After two days was the feast of the passover, and of unleavened bread: and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take him by craft, and put him to death.

MARK 14:1KJV
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Mark 14:1 (KJV)

What does Mark 14:1 mean?

Mark 14:1 sets the scene just two days before the Jewish festival of Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread, explaining that the chief priests and scribes were plotting to arrest Jesus by cunning means and have him killed. This verse highlights both the timing and the secretive intentions of the religious leaders as the Passover approached.

Mark is narrating the events leading up to Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion for his readers. The verse notes the religious leaders’ deliberate planning and their use of “craft” or trickery, rather than open confrontation, to capture Jesus. This sets a tense and urgent mood, showing that Jesus’ fate is being decided behind closed doors, right as Jerusalem prepares for one of its most important religious celebrations.

The Greek behind Mark 14:1

  • The word for “craft” is δόλῳ (dolō), which means trickery, deceit, or cunning. This word emphasizes that the chief priests and scribes were not planning to arrest Jesus openly, but rather through secretive or underhanded methods.
  • The word for “sought” is ἐζήτουν (ezētoun), which means to seek or look for. This shows that the leaders were actively searching for a way to carry out their plan, not just considering it passively.
  • The term for “put him to death” is ἀποκτείνωσιν (apokteinōsin), meaning to kill or put to death. This makes clear that their goal was not just to silence Jesus, but to end his life entirely.

Why Mark 14:1 matters

  • Mark 14:1 clarifies that the plot against Jesus was premeditated and intentional, not a sudden reaction or a result of public pressure.
  • The verse connects Jesus’ impending death directly to the Passover, foreshadowing the significance of the timing in the larger story of his crucifixion.
  • By mentioning both the chief priests and scribes, Mark shows that the opposition to Jesus came from the highest levels of religious authority, not just a fringe group.

Where else these words appear

“bread” Greek G106 · used in 9 verses

  • Matthew 26:17 Now the first day of the feast of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the passover?
  • Luke 22:1 Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover.
  • Acts 20:6 And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and came unto them to Troas in five days; where we abode seven days.

“craft” Greek G1388 · used in 12 verses

  • Matthew 26:4 And consulted that they might take Jesus by subtilty, and kill him.
  • Acts 13:10 And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?
  • 1 Peter 2:1 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,

“passover” Greek G3957 · used in 27 verses

  • Matthew 26:2 Ye know that after two days is the feast of the passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified.
  • Luke 22:1 Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover.
  • John 11:55 And the Jews' passover was nigh at hand: and many went out of the country up to Jerusalem before the passover, to purify themselves.

“take” Greek G2902 · used in 46 verses

  • Matthew 9:25 But when the people were put forth, he went in, and took her by the hand, and the maid arose.
  • Mark 6:17 For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon John, and bound him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife: for he had married her.
  • Acts 3:11 And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon's, greatly wondering.