independentparticipialrelativepurposecausecomparativecontentconditionalphrase modifierdashed = verbless / suspended
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The plot, the anointing at Bethany, and Judas's bargain 14:1–11
vv. 1–2 — two days before Passover: the plot
1
Ἦν δὲ τὸ πάσχα καὶ τὰ ἄζυμα μετὰ δύο ἡμέρας.independent — the passion clock starts — the two-days-before frame
καὶ ἐζήτουν οἱ ἀρχιερεῖς καὶ οἱ γραμματεῖςindependent — conative imperfect — the ongoing hunt for a way
πῶς αὐτὸν ἐν δόλῳ κρατήσαντες ἀποκτείνωσιν·content — indirect deliberative question — ἐν δόλῳ, the required stealth
2
ἔλεγον γάρ·cause — the γάρ-aside — their deliberation quoted
Μὴ ἐν τῇ ἑορτῇ,content — verbless prohibition — the arrest must dodge the festival
μήποτε ἔσται θόρυβος τοῦ λαοῦ.purpose — μήποτε fear-clause — the sympathetic crowd is their check
vv. 3–9 — Bethany: the alabaster jar and the defense
3
Καὶ ὄντος αὐτοῦ ἐν Βηθανίᾳ ἐν τῇ οἰκίᾳ Σίμωνος τοῦ λεπροῦ κατακειμένου αὐτοῦparticipial — double genitive absolute — leans on ἦλθεν
ἦλθεν γυνὴindependent — the unnamed woman enters — the frame's counter-figure to the plotters
ἔχουσα ἀλάβαστρον μύρου νάρδου πιστικῆς πολυτελοῦς·participial — the flask described — πολυτελοῦς, the extravagance is the point
συντρίψασα τὴν ἀλάβαστρονparticipial — preposed aorist participle — the flask snapped, nothing held back; leans on κατέχεεν
κατέχεεν αὐτοῦ τῆς κεφαλῆς.independent — the head anointed — a royal-messianic gesture
4
ἦσαν δέ τινες ἀγανακτοῦντες πρὸς ἑαυτούς·independent — periphrastic imperfect — the indignation simmers
Εἰς τί ἡ ἀπώλεια αὕτη τοῦ μύρου γέγονεν;content — ἀπώλεια — 'ruin'; the deed read as sheer loss
5
ἠδύνατο γὰρ τοῦτο τὸ μύρον πραθῆναι ἐπάνω δηναρίων τριακοσίων καὶ δοθῆναι τοῖς πτωχοῖς·cause — the reckoning — three hundred denarii, nearly a year's wage
καὶ ἐνεβριμῶντο αὐτῇ.independent — ἐνεβριμῶντο — the snorting rebuke-verb (cf. 1:43), turned on her
6
ὁ δὲ Ἰησοῦς εἶπεν·independent — the defense opens
Ἄφετε αὐτήν·content — the blunt imperative
τί αὐτῇ κόπους παρέχετε;content — the counter-question
καλὸν ἔργον ἠργάσατο ἐν ἐμοί.content — καλὸν ἔργον — the verdict reversed
7
πάντοτε γὰρ τοὺς πτωχοὺς ἔχετε μεθ’ ἑαυτῶν,cause — Deut 15:11 — the poor remain; no license for neglect
καὶ ὅταν θέλητεconditional — temporal ὅταν (typed cnd; no temporal key) — leans on δύνασθε
δύνασθε αὐτοῖς εὖ ποιῆσαι,cause — the standing opportunity — almsgiving always available
ἐμὲ δὲ οὐ πάντοτε ἔχετε.cause — fronted ἐμέ — the fleeting bodily presence
8
ὃ ἔσχεν ἐποίησεν·content — the relative folded in — she did what was in her power
προέλαβεν μυρίσαι τὸ σῶμά μου εἰς τὸν ἐνταφιασμόν.content — προέλαβεν — the anointing read as proleptic burial rite (the women come too late, 16:1)
9
ἀμὴν δὲ λέγω ὑμῖν,content — the ἀμήν-formula — the solemn promise
ὅπου ἐὰν κηρυχθῇ τὸ εὐαγγέλιον εἰς ὅλον τὸν κόσμον,conditional — indefinite local ὅπου ἐάν (typed cnd) — leans on λαληθήσεται; the worldwide mission assumed
καὶ ὃ ἐποίησεν αὕτη λαληθήσεται εἰς μνημόσυνον αὐτῆς.content — εἰς μνημόσυνον — her deed folded into the gospel's telling
vv. 10–11 — Judas goes to the priests
10
Καὶ Ἰούδας Ἰσκαριὼθ ὁ εἷς τῶν δώδεκα ἀπῆλθεν πρὸς τοὺς ἀρχιερεῖςindependent — ὁ εἷς τῶν δώδεκα — treachery from within, framed against the woman's devotion
ἵνα αὐτὸν παραδοῖ αὐτοῖς.purpose — παραδίδωμι — the passion's keyword verb enters
11
οἱ δὲ ἀκούσαντεςparticipial — preposed aorist participle — leans on ἐχάρησαν
ἐχάρησανindependent — their grim delight — the plot's missing piece supplied
καὶ ἐπηγγείλαντο αὐτῷ ἀργύριον δοῦναι.independent — ἀργύριον — the money named, unnumbered in Mark
καὶ ἐζήτειindependent — ἐζήτει answers ἐζήτουν (v. 1) — hunter and hired hand share a verb
πῶς αὐτὸν εὐκαίρως παραδοῖ.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
12
Καὶ τῇ πρώτῃ ἡμέρᾳ τῶν ἀζύμων,phrase modifier — fronted time-frame — 14 Nisan; leans on λέγουσιν
ὅτε τὸ πάσχα ἔθυον,conditional — temporal ὅτε (typed cnd; no temporal key) — the lambs slain in the temple
λέγουσιν αὐτῷ οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ·independent — historic present — the preparation scene opens
Ποῦ θέλεις ἀπελθόντες ἑτοιμάσωμενcontent — deliberative subjunctive folded under θέλεις
ἵνα φάγῃς τὸ πάσχα;purpose — the meal's stated purpose — φάγῃς, singular: his meal
13
καὶ ἀποστέλλει δύο τῶν μαθητῶν αὐτοῦindependent — historic present — the sending, as before the entry (11:1)
καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς·independent — historic present — the instructions begin
Ὑπάγετε εἰς τὴν πόλιν,content — the first command
καὶ ἀπαντήσει ὑμῖν ἄνθρωπος κεράμιον ὕδατος βαστάζων·content — the sign — a man at women's work, conspicuous by design
ἀκολουθήσατε αὐτῷ,content — the second command
14
καὶ ὅπου ἐὰν εἰσέλθῃconditional — indefinite local protasis (typed cnd) — leans on εἴπατε
εἴπατε τῷ οἰκοδεσπότῃ ὅτιcontent — recitative ὅτι — the message to relay
Ὁ διδάσκαλος λέγει·content — the message-within-the-message — speech nests a level deeper
Ποῦ ἐστιν τὸ κατάλυμά μουcontent — κατάλυμα — the Teacher's quiet claim on the room
ὅπου τὸ πάσχα μετὰ τῶν μαθητῶν μου φάγω;relative — deliberative subjunctive in the relative — the meal with his own
15
καὶ αὐτὸς ὑμῖν δείξει ἀνάγαιον μέγα ἐστρωμένον ἕτοιμον·content — back at the outer speech — the promised ἀνάγαιον, already prepared
καὶ ἐκεῖ ἑτοιμάσατε ἡμῖν.content — the closing command
16
καὶ ἐξῆλθον οἱ μαθηταὶindependent — the obedience begins
καὶ ἦλθον εἰς τὴν πόλινindependent — coordinate aorist — step by step
καὶ εὗρονindependent — the bare verb of fulfillment
καθὼς εἶπεν αὐτοῖς,comparative — the found-as-he-said refrain (cf. 11:4) — foreknowledge on display
καὶ ἡτοίμασαν τὸ πάσχα.independent — the preparation closed
vv. 17–21 — one of you will betray me
17
Καὶ ὀψίας γενομένηςparticipial — genitive absolute — Passover is eaten after sundown; leans on ἔρχεται
ἔρχεται μετὰ τῶν δώδεκα.independent — historic present — the Twelve arrive, betrayer included
18
καὶ ἀνακειμένων αὐτῶν καὶ ἐσθιόντωνparticipial — double genitive absolute — leans on εἶπεν
ὁ Ἰησοῦς εἶπεν·independent — the announcement at table
Ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖνcontent — the ἀμήν-formula
ὅτι εἷς ἐξ ὑμῶν παραδώσει με, ὁ ἐσθίων μετ’ ἐμοῦ.content — Ps 41:9 — the table-companion; the apposition kept in line
19
ἤρξαντο λυπεῖσθαι καὶ λέγειν αὐτῷ εἷς κατὰ εἷς·independent — εἷς κατὰ εἷς — the round of sorrow, each in turn
Μήτι ἐγώ;content — μήτι expects 'no' — each hopes to be excluded; verbless
20
ὁ δὲ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς·independent — the answer that names no name
Εἷς τῶν δώδεκα, ὁ ἐμβαπτόμενος μετ’ ἐμοῦ εἰς τὸ τρύβλιον.content — verbless — the shared bowl marks the intimacy betrayed
21
ὅτι ὁ μὲν υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ὑπάγειcause — ὑπάγει — the departure is willed, not accidental; the μέν awaiting its δέ
καθὼς γέγραπται περὶ αὐτοῦ,comparative — the path is Scripture's — no text cited, the whole pattern claimed
οὐαὶ δὲ τῷ ἀνθρώπῳ ἐκείνῳcause — the balancing δέ — divine plan cancels no guilt; verbless woe
δι’ οὗ ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου παραδίδοται·relative — δι’ οὗ — the human agency inside the divine passive
καλὸν αὐτῷcause — verbless apodosis — the unfulfilled comparison
εἰ οὐκ ἐγεννήθη ὁ ἄνθρωπος ἐκεῖνος.conditional — second-class protasis, trailing — anchored backward on καλόν
vv. 22–25 — the bread and the cup
22
Καὶ ἐσθιόντων αὐτῶνparticipial — genitive absolute — leans on ἔκλασεν
λαβὼν ἄρτονparticipial — preposed participle — the first of the four supper verbs
εὐλογήσαςparticipial — the table berakah — one word
ἔκλασενindependent — the breaking — the act that will name the meal
καὶ ἔδωκεν αὐτοῖςindependent — the giving
καὶ εἶπεν·independent — the word over the bread
Λάβετε,content — the imperative of reception
τοῦτό ἐστιν τὸ σῶμά μου.content — the identification — bread and body, left unglossed
23
καὶ λαβὼν ποτήριονparticipial — preposed participle — the cup follows the bread
εὐχαριστήσαςparticipial — εὐχαριστήσας — whence 'Eucharist'
ἔδωκεν αὐτοῖς,independent — the giving repeated
καὶ ἔπιον ἐξ αὐτοῦ πάντες.independent — πάντες — all drink, Judas not excepted
24
καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς·independent — the word over the cup — after they drink, in Mark's order
Τοῦτό ἐστιν τὸ αἷμά μου τῆς διαθήκης τὸ ἐκχυννόμενον ὑπὲρ πολλῶν.content — Exod 24:8 with Isa 53:12 — covenant blood for the many; the critical text lacks 'new' (καινῆς)
25
ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖνcontent — the ἀμήν-vow
ὅτι οὐκέτι οὐ μὴ πίω ἐκ τοῦ γενήματος τῆς ἀμπέλουcontent — οὐκέτι οὐ μή — the strongest denial; the abstention begins
ἕως τῆς ἡμέρας ἐκείνηςphrase modifier — the eschatological horizon
ὅταν αὐτὸ πίνω καινὸν ἐν τῇ βασιλείᾳ τοῦ θεοῦ.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
26
Καὶ ὑμνήσαντεςparticipial — the Passover Hallel (Pss 113–118) — leans on ἐξῆλθον
ἐξῆλθον εἰς τὸ ὄρος τῶν ἐλαιῶν.independent — out of the city, toward Gethsemane
27
καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς ὁ Ἰησοῦς ὅτιindependent — historic present + recitative ὅτι
Πάντες σκανδαλισθήσεσθε,content — πάντες — no exceptions; the prediction Peter will contest
ὅτι γέγραπται·cause — the ground — Scripture already says it
Πατάξω τὸν ποιμένα,content — Zech 13:7 — first person: God himself strikes
καὶ τὰ πρόβατα διασκορπισθήσονται.content — Zech 13:7 — the flock = the Twelve; fulfilled at v. 50
28
ἀλλὰ μετὰ τὸ ἐγερθῆναί μεphrase modifier — fronted articular infinitive — leans on προάξω; resurrection assumed mid-doom
προάξω ὑμᾶς εἰς τὴν Γαλιλαίαν.content — προάξω — the shepherd ahead of the flock again (16:7)
vv. 29–31 — Peter's protest and the cock-crow prediction
29
ὁ δὲ Πέτρος ἔφη αὐτῷ·independent — the protest — the Rock against the prophecy
Εἰ καὶ πάντες σκανδαλισθήσονται,conditional — concessive εἰ καί — Peter grants the rest their fall
ἀλλ’ οὐκ ἐγώ.content — verbless apodosis — the emphatic ἐγώ that will collapse in the courtyard
30
καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ Ἰησοῦς·independent — historic present — the precise counter-prediction
Ἀμὴν λέγω σοιcontent — the ἀμήν-formula, now singular — σοι
ὅτι σὺ σήμερον ταύτῃ τῇ νυκτὶ πρὶν ἢ δὶς ἀλέκτορα φωνῆσαι τρίς με ἀπαρνήσῃ.content — the time-markers close in; δίς — Mark's double cock-crow, kept in one clause with its embedded πρίν
31
ὁ δὲ ἐκπερισσῶς ἐλάλει·independent — ἐκπερισσῶς + imperfect — the protest repeated and rising
Ἐὰν δέῃ με συναποθανεῖν σοι,conditional — protasis inside the vow — death itself conceded
οὐ μή σε ἀπαρνήσομαι.content — οὐ μή — the same emphatic negation Jesus used of the wine (v. 25)
ὡσαύτως δὲ καὶ πάντες ἔλεγον.independent — the πάντες echo — all vow, all will flee
Gethsemane — Abba, Father 14:32–42
vv. 32–34 — sorrowful unto death
32
Καὶ ἔρχονται εἰς χωρίονindependent — historic present — the garden reached
οὗ τὸ ὄνομα Γεθσημανί,relative — verbless naming clause — 'oil-press,' on the Mount of Olives
καὶ λέγει τοῖς μαθηταῖς αὐτοῦ·independent — historic present
Καθίσατε ὧδεcontent — the eight left at the edge
ἕως προσεύξωμαι.conditional — temporal ἕως (typed cnd; no temporal key) — the third of Mark's prayer-scenes (1:35; 6:46)
33
καὶ παραλαμβάνει τὸν Πέτρον καὶ τὸν Ἰάκωβον καὶ τὸν Ἰωάννην μετ’ αὐτοῦ,independent — historic present — the inner three (5:37; 9:2), witnesses now of the anguish
καὶ ἤρξατο ἐκθαμβεῖσθαι καὶ ἀδημονεῖν,independent — ἐκθαμβεῖσθαι — horrified amazement; Mark's rawest verb for Jesus
34
καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς·independent — historic present
Περίλυπός ἐστιν ἡ ψυχή μου ἕως θανάτου·content — the refrain of Pss 42–43 — sorrow at killing depth
μείνατε ὧδεcontent — the charge to the three
καὶ γρηγορεῖτε.content — γρηγορεῖτε — the watchword of 13:34–37 made literal
vv. 35–36 — the prayer: the hour, the cup
35
καὶ προελθὼν μικρὸνparticipial — preposed participle — leans on ἔπιπτεν
ἔπιπτεν ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς,independent — imperfect — he keeps sinking down; prostration, not composure
καὶ προσηύχετοindependent — durative imperfect — the praying goes on
ἵνα εἰ δυνατόν ἐστιν παρέλθῃ ἀπ’ αὐτοῦ ἡ ὥρα,content — the prayer's content, with its embedded protasis εἰ δυνατόν ἐστιν — ἡ ὥρα, the appointed hour
36
καὶ ἔλεγεν·independent — imperfect — the words themselves now quoted
Ἀββὰ ὁ πατήρ,phrase modifier — the bilingual address — Aramaic kept beside its Greek gloss (Rom 8:15; Gal 4:6)
πάντα δυνατά σοι·content — verbless — omnipotence confessed before the plea
παρένεγκε τὸ ποτήριον τοῦτο ἀπ’ ἐμοῦ·content — the cup — the OT cup of wrath (Isa 51:17; cf. 10:38)
ἀλλ’ οὐ τί ἐγὼ θέλωcontent — the turn — the will surrendered
ἀλλὰ τί σύ.content — elliptical — θέλεις unexpressed; the Father's will stands alone
vv. 37–42 — three times sleeping, and the hour
37
καὶ ἔρχεταιindependent — historic present — the first return
καὶ εὑρίσκει αὐτοὺς καθεύδοντας,independent — supplementary participle — the watch already failed
καὶ λέγει τῷ Πέτρῳ·independent — historic present — the rebuke to the loudest vower
Σίμων, καθεύδεις;content — Σίμων — the pre-discipleship name; the Rock addressed as he was
οὐκ ἴσχυσας μίαν ὥραν γρηγορῆσαι;content — μίαν ὥραν — one hour, against ἡ ὥρα that is coming
38
γρηγορεῖτε καὶ προσεύχεσθε,content — the double imperative
ἵνα μὴ ἔλθητε εἰς πειρασμόν·purpose — πειρασμός — the trial about to break
τὸ μὲν πνεῦμα πρόθυμονcontent — verbless μέν-half
ἡ δὲ σὰρξ ἀσθενής.content — verbless δέ-half — the anthropology of the sleeping three
39
καὶ πάλιν ἀπελθὼνparticipial — preposed participle — leans on προσηύξατο
προσηύξατο τὸν αὐτὸν λόγον εἰπών.independent — τὸν αὐτὸν λόγον — the petition unchanged
40
καὶ πάλιν ἐλθὼνparticipial — preposed participle — leans on εὗρεν
εὗρεν αὐτοὺς καθεύδοντας,independent — the second failure
ἦσαν γὰρ αὐτῶν οἱ ὀφθαλμοὶ καταβαρυνόμενοι,cause — narrator's γάρ-aside — periphrastic; the flesh's weakness enacted
καὶ οὐκ ᾔδεισανindependent — echo of 9:6 — the transfiguration's speechlessness returns in the dark
τί ἀποκριθῶσιν αὐτῷ.content — deliberative indirect question
41
καὶ ἔρχεται τὸ τρίτονindependent — historic present — three prayers, matching the three denials to come
καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς·independent — historic present
Καθεύδετε τὸ λοιπὸν καὶ ἀναπαύεσθε;content — question or bitter irony — either way the watch is over
ἀπέχει·content — ἀπέχει — a notorious crux: 'it is enough,' 'the account is settled'; one word in Greek
ἦλθεν ἡ ὥρα,content — ἡ ὥρα — the prayer of v. 35 answered: it does not pass
ἰδοὺ παραδίδοται ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου εἰς τὰς χεῖρας τῶν ἁμαρτωλῶν.content — ἰδού + dramatic present — 9:31 arriving in real time
42
ἐγείρεσθεcontent — the rousing imperative
ἄγωμεν·content — ἄγωμεν — toward the betrayer, not away
ἰδοὺ ὁ παραδιδούς με ἤγγικεν.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
43
Καὶ εὐθὺς ἔτι αὐτοῦ λαλοῦντοςparticipial — genitive absolute — word and event collide; leans on παραγίνεται
παραγίνεται Ἰούδας εἷς τῶν δώδεκαindependent — historic present — εἷς τῶν δώδεκα repeated like a wound
καὶ μετ’ αὐτοῦ ὄχλος μετὰ μαχαιρῶν καὶ ξύλων παρὰ τῶν ἀρχιερέων καὶ τῶν γραμματέων καὶ τῶν πρεσβυτέρων.independent — elliptical — the armed posse; all three Sanhedrin orders behind it
44
δεδώκει δὲ ὁ παραδιδοὺς αὐτὸν σύσσημον αὐτοῖςindependent — pluperfect flashback — the kiss prearranged
λέγων·participial — the speech-frame for the arrangement
Ὃν ἂν φιλήσωconditional — indefinite relative as protasis — leans on ἐστιν; the greeting weaponized
αὐτός ἐστιν·content — the identification — apodosis to the kiss-clause
κρατήσατε αὐτὸνcontent — the order
καὶ ἀπάγετε ἀσφαλῶς.content — ἀσφαλῶς — Judas fears a rescue or an escape
45
καὶ ἐλθὼνparticipial — preposed participle — leans on λέγει
εὐθὺς προσελθὼν αὐτῷparticipial — second preposed participle — no hesitation
λέγει·independent — historic present
Ῥαββί,content — the disciple's address as mask — one word
καὶ κατεφίλησεν αὐτόν.independent — κατεφίλησεν — the intensive kiss; the sign performed with warmth
46
οἱ δὲ ἐπέβαλον τὰς χεῖρας αὐτῷindependent — the seizure — εἰς τὰς χεῖρας (v. 41) made literal
καὶ ἐκράτησαν αὐτόν.independent — ἐκράτησαν — the verb the priests have sought since v. 1
vv. 47–52 — swords, protest, and flight
47
εἷς δέ τις τῶν παρεστηκότων σπασάμενος τὴν μάχαιρανparticipial — preposed participle with its subject — the bystander Mark leaves nameless (John names Peter)
ἔπαισεν τὸν δοῦλον τοῦ ἀρχιερέωςindependent — the one blow of resistance
καὶ ἀφεῖλεν αὐτοῦ τὸ ὠτάριον.independent — ὠτάριον — the diminutive: an earlobe; unhealed in Mark
48
καὶ ἀποκριθεὶς ὁ Ἰησοῦςparticipial — pleonastic ἀποκριθείς — leans on εἶπεν
εἶπεν αὐτοῖς·independent — the protest of the arrested
Ὡς ἐπὶ λῃστὴν ἐξήλθατε μετὰ μαχαιρῶν καὶ ξύλωνcontent — λῃστής — the brigand-word; the same word flanks the cross (15:27)
συλλαβεῖν με;purpose — infinitive of purpose
49
καθ’ ἡμέραν ἤμην πρὸς ὑμᾶς ἐν τῷ ἱερῷ διδάσκωνcontent — the open ministry recalled — nothing clandestine
καὶ οὐκ ἐκρατήσατέ με·content — the daylight arrest they never dared
ἀλλ’ ἵνα πληρωθῶσιν αἱ γραφαί.purpose — elliptical ἵνα — '(this happens) so that the Scriptures be fulfilled'
50
καὶ ἀφέντες αὐτὸνparticipial — preposed participle — ἀφέντες, the verb of leaving nets (1:18) inverted; leans on ἔφυγον
ἔφυγον πάντες.independent — πάντες — v. 27 fulfilled to the letter
51
Καὶ νεανίσκος τις συνηκολούθει αὐτῷindependent — only Mark — the anonymous νεανίσκος; imperfect: still following when all had fled
περιβεβλημένος σινδόνα ἐπὶ γυμνοῦ,participial — σινδών — the word for Jesus' shroud (15:46); the detail left unexplained
καὶ κρατοῦσιν αὐτόν·independent — historic present — the mob grabs at the last follower
52
ὁ δὲ καταλιπὼν τὴν σινδόναparticipial — preposed participle — leans on ἔφυγεν
γυμνὸς ἔφυγεν.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
53
Καὶ ἀπήγαγον τὸν Ἰησοῦν πρὸς τὸν ἀρχιερέα,independent — ἀπήγαγον — as Judas ordered (v. 44); the high priest unnamed in Mark
καὶ συνέρχονται πάντες οἱ ἀρχιερεῖς καὶ οἱ πρεσβύτεροι καὶ οἱ γραμματεῖς.independent — historic present — the full council convenes by night
54
καὶ ὁ Πέτρος ἀπὸ μακρόθεν ἠκολούθησεν αὐτῷ ἕως ἔσω εἰς τὴν αὐλὴν τοῦ ἀρχιερέως,independent — ἀπὸ μακρόθεν... ἕως ἔσω — following, but at the distance that ends in denial
καὶ ἦν συγκαθήμενος μετὰ τῶν ὑπηρετῶνindependent — periphrastic imperfect — settled among the guards
καὶ θερμαινόμενος πρὸς τὸ φῶς.participial — second periphrastic participle — πρὸς τὸ φῶς, the firelight that will expose him (v. 67)
vv. 55–59 — testimony sought and failing
55
οἱ δὲ ἀρχιερεῖς καὶ ὅλον τὸ συνέδριον ἐζήτουν κατὰ τοῦ Ἰησοῦ μαρτυρίανindependent — ἐζήτουν again (vv. 1, 11) — the verdict precedes the evidence
εἰς τὸ θανατῶσαι αὐτόν,purpose — εἰς τό + infinitive — the goal fixed in advance
καὶ οὐχ ηὕρισκον·independent — imperfect of repeated failure
56
πολλοὶ γὰρ ἐψευδομαρτύρουν κατ’ αὐτοῦ,cause — the ninth commandment broken in court
καὶ ἴσαι αἱ μαρτυρίαι οὐκ ἦσαν.cause — the ἴσαι refrain — Deut 19:15 requires two agreeing witnesses
57
καί τινες ἀναστάντεςparticipial — preposed participle — leans on ἐψευδομαρτύρουν
ἐψευδομαρτύρουν κατ’ αὐτοῦindependent — the charge now specified
λέγοντεςparticipial — the speech-frame for the temple-charge
58
ὅτι Ἡμεῖς ἠκούσαμεν αὐτοῦ λέγοντος ὅτιcontent — recitative ὅτι twice — testimony quoting a quotation
Ἐγὼ καταλύσω τὸν ναὸν τοῦτον τὸν χειροποίητονcontent — the false form of 13:2 / John 2:19 — χειροποίητος, the idol-word turned on the temple
καὶ διὰ τριῶν ἡμερῶν ἄλλον ἀχειροποίητον οἰκοδομήσω.content — διὰ τριῶν ἡμερῶν — the resurrection shimmer inside the false charge
59
καὶ οὐδὲ οὕτως ἴση ἦν ἡ μαρτυρία αὐτῶν.independent — the ἴσαι refrain again — even the temple-charge collapses
vv. 60–62 — the question and the confession
60
καὶ ἀναστὰς ὁ ἀρχιερεὺς εἰς μέσονparticipial — preposed participle — center stage; leans on ἐπηρώτησεν
ἐπηρώτησεν τὸν Ἰησοῦνindependent — the interrogation turns direct
λέγων·participial — pleonastic speech-participle
Οὐκ ἀποκρίνῃ οὐδέν;content — the goading double negative
τί οὗτοί σου καταμαρτυροῦσιν;content — the failed witnesses waved at
61
ὁ δὲ ἐσιώπαindependent — Isa 53:7 — the Servant's silence; durative imperfect
καὶ οὐκ ἀπεκρίνατο οὐδέν.independent — the silence doubled
πάλιν ὁ ἀρχιερεὺς ἐπηρώτα αὐτὸνindependent — inceptive imperfect — the second attempt
καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ·independent — historic present — the decisive question
Σὺ εἶ ὁ χριστὸς ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ εὐλογητοῦ;content — the two titles of 1:1 on hostile lips; ὁ εὐλογητός, the reverential surrogate for God
62
ὁ δὲ Ἰησοῦς εἶπεν·independent — the silence ends
Ἐγώ εἰμι,content — ἐγώ εἰμι — the Gospel's one unambiguous confession; the secret ends where it costs his life (Exod 3:14 audible to some)
καὶ ὄψεσθε τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἐκ δεξιῶν καθήμενον τῆς δυνάμεωςcontent — Ps 110:1 — ἡ δύναμις, the reverential surrogate answered in kind
καὶ ἐρχόμενον μετὰ τῶν νεφελῶν τοῦ οὐρανοῦ.participial — Dan 7:13 conflated with the psalm — judge and judged exchanged
vv. 63–65 — blasphemy, sentence, mockery
63
ὁ δὲ ἀρχιερεὺς διαρρήξας τοὺς χιτῶνας αὐτοῦparticipial — the ritual rending at blasphemy — leans on λέγει
λέγει·independent — historic present
Τί ἔτι χρείαν ἔχομεν μαρτύρων;content — the failed evidence gladly abandoned
64
ἠκούσατε τῆς βλασφημίας·content — βλασφημία — the charge of 2:7 comes home
τί ὑμῖν φαίνεται;content — the verdict called for
οἱ δὲ πάντες κατέκριναν αὐτὸνindependent — πάντες — unanimity above, as the flight was unanimous below
ἔνοχον εἶναι θανάτου.content — ἔνοχον θανάτου — the capital sentence in indirect discourse
65
καὶ ἤρξαντό τινες ἐμπτύειν αὐτῷindependent — 10:34 fulfilled — the third passion prediction, item by item
καὶ περικαλύπτειν αὐτοῦ τὸ πρόσωπονcontent — the blindfold for the game
καὶ κολαφίζειν αὐτὸνcontent — κολαφίζειν — the buffeting
καὶ λέγειν αὐτῷ·content — the taunt-frame
Προφήτευσον,content — the mockery of the prophet — while his prophecy comes true in the courtyard; Mark lacks 'who struck you?'
καὶ οἱ ὑπηρέται ῥαπίσμασιν αὐτὸν ἔλαβον.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
66
Καὶ ὄντος τοῦ Πέτρου κάτω ἐν τῇ αὐλῇparticipial — genitive absolute — κάτω: Jesus confesses above, Peter denies below; leans on ἔρχεται
ἔρχεται μία τῶν παιδισκῶν τοῦ ἀρχιερέως,independent — historic present — the least imposing accuser
67
καὶ ἰδοῦσα τὸν Πέτρον θερμαινόμενονparticipial — preposed participle — the firelight of v. 54 does its work
ἐμβλέψασα αὐτῷparticipial — second preposed participle — the fixed stare; leans on λέγει
λέγει·independent — historic present
Καὶ σὺ μετὰ τοῦ Ναζαρηνοῦ ἦσθα τοῦ Ἰησοῦ.content — καὶ σύ — you too; the association is the whole charge
68
ὁ δὲ ἠρνήσατοindependent — ἠρνήσατο — the first of three (cf. 8:34, the disciple's ἀπαρνησάσθω turned wrong way round)
λέγων·participial — the speech-frame
Οὔτε οἶδαcontent — the double disclaimer begins
οὔτε ἐπίσταμαιcontent — οὔτε... οὔτε — total dissociation
σὺ τί λέγεις.content — proleptic σύ — the indirect question in flustered word order
καὶ ἐξῆλθεν ἔξω εἰς τὸ προαύλιον,independent — the retreat toward the gate — half in, half out
καὶ ἀλέκτωρ ἐφώνησεν.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
69
καὶ ἡ παιδίσκη ἰδοῦσα αὐτὸνparticipial — preposed participle — the same girl presses on; leans on ἤρξατο
ἤρξατο πάλιν λέγειν τοῖς παρεστῶσιν ὅτιindependent — the charge goes public — recitative ὅτι
Οὗτος ἐξ αὐτῶν ἐστιν.content — οὗτος — talked about now, no longer talked to
70
ὁ δὲ πάλιν ἠρνεῖτο.independent — imperfect — the denial now sustained
καὶ μετὰ μικρὸν πάλιν οἱ παρεστῶτες ἔλεγον τῷ Πέτρῳ·independent — the third round — the crowd closes in
Ἀληθῶς ἐξ αὐτῶν εἶ,content — ἀληθῶς — the charge hardens to certainty
καὶ γὰρ Γαλιλαῖος εἶ.cause — καὶ γάρ — the accent betrays him (cf. Matt 26:73)
71
ὁ δὲ ἤρξατο ἀναθεματίζειν καὶ ὀμνύναι ὅτιindependent — the climax — anathema and oath where a word once sufficed
Οὐκ οἶδα τὸν ἄνθρωπον τοῦτονcontent — τὸν ἄνθρωπον τοῦτον — he will not even say the name
ὃν λέγετε.relative — the distancing relative — their word, not his
72
καὶ εὐθὺς ἐκ δευτέρου ἀλέκτωρ ἐφώνησεν.independent — εὐθύς one last time — ἐκ δευτέρου completes the Markan δίς
καὶ ἀνεμνήσθη ὁ Πέτρος τὸ ῥῆμαindependent — the remembering — v. 30 replayed entire
ὡς εἶπεν αὐτῷ ὁ Ἰησοῦς ὅτιcontent — ὡς-clause unpacking τὸ ῥῆμα, with recitative ὅτι
Πρὶν ἀλέκτορα φωνῆσαι δὶςconditional — temporal πρίν (typed cnd; no temporal key) — leans on ἀπαρνήσῃ
τρίς με ἀπαρνήσῃ·content — the prediction verbatim — δίς and τρίς both kept
καὶ ἐπιβαλὼνparticipial — ἐπιβαλών — a famous obscurity: 'throwing himself down,' 'covering his head,' 'setting to it'; glossed 'breaking down'; leans on ἔκλαιεν
ἔκλαιεν.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.