But he held his peace, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, and said unto him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?

MARK 14:61KJV
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Mark 14:61 (KJV)

What does Mark 14:61 mean?

Mark 14:61 shows a turning point in Jesus’ questioning before the high priest. Jesus has remained silent, and the high priest asks him directly whether he is the Christ, the Son of the Blessed. The question brings Jesus’ identity to the center of the hearing.

The high priest speaks after asking Jesus to respond to testimony against him in the preceding verse. “The Blessed” refers to God, so “the Son of the Blessed” means the Son of God. Jesus gives his answer in the following verse.

The Greek behind Mark 14:61

  • “Christ” — χριστός (christos): This word means “anointed one,” someone set apart for a role. In this question, “Christ” is a title, not Jesus’ family name; it points to the figure many Jewish people were expecting God to send.
  • “Blessed” — εὐλογητός (eulogētos): This word means “praised” or “worthy of praise.” The high priest uses “the Blessed” as a respectful way of referring to God.

Why Mark 14:61 matters

  • Jesus’ silence comes before a direct question about his identity. In verse 60, the high priest asks about the testimony against him; in verse 61, the question changes to “Art thou the Christ?”
  • The two titles belong together in the high priest’s question. “The Christ” and “the Son of the Blessed” frame what the high priest wants Jesus to answer.
  • Mark gives Jesus’ answer a clear place in the exchange. Jesus says “I am” in verse 62, so the silence in verse 61 is not the end of his response to the high priest.

Where else these words appear

“Blessed” Greek G2128 · used in 8 verses

  • Luke 1:68 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,
  • Romans 9:5 Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.
  • 2 Corinthians 11:31 The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not.

“peace” Greek G4623 · used in 11 verses

  • Matthew 20:31 And the multitude rebuked them, because they should hold their peace: but they cried the more, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David.
  • Mark 4:39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
  • Luke 1:20 And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.

“asked” Greek G1905 · used in 58 verses

  • Matthew 12:10 And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him.
  • Mark 9:33 And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way?
  • Luke 9:18 And it came to pass, as he was alone praying, his disciples were with him: and he asked them, saying, Whom say the people that I am?

“Art” Greek G1488 · used in 89 verses

  • Matthew 2:6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.
  • Luke 4:41 And devils also came out of many, crying out, and saying, Thou art Christ the Son of God. And he rebuking them suffered them not to speak: for they knew that he was Christ.
  • John 18:17 Then saith the damsel that kept the door unto Peter, Art not thou also one of this man's disciples? He saith, I am not.