What does Mark 14:53 Mean?

Study Notes

And they led
See note on order of events on the day of the crucifixion, .

led

A comparison of the narratives gives the following order of events in the crucifixion day:

(1) Early in the morning Jesus is brought before Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin. He is condemned and mocked Matthew 26:57-68 ; Mark 14:55-65 ; Luke 22:63-71 ; John 18:19-24 .

(2) The Sanhedrin lead Jesus to Pilate, Matthew 27:1 ; Matthew 27:2 ; Matthew 27:11-14 ; Mark 15:1-5 ; Luke 23:1-5 ; John 18:28-38 .

(3) Pilate sends Jesus to Herod Luke 23:6-12 ; John 19:4 .

(4) Jesus is again brought before Pilate, who releases Barabbas and delivers Jesus to be crucified Matthew 27:15-26 ; Mark 15:6-15 ; Luke 23:13-25 ; John 18:39 ; John 18:40 ; John 19:4-16 .

(5) Jesus is crowned with thorns and mocked Matthew 27:26-30 ; Mark 15:15-20 ; John 19:1-3 .

(6) Suicide of Judas Matthew 27:3-10 .

(7) Led forth to be crucified, the cross is laid upon Simon: Jesus discourses to the women Matthew 27:31 ; Matthew 27:32 ; Mark 15:20-23 ; Luke 23:26-33 ; John 19:16 ; John 19:17 .

For the order of events at the crucifixion (See Scofield " Matthew 27:33 ")

Verse Meaning

The high priest in view here was Caiaphas. Interestingly Mark never mentioned him by name. He was the high priest that the Romans had appointed in A.D18 , and he served in this capacity until A.D36. He seems to have been the person most responsible for the plot to do away with Jesus.

This was an unscheduled meeting of the Sanhedrin since Jewish law required that official meetings take place during the daytime. It transpired before dawn on Friday, the fifteenth of Nisan, a feast day. Normally the Sanhedrin did not conduct hearings of this type on a feast day. The Jewish leaders probably met at this unorthodox hour because the Romans conducted their civil trials shortly after sunrise. The Sanhedrin wanted to deliver Jesus over to Pilate for a hasty trial before public sentiment built in favor of Jesus. Normally the Sanhedrin did not pass sentence on an accused capital offender until the day following his trial. They made an exception in Jesus" case. Usually the Sanhedrin met in a hall on the west side of the temple enclosure. ^[1] However now they met in Caiaphas" house or palace ( Luke 22:54). "All" the Sanhedrin may mean every one of its71members or, probably, all that were necessary for a quorum, at least23. ^[2]

Mark omitted reference to Jesus" preliminary hearing before Annas ( John 18:12-14; John 18:19-24).

Jesus" sufferings until now had been anticipatory and psychological. Now He began to experience physical pain resulting from His trials and crucifixion. As the faithful Servant of the Lord who came to do His Father"s will, His sufferings continued to increase. [source][source]

[source]

Jesus underwent two trials, a religious one before the Jewish leaders and a civil one before the Roman authorities. This was necessary because under Roman sovereignty the Sanhedrin did not have the authority to crucify. The Sanhedrin wanted Jesus to suffer crucifixion ( John 18:31). Each trial had three parts. [source][source]

[source]

Jesus" Religious TrialBefore Annas John 18:12-14; John 18:19-24Before Caiaphas Matthew 26:57-68; Mark 14:53-65; Luke 22:63-6585; 1713612986_5Before the Sanhedrin Matthew 27:1; Mark 15:1; Luke 22:66-71Jesus" Civil TrialBefore Pilate Matthew 27:2; Matthew 27:11-14; Mark 15:1-5; Luke 23:1-5; John 18:28-38Before Herod Antipas Luke 23:6-12Before Pilate Matthew 27:15-26; Mark 15:6-15; Luke 23:13-25; John 18:39 to John 19:16[source]

Context Summary

A commission of the chief priests awaited the result of the treachery of Judas at the house of Caiaphas. They had made up their minds what to do, but the form of a trial was necessary. The false witnesses were obviously unable to establish a sufficient case, and our Lord maintained a dignified silence. It was too much for Caiaphas, and he put his prisoner on his oath. Our Lord made no attempt to parry the issue or turn aside from the challenge, but replied: I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. See Psalms 110:1; Daniel 7:13. Then followed a shameful scene, Mark 14:65. But our Lord was as self-restrained in the use of His mighty powers as if He had been one of the most helpless of men. The graphic story of the denial, which took place at the time of the trial in the servants' hall, was probably given to the evangelist by Peter himself. What a contrast between the strength of the Master and the weakness of the disciple! Yet Peter was forgiven and made the Apostle of the Pentecost! We may have hope! [source]

Chapter Summary: Mark 14

¹  A conspiracy against Jesus
³  Expensive perfume is poured on his head by a woman
¹⁰  Judas sells his Master for money
¹²  Jesus himself foretells how he will be betrayed by one of his disciples;
²²  after the passover prepared, and eaten, institutes his last supper;
²⁶  declares beforehand the flight of all his disciples, and Peter's denial
⁴³  Judas betrays him with a kiss
⁴⁶  Jesus is apprehended in the garden;
⁵³  falsely accused and impiously condemned of the council;
⁶⁵  shamefully abused by them;
⁶⁶  and thrice denied by Peter