Mark 14:45 kjv
And as soon as he was come, he goeth straightway to him, and saith, Master, master; and kissed him.
Mark 14:45 nkjv
As soon as he had come, immediately he went up to Him and said to Him, "Rabbi, Rabbi!" and kissed Him.
Mark 14:45 niv
Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, "Rabbi!" and kissed him.
Mark 14:45 esv
And when he came, he went up to him at once and said, "Rabbi!" And he kissed him.
Mark 14:45 nlt
As soon as they arrived, Judas walked up to Jesus. "Rabbi!" he exclaimed, and gave him the kiss.
Mark 14 45 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Psa 41:9 | Even my close friend, whom I trusted... has lifted his heel against me. | Prophecy of intimate betrayal |
| Psa 55:12-14 | It is not an enemy... but you, my companion, my close friend... | Agony over betrayal by a trusted friend |
| 2 Sam 20:9-10 | Joab took Amasa by the beard with his right hand to kiss him... killed him. | A deceptive kiss leading to murder |
| Prov 27:6 | Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy. | Warning against treacherous flattery/actions |
| Zec 13:6 | ...these wounds between your hands... the house of my friends. | Prophetic wounds from supposed friends |
| Mal 1:6 | If I am a father, where is my honor? If I am a master, where is your fear? | Contrast to false reverence for a 'master' |
| Mt 26:24-25 | The Son of Man will go as it is written... Woe to that man... Judas said, "Is it I, Rabbi?" | Prophecy of Judas's role & Judas's false inquiry |
| Mt 26:48 | Now the betrayer had given them a sign... "The one I kiss is the man." | Judas's pre-arranged sign of identification |
| Mt 26:49 | And immediately he went up to Jesus and said, "Greetings, Rabbi!" and kissed him. | Parallel account of Judas's action |
| Mk 14:44 | Now the betrayer had given them a signal: "The one I kiss is the man." | Mark's setup for the identification sign |
| Lk 22:47-48 | Judas... approached Jesus to kiss him. But Jesus said to him, "Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?" | Jesus's direct confrontation of the betrayal |
| Jn 13:21-26 | After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified... One of you will betray me. | Jesus knows and points out the betrayer |
| Jn 18:3-5 | Judas then, having received a detachment of soldiers... came there with lanterns... Judas was with them. | Judas leading the arresting party |
| Rom 16:17-18 | ...avoid those who cause divisions... For such people are not serving... Christ, but their own appetites... | Warning against those with false intentions |
| 2 Cor 11:13-15 | For such people are false apostles... Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. | Deceptive appearance of evil |
| 1 Pet 4:17 | ...judgment must begin with the household of God... | Treachery from within God's people |
| Gal 2:4 | ...false brothers, secretly brought in... | Infiltration by those with evil intent |
| Titus 1:16 | They claim to know God, but by their deeds they deny him... | Professed faith denied by actions |
| Jude 1:4 | For certain individuals whose condemnation was long ago written... have secretly slipped in among you... | Unmasked false believers and their deeds |
| Jas 2:19-20 | You believe that God is one... Even the demons believe... but have no deeds. | Faith without works, dead and hypocritical |
| Heb 10:26 | If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth... | The severe outcome of intentional sin |
Mark 14 verses
Mark 14 45 Meaning
Mark 14:45 describes the precise moment of Judas Iscariot's betrayal of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. It highlights the immediacy and calculated nature of the act: Judas swiftly approached Jesus, greeted Him with the respectful title "Rabbi," and sealed the identification for arrest with a deceitful kiss. This single verse captures the chilling fusion of false reverence and treacherous intent, marking the transition from agonizing anticipation to direct confrontation and the beginning of Jesus's passion.
Mark 14 45 Context
Mark chapter 14 commences with the plot of the chief priests and scribes to arrest and kill Jesus. It moves through Jesus's anointing at Bethany, Judas's agreement to betray Jesus for money, the Last Supper where Jesus institutes the new covenant and predicts His betrayal, His prophecy of Peter's denial, and then culminates in the Garden of Gethsemane. In Gethsemane, Jesus experiences profound agony, prays for the cup to pass, and finds His disciples repeatedly falling asleep. This specific verse (14:45) is the critical turning point in Gethsemane, immediately following Jesus's third prayer and the notice that the betrayer is at hand (Mk 14:42). Judas's arrival with the armed crowd directly precipitates Jesus's arrest, transitioning from a scene of spiritual struggle to one of physical confrontation and judicial proceedings. Historically, a kiss was a common sign of greeting, respect, and fellowship, particularly between a disciple and his master. This common cultural practice is tragically subverted by Judas for treacherous ends, making his betrayal exceptionally chilling and publicly recognizable.
Mark 14 45 Word analysis
- And as soon as he had come: This emphasizes the swift, determined approach of Judas. Mark's Gospel frequently uses "immediately" or "as soon as," highlighting the urgency and decisive progression of events in Jesus's ministry, here leading directly to His arrest.
- immediately (Greek: euthys - εὐθύς): This is a characteristic Markan adverb, used more frequently in this Gospel than in others. Its inclusion here underlines the speed and efficiency with which Judas carries out his dark mission. It contrasts starkly with Jesus's earlier warnings to His sleepy disciples. Judas acts decisively where the disciples were inert.
- he went up to Him (Greek: proselthōn autō - προσελθὼν αὐτῷ): Signifies a direct and purposeful approach. Judas did not hesitate or hold back; he moved straight to Jesus, indicating a pre-meditated act.
- and said (Greek: kai eipen - καὶ εἶπεν): Simple verb, presenting the direct address that follows.
- 'Rabbi!' (Greek: Rabbi - Ῥαββί; from Hebrew/Aramaic רַבִּי, meaning 'my master' or 'my great one'): This title signifies a teacher, master, or esteemed religious instructor. It was a customary address of respect from a disciple to his teacher. The use of "Rabbi" by Judas, even in this moment of betrayal, underscores the depth of his hypocrisy. He verbally acknowledges Jesus's authority and role even as he delivers Him into the hands of His enemies. It's an act of performative reverence designed to conceal treachery. This false piety exposes a dangerous reality: outward adherence or respectful titles do not equate to inward devotion or loyalty, standing as a polemic against superficial religious observance.
- and kissed Him (Greek: kai katephilēsen auton - καὶ κατεφίλησεν αὐτόν): The Greek verb katephilēsen is an intensified form of phileō (to love, to kiss). It often implies a warm, fervent, or repeated kiss, much like the affectionate kiss of a child returning to their parent, or a deep embrace among friends. In this context, it is deeply ironic and shocking. It's the pre-arranged signal for arrest (Mk 14:44), transforming a sign of love and intimate fellowship into a vehicle for betrayal. This defilement of a sacred gesture is a powerful symbol of perversion and deceit, highlighting the chilling nature of Judas's act. It elevates the treachery beyond a simple betrayal, making it an act of profound spiritual violation.
Mark 14 45 Bonus section
The choice of "Rabbi" by Judas highlights a significant distinction: while other disciples consistently used it for reverence (e.g., Peter in Mk 9:5, 11:21), Judas uses it both here and at the Last Supper (Mt 26:25). It suggests that while Judas recognized Jesus as a teacher or authority, he never fully accepted Him as the Lord or Messiah, thereby separating himself from true discipleship. This superficial respect, culminating in a betraying kiss, stands in stark contrast to the costly, authentic love displayed by those who truly follow Jesus. The event also underscores the human capacity for darkness, even in the most privileged proximity to divine light.
Mark 14 45 Commentary
Mark 14:45 stands as a profound moment of ironic tragedy. Judas, one of Jesus's closest disciples, approaches Him with the appearance of affection and respect, uttering the respectful title "Rabbi" and offering a deep kiss. Yet, these very actions are not expressions of love but calculated signals for Jesus's arrest. The speed with which Judas acts ("immediately") reinforces the deliberate nature of his treachery. The contrast between his outwardly reverent words and physical gestures, and his inner, destructive intent, vividly portrays the profound deceit. This act not only identifies Jesus for the arresting party but also exposes the devastating capacity for hypocrisy within the human heart, demonstrating how the symbols of intimacy and loyalty can be shockingly perverted for malevolent purposes. It serves as a somber reminder that genuine relationship with Christ is demonstrated not merely by words or outward displays, but by unwavering faithfulness and true obedience.