Mark 14:11 kjv
And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money. And he sought how he might conveniently betray him.
Mark 14:11 nkjv
And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money. So he sought how he might conveniently betray Him.
Mark 14:11 niv
They were delighted to hear this and promised to give him money. So he watched for an opportunity to hand him over.
Mark 14:11 esv
And when they heard it, they were glad and promised to give him money. And he sought an opportunity to betray him.
Mark 14:11 nlt
They were delighted when they heard why he had come, and they promised to give him money. So he began looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus.
Mark 14 11 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Mt 26:14-16 | Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, And said unto them, ... they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver. And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him. | Parallel account of Judas's offer and leaders' acceptance. |
| Lk 22:3-6 | Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, ... And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them. And they were glad... | Parallel account, emphasizing Satan's influence and the leaders' joy. |
| Jn 13:2 | And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him; | Satan's instigation in Judas's betrayal. |
| Jn 6:70-71 | Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil? He spake of Judas Iscariot... | Early insight into Judas's corrupted nature. |
| Ps 41:9 | Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me. | Prophecy of betrayal by a close friend. |
| Zech 11:12 | And I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver. | Prophecy of the betrayer's price. |
| 1 Tim 6:10 | For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. | Warning against covetousness as a motive for evil. |
| Heb 13:5 | Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. | Command to avoid covetousness. |
| Lk 12:15 | And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. | Jesus warns against the snare of greed. |
| Mt 27:3-10 | Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself... brought again the thirty pieces of silver... | Judas's remorse and the fate of the money. |
| Acts 1:16-19 | Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus. | Fulfillment of prophecy in Judas's betrayal and demise. |
| Isa 53:7 | He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. | Prophecy of Jesus's passive submission to betrayal. |
| Gen 37:26-27 | And Judah said unto his brethren, What profit is it if we slay our brother, and conceal his blood? Come, and let us sell him to the Ishmeelites... | Biblical precedent of a brother sold for money (Joseph). |
| Ex 21:32 | If the ox shall push a manservant or a maidservant; he shall give unto their master thirty shekels of silver, and the ox shall be stoned. | Law for a slave's worth, ironically foreshadowing Jesus's price. |
| Mk 15:1 | And straightway in the morning the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council... | Leaders' ongoing conspiracy against Jesus. |
| Jn 11:47-53 | Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles... from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death. | Sanhedrin's decision to put Jesus to death for political expediency. |
| Lk 11:53-54 | And as he said these things unto them, the scribes and the Pharisees began to urge him vehemently... laying wait for him, and seeking to catch something out of his mouth... | Religious leaders constantly seeking to trap Jesus. |
| Gal 6:7 | Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. | Principle of divine justice for wicked acts like betrayal. |
| 2 Tim 3:2 | For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy... | Description of those who are self-seeking and covetous. |
| 1 Pet 5:8 | Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: | Warning against the devil's influence, seen in Judas. |
| 1 Co 11:23 | For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: | Liturgical remembrance of Jesus being "betrayed" (παρεδόθη). |
Mark 14 verses
Mark 14 11 Meaning
This verse details the immediate response of the chief priests and scribes to Judas Iscariot's offer to betray Jesus and Judas's subsequent actions. Upon hearing his proposition, the religious leaders were overjoyed and readily agreed to compensate him financially. Judas, driven by greed and a corrupt heart, then began actively seeking the most opportune and covert moment to deliver Jesus into their hands, avoiding public confrontation.
Mark 14 11 Context
Mark chapter 14 sets the stage for Jesus's Passion. Immediately preceding this verse, an unnamed woman anoints Jesus with costly ointment, which Jesus interprets as preparation for His burial. This act of sacrificial devotion contrasts sharply with the venal and treacherous actions of Judas described in verse 10 and amplified here in verse 11. While Jesus is honoring sacrificial love, Judas is consumed by the "love of money." The verse also directly follows the plotting of the chief priests and scribes who were actively seeking a clandestine way to seize and kill Jesus, fearing an open arrest due to His popularity during the Passover festival when Jerusalem was crowded. Judas's offer perfectly aligns with their need for an inconspicuous and "convenient" betrayal, making him a useful tool in their wicked scheme. This event thus intertwines human depravity and divine foreordination, setting the path for Jesus's crucifixion.
Mark 14 11 Word analysis
And when they heard it (Καὶ ἀκούσαντες - Kai akousantes): Refers to the chief priests and scribes mentioned in the preceding verse (Mk 14:10), to whom Judas went. This indicates their active role in listening and participating in the plot.
they were glad (ἐχάρησαν - echarēsan): From χαίρω (chairō), to rejoice, be glad. This is not righteous joy but an evil delight, stemming from their long-standing desire to eliminate Jesus. It underscores their malicious intent and relief at finding a simple, insider way to achieve their objective without causing an uproar. It highlights the stark spiritual contrast to true joy in the Spirit.
and promised (ἐπηγγείλαντο - epēngeilanto): From ἐπαγγέλλω (epangellō), meaning to promise, vow, or declare. It implies a firm, binding commitment or agreement. This was not a casual suggestion but a serious negotiation and covenant, signifying their full commitment to the conspiracy with Judas.
to give him money (ἀργύριον δοῦναι - argyrion dounai): "Ἀργύριον" (argyrion) specifically means silver money, coins, or specie. It directly points to the material motivation behind Judas's treachery. The promise of money immediately solidifies the pact and serves as the price for the betrayal of the Son of God, linking this event to prophecies like Zech 11:12. This commercial aspect underscores the depth of Judas's moral depravity.
And he sought (Καὶ ἐζήτει - Kai ezētei): From ζητέω (zēteō), to seek, desire, inquire. The imperfect tense indicates a continuous or ongoing action, implying that Judas began to actively look for, investigate, or strategize a plan. It reveals his deliberate and methodical approach to the betrayal, not a spontaneous act.
how he might conveniently (πῶς εὐκαίρως - pōs eukairōs): This is a crucial phrase. "Εὐκαίρως" (eukairōs) is an adverb meaning "opportunely," "at a favorable time," "with a good opportunity," or "conveniently." It highlights Judas's meticulous planning and strategic consideration. His aim was not just to betray Jesus, but to do so at a moment when it would be most effective for the chief priests—likely away from the crowds and during the night, to avoid a popular uprising or a public arrest scene. This shows forethought and calculation in his treachery.
betray him (αὐτὸν παραδῷ - auton paradō): From παραδίδωμι (paradidōmi), which can mean to hand over, deliver over, surrender, or betray. In this context, it unequivocally signifies an act of treachery and delivery into the hands of an enemy. It encapsulates the full nature of Judas's sin: turning over his Master to those who wished Him dead. The word "betray" effectively conveys this nuanced meaning, marking a breach of trust of the highest degree.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money": This phrase concisely portrays the swift, opportunistic collaboration between Judas and the Sanhedrin. Their "gladness" indicates not only their relief but also their sinful joy in finding a devious way to eliminate Jesus, aligning with their predetermined plot to kill Him. The immediate "promise to give him money" formalizes the treacherous agreement, making it a transactional covenant rooted in avarice and malice. This group of words emphasizes the mutual assent to the evil plan and the mercenary nature of the betrayal.
- "And he sought how he might conveniently betray him": This clause reveals Judas's active agency and the calculating nature of his treachery. He did not passively wait for an opportunity but actively "sought" for one, implying premeditation and strategic thinking. The adverb "conveniently" is key; it signifies that Judas was looking for the most advantageous time and method to deliver Jesus without causing a disturbance or a public outcry that might complicate the arrest for the religious authorities. It highlights his role as a tactical collaborator rather than merely an emotional instigator, displaying his full complicity and deliberation in the evil act.
Mark 14 11 Bonus section
This verse subtly introduces the theme of irony and hidden evil within religious contexts. The religious leaders, custodians of God's law, become enthusiastic accomplices in betrayal. This action reveals a profound spiritual blindness and a willingness to compromise truth and justice for perceived power or stability. Furthermore, Judas's quest for "convenience" is a chilling parallel to humanity's frequent desire for easy solutions, even when those solutions are morally corrupt or lead to betrayal. His concern was for logistics, not the spiritual enormity of his actions, making him a poignant warning against allowing material gain or expediency to eclipse loyalty and spiritual conviction. The verse encapsulates a dark turning point in the Gospel narrative, moving swiftly from anointing for burial to active plotting of the death.
Mark 14 11 Commentary
Mark 14:11 lays bare the deep-seated malice and self-serving intentions of both the religious leaders and Judas Iscariot. The chief priests' "gladness" at Judas's offer reveals their moral corruption; they are willing to collaborate with a betrayer, highlighting their hypocrisy and desire to suppress the truth embodied by Jesus. Their eagerness to provide "money" exposes the transactional nature of their spiritual bankruptcy, putting a price on the very Messiah. For Judas, this verse seals his path of active and calculated treachery. His "seeking" for a "convenient" moment underscores the cold deliberateness of his actions; his betrayal was not an impulsive error but a strategic maneuver. He desired to facilitate Jesus's arrest quietly, minimizing risk to himself or potential disruption, ironically attempting to control the circumstances of an event destined to unfold divinely. This verse is a somber testament to human greed and malice conspiring against divine will, yet unwittingly fulfilling it.