And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy;

MARK 14:33KJV
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Mark 14:33 (KJV)

What does Mark 14:33 mean?

Mark 14:33 describes how Jesus took Peter, James, and John with him and began to feel deeply distressed and troubled. The verse highlights a moment when Jesus, facing what was about to happen to him, showed strong emotions in the presence of his closest disciples.

In this scene, Jesus is in the Garden of Gethsemane, just before his arrest. He selects Peter, James, and John—three disciples who often witnessed key moments in his ministry—to be near him. The verse uses strong language to show that Jesus was overwhelmed with amazement and sorrow, giving a rare glimpse into his human vulnerability and emotional struggle as he anticipates his suffering.

The Greek behind Mark 14:33

  • "Amazed" (ἐκθαμβεῖσθαι, ekthambeisthai): This Greek word is often understood as being struck with great astonishment or even alarm. Here, it suggests that Jesus experienced a sudden, intense emotional reaction, not just mild surprise.
  • "Heavy" (ἀδημονεῖν, adēmonein): This word carries the sense of deep distress, anguish, or being troubled. It points to a profound inner turmoil, not just ordinary sadness or worry. The verse emphasizes the depth of Jesus’ emotional pain in this moment.

Why Mark 14:33 matters

  • Mark 14:33 clears up the idea that Jesus faced his suffering without emotion; it shows he experienced real human anguish and distress.
  • The verse emphasizes the closeness of Peter, James, and John to Jesus, highlighting their role as witnesses to his most vulnerable moments.
  • This moment connects to the wider passage by setting the stage for Jesus’ prayer in Gethsemane, underlining the weight of what he was about to endure.

Where else these words appear

“heavy” Greek G85 · used in 3 verses

  • Matthew 26:37 And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.
  • Philippians 2:26 For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick.

“amazed” Greek G1568 · used in 4 verses

  • Mark 9:15 And straightway all the people, when they beheld him, were greatly amazed, and running to him saluted him.
  • Mark 16:5 And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted.
  • Mark 16:6 And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him.

“James” Greek G2385 · used in 38 verses

  • Matthew 4:21 And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them.
  • Mark 9:2 And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them.
  • Luke 9:54 And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?

“taketh” Greek G3880 · used in 50 verses

  • Matthew 1:20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
  • Mark 4:36 And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships.
  • Acts 16:33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.