Mark 14:43 Meaning and Explanation
“And immediately, while he yet spake, cometh Judas, one of the twelve, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →While Jesus is still speaking, Judas arrives with an armed crowd sent from the chief priests, scribes, and elders.
What Does Mark 14:43 Mean?
The words are still on his lips when Judas comes — named again, with terrible patience, one of the twelve. With him is a great multitude armed with swords and clubs, sent by the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders: the full weight of official Jerusalem, out at night against one unarmed man.
They come armed because they expect resistance, and by night because they fear the people. Everything about the arrest party betrays an uneasy conscience. The kingdom that moves through this chapter advances by surrender, not steel — a strength the armed crowd has no instrument to measure.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mark 14:43
What does Mark 14:43 mean?
While Jesus is still speaking, Judas arrives with an armed crowd sent from the chief priests, scribes, and elders.