The Betrayal – Mark 14:1-2; 14-23

The Plot to Kill Jesus 

1 It was now two days before the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to arrest him by stealth and kill him, 2 for they said, “Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar from the people.” 

14 and wherever he enters, say to the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says, Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ 15 And he will show you a large upper room furnished and ready; there prepare for us.” 16 And the disciples set out and went to the city and found it just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover. 

17 And when it was evening, he came with the twelve.18 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.” 19 They began to be sorrowful and to say to him one after another, “Is it I?” 20 He said to them, “It is one of the twelve, one who is dipping bread into the dish with me. 21 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.” 

Institution of the Lord's Supper 

22 And as they were eating, he took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.” 23 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it. 

Summary

For three years the disciples followed Jesus on his ministry journey. They watched and studied him. They learned from him. They probably laughed and joked with one another. They were closer with him than anyone else on Earth. So, you can imagine the shock they must have felt at the table on the night that Jesus said one of them would betray Him. To be hurt by others is not uncommon, but to be hurt by those you know can often sting the most.  

It was at this Passover meal that Jesus’ journey to the cross would truly begin. The plan was all thought through. No way could the chief priests and scribes arrest Jesus during the feast after the arrival he had. But it was the disciple Judas who would provide them with the opportunity they were seeking. The greed in Judas heart led him to bargain with the religious leaders to hand over Jesus to them in exchange for money.  

Knowing of this betrayal, Jesus informed the disciples at the Last Supper that one of them around the table would betray Him. The disciples couldn’t believe it. They were all immediately filled with sadness and fear as they begin to question if they would be the one to betray Jesus. In the midst of the murmur and discussion over who it could be, Jesus never once makes a big scene about it. He doesn’t call out Judas in front of everyone. Who knows how the disciples would have reacted to Judas if He did? In fact, quite the opposite happens. Jesus takes the bread, and he takes the cup, and he gives thanks for it. Jesus let Judas sit at the table that night. Not only that, but He washed his feet as well. All the while knowing of the betrayal that has already occurred.  

HEAR about it:

What did you HEAR from God’s word today? Use the HEAR method (Highlight, Explain, Apply, and Respond), to examine today’s passage. If you need to know more about the HEAR method, click here.

Talk about it:

• Why were the religious leaders afraid to arrest Jesus during the feast? 

• What compelled or motivated Judas to betray Jesus? 

• What was going through the minds of the disciples as they heard this news from Jesus?