Mark 14

Mark 14:2

Not on] It must be before the passeover.

the feast-day] By the will of God, against the counsel of men, it came to passe, that Christ should be put to death upon the solemn day of the passeover, that in all fit respects the truth might agree with the figure.

Mark 14:3

And being in Bethany] Matthew 26:6.

spikenard] Or, purenard, or liquidnard.

she brake the box] Not to pieces, but so as it might run out largely and freely.

Mark 14:4

Why was this waste] Wicked men think all waste that is bestowed on Christ.

Mark 14:5

three hundred pence] Which is about six pounds English, See Matthew 18:28.

Mark 14:6

Why trouble ye her] Gr. make labours. It seems they were very troublesome to her, and sought by all means to hinder her.

Mark 14:7

ye have the poor with you always] Ye will not want occasion to do good to the poor, when I am gone.

Mark 14:8

to anoint my body to the burying] See notes on Matthew 16:12.

Mark 14:10

And Judas] Matthew 26:14.

went unto] Gr. went away unto, chap. 22. 43.

Mark 14:11

and promised to give him money] Christ is betrayed by covetousnesse.

Mark 14:12

And] Matthew 26:17. Our Saviour being made subject to the law for us, doth celebrate the passeover according to the law; and therewithall, by foretelling the place, sheweth, that although he in the flesh shall quickly suffer, yet he is God, that knows contingent things.

the first day of unleavened bread] Or, the day before: For they must prepare for it before hand.

when they killed] They used to kill. Or, sacrificed.

the passeover] That is spoken by the figure Metonymia, which is usuall in sacraments; and, by the passeover, is meant the paschal lamb.

Mark 14:13

Go ye into the citie] Jerusalem.

bearing a pitcher of water] To wash and fit the house for guests against the feast; being one in likelihood of those who used to let out lodgings against the feast to strangers, as many in Jerusalem did. See v. 15.

Mark 14:14

And wheresoever he shall go in] Into whatsoever house.

Where is the guest-chamber] Or, lodging. The word is used for an inne, Luke 2:7.

Mark 14:15

a large upper room] The Greek word signifieth that part of the house that is highest from the ground, to what use soever it be put: but because they used to sup in that part of the house, they called it a supping-chamber.

Mark 14:18

And as they sat] Matthew 26:20.

Mark 14:20

that dippeth with me in the dish] That useth to eat meat with me: which was anciently esteemed a strict bond of friendship, Psalms 41:9.

Mark 14:22

And] Matthew 26:26.

as they did eat] The figure of the law, which is by and by to be fulfilled, is abrogated; and, in place thereof, are put seals of the new covenant, answerable unto them, which shall continue to the worlds end.

Mark 14:25

I will drink no more] See on Matthew 26:29.

Mark 14:26

hymn] Or, psalm.

Mark 14:27

And Jesus] Matthew 26:31.

All ye shall be offended] Christ foretelleth how he shall be forsaken of his; but yet, that he will never forsake them.

Mark 14:29

But Peter] Matthew 26:33.

yet will not I] Here is set forth, in an excellent person, a most sorrowfull example of mans rashnesse and weaknesse.

Mark 14:30

even in this night] Before it be day-light. A quick change.

Mark 14:31

But he spake the more vehemently] The earnestnes of his words setteth out more plainly Peters vehement affirmation.

Likewise also said they all] The rest of the apostles that were with Christ.

Mark 14:32

And they came] Matthew 26:36.

to his disciples] Gr. to his own disciples. For none but apostles were with him, who were called his disciples, by way of preeminence.

Mark 14:33

with him] Gr. with himself. None were there, but they and he.

Mark 14:34

My soul is exceeding sorrowfull unto death] Christ suffering for us in that flesh which he took upon him for our sakes, the most horrible terrours of the curse of God, receiveth the cup at his Fathers hands, which he, being just, doth drink for the unjust.

Mark 14:35

the bour might passe from him] The time of my passion determined by thee, and foretold in Scriptures, which I now feel, to my sorrow, to be at hand.

Mark 14:36

Abba, Father] So Romans 8:15. Galatians 4:6. The children speaking Syrian, used to say Abba to their fathers; therefore the Greek retains it: and expounds it, because the congregations were mixed; and so doubles it, to shew the strength of his affection.

Mark 14:37

and findeth them sleeping] An example of humane frailty, even in the apostles, whom Christ had chosen.

Mark 14:41

into the hands of sinners] Of the Romanes, which were heathen, Galatians 2:15.

Mark 14:43

And immediately] Matthew 26:47.

Mark 14:44

he that betrayed him] As men did willingly spoil God their Creatour of his praise, in forsaking him, and betraying his honour: so Christ, willingly going about to make satisfaction for this breach, is forsaken of his own, that the punishment might be agreeable to the sin.

had given them a tken] A common sign that they and he might understand. In war, they call it, A watch-word, or, The word

and lead him away safety] So diligently, that he escape not out of your hands.

Mark 14:47

one of them that stood by] Peter cut off Malchus ear, John 18. 10.

Mark 14:49

but the scriptures must be fulfilled] Gr. but that: That is, But this was done, that the Scriptures might be fulfilled.

Mark 14:50

And they all forseek him] The eleven disciples that were with him.

Mark 14:51

a certain young man] Not one of our Saviours disciples, or of the house whence he came; but one that came out of some dwelling neer the garden, who, hearing the tumult, had risen, and run out to see what the matter was.

having a linen cloth] Such as they used to lie in.

the young men laid hold on him] The souldiers that came with Judas, supposing him to be one of Christs disciples, took him.

Mark 14:53

And they led] Matthew 26:57.

with him were assembled all the chief priests] The highest council was assembled, because Christ was accused as a blasphemer, and a false prophet: for as for the other crime of treason, it was forged against him by the priests, to enforce Pilate by that means to condemn him.

Mark 14:54

at the fire] Gr. at the light.

Mark 14:55

And the chief priests] Matthew 26:59.

Mark 14:56

but their witnesse agreed not together] Or, were no equall to an accusation of death. They did not accuse him of a capital crime, which thing the priests desired, v. 55, 59. So that Christ, who was so innocent, that he could not be oppressed, no not by false witnesses; is at length, for confessing God to be his Father, condemned of impietie before the high priest, that we, who denied God, and were indeed wicked, might be quit before God.

Mark 14:59

But neither so did their witnesse agree together] It was not sufficient to put him to death, though they both did agree in one tale, v. 58. and therefore the high priest puts him to accuse himself, v. 61, 63.

Mark 14:61

the Son of the Blessed?] Of God, who is worthy of all praise, and is daily lauded of men and angels. The Jews commonly called God, The blessed One.

Mark 14:62

and ye shall see] Matthew 24:30.

sitting on the right hand] That ye may not doubt of the truth of what I say, I will confirm it by this notable signe.

of power] Of the power of God, till he have destroyed all his foes, Psalms 110:1.

Mark 14:65

some began] That is, they did spit.

to spit on him] Christ, suffering all kinde of reproach for our sakes, getteth everlasting glory for them that trust on him, Isaiah 50:6.

to cover his face] As if he had been condemned to die. See Esther 7:8. Or, to mock him.

Prophesie] Thou takest upon thee to be a prophet; tell who smote thee.

Mark 14:66

And as Peter was beneath] Matthew 26:29. For the assembly of priests sate higher, in the same room.

Mark 14:67

thou also wast with Jesus of Nazareth] Wast conversant with him as a disciple.

Mark 14:68

But he denied] An heavie example of the frailnesse of man, together with a most comfortable example of the mercy of God, who giveth the spirit of repentance and aith to his elect.

Mark 14:71

he began to curse] To curse himself, or wih evil on himself, if he knew Christ.

Mark 14:72

And the second time] Matthew 26:75.

when he thought thereon, he wept] Or, he wept abundantly, or, he began to weep, or, he went out, as Matthew 26:75.