And he that betrayed him had given them a token, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he; take him, and lead him away safely.

MARK 14:44KJV
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Mark 14:44 (KJV)

What does Mark 14:44 mean?

Mark 14:44 describes how Judas, the disciple who betrayed Jesus, arranged a signal with the group coming to arrest Jesus: he told them that the person he would greet with a kiss would be the one they should seize and take away securely. This verse shows the specific plan Judas used to identify Jesus to the authorities in the darkness and confusion of the night.

In this scene, Judas is speaking to the armed crowd sent by the chief priests, scribes, and elders. The "token" or sign he gives is a kiss, a common greeting, which would make it clear to the arresting party who Jesus was. The verse highlights both the secrecy and the personal nature of the betrayal, as well as Judas’s concern that Jesus be captured without escape or confusion.

The Greek behind Mark 14:44

  • "token" (σύσσημον, syssēmon): This word means a signal or agreed-upon sign. Its use here shows that Judas wanted to make sure there was no mistake about who Jesus was, since it was dark and Jesus was with his disciples.
  • "kiss" (φιλέω, phileō): This is the usual word for a friendly or affectionate kiss, not a romantic one. The Greek here emphasizes the act as a normal gesture of greeting, which makes the betrayal feel even more personal and painful.
  • "safely" (ἀσφαλῶς, asphalōs): This word means securely or without risk of escape. Judas is not just identifying Jesus but also instructing the arresting party to make sure Jesus does not get away.

Why Mark 14:44 matters

  • Mark 14:44 clarifies how Jesus was identified to the authorities, showing that his arrest was not random but the result of a deliberate act by someone close to him.
  • The verse emphasizes the calculated nature of Judas’s betrayal, using a sign of friendship—a kiss—as the very means of handing Jesus over.
  • This detail connects to the wider narrative by showing the fulfillment of Jesus’s earlier predictions about being betrayed by one of his own disciples, deepening the sense of sorrow and irony in the story.

Where else these words appear

“safely” Greek G806 · used in 3 verses

  • Acts 2:36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
  • Acts 16:23 And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely:

“away” Greek G520 · used in 16 verses

  • Matthew 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
  • Mark 14:53 And they led Jesus away to the high priest: and with him were assembled all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes.
  • John 19:16 Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away.

“kiss” Greek G5368 · used in 21 verses

  • Matthew 6:5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
  • John 5:20 For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel.
  • John 21:15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.

“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.