Mark 14 18

Mark 14:18 kjv

And as they sat and did eat, Jesus said, Verily I say unto you, One of you which eateth with me shall betray me.

Mark 14:18 nkjv

Now as they sat and ate, Jesus said, "Assuredly, I say to you, one of you who eats with Me will betray Me."

Mark 14:18 niv

While they were reclining at the table eating, he said, "Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me?one who is eating with me."

Mark 14:18 esv

And as they were reclining at table and eating, Jesus said, "Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me."

Mark 14:18 nlt

As they were at the table eating, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, one of you eating with me here will betray me."

Mark 14 verses

Mark 14 18 Meaning

This verse captures the dramatic moment during the Last Supper where Jesus reveals to His disciples that one among them, specifically one sharing the meal, will betray Him. It highlights Jesus' divine foreknowledge of events and the profound sorrow and shock that accompanies such an intimate betrayal, underscoring the severity of breaking a covenant bond symbolized by a shared meal.

Mark 14 18 Context

Mark 14:18 is situated during the Passover meal, commonly known as the Last Supper, on the night before Jesus' crucifixion. Following His detailed instructions for the meal's preparation (Mk 14:12-17), Jesus and His twelve disciples are gathered. In the Jewish culture of that era, the Passover Seder was the most significant annual meal, commemorating Israel's deliverance from slavery in Egypt. Participants would typically recline at the table, a posture of freedom and ease, indicative of a banquet. Sharing a meal in this cultural context symbolized deep fellowship, trust, and even covenantal bond. Jesus' shocking declaration interrupts this solemn yet communal atmosphere, setting the stage for the establishment of the New Covenant and the culmination of His passion. This immediate context underscores the profound spiritual and cultural transgression of the impending betrayal from within Jesus' most intimate circle.

Mark 14 18 Word analysis

• "And as they were sitting": From Greek anakatoimenōn (ἀνακειμένων). This verb signifies reclining at table, the customary posture for a formal banquet in Greco-Roman and Jewish cultures. This detail highlights the intimacy and ease of the shared meal, making the betrayal all the more grievous due to the violation of such a close, familial setting.
• "and eating": From Greek esthiontōn (ἐσθιόντων). The act of sharing a meal, especially in the ancient Near East, often served to seal covenants and symbolize loyalty and peace. The betrayal occurring during this shared sustenance profoundy emphasizes the depth of the treachery, striking at the heart of established bonds of trust and hospitality.
• "Jesus said": This simple declarative statement indicates Jesus' authority and control over the unfolding events. He is not surprised or reacting; He is revealing what He knows will happen.
• "Truly, I say to you": From Greek Amēn legō hymin (ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν). "Amen" is a Hebrew word for "so be it" or "it is true." Jesus' frequent use of this phrase solemnly prefaces a weighty, truthful, and often prophetic statement. It serves to draw immediate and absolute attention to the significance and certainty of His declaration, underscoring His divine authority and foreknowledge.
• "one of you": This detail creates immense shock and distress among the disciples. The threat of betrayal does not come from an external enemy, but from within their intimate and trusted circle. This highlights the insidious nature of sin and potential for apostasy even among those closest to divine truth.
• "will betray me": From Greek paradōsei (παραδώσει), a future tense of paradidōmi. This verb means "to hand over," "deliver up," or "betray." In a broader sense, it encompasses the legal or political act of delivering someone to authorities. Theologically, Judas's malicious act of handing Jesus over to His enemies paradoxically aligns with God's ultimate plan for Jesus to be "handed over" for the world's redemption (e.g., Isa 53:12).
• "one who is eating with me": This phrase directly echoes Psalm 41:9, making the betrayal especially heinous. Sharing bread symbolized deep loyalty, peace, and covenant; a violation of this bond was considered an act of profound ingratitude and disloyalty. This specification intensifies the horror of Judas's treachery, moving it from mere disloyalty to a betrayal against a sacred, intimate bond of fellowship.

Mark 14 18 Bonus section

The immediate and distressed reaction of the other disciples—"Is it I?"—found in the subsequent verse (Mk 14:19) demonstrates their genuine love and loyalty to Jesus, along with a healthy, humble self-awareness of their own potential for failure. This stands in stark contrast to Judas, who, despite Jesus' clear pronouncement, remained hidden in his deception, highlighting the difference between genuine conviction and hardened unbelief. This scene also underscores the sovereignty of God's plan; even the most egregious act of human betrayal, like Judas's, fulfills Scripture and ultimately serves God's larger redemptive purposes, though not absolving the betrayer of guilt.

Mark 14 18 Commentary

Mark 14:18 provides a deeply poignant moment at the Last Supper, revealing Jesus' divine foreknowledge of His impending betrayal. His declaration, spoken while sharing the Passover meal, highlights the shocking depth of Judas's treachery, particularly as the shared meal was a sign of intimacy and trust. The emphasis on "one who is eating with me" invokes the profound cultural and biblical understanding of shared bread as a symbol of covenant and loyalty, thereby accentuating the gravity of the betrayal. This prophecy of internal betrayal is not just an indicator of Jesus' omniscience but also serves as a somber precursor to His self-giving sacrifice, where divine plan converges with human malice to accomplish redemption.