Mark 14:51 Meaning and Explanation
“And there followed him a certain young man, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body; and the young men laid hold on him:”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →A young man following Jesus, wearing only a linen cloth, is seized by the crowd.
What Does Mark 14:51 Mean?
Mark alone records this small strange scene: a young man trailing the arrest party, wrapped only in a linen cloth — roused, it seems, from his bed by the commotion of the night. The mob grabs at him as they grabbed Jesus.
His near arrest shows how dangerous the moment was: anyone near Jesus that night risked seizure. The detail also sharpens the desolation — even this last anonymous follower will be stripped away, leaving Jesus absolutely alone. And the word for his linen cloth returns soon after: it names the cloth in which the body of Jesus will be buried (Mark 15:46).
Mark 14:51 in the Original Language
sindon (σινδών), 'linen cloth' -- fine linen; the same word later names the burial shroud of Jesus (Mark 15:46).
Frequently Asked Questions About Mark 14:51
What does Mark 14:51 mean?
A young man following Jesus, wearing only a linen cloth, is seized by the crowd.