The Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written of him: but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! good were it for that man if he had never been born.
MARK 14:21KJVWhat does Mark 14:21 mean?
Mark 14:21 records Jesus saying that he, the "Son of man," will go to his fate just as the Scriptures predicted, but he warns that it will be terrible for the person who betrays him—so much so that it would have been better for that betrayer never to have been born. This verse highlights both the fulfillment of prophecy and the seriousness of the betrayer's actions.
In this scene, Jesus is speaking to his disciples during the Last Supper, shortly before his arrest. He refers to himself as the "Son of man," a title he often uses, and points to the betrayal that is about to happen. Jesus' words stress that, while his suffering is part of God's plan, the responsibility and consequences for the betrayer are still very real and severe.
The Greek behind Mark 14:21
- "Son" (υἱός, huios) and "man" (ἄνθρωπος, anthrōpos): Together, "Son of man" is a phrase Jesus uses for himself, drawing from Old Testament imagery and emphasizing both his humanity and his special role.
- "Woe" (οὐαί, ouai): This word is an expression of deep sorrow or warning, not just a prediction but a lament over the betrayer's fate.
- "Betrayed" (παραδίδωμι, paradidōmi): This verb means to hand over or deliver up, underscoring the active role of the betrayer in what is about to happen.
Why Mark 14:21 matters
- Mark 14:21 clears up the idea that Jesus' death was just a random event; it shows that his betrayal and suffering were foreseen in Scripture, yet human choices still carry weight.
- The verse emphasizes personal responsibility even within God's larger plan, warning that being the one to betray Jesus is a tragic and serious act.
- Mark 14:21 sets the emotional tone for the events that follow, showing the gravity of the betrayal and the sorrow Jesus feels about it.