Mark 14 — Clausal Layout (English)

independentparticipialrelativepurposecausecomparativecontentconditionalphrase modifierdashed = verbless / suspended

Flush-left = a main (independent) clause. Each dependent line begins directly beneath the word it attaches to in the line above — the anchor word is dotted-underlined, and lights up when you hover its dependent clause; each tag also names the attachment. A dashed border marks verbless, elliptical, or suspended lines. Where a long sentence's staircase runs wider than the page, the diagram scrolls sideways. (In print, or without JavaScript, lines fall back to stepped indent columns.)

The plot, the anointing at Bethany, and Judas's bargain 14:1–11

vv. 1–2 — two days before Passover: the plot

Now the Passover and the Unleavened Bread were two days away.independent — the passion clock starts — the two-days-before frame

And the chief priests and the scribes were seekingindependent — conative imperfect — the ongoing hunt for a way

how, seizing him by stealth, they might kill him;content — indirect deliberative question — ἐν δόλῳ, the required stealth

for they were saying:cause — the γάρ-aside — their deliberation quoted

'Not during the feast,content — verbless prohibition — the arrest must dodge the festival

lest there be an uproar of the people.'purpose — μήποτε fear-clause — the sympathetic crowd is their check

vv. 3–9 — Bethany: the alabaster jar and the defense

And while he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he reclined at table,participial — double genitive absolute — leans on ἦλθεν

a woman cameindependent — the unnamed woman enters — the frame's counter-figure to the plotters

having an alabaster jar of ointment of pure nard, very costly;participial — the flask described — πολυτελοῦς, the extravagance is the point

breaking the jar,participial — preposed aorist participle — the flask snapped, nothing held back; leans on κατέχεεν

she poured it over his head.independent — the head anointed — a royal-messianic gesture

But there were some indignant among themselves:independent — periphrastic imperfect — the indignation simmers

'To what end has this waste of the ointment occurred?content — ἀπώλεια — 'ruin'; the deed read as sheer loss

For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.'cause — the reckoning — three hundred denarii, nearly a year's wage

And they were scolding her.independent — ἐνεβριμῶντο — the snorting rebuke-verb (cf. 1:43), turned on her

But Jesus said:independent — the defense opens

'Leave her alone.content — the blunt imperative

Why do you trouble her?content — the counter-question

She has done a good work toward me.content — καλὸν ἔργον — the verdict reversed

For you always have the poor with you,cause — Deut 15:11 — the poor remain; no license for neglect

and whenever you wishconditional — temporal ὅταν (typed cnd; no temporal key) — leans on δύνασθε

you can do good to them;cause — the standing opportunity — almsgiving always available

but me you do not always have.cause — fronted ἐμέ — the fleeting bodily presence

What she could, she has done;content — the relative folded in — she did what was in her power

she has anointed my body beforehand for the burial.content — προέλαβεν — the anointing read as proleptic burial rite (the women come too late, 16:1)

And truly I say to you,content — the ἀμήν-formula — the solemn promise

wherever the gospel is proclaimed in all the world,conditional — indefinite local ὅπου ἐάν (typed cnd) — leans on λαληθήσεται; the worldwide mission assumed

what she has done will also be told in memory of her.content — εἰς μνημόσυνον — her deed folded into the gospel's telling

vv. 10–11 — Judas goes to the priests

And Judas Iscariot, the one of the twelve, went off to the chief priestsindependent — ὁ εἷς τῶν δώδεκα — treachery from within, framed against the woman's devotion

in order to betray him to them.purpose — παραδίδωμι — the passion's keyword verb enters

And they, hearing it,participial — preposed aorist participle — leans on ἐχάρησαν

rejoicedindependent — their grim delight — the plot's missing piece supplied

and promised to give him money.independent — ἀργύριον — the money named, unnumbered in Mark

And he kept seekingindependent — ἐζήτει answers ἐζήτουν (v. 1) — hunter and hired hand share a verb

how he might conveniently betray him.content — εὐκαίρως — the wait for the opportune moment

Passover prepared and the Last Supper 14:12–25

vv. 12–16 — the water-jar man and the upper room

And on the first day of Unleavened Bread,phrase modifier — fronted time-frame — 14 Nisan; leans on λέγουσιν

when they were sacrificing the Passover lamb,conditional — temporal ὅτε (typed cnd; no temporal key) — the lambs slain in the temple

his disciples say to him:independent — historic present — the preparation scene opens

'Where do you want us to go and preparecontent — deliberative subjunctive folded under θέλεις

for you to eat the Passover?'purpose — the meal's stated purpose — φάγῃς, singular: his meal

And he sends two of his disciplesindependent — historic present — the sending, as before the entry (11:1)

and says to them:independent — historic present — the instructions begin

'Go into the city,content — the first command

and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you;content — the sign — a man at women's work, conspicuous by design

follow him,content — the second command

and wherever he enters,conditional — indefinite local protasis (typed cnd) — leans on εἴπατε

say to the master of the house:content — recitative ὅτι — the message to relay

'The Teacher says:content — the message-within-the-message — speech nests a level deeper

Where is my guest room,content — κατάλυμα — the Teacher's quiet claim on the room

where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?'relative — deliberative subjunctive in the relative — the meal with his own

And he will show you a large upper room furnished and ready;content — back at the outer speech — the promised ἀνάγαιον, already prepared

and there prepare for us.'content — the closing command

And the disciples went outindependent — the obedience begins

and came into the cityindependent — coordinate aorist — step by step

and found itindependent — the bare verb of fulfillment

just as he had told them,comparative — the found-as-he-said refrain (cf. 11:4) — foreknowledge on display

and they prepared the Passover.independent — the preparation closed

vv. 17–21 — one of you will betray me

And when evening had come,participial — genitive absolute — Passover is eaten after sundown; leans on ἔρχεται

he comes with the twelve.independent — historic present — the Twelve arrive, betrayer included

And as they reclined and were eating,participial — double genitive absolute — leans on εἶπεν

Jesus said:independent — the announcement at table

'Truly I say to you,content — the ἀμήν-formula

one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me.'content — Ps 41:9 — the table-companion; the apposition kept in line

They began to be grieved and to say to him one by one:independent — εἷς κατὰ εἷς — the round of sorrow, each in turn

'Surely not I?'content — μήτι expects 'no' — each hopes to be excluded; verbless

But he said to them:independent — the answer that names no name

'One of the twelve, the one dipping with me into the dish.content — verbless — the shared bowl marks the intimacy betrayed

For the Son of Man goescause — ὑπάγει — the departure is willed, not accidental; the μέν awaiting its δέ

as it is written of him,comparative — the path is Scripture's — no text cited, the whole pattern claimed

but woe to that mancause — the balancing δέ — divine plan cancels no guilt; verbless woe

through whom the Son of Man is betrayed;relative — δι’ οὗ — the human agency inside the divine passive

it would have been good for himcause — verbless apodosis — the unfulfilled comparison

if that man had not been born.'conditional — second-class protasis, trailing — anchored backward on καλόν

vv. 22–25 — the bread and the cup

And as they were eating,participial — genitive absolute — leans on ἔκλασεν

taking bread,participial — preposed participle — the first of the four supper verbs

blessing it,participial — the table berakah — one word

he broke itindependent — the breaking — the act that will name the meal

and gave it to themindependent — the giving

and said:independent — the word over the bread

'Take;content — the imperative of reception

this is my body.'content — the identification — bread and body, left unglossed

And taking a cup,participial — preposed participle — the cup follows the bread

giving thanks,participial — εὐχαριστήσας — whence 'Eucharist'

he gave it to them,independent — the giving repeated

and they all drank of it.independent — πάντες — all drink, Judas not excepted

And he said to them:independent — the word over the cup — after they drink, in Mark's order

'This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many.content — Exod 24:8 with Isa 53:12 — covenant blood for the many; the critical text lacks 'new' (καινῆς)

Truly I say to you,content — the ἀμήν-vow

I will no more drink of the fruit of the vinecontent — οὐκέτι οὐ μή — the strongest denial; the abstention begins

until that dayphrase modifier — the eschatological horizon

when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.'conditional — temporal ὅταν (typed cnd), anchored on its day — καινόν, the banquet wine of the kingdom

To the Mount of Olives — the scattering and the denial foretold 14:26–31

vv. 26–28 — the shepherd struck, the sheep scattered

And having sung the hymn,participial — the Passover Hallel (Pss 113–118) — leans on ἐξῆλθον

they went out to the Mount of Olives.independent — out of the city, toward Gethsemane

And Jesus says to them:independent — historic present + recitative ὅτι

'You will all fall away,content — πάντες — no exceptions; the prediction Peter will contest

for it is written:cause — the ground — Scripture already says it

'I will strike the shepherd,content — Zech 13:7 — first person: God himself strikes

and the sheep will be scattered.'content — Zech 13:7 — the flock = the Twelve; fulfilled at v. 50

But after I am raised,phrase modifier — fronted articular infinitive — leans on προάξω; resurrection assumed mid-doom

I will go before you into Galilee.'content — προάξω — the shepherd ahead of the flock again (16:7)

vv. 29–31 — Peter's protest and the cock-crow prediction

But Peter said to him:independent — the protest — the Rock against the prophecy

'Even if all fall away,conditional — concessive εἰ καί — Peter grants the rest their fall

yet not I.'content — verbless apodosis — the emphatic ἐγώ that will collapse in the courtyard

And Jesus says to him:independent — historic present — the precise counter-prediction

'Truly I say to you:content — the ἀμήν-formula, now singular — σοι

you, today, this very night, before a cock crows twice, will deny me three times.'content — the time-markers close in; δίς — Mark's double cock-crow, kept in one clause with its embedded πρίν

But he kept saying vehemently:independent — ἐκπερισσῶς + imperfect — the protest repeated and rising

'If I must die with you,conditional — protasis inside the vow — death itself conceded

I will not deny you.'content — οὐ μή — the same emphatic negation Jesus used of the wine (v. 25)

And they all said the same.independent — the πάντες echo — all vow, all will flee

Gethsemane — Abba, Father 14:32–42

vv. 32–34 — sorrowful unto death

And they come to a placeindependent — historic present — the garden reached

whose name was Gethsemane,relative — verbless naming clause — 'oil-press,' on the Mount of Olives

and he says to his disciples:independent — historic present

'Sit herecontent — the eight left at the edge

while I pray.'conditional — temporal ἕως (typed cnd; no temporal key) — the third of Mark's prayer-scenes (1:35; 6:46)

And he takes Peter and James and John with him,independent — historic present — the inner three (5:37; 9:2), witnesses now of the anguish

and he began to be greatly distressed and troubled,independent — ἐκθαμβεῖσθαι — horrified amazement; Mark's rawest verb for Jesus

and he says to them:independent — historic present

'My soul is very sorrowful, even to death;content — the refrain of Pss 42–43 — sorrow at killing depth

remain herecontent — the charge to the three

and watch.'content — γρηγορεῖτε — the watchword of 13:34–37 made literal

vv. 35–36 — the prayer: the hour, the cup

And going forward a little,participial — preposed participle — leans on ἔπιπτεν

he fell on the ground,independent — imperfect — he keeps sinking down; prostration, not composure

and prayedindependent — durative imperfect — the praying goes on

that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him,content — the prayer's content, with its embedded protasis εἰ δυνατόν ἐστιν — ἡ ὥρα, the appointed hour

And he was saying:independent — imperfect — the words themselves now quoted

'Abba, Father,phrase modifier — the bilingual address — Aramaic kept beside its Greek gloss (Rom 8:15; Gal 4:6)

all things are possible for you;content — verbless — omnipotence confessed before the plea

remove this cup from me;content — the cup — the OT cup of wrath (Isa 51:17; cf. 10:38)

yet not what I will,content — the turn — the will surrendered

but what you will.'content — elliptical — θέλεις unexpressed; the Father's will stands alone

vv. 37–42 — three times sleeping, and the hour

And he comesindependent — historic present — the first return

and finds them sleeping,independent — supplementary participle — the watch already failed

and says to Peter:independent — historic present — the rebuke to the loudest vower

'Simon, are you sleeping?content — Σίμων — the pre-discipleship name; the Rock addressed as he was

Were you not able to watch one hour?content — μίαν ὥραν — one hour, against ἡ ὥρα that is coming

Watch and pray,content — the double imperative

that you may not enter into temptation;purpose — πειρασμός — the trial about to break

the spirit indeed is willing,content — verbless μέν-half

but the flesh is weak.'content — verbless δέ-half — the anthropology of the sleeping three

And again going away,participial — preposed participle — leans on προσηύξατο

he prayed, saying the same words.independent — τὸν αὐτὸν λόγον — the petition unchanged

And coming again,participial — preposed participle — leans on εὗρεν

he found them sleeping,independent — the second failure

for their eyes were very heavy,cause — narrator's γάρ-aside — periphrastic; the flesh's weakness enacted

and they did not knowindependent — echo of 9:6 — the transfiguration's speechlessness returns in the dark

what to answer him.content — deliberative indirect question

And he comes the third timeindependent — historic present — three prayers, matching the three denials to come

and says to them:independent — historic present

'Are you still sleeping and resting?content — question or bitter irony — either way the watch is over

It is enough;content — ἀπέχει — a notorious crux: 'it is enough,' 'the account is settled'; one word in Greek

the hour has come.content — ἡ ὥρα — the prayer of v. 35 answered: it does not pass

Behold, the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.content — ἰδού + dramatic present — 9:31 arriving in real time

Rise,content — the rousing imperative

let us be going;content — ἄγωμεν — toward the betrayer, not away

behold, the one betraying me has drawn near.'content — ἤγγικεν — the verb of the kingdom (1:15) now of the betrayer

The arrest and the young man who flees 14:43–52

vv. 43–46 — the kiss and the seizure

And immediately, while he was still speaking,participial — genitive absolute — word and event collide; leans on παραγίνεται

Judas arrives, one of the twelve,independent — historic present — εἷς τῶν δώδεκα repeated like a wound

and with him a crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders.independent — elliptical — the armed posse; all three Sanhedrin orders behind it

Now the betrayer had given them a signal,independent — pluperfect flashback — the kiss prearranged

saying:participial — the speech-frame for the arrangement

'Whomever I kiss,conditional — indefinite relative as protasis — leans on ἐστιν; the greeting weaponized

he is the one;content — the identification — apodosis to the kiss-clause

seize himcontent — the order

and lead him away securely.'content — ἀσφαλῶς — Judas fears a rescue or an escape

And coming,participial — preposed participle — leans on λέγει

immediately going up to him,participial — second preposed participle — no hesitation

he says:independent — historic present

'Rabbi!'content — the disciple's address as mask — one word

and he kissed him fervently.independent — κατεφίλησεν — the intensive kiss; the sign performed with warmth

And they laid hands on himindependent — the seizure — εἰς τὰς χεῖρας (v. 41) made literal

and seized him.independent — ἐκράτησαν — the verb the priests have sought since v. 1

vv. 47–52 — swords, protest, and flight

But a certain one of those standing by, drawing his sword,participial — preposed participle with its subject — the bystander Mark leaves nameless (John names Peter)

struck the servant of the high priestindependent — the one blow of resistance

and cut off his ear.independent — ὠτάριον — the diminutive: an earlobe; unhealed in Mark

And Jesus, answering,participial — pleonastic ἀποκριθείς — leans on εἶπεν

said to them:independent — the protest of the arrested

'Have you come out as against a bandit, with swords and clubs,content — λῃστής — the brigand-word; the same word flanks the cross (15:27)

to arrest me?purpose — infinitive of purpose

Day after day I was with you in the temple teaching,content — the open ministry recalled — nothing clandestine

and you did not seize me.content — the daylight arrest they never dared

But let the Scriptures be fulfilled.'purpose — elliptical ἵνα — '(this happens) so that the Scriptures be fulfilled'

And forsaking him,participial — preposed participle — ἀφέντες, the verb of leaving nets (1:18) inverted; leans on ἔφυγον

they all fled.independent — πάντες — v. 27 fulfilled to the letter

And a certain young man was following him,independent — only Mark — the anonymous νεανίσκος; imperfect: still following when all had fled

clothed with a linen cloth over his naked body,participial — σινδών — the word for Jesus' shroud (15:46); the detail left unexplained

and they seize him,independent — historic present — the mob grabs at the last follower

but he, leaving the linen cloth behind,participial — preposed participle — leans on ἔφυγεν

fled naked.independent — γυμνός — discipleship stripped bare; the chapter's starkest image

Before the Sanhedrin — 'I am' and the charge of blasphemy 14:53–65

vv. 53–54 — the council above, Peter below

And they led Jesus away to the high priest,independent — ἀπήγαγον — as Judas ordered (v. 44); the high priest unnamed in Mark

and all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes come together.independent — historic present — the full council convenes by night

And Peter followed him at a distance, right inside into the courtyard of the high priest,independent — ἀπὸ μακρόθεν... ἕως ἔσω — following, but at the distance that ends in denial

and he was sitting with the attendantsindependent — periphrastic imperfect — settled among the guards

and warming himself at the fire.participial — second periphrastic participle — πρὸς τὸ φῶς, the firelight that will expose him (v. 67)

vv. 55–59 — testimony sought and failing

Now the chief priests and the whole council were seeking testimony against Jesusindependent — ἐζήτουν again (vv. 1, 11) — the verdict precedes the evidence

to put him to death,purpose — εἰς τό + infinitive — the goal fixed in advance

and they found none;independent — imperfect of repeated failure

for many were bearing false witness against him,cause — the ninth commandment broken in court

and their testimonies did not agree.cause — the ἴσαι refrain — Deut 19:15 requires two agreeing witnesses

And some, standing up,participial — preposed participle — leans on ἐψευδομαρτύρουν

were bearing false witness against him,independent — the charge now specified

saying:participial — the speech-frame for the temple-charge

'We heard him saying:content — recitative ὅτι twice — testimony quoting a quotation

“I will destroy this temple made with hands,content — the false form of 13:2 / John 2:19 — χειροποίητος, the idol-word turned on the temple

and after three days I will build another not made with hands.”'content — διὰ τριῶν ἡμερῶν — the resurrection shimmer inside the false charge

Yet not even so did their testimony agree.independent — the ἴσαι refrain again — even the temple-charge collapses

vv. 60–62 — the question and the confession

And the high priest, standing up in the midst,participial — preposed participle — center stage; leans on ἐπηρώτησεν

questioned Jesus,independent — the interrogation turns direct

saying:participial — pleonastic speech-participle

'Do you answer nothing?content — the goading double negative

What is it that these testify against you?'content — the failed witnesses waved at

But he was silentindependent — Isa 53:7 — the Servant's silence; durative imperfect

and answered nothing.independent — the silence doubled

Again the high priest questioned himindependent — inceptive imperfect — the second attempt

and says to him:independent — historic present — the decisive question

'Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?'content — the two titles of 1:1 on hostile lips; ὁ εὐλογητός, the reverential surrogate for God

And Jesus said:independent — the silence ends

'I am;content — ἐγώ εἰμι — the Gospel's one unambiguous confession; the secret ends where it costs his life (Exod 3:14 audible to some)

and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Powercontent — Ps 110:1 — ἡ δύναμις, the reverential surrogate answered in kind

and coming with the clouds of heaven.'participial — Dan 7:13 conflated with the psalm — judge and judged exchanged

vv. 63–65 — blasphemy, sentence, mockery

And the high priest, tearing his garments,participial — the ritual rending at blasphemy — leans on λέγει

says:independent — historic present

'Why do we still have need of witnesses?content — the failed evidence gladly abandoned

You have heard the blasphemy.content — βλασφημία — the charge of 2:7 comes home

What is your judgment?'content — the verdict called for

And they all condemned himindependent — πάντες — unanimity above, as the flight was unanimous below

as deserving death.content — ἔνοχον θανάτου — the capital sentence in indirect discourse

And some began to spit on himindependent — 10:34 fulfilled — the third passion prediction, item by item

and to cover his facecontent — the blindfold for the game

and to strike him with their fistscontent — κολαφίζειν — the buffeting

and to say to him:content — the taunt-frame

'Prophesy!'content — the mockery of the prophet — while his prophecy comes true in the courtyard; Mark lacks 'who struck you?'

And the attendants received him with blows.independent — ῥαπίσμασιν ἔλαβον — a Latinism (verberibus accipere)

Peter's denial — the cock crows twice 14:66–72

vv. 66–68 — the servant girl and the first denial

And while Peter was below in the courtyard,participial — genitive absolute — κάτω: Jesus confesses above, Peter denies below; leans on ἔρχεται

one of the servant girls of the high priest comes,independent — historic present — the least imposing accuser

and seeing Peter warming himself,participial — preposed participle — the firelight of v. 54 does its work

looking straight at him,participial — second preposed participle — the fixed stare; leans on λέγει

she says:independent — historic present

'You also were with the Nazarene, Jesus.'content — καὶ σύ — you too; the association is the whole charge

But he denied it,independent — ἠρνήσατο — the first of three (cf. 8:34, the disciple's ἀπαρνησάσθω turned wrong way round)

saying:participial — the speech-frame

'I neither knowcontent — the double disclaimer begins

nor understandcontent — οὔτε... οὔτε — total dissociation

what you are saying.'content — proleptic σύ — the indirect question in flustered word order

And he went out into the forecourt;independent — the retreat toward the gate — half in, half out

and a cock crowed.independent — the first crow — absent from ℵ B but presupposed by ἐκ δευτέρου (v. 72) and the Markan δίς; printed here

vv. 69–72 — the second and third denials, and the weeping

And the servant girl, seeing him,participial — preposed participle — the same girl presses on; leans on ἤρξατο

began again to say to the bystanders:independent — the charge goes public — recitative ὅτι

'This man is one of them.'content — οὗτος — talked about now, no longer talked to

But again he was denying it.independent — imperfect — the denial now sustained

And after a little while the bystanders again said to Peter:independent — the third round — the crowd closes in

'Truly you are one of them,content — ἀληθῶς — the charge hardens to certainty

for you also are a Galilean.'cause — καὶ γάρ — the accent betrays him (cf. Matt 26:73)

But he began to invoke a curse and to swear:independent — the climax — anathema and oath where a word once sufficed

'I do not know this mancontent — τὸν ἄνθρωπον τοῦτον — he will not even say the name

of whom you speak.'relative — the distancing relative — their word, not his

And immediately a cock crowed a second time.independent — εὐθύς one last time — ἐκ δευτέρου completes the Markan δίς

And Peter remembered the word,independent — the remembering — v. 30 replayed entire

how Jesus had said to him:content — ὡς-clause unpacking τὸ ῥῆμα, with recitative ὅτι

'Before a cock crows twice,conditional — temporal πρίν (typed cnd; no temporal key) — leans on ἀπαρνήσῃ

you will deny me three times.'content — the prediction verbatim — δίς and τρίς both kept

And breaking down,participial — ἐπιβαλών — a famous obscurity: 'throwing himself down,' 'covering his head,' 'setting to it'; glossed 'breaking down'; leans on ἔκλαιεν

he wept.independent — inceptive imperfect — he burst into tears, and the chapter ends on them

Analysis. Mark 14 is the passion's overture — the longest chapter in the Gospel — and the layout keeps Mark's narrative shape under new pressure: the flush-left purple column of καί-coordinate main clauses still drums (came, broke, gave, seized, led away, condemned, denied, wept), the historic presents still quicken every hinge (λέγουσιν, ἀποστέλλει, ἔρχεται, παραλαμβάνει, παραγίνεται, κρατοῦσιν, συνέρχονται, and λέγει again and again), and the preposed circumstantial participles and genitive absolutes still lean forward, anchorless, on the verb below — Ὀψίας γενομένης, ἐσθιόντων αὐτῶν, ἔτι αὐτοῦ λαλοῦντος, ὄντος τοῦ Πέτρου κάτω. Against that column speech hangs blue in unprecedented quantity: the priests' μὴ ἐν τῇ ἑορτῇ caution, the defense of the anointing woman, the water-jar instructions with their message-inside-a-message (the disciples are to quote ὁ διδάσκαλος λέγει, so the layout nests speech four levels deep), the words over bread and cup (v. 24 prints τὸ αἷμά μου τῆς διαθήκης without καινῆς — the Byzantine addition assimilates to Luke 22:20/1 Cor 11:25), Zech 13:7's πατάξω τὸν ποιμένα under γέγραπται, the Gethsemane prayer, and at the trial the Gospel's one unambiguous confession — Ἐγώ εἰμι — answered at once by the conflation of Ps 110:1 and Dan 7:13 (ἐκ δεξιῶν... μετὰ τῶν νεφελῶν): the messianic secret ends exactly where keeping silent would have saved his life. Conditionals stud the quoted speech, each protasis leaning forward one step above its apodosis: ὅπου ἐάν twice, Peter's Εἰ καὶ πάντες and Ἐὰν δέῃ, Judas's Ὃν ἂν φιλήσω (an indefinite relative doing protasis duty), while the second-class εἰ οὐκ ἐγεννήθη trails backward, anchored on καλόν. Cruxes are named rather than hidden: Ἀββὰ ὁ πατήρ stands as a bilingual address, the Aramaic kept beside its Greek gloss (Rom 8:15; Gal 4:6); ἀπέχει in v. 41 ('it is enough'? 'the account is settled'?) is a notorious one-word obscurity; the linen-clad νεανίσκος who flees naked (vv. 51–52) is Mark's own unexplained signature, his σινδών the word for Jesus' shroud; the first cock-crow of v. 68 is absent from ℵ B but presupposed by ἐκ δευτέρου and the distinctively Markan δίς, and is printed; and ἐπιβαλών in v. 72 — 'throwing himself down,' 'covering his head,' 'setting to it' — is glossed 'breaking down' with the alternatives noted. The chapter's architecture is Mark's cruellest symmetry: Jesus confesses and is condemned above while Peter denies and weeps below.