Mark 14:43

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Mark 14:43 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And straightway, while he yet spake, cometh Judas, one of the twelve, and with him a multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And straightway, while he yet spake, cometh Judas, one of the twelve, and with him a multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders.
Mark 14:43 — American Standard Version

Context — Mark 14

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
43And straightway, while he yet spake, cometh Judas, one of the twelve, and with him a multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And immediately, while he yet spake, etc..] The above words: cometh Judas one of the twelve: apostles of Christ, and which was an aggravation of his wickedness; the Vulgate Latin, Syriac, Arabic, Persic, and Ethiopic, versions add, “Iscariot”; and so it is read in one of Beza's copies. The Ethiopic version reads, “one of the ten”, very wrongly: and with him a great multitude; a band of men and officers, with many of the chief priests and captains of the temple, and elders of the people, that mixed themselves with the crowd, to see how things would issue: with swords and staves; which they intended to make use of, should any resistance be made in apprehending him, or any attempt to rescue…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“See the notes at Matthew 26:47-57. Mark 14:45 Master, Master - As if expressing great joy that he had found him again. Mark 14:51 A certain young man - Who this was we have no means of determining, but it seems not improbable that he may have been the owner of the garden, and that he may have had an understanding with Jesus that he should visit it for retirement when he withdrew from the city. That he was not one of the apostles is clear. It is probable that be was roused from sleep by the noise made by the rabble, and came to render any aid in his power in quelling the disturbance. It is not known why this circumstance is recorded by Mark. It is omitted by all the other evangelists. It may…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Mat 26:47; Luk 22:47; Joh 18:2. Mark 14:44”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“14:43 Judas’s treachery in Jesus’ arrest is heightened by the reference to him as one of the twelve disciples. Having agreed with the leading priests to betray Jesus at the right time and place (14:10-11), he led an armed group to seize Jesus secretly at night apart from the people (14:1-2). Although they wanted to avoid a conflict, the crowd was large enough to quell any resistance by Jesus or his followers (cp. Luke 22:52; John 18:3).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“while: Mat 26:47; Luk 22:47, Luk 22:48; Joh 18:3-9; Act 1:16 and with: Psa 2:1, Psa 2:2, Psa 3:1, Psa 3:2, Psa 22:11-13 Mark 14:44”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification