New Testament · Gospel

Mark 14:33

Betrayal Begins

He took with Him Peter, James, and John, and began to be deeply troubled and distressed. Mark 14:33 · Berean Standard Bible
What It Means

Mark 14:33, in plain English

He took Peter, James, and John with Him, and a wave of deep anguish and distress came over Him.

Why it's here

These three had seen Jesus at His most glorious on the mountaintop. Now they saw Him at His most vulnerable in a garden. Both were real.

Who's speaking

Mark describes Jesus' emotional state.

Where it sits in the story

This is Jesus at His most human. No walls, no composure — just raw, honest anguish. He let His closest friends see His pain because He needed them near.

A Closer Look

The scholarly reading

Jesus takes the inner three — Peter, James, and John — and begins to experience deep distress (Greek: ekthambeisthai, 'to be overwhelmed with dread') and anguish (ademonein, 'to be in severe distress').

Language and setting

These same three disciples witnessed the Transfiguration's glory (Mark 9:2); now they witness the Passion's agony — the full spectrum of Jesus' divine-human experience.

Voice

Mark narrates Jesus' emotional state as He enters deeper into the garden.

Significance

Jesus allows His closest friends to witness His raw emotional anguish — a profound display of vulnerability that reveals the full humanity of the incarnate Son.

In context

Mark 14:31–35

31But Peter kept insisting, “Even if I have to die with You, I will never deny You.” And all the others said the same thing.

32Then they came to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus told His disciples, “Sit here while I pray.”

33He took with Him Peter, James, and John, and began to be deeply troubled and distressed.

34Then He said to them, “My soul is consumed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch.”

35Going a little farther, He fell to the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour would pass from Him.

Read all of Mark 14 — A woman anoints Jesus with costly perfume while Judas negotiates his price. The Last Supper, Gethsemane, and Peter's denial unfold in rapid succession.

Understand every verse, not just this one

This page covers one. BibleKey does all 31,102 — tap any verse for its meaning, any word for its Hebrew or Greek root, and keep reading without leaving the chapter.

Get BibleKey

Understand every verse.

Not just the famous ones. BibleKey is free on iPhone and iPad.

Download on the App Store

Free on iPhone & iPad