Mark 14:21

The Son of Man will go just as it is written about Him, but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed! It would be better for him if he had not been born.”

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Jesus addresses the Twelve during the meal, immediately after identifying one of them as the one dipping his hand in the bowl with Him.

The words — ὑπάγει (hupagei) translates literally to "goes" or "departs," and καθὼς (kathōs) means "even as," structuring the statement around a predetermined departure.

The thread — The declaration that He will go "just as it is written" links to the decreed events in Daniel 9:24 and the parallel warning recorded in Matthew 26:24.

Why it lands — The text states that the betrayal fulfills a written record while simultaneously pronouncing judgment on the betrayer, requiring the reader to hold divine sovereignty and human responsibility as simultaneous facts.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

King James Version

The Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written of him: but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! good were it for that man if he had never been born.

Cross-references

Isaiah 53:1 Who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?
Matthew 26:24 The Son of Man will go just as it is written about Him, but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed. It would be better for him if he had not been born.”
Daniel 9:24 Seventy weeks are decreed for your people and your holy city to stop their transgression, to put an end to sin, to make atonement for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the Most Holy Place.
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 18:6 But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.
Genesis 3:15 And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed. He will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”
Psalms 22:1 For the choirmaster. To the tune of “The Doe of the Dawn.” A Psalm of David. My God, my God, why have You forsaken me? Why are You so far from saving me, so far from my words of groaning?
Psalms 55:15 Let death seize them by surprise; let them go down to Sheol alive, for evil is with them in their homes.
Psalms 69:1 For the choirmaster. To the tune of “Lilies.” Of David. Save me, O God, for the waters are up to my neck.
Psalms 109:6 Set over him a wicked man; let an accuser stand at his right hand.