Mark 14:48 Meaning and Explanation
“And Jesus answered and said unto them, Are ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and with staves to take me?”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Jesus asks why they have come out with swords and clubs to arrest him as though he were a robber.
What Does Mark 14:48 Mean?
Jesus finally addresses the crowd, and his question exposes them: Are ye come out, as against a thief — a violent outlaw — with swords and with staves to take me? The armament is absurd against a man who taught openly and offers no resistance.
There is an irony to carry forward: treated as a robber now, he will soon be crucified between two robbers (Mark 15:27), numbered with the transgressors as Isaiah foresaw (Isaiah 53:12). And the question probes every age: those who come at Jesus with force — expecting him to be what they imagined — have already misunderstood who he is.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mark 14:48
What does Mark 14:48 mean?
Jesus asks why they have come out with swords and clubs to arrest him as though he were a robber.