And as they sat and did eat, Jesus said, Verily I say unto you, One of you which eateth with me shall betray me.

MARK 14:18KJV
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Mark 14:18 (KJV)

What does Mark 14:18 mean?

Mark 14:18 records Jesus telling His disciples, as they are eating together, that one of them who is sharing the meal with Him will betray Him. This statement introduces the idea that betrayal will come from within His closest group of followers.

In this scene, Jesus is speaking directly to His disciples during a meal, which is the Passover supper. The verse highlights the shock and intimacy of the betrayal, since sharing a meal was a sign of close fellowship. Jesus’s words set the stage for the events that will soon unfold, showing that He knows what is about to happen and that the betrayal will come from someone trusted.

The Greek behind Mark 14:18

  • The word "betray" is παραδίδωμι (paradidōmi), which often means to hand over or deliver up, not just to betray in a personal sense. This adds a sense of official or legal transfer, not just personal disloyalty.
  • The phrase "eateth with me" uses the word μετά (meta, "with") and ἐσθίω (esthiō, "eat"), emphasizing that the betrayer is not an outsider but someone sharing a close, communal act with Jesus. In that culture, eating together signified trust and friendship.

Why Mark 14:18 matters

  • Mark 14:18 makes clear that Jesus was not caught off guard by the betrayal; He knew it would come from one of His own disciples.
  • The verse underlines the depth of the coming betrayal, showing it is not from an enemy, but from someone sharing the most intimate fellowship with Jesus.
  • This statement sets the emotional tone for the rest of the chapter, helping readers understand the gravity and sorrow of what is about to happen among Jesus’s closest followers.

Where else these words appear

“sat” Greek G345 · used in 13 verses

  • Matthew 9:10 And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples.
  • Matthew 26:20 Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve.
  • Luke 22:27 For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth.

“eat” Greek G2068 · used in 55 verses

  • Matthew 9:11 And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?
  • Mark 14:22 And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body.
  • 1 Corinthians 8:7 Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.

“me” Greek G1700 · used in 104 verses

  • Matthew 5:11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
  • Luke 22:28 Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations.
  • Acts 25:9 But Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure, answered Paul, and said, Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me?

“betray” Greek G3860 · used in 118 verses

  • Matthew 4:12 Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee;
  • Mark 13:12 Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death.
  • John 19:16 Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away.