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Mark 14:1

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¶ After two days was [the feast of] the passover, and of unleavened bread: and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take him by craft, and put [him] to death.

After {G1161} two {G1417} days {G2250} was {G2258} the feast of the passover {G3957}, and {G2532} of {G3326} unleavened bread {G106}: and {G2532} the chief priests {G749} and {G2532} the scribes {G1122} sought {G2212} how {G4459} they might take {G2902} him {G846} by {G1722} craft {G1388}, and put him to death {G615}.

It was now two days before Pesach (that is, the festival of Matzah), and the head cohanim and the Torah-teachers were trying to find some way to arrest Yeshua surreptitiously and have him put to death;

Now the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread were two days away, and the chief priests and scribes were looking for a covert way to arrest Jesus and kill Him.

Now after two days wasthe feast ofthe passover and the unleavened bread: and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take him with subtlety, and kill him:

Commentary

Mark 14:1 KJV sets the immediate stage for the climactic events of Jesus' passion, highlighting the sinister plot against Him by the Jewish religious authorities.

Historical and Cultural Context

This verse opens with a precise temporal marker: "After two days was the feast of the passover, and of unleavened bread." This timing is crucial, placing the events just before the most significant Jewish festivals, which attracted vast numbers of pilgrims to Jerusalem. The Passover commemorated the Exodus from Egypt, a foundational event in Jewish history, while the Feast of Unleavened Bread immediately followed, emphasizing purity and separation from sin. The presence of large, often pro-Jesus crowds during this period complicated the plans of the "chief priests and the scribes," who were the leading religious and legal authorities of the Sanhedrin. They were wary of causing a public disturbance or riot, which could draw the attention of the Roman authorities and potentially lead to severe repercussions.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Imminent Danger and Betrayal: The verse immediately signals the approaching climax of Jesus' earthly ministry. The leaders' intent to "take him by craft, and put him to death" underscores the grave danger Jesus faced and foreshadows the betrayal by Judas Iscariot, which would enable their secret arrest.
  • Deep-Seated Opposition: It reveals the intense and long-standing animosity of the religious establishment towards Jesus. They saw Him as a threat to their authority, traditions, and interpretation of the Law. Their desire to eliminate Him was not about justice but about preserving their power and control.
  • Human Plotting vs. Divine Sovereignty: While the chief priests and scribes meticulously plotted Jesus' demise, this human conspiracy ultimately served to fulfill God's eternal plan for salvation. Jesus' death was not an accident but a divinely ordained sacrifice, as He Himself had prophesied (Mark 10:33-34).
  • Fear of the People: The phrase "by craft" highlights their fear of the common people, many of whom regarded Jesus as a prophet or even the Messiah. They sought a surreptitious method of arrest to avoid public outcry and potential unrest during the crowded festival.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "take him by craft" is translated from the Greek word dolō (δόλῳ), which signifies deceit, guile, or treachery. This emphasizes that the religious leaders were not seeking an open, legal trial based on genuine wrongdoing, but rather a clandestine and deceptive means to apprehend Jesus without public knowledge or interference, ultimately leading to His unjust execution.

Practical Application

Mark 14:1 reminds believers that opposition to Christ and His followers is not new. It highlights the reality that even the most well-laid human plans, especially those driven by malice or fear, are ultimately subject to God's overarching sovereign will. For Christians, this verse underscores the voluntary nature of Jesus' sacrifice, as He willingly walked into the very plot designed to end His life, knowing it was the path to redemption for humanity.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) 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 — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Luke 22:1 (8 votes)

    ¶ Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover.

  • Luke 22:2 (8 votes)

    And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him; for they feared the people.

  • Exodus 12:6 (8 votes)

    And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening.

  • Exodus 12:20 (8 votes)

    Ye shall eat nothing leavened; in all your habitations shall ye eat unleavened bread.

  • John 13:1 (7 votes)

    ¶ Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.

  • Acts 4:25 (4 votes)

    Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?

  • Acts 4:28 (4 votes)

    For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.