Mark 14:16-20

Mark 14:16 (KJB)
And his disciples went forth, and came into the city, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover.

Only these two disciples that Jesus had dispatched were to set everything up for the Passover meal, the rest were not involved in the preparation. The identity of the man whose home they celebrated the Passover in is not known. (Luke 22:8 KJV) And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the passover, that we may eat. It was Peter and John who were the ones dispatched to get everything ready and they were successful in their task as everything was now ready. Everything was found according to the word of the Lord. This was another evidence of the omniscience of Jesus as He told them to look for a man carrying a pitcher of water.

Mark 14:17 (KJB)
And in the evening he cometh with the twelve.

Now all the disciples were with Jesus at this time when He began the ceremony. Normally at the Passover meal, the father of the family or the chief man over the house would open the feast by pronouncing two blessings. Jesus was over God’s house. (Heb 10:21 KJV) And having an high priest over the house of God; Then the first cup of wine was drunk and then the food was brought in. After the first part of the song of praise had been sung, the second cup was drunk. The father or chief took the bread and pronounced a blessing, then broke it and shared it and only then was the Passover lamb consumed. After the meal was complete, a third cup of wine was drunk and then a concluding prayer of thanksgiving. Then finally the second part of the praise song was sung.

Mark 14:18 (KJB)
And as they sat and did eat, Jesus said, Verily I say unto you, One of you which eateth with me shall betray me.

Then as they were enjoying the meal, Jesus makes a statement that would shock anybody. One of His disciples that were walking with Him for over three years was now ready to betray Him. (John 6:70 KJV) Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil? Jesus knew exactly who it was as it was part of God’s plan but He made the announcement because the disciples needed to know what was going on as the events began to quickly unfold. This is not the first time Jesus had mentioned His betrayal as he had mentioned several times while walking with the disciples. (Mat 17:22 KJV) And while they abode in Galilee, Jesus said unto them, The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men:

Mark 14:19 (KJB)
And they began to be sorrowful, and to say unto him one by one, Is it I? and another said, Is it I?

This is one of the first times the disciples had displayed some human emotion contrasting this response to the fact that previously they wanted to know who would be the greatest among them. When they heard this, they had all begun to be grieved in their spirit and knowing human weakness, each one of them had asked if it was them. They knew that Jesus would know who the betrayer was. Even Judas asked the Lord if it was him full well knowing that he already was in the process of betraying Him.

The phrase “and another said, Is it I?” is an important one because it points to Judas who betrayed the Lord Jesus. The word “another” denotes something different. We find that usage in Galatians 5:10. (Gal 5:10 KJV) I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be. Each of the disciples had asked concerning the betrayal of Christ, “is it I?” Then the verse states “and another said is it I?” Who was the only one that was different than the rest among the twelve disciples? (John 6:70 KJV) Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil? It was Judas and that is why that phrase is important because it separated Judas from the other disciples who became saved and carried on the ministry.

Mark 14:20 (KJB)
And he answered and said unto them, It is one of the twelve, that dippeth with me in the dish.

(Psa 41:9 KJV) Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me. Jesus did not answer directly as to who the betrayer was because possibly the other disciples would have stopped him. Instead Jesus told them that whoever places their hands in the dish is the traitor. This was basically a normal action because the bread would be dipped in the bowl which contained a stewed fruit before eaten. Jesus was basically stating Psalm 41:9 was being fulfilled at this time because it was someone who actually sat at the table and ate with Him. It means someone within His group would betray Him.

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