Mark 14:1
New International Version
Now the Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread were only two days away, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were scheming to arrest Jesus secretly and kill him.

New Living Translation
It was now two days before Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread. The leading priests and the teachers of religious law were still looking for an opportunity to capture Jesus secretly and kill him.

English Standard Version
It was now two days before the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to arrest him by stealth and kill him,

Berean Standard Bible
Now the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread were two days away, and the chief priests and scribes were looking for a covert way to arrest Jesus and kill Him.

Berean Literal Bible
And after two days it would be the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how, having taken Him by stealth, they might kill Him.

King James Bible
After two days was the feast of the passover, and of unleavened bread: and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take him by craft, and put him to death.

New King James Version
After two days it was the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. And the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take Him by trickery and put Him to death.

New American Standard Bible
Now the Passover and Festival of Unleavened Bread were two days away; and the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to arrest Him covertly and kill Him;

NASB 1995
Now the Passover and Unleavened Bread were two days away; and the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to seize Him by stealth and kill Him;

NASB 1977
Now the Passover and Unleavened Bread was two days off; and the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to seize Him by stealth, and kill Him;

Legacy Standard Bible
Now the Passover and Unleavened Bread were two days away; and the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how, after seizing Him in secret, they might kill Him;

Amplified Bible
It was now two days before the Passover and [the festival of] Unleavened Bread, and the chief priests and the scribes were searching for a deceitful way to arrest Jesus and kill Him;

Christian Standard Bible
It was two days before the Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread. The chief priests and the scribes were looking for a cunning way to arrest Jesus and kill him.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
After two days it was the Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread. The chief priests and the scribes were looking for a treacherous way to arrest and kill Him.”

American Standard Version
Now after two days was the feast of the passover and the unleavened bread: and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take him with subtlety, and kill him:

Contemporary English Version
It was now two days before Passover and the Festival of Thin Bread. The chief priests and the teachers of the Law of Moses were planning how they could sneak around and have Jesus arrested and put to death.

English Revised Version
Now after two days was the feast of the passover and the unleavened bread: and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take him with subtilty, and kill him:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
It was two days before the Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread. The chief priests and the scribes were looking for some underhanded way to arrest Jesus and to kill him.

Good News Translation
It was now two days before the Festival of Passover and Unleavened Bread. The chief priests and the teachers of the Law were looking for a way to arrest Jesus secretly and put him to death.

International Standard Version
Now it was two days before the Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread. The high priests and the scribes were looking for a way to arrest Jesus secretly and to have him put to death,

Majority Standard Bible
Now the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread were two days away, and the chief priests and scribes were looking for a covert way to arrest Jesus and kill Him.

NET Bible
Two days before the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the chief priests and the experts in the law were trying to find a way to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him.

New Heart English Bible
It was now two days before the feast of the Passover and the unleavened bread, and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might seize him by deception, and kill him.

Webster's Bible Translation
After two days was the feast of the passover, and of unleavened bread: and the chief priests, and the scribes, sought how they might take him by craft, and put him to death.

Weymouth New Testament
It was now two days before the Passover and the feast of Unleavened Bread, and the High Priests and Scribes were bent on finding how to seize Him by stratagem and put Him to death.

World English Bible
It was now two days before the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might seize him by deception and kill him.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the Passover and the Unleavened [Bread] were after two days, and the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how, by guile, having taken hold of Him, they might kill Him;

Berean Literal Bible
And after two days it would be the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how, having taken Him by stealth, they might kill Him.

Young's Literal Translation
And the passover and the unleavened food were after two days, and the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how, by guile, having taken hold of him, they might kill him;

Smith's Literal Translation
And after two days was the pascha, and the unleavened loaves: and the chief priests and scribes sought how, having taken him by fraud, they might kill.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
NOW the feast of the pasch, and of the Azymes was after two days; and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might by some wile lay hold on him, and kill him.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Now the feast of Passover and of Unleavened Bread was two days away. And the leaders of the priests, and the scribes, were seeking a means by which they might deceitfully seize him and kill him.

New American Bible
The Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread were to take place in two days’ time. So the chief priests and the scribes were seeking a way to arrest him by treachery and put him to death.

New Revised Standard Version
It was two days before the Passover and the festival of Unleavened Bread. The chief priests and the scribes were looking for a way to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
AFTER two days, the passover of un leavened bread was to come; and the high priests and the scribes were seeking how to seize him by craft and kill him.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
But after two days was the Passover of Unleavened Bread, and the Chief Priests and Scribes were seeking how they would seize him by treachery and kill him.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
After two days was the passover and the feast of unleavened bread; and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take him by craft, and kill him.

Godbey New Testament
And it was the passover and feast of unleavened bread after two days. And the high priests and scribes were seeking how they might kill Him, having taken Him by stratagem.

Haweis New Testament
NOW the passover and the feast of unleavened bread were but two days distant; and the chief priests, and the scribes, sought how they might seize him by craft, and kill him.

Mace New Testament
Within two days was the feast of the passover, and of unleavened bread, and the chief priests, with the Scribes, contriv'd how they might seize Jesus by surprize, and put him to death.

Weymouth New Testament
It was now two days before the Passover and the feast of Unleavened Bread, and the High Priests and Scribes were bent on finding how to seize Him by stratagem and put Him to death.

Worrell New Testament
Now after two days was the passover, and the feast of unleavened bread; and the high priests and the scribes were seeking how, taking Him by guile, they might kill Him;

Worsley New Testament
Now the feast of the passover and unleavened bread was within two days: and the chief priests and the scribes were contriving how they might seize Him by treachery and put Him to death.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Plot to Kill Jesus
1Now the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread were two days away, and the chief priests and scribes were looking for a covert way to arrest Jesus and kill Him. 2“But not during the feast,” they said, “or there may be a riot among the people.”…

Cross References
Matthew 26:1-5
When Jesus had finished saying all these things, He told His disciples, / “You know that the Passover is two days away, and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.” / At that time the chief priests and elders of the people assembled in the courtyard of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, ...

Luke 22:1-2
Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was approaching, / and the chief priests and scribes were looking for a way to put Jesus to death, for they feared the people.

John 11:55-57
Now the Jewish Passover was near, and many people went up from the country to Jerusalem to purify themselves before the Passover. / They kept looking for Jesus and asking one another as they stood in the temple courts, “What do you think? Will He come to the feast at all?” / But the chief priests and Pharisees had given orders that anyone who knew where He was must report it, so that they could arrest Him.

John 12:1
Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, the hometown of Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead.

Exodus 12:1-6
Now the LORD said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, / “This month is the beginning of months for you; it shall be the first month of your year. / Tell the whole congregation of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each man must select a lamb for his family, one per household. ...

Leviticus 23:4-5
These are the LORD’s appointed feasts, the sacred assemblies you are to proclaim at their appointed times. / The Passover to the LORD begins at twilight on the fourteenth day of the first month.

Numbers 28:16-17
The fourteenth day of the first month is the LORD’s Passover. / On the fifteenth day of this month, there shall be a feast; for seven days unleavened bread is to be eaten.

Deuteronomy 16:1-8
Observe the month of Abib and celebrate the Passover to the LORD your God, because in the month of Abib the LORD your God brought you out of Egypt by night. / You are to offer to the LORD your God the Passover sacrifice from the herd or flock in the place the LORD will choose as a dwelling for His Name. / You must not eat leavened bread with it; for seven days you are to eat with it unleavened bread, the bread of affliction, because you left the land of Egypt in haste—so that you may remember for the rest of your life the day you left the land of Egypt. ...

2 Chronicles 30:1-5
Then Hezekiah sent word throughout all Israel and Judah, and he also wrote letters to Ephraim and Manasseh inviting them to come to the house of the LORD in Jerusalem to keep the Passover of the LORD, the God of Israel. / For the king and his officials and the whole assembly in Jerusalem had decided to keep the Passover in the second month, / since they had been unable to keep it at the regular time, because not enough priests had consecrated themselves and the people had not been gathered in Jerusalem. ...

Ezra 6:19-22
On the fourteenth day of the first month, the exiles kept the Passover. / All the priests and Levites had purified themselves and were ceremonially clean. And the Levites slaughtered the Passover lamb for all the exiles, for their priestly brothers, and for themselves. / The Israelites who had returned from exile ate it, together with all who had separated themselves from the uncleanness of the peoples of the land to seek the LORD, the God of Israel. ...

Isaiah 53:7
He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so He did not open His mouth.

Daniel 9:26-27
Then after the sixty-two weeks the Messiah will be cut off and will have nothing. Then the people of the prince who is to come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end will come like a flood, and until the end there will be war; desolations have been decreed. / And he will confirm a covenant with many for one week, but in the middle of the week he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of the temple will come the abomination that causes desolation, until the decreed destruction is poured out upon him.”

Zechariah 12:10
Then I will pour out on the house of David and on the people of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and prayer, and they will look on Me, the One they have pierced. They will mourn for Him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for Him as one grieves for a firstborn son.

Zechariah 13:7
Awake, O sword, against My Shepherd, against the man who is My Companion, declares the LORD of Hosts. Strike the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered, and I will turn My hand against the little ones.

Matthew 12:14
But the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus.


Treasury of Scripture

After two days was the feast of the passover, and of unleavened bread: and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take him by craft, and put him to death.

two.

Matthew 6:2
Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

Luke 22:1,2
Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover…

John 11:53-57
Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death…

the passover.

Exodus 12:6-20
And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening…

Leviticus 23:5-7
In the fourteenth day of the first month at even is the LORD'S passover…

Numbers 28:16-25
And in the fourteenth day of the first month is the passover of the LORD…

chief.

Psalm 2:1-5
Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? …

John 11:47
Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles.

Acts 4:25-28
Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? …

by.

Psalm 52:3
Thou lovest evil more than good; and lying rather than to speak righteousness. Selah.

Psalm 62:4,9
They only consult to cast him down from his excellency: they delight in lies: they bless with their mouth, but they curse inwardly. Selah…

Psalm 64:2-6
Hide me from the secret counsel of the wicked; from the insurrection of the workers of iniquity: …

Jump to Previous
Arrest Bent Bread Chief Craft Death Deception Designs Feast Finding High Kill Law Passover Priests Scribes Seeking Seize Sly Sought Stealth Stratagem Subtlety Teachers Unleavened Way
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Arrest Bent Bread Chief Craft Death Deception Designs Feast Finding High Kill Law Passover Priests Scribes Seeking Seize Sly Sought Stealth Stratagem Subtlety Teachers Unleavened Way
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.














Now
The word "Now" serves as a transitional marker, indicating a shift in the narrative. In the Greek text, the word used is "δέ" (de), which often functions to connect thoughts or events. This transition sets the stage for the unfolding of significant events in the Passion narrative, emphasizing the immediacy and urgency of the coming days.

the Passover
The Passover, or "Πάσχα" (Pascha) in Greek, is a pivotal Jewish festival commemorating the Israelites' deliverance from Egyptian bondage, as described in Exodus 12. This feast is rich in symbolism, foreshadowing Christ as the ultimate Passover Lamb, whose sacrifice would bring about spiritual deliverance. The timing of these events during Passover underscores the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy and the continuity of God's redemptive plan.

and the Feast of Unleavened Bread
This phrase refers to the seven-day festival immediately following Passover, during which Jews abstain from leavened bread, as commanded in Exodus 12:15-20. The Greek term "ἄζυμα" (azuma) means "unleavened." This feast symbolizes purity and separation from sin, paralleling the sinless nature of Christ. The close association of these feasts highlights the spiritual preparation and purification necessary for the coming sacrifice of Jesus.

were two days away
The phrase "were two days away" situates the narrative in a specific timeframe, emphasizing the proximity of these significant events. The Greek text uses "μετὰ δύο ἡμέρας" (meta duo hēmeras), indicating the nearness of the Passover. This temporal marker heightens the tension and anticipation, as the reader is aware of the impending climax of Jesus' earthly ministry.

and the chief priests and scribes
The "chief priests and scribes" were influential religious leaders in Jewish society. The Greek terms "ἀρχιερεῖς" (archiereis) and "γραμματεῖς" (grammateis) denote their roles as temple authorities and experts in the Law, respectively. Their involvement in the plot against Jesus highlights the religious establishment's opposition to His teachings and authority, fulfilling prophecies of the Messiah's rejection by His own people.

were looking for a way to arrest Jesus covertly
This phrase reveals the clandestine nature of the leaders' intentions. The Greek word "δόλῳ" (dolō) implies deceit or treachery, indicating their desire to avoid public uproar. Their secretive plotting contrasts with Jesus' openness and transparency, underscoring the moral and spiritual corruption of those who should have been shepherds of God's people.

and kill Him
The ultimate goal of the religious leaders was to "kill Him," reflecting their deep-seated animosity and fear of Jesus' influence. The Greek verb "ἀποκτείνω" (apokteinō) means to kill or destroy, signifying their intent to eliminate what they perceived as a threat to their authority. This phrase foreshadows the sacrificial death of Christ, which, though intended for evil, would be used by God for the salvation of humanity.

XIV.

(1, 2) After two days was the feast of the passover.--See Notes on Matthew 26:1-5. Better, was the passover, and the feast of unleavened bread. The latter designation is common to St. Mark and St. Luke, as an explanation intended for Gentile readers. The same fact accounts, perhaps, for the omission by both of the name of Caiaphas as the chief mover in the scheme.

Verse 1. - Now after two days was the feast of the passover and the unleavened bread; literally, the passover and the unleavened τό πάσχα καὶ τὰ ἄζυμα. It was one and the same festival. The killing of the Paschal lamb took place on the first of the seven days during which the festival lasted, and during the whole of which they used unleavened bread. Josephus describes it as "the festival of the unleavened, called Phaska by the Jews." The chief priests and the scribes. St. Matthew (Matthew 26:3) says, "The chief priests and the elders of the people." The two classes in the Sanhedrim who actually combined to put our Lord to death were those here mentioned by St. Mark. They sought how they might take him with subtlety (ἐν δόλῳ), and kill him. It is, literally, they were seeking (ἐλήτουν). The verb with its tense implies continuous and eager desire. They used subtlety, because they feared lest he should escape out of their hands. Moreover they feared the people, lest they should fight for him, and not suffer him to be taken.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Now
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

the
τὸ (to)
Article - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Passover
πάσχα (pascha)
Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3957: The feast of Passover, the Passover lamb. Of Chaldee origin; the Passover.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

the
τὰ (ta)
Article - Nominative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

[Feast of] Unleavened Bread
ἄζυμα (azyma)
Adjective - Nominative Neuter Plural
Strong's 106: (in the neutral plural) specially (by implication) the Passover week.

were
Ἦν (Ēn)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

two
δύο (dyo)
Adjective - Accusative Feminine Plural
Strong's 1417: Two. A primary numeral; 'two'.

days
ἡμέρας (hēmeras)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Plural
Strong's 2250: A day, the period from sunrise to sunset.

away,
μετὰ (meta)
Preposition
Strong's 3326: (a) gen: with, in company with, (b) acc: (1) behind, beyond, after, of place, (2) after, of time, with nouns, neut. of adjectives.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

the
οἱ (hoi)
Article - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

chief priests
ἀρχιερεῖς (archiereis)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 749: High priest, chief priest. From arche and hiereus; the high-priest; by extension a chief priest.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

scribes
γραμματεῖς (grammateis)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1122: From gramma. A writer, i.e. scribe or secretary.

were looking for
ἐζήτουν (ezētoun)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 2212: To seek, search for, desire, require, demand. Of uncertain affinity; to seek; specially, to worship, or to plot.

[a] covert
δόλῳ (dolō)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1388: Deceit, guile, treachery. From an obsolete primary verb, dello; a trick, i.e. wile.

way
πῶς (pōs)
Adverb
Strong's 4459: Adverb from the base of pou; an interrogative particle of manner; in what way?; also as exclamation, how much!

to arrest
κρατήσαντες (kratēsantes)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 2902: From kratos; to use strength, i.e. Seize or retain.

[Jesus]
αὐτὸν (auton)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

[and] kill [Him].
ἀποκτείνωσιν (apokteinōsin)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 615: To put to death, kill; fig: I abolish. From apo and kteino; to kill outright; figuratively, to destroy.


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NT Gospels: Mark 14:1 It was now two days before (Mar Mk Mr)
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