him a mere puppet in God's plan?**

Answer: While Mark 14:21 states that Jesus "goeth, as it is written of him," indicating God's sovereign plan and the fulfillment of prophecy concerning the Messiah's suffering, this does not negate Judas's personal responsibility. The verse explicitly pronounces "woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed," highlighting his culpability. The biblical narrative consistently presents Judas's actions as his own free, wicked choices, driven by greed and a hardened heart [John 12:6](/john/12-6 "John 12:6 - Judas's Greed"). God's foreknowledge and sovereign plan do not coerce human will but rather incorporate human choices, both righteous and sinful, into the unfolding of His ultimate redemptive purposes. Judas was not forced to betray Jesus, but his betrayal, though wicked, was foreseen and used by God to accomplish the greater good of salvation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 14:21, though a stark warning, ultimately points to the profound Christ-centered fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. Jesus, the "Son of man," willingly "goeth" to His suffering and death, not as a victim of circumstance, but as the sovereign Lamb of God, fulfilling all that was "written of him" in the Old Testament. This includes the prophecies of the suffering servant in [Isaiah 53](/isaiah/53 "Isaiah 53 - The Suffering Servant"), who would be "pierced for our transgressions" and "crushed for our iniquities," and the betrayal by a close friend foretold in [Psalm 41:9](/psalm/41-9 "Psalm 41:9 - Betrayal by a Familiar Friend"). The betrayal, while an act of profound human wickedness, paradoxically served as the catalyst for the ultimate act of divine love: Christ's sacrifice on the cross. His being "betrayed" and delivered up was the very means by which He became the atoning sacrifice for the sins of the world, taking upon Himself the "woe" that humanity deserved. Thus, the terrifying "good were it for that man if he had never been born" stands in stark contrast to the eternal life and blessing offered to those who believe in the Son of Man, who gave His life as a ransom for many [Mark 10:45](/mark/10-45 "Mark 10:45 - Ransom for Many"). Jesus' journey to the cross, though initiated by betrayal, was the path to our salvation, demonstrating that God's love triumphs even over the darkest human sin [Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God Demonstrates His Love").

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

Isaiah 53:1

¶ Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?

Isaiah 53:12

Therefore will I divide him [a portion] with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

John 19:36

For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken.

John 19:37

And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced.

Matthew 18:6

But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and [that] he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

Matthew 18:7

¶ Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!

John 19:28

After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.