Mark 14:10-33

10 The woman gave, Judas got. They resented the woman's act and would have taken her treasure from her had they known. The chief priests rejoiced and promised Judas a substantial reward. Who would like to earn thirty pieces of silver? Religious men who know not Christ are always ready to pay for His betrayal.

10-16 Compare Mat_26:14-19; Luk_22:3-13.

12 "The first day of the unleavened bread" was not, as might be supposed, the first day of the festival of unleavened bread (Lev_23:7), but the day before, the day of the Passover proper. Similarly, the term Passover was often applied to the festival which followed.

12 The passover must be sacrificed on the fourteenth day of the first month "between [not in] the [two] evenings [of one day]" (Exo_12:6). This made it possible for our Lord to eat the passover and be the Passover all in one day, between the sunset which began the fourteenth of Nisan, and the suhset which closed it.

13 Bearing water jars was "women's work" and it was a singular sight to see a man with a water jar. There probably was not another in all Jerusalem. His household must have been small, hence he could accommodate so many extra guests at the Passover. It was the custom for families to join into groups large enough to eat a whole lamb (Exo_12:4).

17-21 Compare Mat_26:20-25; Luk_22:14; Luk_22:21-23; Joh_13:18-30.

17 With what mingled feelings would our Lord eat this passover! Joy to see the fruit of His labors, sorrow at the treachery of Judas, while over all was the shadow of the cross.

21 So atrocious was the treachery of Judas Iscariot that we sympathize with those who find it difficult to see how God's grace can ever reach him. But Paul was a greater sinner (1Ti_1:15). Judas did not commit his crime until after the Slanderer had put it into his heart

(Joh_13:2). He regretted his action (Mat_27:3). Not so Paul. We can have no sympathy, however, with the attempts to twist the translation to agree with their thoughts. The phrase "that man" refers to Judas in one sentence, so must also refer to him in the next. The Lord is thinking of His own sufferings and Judas' share in them, not of Judas' fate.

22-25 Compare Mat_26:26-29; Luk_22:15-20; 1Co_11:23-25.

22 It is notable that in this account, as in Matthew, the last dinner is considered apart of the Passover and no mention is made of any memorial for their future observance. The simple figure of speech here used has caused much misunderstanding. The Greek and Hebrew substantive, to be, is not expressed when dealing with matters of fact. But when a figure is intended, the verb must be used. "This IS My body" means that the bread represents His body. "This My body" (without is) could be used only when He was actually speaking of His own physical frame. The sustenance and joy of all believers in Christ is symbolized by partaking of the bread and drinking of the cup. The flesh is benefiting nothing. The spirit is that which is vivifying (Joh_6:63). It is the spiritual and hearty appropriation of Christ's sufferings which brings satisfaction and delight. This will be ours in its fullness when we are with Him. Till He comes we are reminded of it by partaking of the broken bread and poured out wine.

24 The new covenant is with the nation of Israel (Jer_31:32; Jer_32:40; Eze_36:24-30; Heb_8:7-12; Heb_10:15-17) even as the old one was. The first was dedicated with the blood of calves and hegoats (Exo_24:8), but the new with the precious blood of Christ (Heb_9:15-27). The first was conditioned on their obedience, the second on His.

26-28 Compare Mat_26:30-32; Luk_22:35-39.

27 Compare Zec_13:7.

29-31 Compare Mat_26:33-35; Luk_22:31-34; Joh_13:36-38.

32-42 Compare Mat_26:36-46; Luk_22:46; Joh_18:1-2.