And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money. And he sought how he might conveniently betray him.

MARK 14:11KJV
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Mark 14:11 (KJV)

What does Mark 14:11 mean?

Mark 14:11 describes how, after hearing Judas’s offer to betray Jesus, the chief priests were pleased and promised to pay him money, leading Judas to look for a good opportunity to hand Jesus over to them. This verse shows the agreement between Judas and the religious leaders to betray Jesus for a reward.

The setting is during the final days before Jesus’s arrest. Judas, one of Jesus’s twelve disciples, approaches the chief priests, who are looking for a way to arrest Jesus quietly. The verse highlights the eagerness of the religious leaders and the deliberate planning by Judas to find the right moment for the betrayal.

The Greek behind Mark 14:11

  • χαίρω (chairō, G5463): This word is translated as "were glad." It means to rejoice or be delighted. The Greek shows that the chief priests were not just satisfied, but truly pleased at Judas’s proposal, revealing their eagerness to act against Jesus.
  • ἐπαγγέλλομαι (epangellomai, G1861): Translated as "promised," this word means to make a firm commitment or pledge. The chief priests did not just consider Judas’s offer; they gave him a definite promise of payment, making the agreement clear and binding.
  • εὐκαίρως (eukairōs, G2122): This word, rendered "conveniently," means at a suitable or favorable time. It shows that Judas was not acting impulsively but was carefully looking for the best moment to carry out the betrayal.
  • παραδίδωμι (paradidōmi, G3860): Translated as "betray," this word means to hand over or deliver up. In this context, it carries the sense of turning someone over to authorities, highlighting the seriousness of Judas’s action.

Why Mark 14:11 matters

  • Mark 14:11 makes clear that Judas’s betrayal was not a sudden act but a planned arrangement involving both money and timing, which deepens the sense of premeditation.
  • The verse emphasizes the active role of the chief priests, showing their willingness to collaborate with Judas and their satisfaction at finding a way to arrest Jesus quietly.
  • This agreement sets in motion the events leading to Jesus’s arrest and crucifixion, connecting the actions of Judas and the religious leaders to the fulfillment of what Jesus had predicted earlier in the chapter.

Where else these words appear

“conveniently” Greek G2122 · used in 2 verses

  • 2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

“promised” Greek G1861 · used in 15 verses

  • Acts 7:5 And he gave him none inheritance in it, no, not so much as to set his foot on: yet he promised that he would give it to him for a possession, and to his seed after him, when as yet he had no child.
  • 1 Timothy 6:21 Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen. The first to Timothy was written from Laodicea, which is the chiefest city of Phrygia Pacatiana.
  • Hebrews 12:26 Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.

“money” Greek G694 · used in 20 verses

  • Matthew 25:18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money.
  • Matthew 27:9 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value;
  • Luke 22:5 And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money.

“glad” Greek G5463 · used in 68 verses

  • Matthew 2:10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
  • John 14:28 Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.
  • 2 Corinthians 7:13 Therefore we were comforted in your comfort: yea, and exceedingly the more joyed we for the joy of Titus, because his spirit was refreshed by you all.