Mark 14:26

KJV

And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} when they had sung an hymn {G5214}, they went out {G1831} into {G1519} the mount {G3735} of Olives {G1636}.

Complete Jewish Bible

After singing the Hallel, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Berean Standard Bible

And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

American Standard Version

And when they had sung a hymn, they went out unto the mount of Olives.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 14:26 captures a profoundly poignant and pivotal moment in the Passion narrative, immediately following the institution of the Lord's Supper. Having shared the foundational meal of the New Covenant, Jesus and His disciples conclude their time in the upper room with an act of worship, singing a hymn, before embarking on their solemn journey to the Mount of Olives, a place that would soon bear witness to Jesus' agony, betrayal, and arrest. This verse marks the transition from intimate fellowship and sacred ritual to the unfolding of divine purpose through suffering.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as a crucial bridge in Mark's Gospel, moving from the intimate setting of the Last Supper (Mark 14:12-25) to the intense drama of Gethsemane and Jesus' arrest (Mark 14:32-52). The preceding verses detail Jesus' final Passover meal with His disciples, during which He institutes the new covenant through His body and blood, transforming the ancient Jewish feast into a prophetic foretaste of His ultimate sacrifice. The act of singing a hymn, therefore, is the concluding communal act before Jesus' deliberate move towards His suffering. It underscores the spiritual gravity of the moment, transitioning from a shared meal of fellowship to a journey into profound isolation and trial, setting the stage for the fulfillment of prophecies concerning the Messiah's suffering.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The "hymn" sung by Jesus and His disciples is widely understood by scholars to be the Hallel Psalms (Psalms 113-118), which were traditionally sung as part of the Passover Seder. Psalms 113-114 were typically sung before the meal, and Psalms 115-118 after the meal, at the conclusion of the Passover celebration. These psalms are rich with themes of God's deliverance, His sovereignty over nations, and His steadfast love, making them incredibly poignant in the context of Jesus' impending sacrifice. The Mount of Olives, a prominent ridge east of Jerusalem, was a familiar place for Jesus and His disciples, often serving as a retreat for prayer and teaching (cf. [Mark 13:3](/mark/13-3 "Mark 13:3 - Jesus on the Mount of Olives")). It also holds significant prophetic connotations, particularly in [Zechariah 14:4](/zechariah/14-4 "Zechariah 14:4 - The Lord's Feet on the Mount of Olives"), where it is depicted as the place of the Lord's return. Thus, their departure to this specific location was not arbitrary but laden with both personal familiarity and eschatological significance.
* **Key Themes:** Mark 14:26 contributes to several overarching themes within Mark's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Worship Amidst Suffering**. The act of singing a hymn, traditionally a song of praise and thanksgiving, before entering the deepest agony of His life, demonstrates Jesus' unwavering faith and submission to God's will, providing a powerful example for believers facing trials. Secondly, it underscores the **Intentional Movement Towards Destiny**. Jesus' deliberate departure to the Mount of Olives, knowing full well what awaited Him there, emphasizes His sovereign control over His passion, rather than being a passive victim. This aligns with the theme of the Messiah's purposeful journey towards the cross as the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan, as seen in passages like [Mark 10:45](/mark/10-45 "Mark 10:45 - The Son of Man Came to Serve"). Lastly, the verse reinforces the theme of **Fulfillment of Tradition and New Covenant**. By participating in the traditional Passover hymn, Jesus honors the ancient covenant while simultaneously inaugurating the New Covenant through His body and blood, signifying a continuity and culmination of God's redemptive history. This transition from the old to the new is central to the Gospel's message of salvation through Christ.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **hymn (Greek, _hymnéō'_):** From G5214, meaning "to hymn, i.e. sing a religious ode; by implication, to celebrate (God) in song." This word signifies more than just singing; it denotes a specific act of praising or adoring God through song. In the context of the Passover, it strongly points to the Hallel Psalms, which are songs of praise for God's deliverance and faithfulness. The choice to sing such a hymn at this critical juncture underscores a profound act of worship and trust in God's sovereign plan, even in the face of impending suffering.
* **went out (Greek, _exérchomai'_):** From G1831, meaning "to issue (literally or figuratively):--come (forth, out), depart (out of), escape, get out, go (abroad, away, forth, out, thence), proceed (forth), spread abroad." This verb emphasizes a purposeful departure. It is not a casual exit but a deliberate movement from the upper room, a place of intimate fellowship and sacred institution, to the Mount of Olives, a place of prayer, agony, and ultimately, betrayal. The act of "going out" signifies the beginning of the final phase of Jesus' earthly ministry leading directly to His crucifixion.
* **mount of Olives (Greek, _óros elaía'_):** From G3735 (óros) meaning "a mountain (as lifting itself above the plain):--hill, mount(-ain)" and G1636 (elaía) meaning "an olive (the tree or the fruit):--olive (berry, tree)." This specific geographical location is highly significant. It was a familiar place for Jesus, often used for teaching and prayer. Its name, "Mount of Olives," immediately evokes the trees that would provide the setting for Jesus' intense prayer in Gethsemane, a garden located on its slopes. The combination of "mountain" and "olives" creates a vivid image of the natural, yet divinely appointed, setting for the unfolding of God's redemptive plan.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And when they had sung an hymn":** This clause highlights the conclusion of the Last Supper with an act of corporate worship. The singing of a hymn, likely the Hallel Psalms, demonstrates Jesus' adherence to Jewish tradition even as He institutes the New Covenant. It also reveals a profound spiritual discipline and an act of faith and praise in the face of imminent suffering. This moment of worship serves as a spiritual strengthening for both Jesus and His disciples before the trials ahead.
* **"they went out into the mount of Olives.":** This clause marks a decisive transition from the upper room to the location of Jesus' agony and betrayal. The "going out" is a deliberate, purposeful movement towards the fulfillment of God's plan. The Mount of Olives, a familiar and prophetically significant location, becomes the stage for the next critical events in the Passion narrative, including the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus will pray, be betrayed, and arrested. This movement underscores Jesus' active participation in His redemptive mission.

#### Literary Devices
Mark 14:26 is rich with **Symbolism** and **Foreshadowing**. The act of singing a hymn before facing immense suffering is symbolic of worship as a source of strength and submission to divine will, even in the darkest hours. It contrasts the spiritual peace of communal praise with the impending chaos and violence. The "Mount of Olives" itself is a powerful symbol; it was a place of peace and teaching for Jesus, but here it becomes the threshold of His deepest agony and betrayal, thus foreshadowing the suffering to come. The deliberate "going out" also serves as **Foreshadowing**, signaling the intentional movement of Jesus towards His destiny, rather than being dragged unwillingly. This foreshadows His ultimate sacrifice and His active role as the Lamb of God. There is also an element of **Irony** in singing songs of deliverance and praise just before betrayal and arrest, emphasizing the profound spiritual depth and divine purpose behind these human events.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 14:26 profoundly connects the themes of worship, suffering, and divine sovereignty. The act of singing a hymn, traditionally a song of praise for God's deliverance, immediately before Jesus' deepest agony, underscores the theological truth that true worship is not contingent on favorable circumstances but is a posture of faith and submission to God's will, even when that will leads to suffering. This demonstrates Jesus' perfect obedience and trust in His Father's plan, setting an example for believers to find strength and express devotion even in the face of overwhelming adversity. The deliberate journey to the Mount of Olives signifies the Messiah's active embrace of His destiny, fulfilling the Old Testament prophecies and inaugurating the New Covenant through His sacrifice. This verse highlights that even in the moments leading to His greatest trial, Jesus remained centered on God, embodying the very essence of the New Covenant He had just instituted.

* [Psalm 23:4](/psalms/23-4 "Psalm 23:4 - The Shepherd's Presence in the Valley of the Shadow")
* [Hebrews 12:2](/hebrews/12-2 "Hebrews 12:2 - Looking to Jesus, the Pioneer and Perfecter of Faith")
* [Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience to Death on a Cross")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 14:26 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers, particularly concerning the role of worship and faith in the face of adversity. Just as Jesus and His disciples found strength and spiritual grounding in singing a hymn before embarking on the most challenging phase of His earthly ministry, we too are called to cultivate a spirit of worship and reliance on God, especially when trials loom. This verse reminds us that spiritual disciplines like communal worship, prayer, and meditating on God's word are not merely rituals but vital sources of strength and peace that prepare us for life's inevitable struggles. Jesus' deliberate movement towards the Mount of Olives, knowing the suffering that awaited Him, serves as a powerful model of courageous obedience and trust in God's sovereign plan. It challenges us to face our own "Mount of Olives" moments—periods of fear, doubt, or pain—with a similar resolve, confident that God's purposes will prevail and that His presence is with us even in the darkest valleys.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the act of worship, like singing a hymn, prepare us spiritually for difficult times?**
* **In what ways can we emulate Jesus' intentional and obedient movement towards God's will, even when it involves suffering?**
* **What spiritual disciplines can I strengthen in my life to better face future challenges with faith and peace?**
* **How does knowing that Jesus faced His greatest trial with worship and resolve encourage me in my own struggles?**

### FAQ
**What was the specific "hymn" they sang, and why is it significant?**

Answer: While the text does not explicitly name the hymn, biblical scholars widely agree that it was part of the Hallel Psalms (Psalms 113-118). These psalms were traditionally sung during the Passover Seder, with Psalms 115-118 typically sung after the meal. Their significance lies in their content: they are songs of praise, thanksgiving, and trust in God's deliverance from oppression and death. Singing these particular psalms at this moment underscores Jesus' profound faith in God's ultimate victory, even as He walked towards His own suffering and death. It also highlights His adherence to Jewish custom, even as He inaugurated the New Covenant, demonstrating continuity and fulfillment.

**Why is the Mount of Olives a significant location for Jesus to go after the Last Supper?**

Answer: The Mount of Olives was a familiar and symbolically rich location for Jesus. It was a place He frequently visited for prayer, teaching, and rest (cf. [Luke 21:37](/luke/21-37 "Luke 21:37 - Jesus Teaching on the Mount of Olives")). Its proximity to Jerusalem made it a convenient retreat. More importantly, it was the location of the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus would soon experience intense spiritual agony, betrayal, and arrest. Prophetically, the Mount of Olives is mentioned in [Zechariah 14:4](/zechariah/14-4 "Zechariah 14:4 - The Lord's Feet on the Mount of Olives") as the place where the Lord's feet will stand on the Day of the Lord. Thus, Jesus' deliberate journey there was not random but a purposeful step towards the fulfillment of divine prophecy and the unfolding of God's redemptive plan through His passion.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 14:26, though brief, is profoundly Christ-centered in its implications. The act of Jesus singing a hymn before His journey to the Mount of Olives reveals His perfect humanity and divine resolve. As the true Passover Lamb, He willingly embraced His destiny, not as a victim, but as the obedient Son who came to do His Father's will (cf. [Hebrews 10:5-10](/hebrews/10-5-10 "Hebrews 10:5-10 - Christ's Perfect Sacrifice")). The hymn, likely the Hallel, with its themes of deliverance and God's faithfulness, takes on new meaning as Jesus, the ultimate deliverer, prepares to lay down His life. His departure to the Mount of Olives, leading to Gethsemane, foreshadows His agonizing prayer and ultimate submission, "not my will, but yours be done" ([Luke 22:42](/luke/22-42 "Luke 22:42 - Jesus' Prayer in Gethsemane")). This deliberate movement towards suffering is the culmination of His mission to be the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), a sacrifice foreshadowed throughout the Old Testament (e.g., [Isaiah 53:7](/isaiah/53-7 "Isaiah 53:7 - The Suffering Servant")). In this verse, we see Christ, fully God and fully man, moving with purposeful obedience towards the cross, thereby securing the New Covenant and offering eternal life to all who believe.

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

Matthew 26:30

And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.

Luke 22:39

¶ And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him.

Matthew 21:1

¶ And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples,

Judges 18:1

¶ In those days [there was] no king in Israel: and in those days the tribe of the Danites sought them an inheritance to dwell in; for unto that day [all their] inheritance had not fallen unto them among the tribes of Israel.

Judges 18:4

And he said unto them, Thus and thus dealeth Micah with me, and hath hired me, and I am his priest.

Acts 16:25

¶ And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.

1 Corinthians 14:15

¶ What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.