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Gospel of Mark

Jesus before Pilate: Mark 15:1-5

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Jesus Before Pilate

15 Very early in the morning, the chief priests, with the elders, the teachers of the law and the whole Sanhedrin, made their plans. So they bound Jesus, led him away and handed him over to Pilate.

2 “Are you the king of the Jews?” asked Pilate. “You have said so,” Jesus replied. 3 The chief priests accused him of many things. 4 So again Pilate asked him, “Aren’t you going to answer? See how many things they are accusing you of.”
5 But Jesus still made no reply, and Pilate was amazed.

Mark 15:1-5

Horsham: 12th December 2025

This is an episode in which Mark’s account is extraordinarily brief. To find the full story and understand the context, we need to look beyond Mark and draw on the accounts of the other gospel writers. When we do, the full story becomes clear.

The Jewish leaders take Jesus, bound, to the Praetorium, a short walk from the palace of Caiaphas. This is the headquarters of the Roman occupying forces. They stand outside with their prisoner, for to enter would render them ‘unclean’ for the Passover (John 18:28). The fact that Pilate comes to speak to them at the gate, speaks volumes about his relationship with the Jewish leaders. Pilate is a violent and ruthless governor who had abused the people of Judea,  yet at this point he was also afraid of and conciliatory towards them (see End Piece below).

The offences claimed by the Jews are now completely different from those with which they charged him before the Sanhedrin. Now he is accused of insurrection, trying to undermine the Roman rule. Pilate is not convinced and tells them to take Jesus away. ‘Deal with him under your own laws.’ When they refuse, Jesus is taken into the building (John 18:31) and interrogated by Pilate, who still finds no basis for a charge (Matt 27:24, Luke 23:4, Luke 23:14, John 18:38, John 19:4).

Luke tells us that Jesus is then taken before Herod (Luke 23:6-12), whose palace was close by in the Upper City, where he faced further abuse, before being returned to the custody of Pilate.

End Piece
The relationship between Pilate and the Jewish leaders is critical to the context here. Josephus tells us that on two previous occasions, the leaders had been so angry with the Roman governor that they had successfully appealed to Rome (Sproul, p.356). Twice, Pilate has been censured by Rome. He is now under orders to not offend the Jews, under pain of removal from his post. In fact, according to Eusebius, that did happen, leading to his recall to Rome a short time after the death of Jesus.

Jerusalem is bursting at the seams for Passover. Though Pilate wanted to release Jesus, fear of unrest kept him from acting. Not only was he prepared to step outside his garrison to speak to the Jews, but he was willing to entertain and listen to their furious demands for the execution of an innocent man.

9 So he questioned him at some length, but he made no answer. (Luke 23:9)

Richard Jackson, West Sussex: LifePictureUK

Gospel of Mark

Peter Disowns Jesus: Mark 14: 66-72

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Peter Disowns Jesus

66 While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came by. 67 When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked closely at him.
“You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus,” she said.
68 But he denied it. “I don’t know or understand what you’re talking about,” he said, and went out into the entryway.[g]
69 When the servant girl saw him there, she said again to those standing around, “This fellow is one of them.” 70 Again he denied it.
After a little while, those standing near said to Peter, “Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.”
71 He began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know this man you’re talking about.”
72 Immediately the rooster crowed the second time.[h] Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows twice[i] you will disown me three times.” And he broke down and wept.

Mark 14-66-72

Horsham: 25th November 2025

See also:  Matthew 26: 69-75    , Luke 22 :54-62 , and John 18: 15-18 , 25-27.

This is a poignant and incredibly moving story appears in each of the Gospels.  If you think yourself into the story, Peters actions are extraordinary. At each stage, put yourself in Peter’s sandals. What would you have done in his place?

‘Peter does the irrational and unthinkable’

Jesus was arrested in the dark of night, in an olive grove about half a mile to the east of Jerusalem. He was arrested by an large group of armed soldiers. Peter was the only one of the group who put up any resistance, incurring a rebuke from Jesus. Having bound Christ with ropes, the soldiers appear to have turned on the disciples, grabbing at least one of his followers by his clothes (Mark 14:51-52), before they all scattered into the darkness, running for their lives.

Peter escapes arrest, but then does the irrational and unthinkable. He follows the arrest party at a distance, following them into the city.  At this time of night the gate is not standing open. Is it possible that he slipped through amongst the stragglers of the arrest squad? Somehow he is close enough to see where Jesus is taken. He follows him to the Palace of Caiaphas the High Priest.

If people were up and about, houses like this palace would be open to the street. People could wander in. The city  is so busy because of Passover, it’s possible that visitors are sleeping in and around the courtyard. Peter must know that any of the guards might recognise him, but such is his urge to rescue Jesus, that he walks into the lions den, and sits down by the fire in the middle of the courtyard, probably drawing his cloak over his head.  Jesus is upstairs, facing interrogation.

© LifePicture UK 2025 (with permission)
The first denial..

It wasn’t a guard who recognised him. It was a servant girl. She can’t have been in the arrest squad, but she had presumably seen Jesus and his followers in the city earlier. I love Mark’s detail – she looked at him closely before saying ‘This man was with him.‘

‘Woman, I don’t know him.‘ The first denial. Some manuscripts say that the cock crowed for the fist time at this point. Peter didn’t seem to notice. He moves away from the fire and goes to stand by the open entrance gate. The moment passes.

The second denial..

The girl comes back and sees Peter again. She says to anyone who might want to listen,  ‘This fellow is one of them.’ 

‘Man, I am not.‘ (Luke 22:58). The second denial.

It’s too easy to criticize Peter. Out at Gethsemane, the arresting soldiers had tried unsuccessfully to grab some of the followers of Jesus. He had actually drawn his sword and attacked one of the officials. There’s a risk that Peter will be arrested and face interrogation, even death. His very presence anywhere near the Palace of Caiaphas is unbelievable brave. His denials are a human response in the face of life threatening danger.

The third denial..

More time elapses. Luke says it was about an hour. By now, Caiaphas the High Priest has lost his temper and charged Christ with blasphemy. In the room upstairs, Jesus is probably blindfolded and being beaten and abused, when another man sitting or standing close to Peter looks closely at him. Maybe he heard the words of the servant girl earlier. This guy points at Peter. ‘Surely you are one of them. You are a Galilean.’ Peter’s regional accent and clothes have given him away. He looks like a Galilean. He sounds like a Galilean.

Of course there were many Galileans in Jerusalem because it was the Passover. Not all were followers of Jesus. Peter’s response is strong. Scripture says that Peter swore at his accuser. That probably means that he swore in God’s name. ‘I don’t  know this man you’re talking about!’

‘It is ironic that Jesus was convicted of blasphemy, but in all probability the one who was committing the blasphemy was down in the courtyard.’ (Sproul, p.353)

Peter remembers what Jesus had said the night before. ‘Before the cock crows you will disown me three times.’ (Mark 14:30))

Peter had sworn that he would never deny Jesus. ‘Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you!’ (Mark 14:31)

The first lightness of dawn is visible in the sky. Somewhere nearby, a cockerel crows.

In my mind, I think Peter probably moved away from the fire. Perhaps he left the courtyard. He broke down and he wept.

End Piece

The fact that we have the detail of this account is a tribute to the integrity of the man at the centre of the story. It’s good to remind ourselves that Peter was almost certainly the source of the information contained in Mark’s Gospel.

This is a poignant and incredibly moving story which appears in each of the Gospels. I understand why this happens, but it kind of disappoints me that so many preachers and commentators see this as some kind of failure on the part of Peter. There is a sense in which Peter is an easy target. There are some obvious lessons for all of us who follow Jesus about the need for our faithfulness and commitment to Christ.  But does that really do justice to the bravery and commitment of Peter?

Before we judge Peter too severely, we need to examine our own lives. How many times have we denied the Lord and lost opportunities to share the gospel with others? Do we, like Peter, talk when we should listen, argue when we should obey, sleep when we should pray, and fight when we should submit? (Weirsbe, p171)

Richard Jackson, West Sussex: LifePictureUK

Gospel of Mark

Christ Before the High Priest: Mark 14:53-65

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Christ Before the High Priest

53 They took Jesus to the high priest, and all the chief priests, the elders and the teachers of the law came together. 54 Peter followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. There he sat with the guards and warmed himself at the fire. 

55 The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death, but they did not find any. 56 Many testified falsely against him, but their statements did not agree. 57 Then some stood up and gave this false testimony against him: 58 “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple made with human hands and in three days will build another, not made with hands.’” 59 Yet even then their testimony did not agree. 

60 Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” 61 But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?”

62 “I am,” said Jesus. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

63 The high priest tore his clothes. “Why do we need any more witnesses?” he asked. 64 “You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?” They all condemned him as worthy of death. 65 Then some began to spit at him; they blindfolded him, struck him with their fists, and said, “Prophesy!” And the guards took him and beat him.

Mark 14:53-65

Horsham: 20th September 2025

Jesus is escorted from Gethsemane towards Jerusalem by a huge group of soldiers and temple staff. Whilst he has not offered resistance, he is bound with ropes. This party made their way in the darkness across the valley towards the east gate of the Temple. In the darkness, Peter was following at a distance. The other disciples, including Judas, had run for their lives.

It is easy to miss the pace of events which now unfold. It is a matter of but a few hours until Christ would be nailed to the cross. We need to dip into all of the Gospels to grasp the order of events and pick up important points of context. 

‘kangaroo court’

The Sanhedrin, the highest court in Israel, are legally required to meet in the Temple compound, yet some of them at least, set up some kind of kangaroo court at the house of Caiaphas, the High Priest, about a quarter of a mile from the Temple. It is a huge house, sometimes described as a palace, which has good sized rooms built around a large central courtyard.    

It is to this same house that the arrest party travelled, delivering Jesus into the hands of Caiaphas and his team, who undertake the interrogation in one of his public rooms. There is something very irregular in this ‘court’. Some commentators believe that this was some kind of unofficial, preliminary hearing to interrogate Jesus and formulate a charge. Under Jewish Law, Jesus should be entitled to defend himself. But in front of this extraordinary court, Jesus is silent. Impervious to their questions and the accusations of witnesses whose stories carry half-truths at best,  and conflict with each other. The authorities were desperate for new witnesses. We need to remind ourselves again that this is going on at the dead of night, while the city is asleep. It’s as if they are reduced to grabbing people off the street and encouraging their false testimony by threat or payment. They don’t keep to the script, misquoting his comments about the destruction of the Temple. The authorities are determined to build a charge of insurrection which would justify his death.  “This charge was formulated by deliberately and maliciously mis-repeating and misinterpreting certain things which Jesus had said. (Barclay, Gospel of Matthew, Vol 2, p413)

The question of last resort

Then comes the question of last resort, direct from the mouth of Caiaphas. A question that Jesus has to answer. Matthew tells us that the full question is ‘I place you under oath by the living God to tell us whether You are the Christ, the Son of God.’ (Matthew 26:63) This question is framed in a very specific and traditional oath which under Jewish Law demands a response. Only now does Jesus break His silence. Looking directly at Caiaphas He says ‘You have said so.’ Claiming to be the Messiah is not of itself a punishable offence. But Jesus continues. ‘And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.’ (Matthew 26:64) The power of this acclamation in this context is massive. Everyone in the room recognises the allusion to the prophecies of Daniel 7. No-one misses the fact that Jesus is claiming to be the Christ, and that he is promising to return in judgment. All this, in the face of Caiaphas. In context, it carries a sense of threat against the High Priest. He himself will be judged – by Jesus. Caiaphas is beside himself.

The tearing of clothes is a symbol of rage. The only occasion when the High Priest is permitted to tear his clothes is when he is in the presence of blasphemy. This expression of rage is theatrical. His charge of blasphemy is real.

‘abused to His face’

In his fury, Caiaphas whips up a frenzy of anger amongst the Sanhedrin and everyone else present. ‘They all condemned him as worthy of death.’ (v64) People in the room, maybe guards, maybe the ordained leaders of Israel, start to spit at him. They blindfold him. They abuse him to his face. They beat him. They slap him. He cannot see the attacks coming. He is helpless. He is defenseless. Every blow disorientates. They are abusing the Son of God.

Things are happening quickly. It is barely an hour since his arrest and already he is charged, arguably convicted, of blasphemy by the Sanhedrin. However, there is still work to do. The Jewish authorities cannot carry out the death penalty, especially during the Passover weekend. Only the Romans can do that. But the Romans are unlikely to care about a charge of blasphemy. 

The clock is ticking. Messengers will already be on their way to the Roman palace to make ready the next ghastly episode in this story.

End Piece

It was not lawful to conduct court process during the hours of darkness. It was not lawful to hold a criminal trial during the Passover (Barclay, Matthew, p412). It was not lawful for the Sanhedrin to convene and pass judgment in the house of the High Priest. It was not lawful to allow false witnesses to give evidence. (See Sproul, p.350 – 351). Such is the determination of the Jewish authorities to be rid of Jesus that they will break any of their own rules to achieve their purpose. In every sense, this process is mired in conspiracy, intrigue and deceit.

There were those on the Sanhedrin who were more supportive of Jesus. Nicodemus had visited Jesus during the night only a few days earlier (John 3). Joseph of Arimathea was ready to ensure the proper burial of Jesus in his own tomb (Matthew 27:57). It is probable that neither they nor any other supportive voices were at the Palace for this preliminary trial. They would have been unwelcome and unhelpful to the cause of the High Priest. 

The most powerful image of this dreadful episode in the life of Christ is surely the bound, blindfolded and broken man, with his own blood and other people’s spittle running down his face.

Hold that image.  Beaten. Bruised. Disorientated. Abused. This is your Saviour. This is your King.

‘It is unthinkable that the Messiah, the Ruler and Sustainer of the universe, should be subjected to trial by mere men, but in the good providence of God, that is what occurred.’ Sproul, p149

Richard Jackson, West Sussex: LifePictureUK

Gospel of Mark

Christ Arrested! Mark 14:43-51

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Christ Arrested

43 Just as he was speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, appeared. With him was a crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders.

44 Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard.” 45 Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Rabbi!” and kissed him. 46 The men seized Jesus and arrested him. 47 Then one of those standing near drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.

48 “Am I leading a rebellion,” said Jesus, “that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? 49 Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled.” 50 Then everyone deserted him and fled.

51 A young man, wearing nothing but a linen garment, was following Jesus. When they seized him, 52 he fled naked, leaving his garment behind.

Mark 14:43-51

Horsham: 16th November 2025

Jerusalem was busy. Very, very busy.  The population was swollen to many times its normal size, and the heightened religious fervor of Passover meant that the crowds were potentially volatile.

Seen from the point of view of the Temple authorities, the arrest of Jesus was always going to be tricky. They were only after one man, but they had to send a large enough force to ensure that they could get him quickly back to the house of the Chief Priest without sparking a riot.

‘Judas made it simple’

With the help of Judas, they had agreed a time and place for the arrest where there would be few people around.  Judas made it simple. His presence meant that Jesus could be quickly identified and captured even in the dark of Gethsemane. Judas would greet Jesus with a kiss. But there was still the problem of keeping him secure as he was taken into the city and through the maze of streets to Caiaphas Palace.

Security was paramount, but there was another problem. This Jesus was reportedly capable of performing miracles. Having committed themselves to his arrest, they did not want to lose him. The Gospels all agree that there was an overwhelming force sent to arrest Jesus. We can’t be sure how many there were in the arrest squad, but some commentators speculate that there could have been a hundred or more. In the dark, carrying flaming torches and wielding clubs, they will have looked like a large, strongly armed team.

‘even now he had the chance to run’

We can forget just how dark it was at Gethsemane. It was late at night – probably the early hours of the morning, yet several hours before the first light of dawn. The name Gethsemane means ‘olive press’, a reminder that the garden was an olive grove.

Gethsemane is close to Jerusalem, just across the Kidron Valley. There would have been a clear view of the approaching group  with their flaming torches almost as they emerged from the city gate, half a mile away. Jesus had plenty of time to see that they were coming. Even now he had the chance to run. He could have simply disappeared into the darkness. He didn’t.

The arrest squad arrived. Jesus didn’t resist. Someone did, and a scuffle breaks out between the guards and one or two disciples. It is likely that in the scuffle and the threat of violence, most of the disciples took the opportunity to slip into the shadows. Peter drew a sword, and attacked the attackers, cutting the ear of Malchius (John 18:10), servant of the High Priest. Jesus rebuked Peter and healed the servant’s ear.

‘seized and bound’

Rather than being pleased that Malchius has been healed, the guards would panic. Jesus has just performed a miracle. He still isn’t resisting, but John tells us that Jesus is immediately seized and bound. The guards try to seize others but all, even Peter, make good their escape. One young man, some people question whether this was Mark himself, is grabbed, but flees naked, leaving his linen robe in the hands of his pursuers.

Tightly surrounded by the soldiers, Jesus is taken along the twisting path, into the city, and across the town to the palace of the Chief Priest.

Christ looks abandoned. Everyone else has fallen away. As he steps into the home of Annas, the High Priest, Jesus is utterly alone.

End Piece
I guess we all think we know about the Garden of Gethsemane. The loneliness of Christ’s last hours as a free man. The passion of his prayers. His abandonment by his friends. Jesus knew that they would all fall away.

As I’ve reflected on the scene, I’ve noticed how much warning Jesus and the disciples must have had of the approach of the soldiers. The lights of their torches making their way from the eastern gate, along the twisting path, across the Kidron Valley , across the brook and up the hill to Gethsemane. And I’ve noticed that the disciples didn’t run. Even when they realised that the soldiers were heavily armed.

48 “Am I leading a rebellion,” said Jesus, “that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? “

I’ve noticed that even when they were surrounded by the soldiers, still they didn’t run. Heavily outnumbered and out-armed, Peter was still ready to fight. Some of them were still there even when Jesus was seized and bound. It was only when the soldiers had secured Christ and turned their attention to His followers that they made their escape, into the safety of the darkness. I can understand their panic. As soon as one runs, they will all run. I can almost hear the commander raising his voice above the commotion, shouting ‘Leave them. We’ve got the one we came for. Stick together.‘

And I’ve noticed that throughout this scene, Jesus had the opportunity to slip away. He had the power to frustrate their plan, but he didn’t. He waited. He didn’t resist. He allowed himself to be led like a lamb to the slaughter (Isaiah 53:7).

And so, his last chance to avoid the cross has passed. Jesus allowed himself to be taken. Only then, ’50 […] everyone else deserted Him and fled.’

49 Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled.” 

Richard Jackson, West Sussex: LifePictureUK

Gospel of Mark

You Will All Fall Away: Mark 14:27-31

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27 ‘You will all fall away,’ Jesus told them, ‘for it is written:

‘“I will strike the shepherd,
    and the sheep will be scattered.”

28 But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.’
29 Peter declared, ‘Even if all fall away, I will not.’
30 ‘Truly I tell you,’ Jesus answered, ‘today – yes, tonight – before the cock crows twice[e] you yourself will disown me three times.’
31 But Peter insisted emphatically, ‘Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.’ And all the others said the same.

Mark 14:27-31

See also: Matthew 26: 31-35; Luke 22: 31-33

Horsham: 13th November 2025

This short narrative is famous because of Peter’s declaration that he would not let Jesus down. ‘Even if I had to die with you, I will never disown you.‘ These five verses are about much more than that.

These verses are filled with prophecy. Jesus knows exactly what will happen.

Firstly, He knows that not just Peter, but all of his disciples will fall away. (Mark 14:50)

Secondly, he knows all about Peter. This is not just some fanciful guess. He knows exactly how that falling away will happen.  ‘before the cock crows twice you yourself will disown me three times.’ (Mark 14:66-72) 

Thirdly, Jesus knows all about his resurrection. According to Mark, this is at least the fourth time that he has told the disciples that this will happen. Now there is a key detail.‘ I will go ahead of you into Galilee.’ (Mark 16:7)

These verses are filled with prophecy. Each and every one will be fulfilled.

End Piece
We should not for one moment question Peter’s integrity. We should not doubt his determination to stand by Jesus. I believe that the same should be said of all the disciples. Each and every one was determined to stand by Jesus. We will see in a later post the disproportionate size of the force which had been dispatched to arrest his. To the little band of disciples the force was going to be overwhelming. Even Jesus, who knew that he was about to be arrested, was surprised how many people were in the arrest party.

The fact is that Jesus knew that his followers would run for safety at the point of his arrest. He has already told them that He was the shepherd. He had already described them, his followers, as His sheep. Christ’s understanding of God’s will was unique. He knew that God’s word to Zechariah would be fulfilled. There was nothing that Peter or his friends could do about it. It was, after all, God’s plan.

For I will strike the Shepherd
And the sheep will be scattered.

Zechariah 13:7

Richard Jackson, West Sussex: LifePictureUK

Gospel of Mark

Last Supper (2): Mark 14: 22-26

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Last Supper

22 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given  thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take it; this is my body.” 23 Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it. 24 “This is my blood of the[a]  covenant, which is poured out for many,” he said to them. 25 “Truly I tell you, I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.” 26 When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Mark14: 22-26

 Horsham 5th November 2025

The Passover meal commemorates the escape of the people of Israel from Egypt. In Christ’s day, it involved considerable ritual. The food, the wine, the words, the singing of Psalms, every part of that ritual had remained unchanged for many generations. For orthodox Jews the ritual remains much the same even today. The table included unleavened bread, and three cups of wine. These were there to be shared. The last cup to be shared was the cup of thanksgiving. 

Towards the end of the meal, after the lamb had been eaten (none of it could be saved for later), hands were washed, and the remainder of the unleavened bread was shared. Then, the last cup of wine was blessed by the host and shared. 

It was almost certainly at this point of the meal when Jesus did something extraordinary. Something radical. He applied his own words to the breaking of bread and the drinking of the cup of thanksgiving.  Words spoken in the company of his closest friends, rather than out in the open. Words and actions so profound and yet so simple that his friends would remember them, take them to heart, and repeat them again and again. Words that are repeated in almost identical form in every Christian Church, by every Christian denomination, of every generation.

It’s easy for us to miss the magnitude of what Christ did. In context, Christ’s words were scandalous. 

“Look,” he said, “Just as this bread is broken, so my body is broken for you. Just as this cup of red wine is poured out, so my blood is shed for you.” (Loc 6826)

Jesus declares that the ‘old covenant’ between God and mankind, set out in Exodus 24:3-8, is replaced by a ‘new covenant’, dependant not of the keeping of the Law, but on the shedding of hs own blood.

The new covenant was a relationship between human beings and God, dependant not on the Law, but on love.’ (Barclay Loc 6841)

When Jesus says that he will not drink this cup again until he does so in the Kingdom of God, he is surely affirming that he knows exactly what is about to happen. The hour of his death is drawing near. Yet he knows that after his death, comes his glory in heaven.

The last act of the Passover meal is to sing what we call Psalm 136. 

So, everything is now in place. Judas is out and about his work. The Temple guard are preparing for their night’s activities. It only remains for Jesus to go and be in the place where Judas expects him to be.

Once more, Jesus could have turned away. He didn’t.

It is but a short walk to the Mount of Olives. 

End Piece
We are often reminded that our own familiarity with the words of Jesus combined with our unfamiliarity with the Jewish culture of His day means that we can easily miss the radical, counter cultural nature of his words. Here is, perhaps, one of the greatest examples.

‘Celebrating passover was and is a deeply religious act, and also, for the many centuries in which the Jews have suffered oppression, a deeply political act. It says, loud and clear, ‘despite appearances, we are God’s free people.’ It sustains loyalty; it encourages faith, hope and love.’ (Wright p191)

Christ took a crucial part of that ritual celebration and made it his own. His words, spoken amongst his friends, are a radical departure from the norm. Had they been made in public, they would have created scandal. 

Paul tells us- commands us – to ‘do this in remembrance of Jesus.’ (1 Corinthians 11:23-26 ). Participation in this commemorative meal is central to our faith. We are to treat it with reverence and respect, yet we must share it with thankful hearts.  This simple act  encourages gratitude, faith, hope and love. We must never forget that it calls us back, draws us into, the very heart of the Gospel:

Christ has died.
Christ is risen.
Christ will come again.

‘You will be drawn to this meal again and again until the Master returns. You must never let familiarity breed contempt.’ (1 Corinthians 11:32 – The Message)

Richard Jackson, West Sussex: LifePictureUK

Gospel of Mark

Last Supper (1) Mark 14:17-21

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17 When evening came, Jesus arrived with the Twelve. 18 While they were reclining at the table eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me—one who is eating with me.”

19 They were saddened, and one by one they said to him, “Surely you don’t mean me?”

20 “It is one of the Twelve,” he replied, “one who dips bread into the bowl with me. 21 The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.”

Mark 14:17-21

Horsham: 27th October 2025

We don’t know whether the disciples all arrived together, or whether they came from different places. Somehow, they all came together in the Upper Room. We’ve seen before that there’s a hint of intrigue and espionage about the moments leading up to this meal. Two disciples had been sent ahead to prepare the meal.

It’s easy to imagine that Judas had to meet his handler before coming to the meal, to take instructions and finalise his plan to lead them to Jesus. Maybe others had things to do and turned up in two’s and three’s.

Matthew and Luke both use the words, ‘Jesus took his place at the table.’  Once everyone was assembled, Jesus, and his closest friends, recline on the floor and prepare to eat. The meal begins. Everyone is eating. Friends don’t eat in silence.

There is ritual to this meal. There are moments of silence and reflection. Yet in between, when they are actually eating, there is chatter, perhaps laughter. 

When Jesus speaks, everyone else goes quiet. Jesus is the rabbi. He is to be listened to.

These guys are already anxious. Jesus has been telling them that he will die in Jerusalem. ‘One of you will betray me..’ Now they’re really distressed. Their distress would be tinged with anger and panic.

They become defensive. ‘Not me, surely?’ they cry out to anyone who will listen. Our view of this room tends to be informed by artworks showing only Jesus and the twelve, but this is a big room. I believe there were more than the twelve in the room at the time, because Jesus clarifies that the betrayer is not someone hiding at the back. It is  ‘one of the twelve who is dipping bread into the bowl with me.’ It’s pretty clear, he means that the traitor is reclining at the table. The betrayer is hiding in plain sight.

Some people think that Judas was probably sitting to the left of Jesus. Matthew tells us that Judas turned to Jesus and said, ‘Surely not I, Rabbi?’ In my mind I see Judas next to the reclining Jesus and whispering these words in his ear. Jesus turns and looks directly at him. Eye to eye with the betrayer. Jesus knows. In that moment, Judas knows that Jesus knows.

Are his eyes on Judas when he utters these words,

‘Woe to the one by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that one not to have been born.’

An hour or so earlier, Jesus had washed the feet of all his disciples, including Judas (John 13: 3-11). Now, as he passes a piece of bread to Judas he says, ‘Do quickly what you are going to do.’ (John 13:27). The other disciples have no idea what Jesus meant. They assume that Jesus is sending Judas on an innocent errand. Judas leaves the room. 

Everything is happening quickly. Everything is happening exactly as Jesus had expected. It is all happening exactly as God has planned.

End Piece

‘Jesus could have stopped Judas. All he  had to do was tell the other eleven what judas was planning, and Judas would never have left that room alive.’ (Barclay, Loc 6741)

When you look at all four gospels, this is an extraordinary story. It is rich in intrigue and tension. I’ve noticed with renewed clarity how, even at this late stage, Jesus could have changed direction. He could easily have pointed the finger at Judas. He could easily have stepped back from the path to the cross. But he didn’t.

I’m not sure how I feel about Judas. It seems that it was Judas who approached the Jewish leaders and offered to work for them. At this point, he has already committed to betray Jesus. He has already accepted money to deliver him. Judas is firmly in the grasp of the authorities. When his eyes meet Jesus – when Jesus tells him to go and do what he has to do – was his anger was boiling over with the readiness to betray Christ, or was he already a broken man, trapped by his own decisions to work with the authorities. Maybe even now he was trying to provoke Jesus to demonstrate his power – to call down angels from heaven and demonstrate that he was above the authority of the Chief Priests. Whatever his motivation, Judas had made his own decisions. And now he had to live with them.

Judas has made his decision to betray Jesus. He is committed. He is on a hook from which he cannot wriggle free. 

Whatever happens next, Judas is fighting for his life.

And finally..
One more lesson from these verses. Jesus knew all about Judas. He knew what he had done, and he knew what was in his mind.

The disciples, Judas’ closest friends, those who have worked and walked with him for three years, had no idea.

There may be things we succeed in hiding from other people, but we cannot hide them from Jesus Christ.

(Barclay Loc 6741)

Richard Jackson, West Sussex: LifePictureUK

Gospel of Mark

Preparations for the Passover: Mark 14:13-16

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Preparations for the Passover

12 On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, when it was customary to sacrifice the Passover lamb, Jesus’ disciples asked him, “Where do you want us to go and make preparations for you to eat the Passover?”

13 So he sent two of his disciples, telling them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him. 14 Say to the owner of the house he enters, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ 15 He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there.”

16 The disciples left, went into the city and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover.

Mark 14:13-16

Horsham: 23rd October 2025

Sometimes, we make preparations in advance a celebration, especially when food is involved. As a family, we plan where to meet over the Christmas and New Year period far in advance. Moments of coming together to share a meal with those that we love are profoundly important. Such moments are about much more than the food.

At times like that, the first thing to get sorted is normally the location. With all the tension during the build up to Passover weekend, it’s not surprising that the disciples were asking Jesus where they would be meeting for the meal which is at the heart of the celebration. One might have assumed that one or more of the disciples would do the leg work to find a room big enough for Jesus, the twelve, and those who were with them. Yet it turns out that Jesus has already got it all in hand. The level of planning is extraordinary. Two unnamed followers of Christ are dispatched into the city to look for an unnamed man carrying a water jar. In a city, swollen with visitors, that sounds like looking for a needle in a haystack, until we recognise that culturally, carrying the water jar was invariably a job for a woman. A man carrying water would be unusual. He would stand out. 

This reads like a sub plot in a spy novel. There is an air of intrigue and secrecy, perhaps because Jesus does not wish to give Judas advance notice of the venue (Pawson,  p277). The alley ways of Jerusalem are crowded and noisy. Somehow, the man with a water jar is in exactly the right place at the right time to meet the disciples. Without a word he leads them to a house, where someone is clearly expecting them. The right passwords having been given, they are shown to an upstairs room (which may or may not have been in the same house). The disciples arrive at what is about to become the most famous room in history. The room is clean and ready for them. 

There is much preparation to be done. The lamb itself has already been found, procured and then killed as a sacrifice at the heart of the meal (v12). After the animal had been cleaned, it would have been roasted on a spit over an open fire. The table had to be arranged appropriately for the right number of people. Unleavened bread (without even a trace of yeast), salt water, bitter herbs, spices and cups of wine. 

Everything has to be right. For Christ and his disciples, this is the Passover feast. The disciples can still not have grasped the special, world changing importance of this particular Passover. This was to be what Tom Wright calls the ‘’Passover with a difference’. (Wright, p192). The end is near. This is the last supper.

End Piece
‘As we read the narrative of the last week of his life, we cannot help being struck with the efficiency of his arrangement.’ (Barclay Loc 6648)

If we pause and reflect, we cannot help but notice that Jesus had a plan. The plan was in place long before the disciples knew about it. Jesus is in absolute control of events. Two of his followers are dispatched to do his bidding. He didn’t give them every detail, but he told them everything they needed to know. Whilst they didn’t fully grasp the enormity of the risk, they know that Jesus is a target for the authorities. They know that this places them in a risky place. They had to use their common sense, initiative and confidence to complete the task. It is their obedience, and their readiness to servve faithfully, to see the job through to completion, that brought about the most celebrated meal of all time.

I need to learn from this. Jesus has the plan. His followers didn’t have sight of the whole plan. They needed only to trust and obey. They need only use their God given common sense and initiative to get the job done. Thus, every moment of Church history is made.    

Richard Jackson, West Sussex: LifePictureUK

Gospel of Mark

Judas agrees to betray Jesus: Mark 14:10-11

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Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus

10 Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them. 11 They were delighted to hear this and promised to give him money. So he watched for an opportunity to hand him over.

Mark 14:10-11

Horsham 22nd October 2025

We have just seen Mary anointing Jesus with spikenard, a hugely expensive oil. Jesus saw this as a act of huge generosity and kindness, and so must we. To some who were there, this was seen as a hugely wasteful act. The oil could have been sold for a considerable sum and given to the poor.

Judas was the disciple who had responsibility amongst the disciples for looking after the money, so it is likely that he was amongst those who were angered by Mary’s actions.

We can’t be sure exactly when Judas made his decision to betray Jesus to the Jewish authorities. The chronology offered by Mark suggests that for him, this act of kindness by Mary was the last straw. Judas was resolved to put his plan into action. 

The text tells us that Judas took the initiative. It was Judas who deliberately sought out one of the senior priests and made the offer to help them arrest Jesus. It was Judas who agreed to accept payment for his betrayal. 

The Jewish leaders had been faced with an intractable problem of how to arrest Jesus at a place and time when it would be unnoticed by the crowds in Jerusalem. It was Judas who went out of his way to solve that problem for them.

It was Judas of who Jesus was later to say, ‘it would have been better for that one not to have been born.’

End Piece
We know surprisingly little about him, but the little we do know makes Judas Iscariot an enigmatic and controversial character. We are not told how he met Jesus, or how and when he was called to follow. We do know that he was appointed as one of the twelve by Jesus only after deep prayerful consideration (Luke 6:12-16). We know that he was sent out as one of the twelve with the authority of Christ to serve and minister to the sick, and that he learned the same lessons as his eleven friends at the feet of Jesus. Yet now, he is a changed man. Both Luke (Luke 22:2-4) and John (John 13:27) are clear that Satan entered into Judas, yet whilst his motives are unclear, there is no reason to see him as the victim of anything other than his own decisions..

‘Judas was neither a martyr nor a robot. He was a responsible human being who made his own decisions but, in doing so, fulfilled the word of God.’ (Wiersbe p164)

The story of Judas Iscariot is unique, but we can learn something from his actions.  It demonstrates that even the closest followers of Jesus can be led astray. We must never forget that temptations are out there. One unchecked and unrepented bad decision easily leads to another.  It demonstrates our need to allow ourselves to be accountable to other Christians, and to constantly uphold one another in prayer.

Keep praying!

Richard Jackson, West Sussex: LifePictureUK

Gospel of Mark

Jesus Anointed: Mark 14:3-9

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Jesus Anointed: Mark 14:3-9

3 While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head.

4 Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume? 5 It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages[a] and the money given to the poor.” And they rebuked her harshly.

6 “Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 7 The poor you will always have with you,[b] and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. 8 She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. 9 Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”

Mark 14:3-9

Horsham: 21st October 2025

John’s Gospel places this incident very specifically at the beginning of Holy Week, six days before the Passover (John 12:1-8). Mark places it here, in the midst of his account of the Holy Week story, to show the contrast between the love of Christ’s friends and the venom of the religious leaders who want to kill him (Wiersbe, p161).

Jesus has arrived at Bethany with his disciples in readiness for the Passover festival. He will be spending his days a few miles away in Jerusalem, mostly in the Temple Courts. At night, he will return to the village. Bethany is home to Martha, Mary, Lazarus and other friends of Jesus. One such friend is a man called Simon. They call him ‘the Leper’, so we assume that he was probably someone who had recovered from Leprosy, possibly after an encounter with Christ. Some believe that Simon is actually another name for Lazarus.

The men are reclining at the table, on low couches or maybe on the ground. At some point during the meal, a woman, John tells us that it was Mary, comes into the room. Culturally, the women would have only come to the table to serve food, or remove unwanted dishes.

There was a tradition of hospitality that when a guest arrived at the house, a few drops on perfume would be offered, to refresh them from the dust of the road. Let’s be honest, it probably worked as a deodorant.

Mary is carrying an ‘alabaster jar’. These small lightweight jars were commonly used to contain liquids, spices or ointments.

Mary stands above Jesus (remember he is laying down to eat), and breaks open the flask. The entire contents spill over Christ’s head. and drip down his neck and shoulders. The whole house smells of incredible perfume. This is an anointing, reminiscent of the preparation of a body for the tomb.

Mark tells us that the perfume was pure spikenard. Spikenard comes from a plant which only grew in India. It was rare. It was precious. It was very expensive The contents of the flask would have cost close to a year’s wages for a working man. It’s perhaps not so surprising that some, including some of the disciples, thought that this was a truly wasteful act. They rebuked Mary sharply. It could, of course, have been sold The proceeds given to the poor.

Jesus, in turn, rebukes them. The woman has done something beautiful. The Greek work here (kalos) means ‘lovely’. She has done something very special. Something extravagant and generous. Something loving. She may have known that Jesus expected to die. Whether she did or not, she has anointed his body, as it were, in preparation for his burial.

Others criticised Mary, Jesus commended her.

End Piece

In this little scene, we see a woman doing all that she can to demonstrate her extravagant love for Jesus. Her reward is to face the frustration of people around her, even her friends. Yet her act of generosity and love is welcomed by Jesus.

‘No matter what others may say about our worship and service, the most important thing is that we please the Lord. The fact that others misunderstand and criticise us should not keep us from showing our love of Christ. Our concern should be his approval alone.’ (Wiersbe, p162)

Richard Jackson, West Sussex: LifePictureUK