Mark 14 21

Mark 14:21 kjv

The Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written of him: but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! good were it for that man if he had never been born.

Mark 14:21 nkjv

The Son of Man indeed goes just as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had never been born."

Mark 14:21 niv

The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born."

Mark 14:21 esv

For the Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born."

Mark 14:21 nlt

For the Son of Man must die, as the Scriptures declared long ago. But how terrible it will be for the one who betrays him. It would be far better for that man if he had never been born!"

Mark 14 verses

Mark 14 21 Meaning

This verse, spoken by Jesus during the Last Supper, unveils the dual realities of divine predestination and human moral accountability in His impending betrayal. It affirms that Jesus, identified as the Son of Man, would undergo suffering and death precisely as prophesied in Scripture. Simultaneously, it pronounces a severe condemnation, a "woe," upon the individual who would betray Him, underscoring the horrific nature of the act and the dire eternal consequences for the betrayer. The declaration that it would have been better for that person not to have been born emphasizes the profound tragedy and utter loss associated with such a treacherous deed against the Son of God.

Mark 14 21 Context

This verse is found within Mark's account of the Last Supper (Mk 14:12-25), just after Jesus instructs His disciples on preparations for the Passover meal. It immediately follows Jesus' initial announcement that one of them, seated at the table with Him, would betray Him (Mk 14:18). This moment highlights the dramatic tension of the Passover celebration transforming into the dark anticipation of the Messiah's suffering. Historically and culturally, the Passover was a celebration of liberation for the Jewish people, yet for Jesus, it became the prelude to His ultimate act of self-sacrifice. The statement emphasizes that even within the context of fulfilling ancient prophecies for the redemption of humanity, there is severe condemnation for the specific human agent of the betrayal, Judas Iscariot. This stark contrast serves to deepen the profound mystery of divine purpose and human evil.

Mark 14 21 Word analysis

• For (γὰρ - gar): This Greek conjunction serves to introduce a reason or explanation for what has just been said. Here, it clarifies why Jesus' betrayal is certain and why it is not an unforeseen event; it connects it to the divine plan already laid out.
• the Son of Man (ὁ Υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου - ho Huios tou anthropou): This is Jesus' favored self-designation, deeply significant throughout the Gospels. Originating in Daniel 7:13-14, it represents both the glorified, heavenly figure entrusted with ultimate dominion and judgment, and, notably in Mark, the suffering servant (Mk 8:31). In this context, it underscores that the one being betrayed is none other than the pre-eminent, divine-human Christ, whose suffering is central to God's plan.
• goes (ὑπάγει - hypagei): This Greek verb in the present tense denotes movement or progression, often with a sense of purpose or destiny. Jesus' "going" to His betrayal and death is presented not as a passive occurrence but as an active, deliberate, and certain journey aligned with God's will. It signifies His willing progression toward Calvary.
• as it is written (καθὼς γέγραπται - kathōs gegraptai): This phrase explicitly points to the Old Testament Scriptures. The Greek perfect passive tense ("it has been written and remains written") highlights the completed and established nature of divine prophecy. This refers to various messianic passages foretelling the Messiah's suffering, such as Isaiah 53, Psalms 22 and 41, and Zechariah 11. It assures that Jesus' path is one of fulfillment of God's unchanging Word.
• of him (περὶ αὐτοῦ - peri autou): This short phrase definitively connects the ancient prophecies directly to Jesus Himself, asserting His identity as the foretold subject of these suffering predictions.
• but (ἀλλὰ - alla): This Greek conjunction marks a strong contrast, shifting the focus dramatically from God's predetermined plan to human moral accountability and condemnation.
• woe (οὐαί - ouai): This is a powerful Greek interjection expressing profound sorrow, grief, and particularly in biblical prophetic literature, a solemn pronouncement of impending judgment, curse, or dreadful calamity. It signals divine condemnation and future suffering for the one upon whom it is pronounced.
• to that man (τῷ ἀνθρώπῳ ἐκείνῳ - tō anthrōpō ekeinō): Though Judas Iscariot is not explicitly named, this definite reference clearly points to him. It singles out the individual who bears full personal responsibility and guilt for the act, despite its role in God's larger plan.
• by whom (δι’ οὗ - di’ hou): This indicates instrumentality or agency. It affirms that Judas is the active human means through whom the Son of Man is handed over. He is not a passive tool but a willful participant in the act.
• is betrayed (παραδίδοται - paradidotai): This Greek verb in the present passive tense, "is being handed over," suggests both the imminence of the event and the fact that Jesus is delivered over by human action. The word implies "handing over" or "betrayal," highlighting Judas's treacherous act.
• It would have been better for him if he had not been born (καλὸν αὐτῷ εἰ οὐκ ἐγεννήθη ὁ ἄνθρωπος ἐκεῖνος): This is a stark, hyperbolic statement. "Kalos" (good/better) here is used absolutely, indicating the greatest conceivable tragedy. It implies that the eternal state and suffering awaiting the betrayer would be so horrific and agonizing that non-existence would be preferable. This conveys the ultimate depth of the divine judgment and the irreversible, devastating consequences for betraying the Son of God. It is one of the severest condemnations in Scripture.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "For the Son of Man goes as it is written of him": This phrase emphasizes the theological concept of divine sovereignty and the certainty of biblical prophecy fulfillment. Jesus' journey towards suffering and death is presented as an orchestrated, unchangeable part of God's redemptive plan, foretold centuries prior in the sacred texts. It reassures believers that even amidst evil, God is in control.
• "but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed!": This striking contrast highlights human moral culpability despite divine predestination. The "woe" signifies a pronouncement of certain and dreadful judgment, underscoring the severe gravity of Judas's act of willingly handing over the Son of God. It draws a clear boundary between God's purpose and individual evil.
• "It would have been better for him if he had not been born": This hyperbolic and chilling declaration underlines the extreme, eternal damnation facing Judas. It vividly portrays the magnitude of his sin against the Christ, implying a state of irreversible, unbearable suffering in the afterlife. It serves as a stark and absolute warning about the eternal consequences of such treachery and apostasy.

Mark 14 21 Bonus section

• This verse lies at the heart of the theological discussion concerning divine sovereignty and human free will. It suggests that while God's plan is preordained, human agents still act out of their own free choice and are held fully accountable for their actions. Judas's betrayal, though prophesied, was still his culpable choice.
• The title "Son of Man" throughout the Gospels evolves, initially referencing His humble human condition and later emphasizing His ultimate authority as judge. In this passage, it ties His imminent suffering to His identity as the promised Messiah who must endure rejection to fulfill His salvific mission.
• The severity of the "woe" and the "better not born" statement emphasize the unparalleled nature of Judas's sin. His crime was not merely treachery against a friend, but against the God-Man, making its consequences eternally dire beyond measure. This underscores the sanctity of Jesus' person.
• The distinction between Jesus "goes" (hypagei) in obedience and Judas "is betrayed" (paradidotai) in treachery highlights contrasting motivations. Jesus willingly embraces His destiny, while Judas's action, though fulfilling prophecy, is driven by malice or greed.

Mark 14 21 Commentary

Mark 14:21 offers a profound glimpse into the mystery of divine purpose coexisting with human responsibility. Jesus reveals that His betrayal and subsequent passion are not random events but fulfill what is "written" in the Scriptures, underscoring God's meticulous, sovereign plan for humanity's redemption. Yet, this divinely orchestrated path in no way diminishes the individual guilt of the betrayer. The sharp pronouncement of "woe" upon the man by whom Jesus is "betrayed" highlights the abhorrent nature of treachery against God incarnate. The culminating declaration, that it would have been "better for him if he had not been born," is one of the most severe judgments uttered by Jesus. It underscores the ultimate, eternal horror and regret awaiting one who so grievously acts against the Christ, signifying a complete loss of any prospect of blessedness and an entrance into unimaginable and perpetual torment. This verse is a solemn warning against the spiritual peril of betraying the Lord and a testament to the unshakeable certainty of divine justice.