Mark 14:65

Then some of them began to spit on Him. They blindfolded Him, struck Him with their fists, and said to Him, “Prophesy!” And the officers received Him with slaps in His face.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — After the council condemns Jesus to death, the men in the courtyard blindfold Him, strike Him with fists, and demand He prophesy, while the temple officers slap His face. This physical abuse occurs immediately after the verdict and before Peter’s denial begins in the courtyard below.

The words — The Greek ἤρξαντο (ērxanto) means “began,” marking the start of the assault, while περικαλύπτειν (perikaluptein) literally means “to cover over,” describing the blindfold placed on Him.

The thread — The forced demand for prophecy and the facial slaps parallel Matthew 26:67, while the pattern of offered cheeks and back matches Isaiah 50:6. The physical humiliation also mirrors the later striking of Paul by Ananias in Acts 23:2.

Why it lands — The text records the condemned Messiah enduring deliberate, unprovoked violence without resistance, requiring the reader to acknowledge the brutality of the trial’s execution before moving to the next scene.

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

And some began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and to buffet him, and to say unto him, Prophesy: and the servants did strike him with the palms of their hands.

Cross-references

Matthew 26:67 Then they spit in His face and struck Him. Others slapped Him
Acts 23:2 At this, the high priest Ananias ordered those standing near Paul to strike him on the mouth.
Isaiah 50:6 I offered My back to those who struck Me, and My cheeks to those who tore out My beard. I did not hide My face from scorn and spittle.
Luke 22:63 The men who were holding Jesus began to mock Him and beat Him.
John 19:3 And they went up to Him again and again, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and slapping Him in the face.
Numbers 12:14 But the LORD answered Moses, “If her father had but spit in her face, would she not have been in disgrace for seven days? Let her be confined outside the camp for seven days; after that she may be brought back in.”
Esther 7:8 Just as the king returned from the palace garden to the banquet hall, Haman was falling on the couch where Esther was reclining. The king exclaimed, “Would he actually assault the queen while I am in the palace?” As soon as the words had left the king’s mouth, they covered Haman’s face.
Job 30:10 They abhor me and keep far from me; they do not hesitate to spit in my face.
Isaiah 52:14 Just as many were appalled at Him—His appearance was disfigured beyond that of any man, and His form was marred beyond human likeness—
Isaiah 53:3 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. Like one from whom men hide their faces, He was despised, and we esteemed Him not.