Mark 13 1. And as Jesus went out of the temple, one of his disciples told him, "Educator, behold, see these stones and these buildings!" 2. Jesus, however, told him, "Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone shall remain thus upon another stone, without it all being unraveled." 3. And as Jesus sat upon Mount of Olives, opposite the temple, there asked him Keepa [Peter] and James and John and Andrew, alone by themselves, 4. "Tell us when will these things take place? And what are the signs when all these things are close to being fulfilled?" 5. Jesus then began to tell them, "See that no human being mislead you. 6. "For many will come in my name and will say, it is I* and they shall mislead many. 7. "When you hear of wars and hostile words,* do not fear. For that is destined to occur, except it is not yet the end. 8. "For nation shall rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be earthquakes in place after place, and there will be famines and disturbances. These are the beginnings of labor pains. 9. "Be observant then yourselves, for they will deliver you to judges and they will torment you in their assemblies, and before kings and presidents, you will stand because of me, in their testimony. 10. "However, it is destined beforehand that you preach my hope* among all nations. 11. "When they come near to you then, to deliver you, do not go forth at a loss as to what you will say, and do not rehearse, except that which will be given to you in that hour, that is what you are to say. For it will not be you who speaks, except the holy Spirit. 12. "Brother will deliver brother to death, and father to his son, and children will rise against their parents and will kill them. 13. "And you will be hated by all kinds of people,* because of my name. Whoever remains faithful* until the end, however, they shall Live. 14. "Then when you see signs of evil desolation, that which was told by the prophet Daniel, standing where it is not intended*, the reader should learn, then those who are in Judea will run to the mountain. 15. "And whoever is on the roof, shall not go down and will not enter and take anything from inside the house. 16. "And whoever is in the field will not return back to get his clothes. 17. "Woe, however, to those with child,* and those who suckle [babies] in those days. 18. "Pray that your exodus may not be in winter. 19. "For there will be tribulation that has no parallel, from the beginning of Creation that God created and until now, and there never will be again. 20. "And if the Lord did not remember those days, no flesh would ever survive*. Except for the chosen that are chosen, those days will be shortened. 21. "Then when a person tells you that, behold, here is the Messiah, and, behold, right there! Do not believe it. 22. "For there will arise lying messiahs, and cheating prophets, and they will produce signs and wonders, and they will mislead, if possible, even the chosen. 23. "You, however, beware. Behold, I am telling you everything in advance. 24. "In those days, however, after that tribulation, the sun will darken, and the moon will not receive the light. 25. "And there will be shooting stars.* And the powers of heaven will be shaken*. 26. "And then you will see the Son of Man, as he comes in the clouds, together with great power and glory. 27. "And then he will send his angels and gather his chosen from all four spirits, from the top of the earth to the top of heaven. 28. "From the fig tree, however, learn a metaphor, that when its branches grow and its leaves are plentiful, you know that summer has arrived. 29. "Likewise, you also, when you see these things happening, know that the hour has arrived.* 30. "Amen, I am telling you, that this generation will not pass until all these occur. 31. "Heaven and earth will pass away and my words will not pass away. 32. "And about that day and about that hour, no human being shall know, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, except if the Father wills it. 33. "Look, be observant and pray, for you do not know the season. 34. "Like the man who sets off and leaves his house and gives authority to his servants, and to each person* his job, and instructs them to watch the door.* 35. "Keep an eye therefore,* as you know not when the master of the house comes, whether in the evening or in the middle of the night or at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning. 36. "So as he should not come suddenly and find you sleeping. 37. "What I tell you then, I am telling to all of you, be watchful." Return to index page || or scroll down and read Chapter 14 Footnotes: *13:6 Lit. Ar. idiomatic expression: "I am I." *13:7 Lit. Ar. idiomatic figures of speech: "Adversarial names." *13:10 Lit. Aramaic: "Faithful anticipation." *13:13.1 Lit. Ar. idiomatic expression: "From every human [being.]" *13:13.2 Lit. Ar. idiomatic figures of speech: "Hopes." *13:14 Lit. Ar. idiomatic figures of speech: "Lawful," or "decreed." *13:17 Lit. Ar. id.: "Pregnant." *13:20 Lit. Ar. idiomatic figures of speech: "Live." *13:25.1 Lit. Ar. idiomatic expression: "And the stars will fall from the sky." *13:25.2 Lit. Ar. id: "Quake." *13:29 Lit. Ar. idiomatic expression: "It is at the door." *13:34.1 Lit. Ar. idiomatic expression: "To human [being] human [being.]" *13:34.2 Lit. Ar. idiomatic expression retained: "To anticipate his return." *13:35 Lit. Ar. idiomatic expression: "Observe thus." Mark 14 1. Then after two days, it was the Passover celebration of Unleavened Bread, and the chief high priests and scribes sought to seize him through treachery and kill him. 2. And they said, "Not during the holidays, lest there be a riot among the people." 3. And while he was in Bethany, in Simon's house for lepers, as they were dining, a woman came who carried a ceramic vessel of Nardine incense, top quality and very expensive, and she opened it and poured its contents on the head of Jesus. 4. However, there were some individuals from the disciples, who had reservations inside themselves and said, "Why was this incense wasted? 5. "For we could have sold it for more than three hundred dinars and given it to the poor." And they reproached her. 6. Jesus said, however, "Let her be, why are you attacking her? She did a beautiful service for me. 7. "For in every season, you have the poor among you, and whenever you wish, you can do something nice for them; however, you do not have me every season with you. 8. "What she had for this [service,] she did, and she, as though before my burial, [anointed] my body with incense. 9. "And, amen, I am telling you, that wherever this faith* of mine is preached, in all the universe, and this too, what she did, will be spoken of in memorial." 10. Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief high priests, so as to betray Jesus. 11. When they heard it, they were delighted and they promised to give him money. And he sought an opportunity to deliver him. 12. And on the first day of Unleavened Bread,* in which the Jews offer the Passover [sacrifice,] his disciples told him, "Where do you wish to go sit and eat the Passover [meal]?" 13. And he sent two of his disciples, and he told them, "Go to the city and, behold, a man will accost you, who carries a water jug, follow him. 14. "And wherever he enters, say to the owner of the house, our Lord said, 'Where is the inn, where he is to eat the Passover with his disciples?' 15. "And, behold, he will show you an upper chamber that is furnished and prepared, there you will provide for us." 16. And his disciples went out and came to the city and found where he told them, and they set up the Passover. 17. And when evening came,* he came with his Twelve. 18. And as they ate*, Jesus said, "Amen, I am telling you, that one of you who eats with me, he will betray me." 19. They then began to feel depressed, and said to him one by one, "Why, is it I?" 20. He told them, however, "One of the Twelve, whose finger dips in the bowl.* 21. And the Son goes where it is written he will.* Woe, however, to the man by whose hand the Son of Man is delivered*. That man was better off if he was not born." 22. And as they ate, Jesus consecrated the bread and blessed it, and he broke it, and gave them, and said to them, "Be nourished, this is my body." 23. And he consecrated the cup and declared the covenant, and blessed it and gave it to them, and they all drank of it. 24. And he told them, "This is my blood of the New Covenant,* that will be shed for the Redemption of many. 25. "Amen, I am telling you, that I will not drink again from the vine's fruit*, until that day in which we drink anew in the Kingdom of God." 26. And they glorified, and went out to the Mount of Olives. 27. And Jesus told them, "You will all denounce* me tonight, for it is written, 'Strike the shepherd, and his rams will scatter.' 28. "Except, when I rise, I will be before you in Galilee." 29. Peter told him, "They may* all denounce you, except not I." 30. Jesus told him, "Amen, I am telling you, there will come a time,* in this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny* me three times*." 31. However, he said further, that, "Even if I have to die with you, I will not deny you, my Lord." And likewise all the disciples said. 32. And they came to the place that is called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, "Sit here while I pray." 33. And he took along Keepa [Peter,] James and John, and he began to feel sad* and depressed. 34. And he said to them, "My soul is saddened unto death. Strengthen me thus and keep watch." 35. And he went a distance,* and fell to the ground, and he prayed that if it were possible* for the hour to pass.* 36. And he said, "Father, O, my Father,* everything is possible for you,* pass this cup from me, except not according to my wish, except yours." 37. And he came and found them sleeping, and he said to Keepa [Peter,] "Simon, are you sleeping? You could not keep watch for one hour? 38. "Keep watch and pray, so as not to be tested. The Spirit is willing and gracious, except the flesh* is failing*." 39. And he went again and prayed, and he expressed that manifestation. 40. And he returned again and found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy, and they did not know what to tell him. 41. And he came the third time* and told them, "Sleep henceforth and be restfull. The end has arrived and the hour has come, and, behold, the Son of Man will be betrayed by the hand of sinners. 42. "Rise, let us go, behold, the one who betrays me is approaching." 43. And while he spoke, there came Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, and many people, with swords and clubs, from the chief high priests and scribes and priests. 44. And the betrayor gave signals to [point out] the one he would betray, and he said, "The one that I kiss, it is him, seize him alertly and take him away." 45. And at his appointed time,* he approached and said to him, "Rabbi, Rabbi," and he kissed him. 46. They then threw hands on him and seized him. 47. One of those standing there, broke out the sword and struck the servant of the chief high priest and took off his ear. 48. However, Jesus replied and told them, "Like against a criminal you came out against me, with swords and clubs, to seize me? 49. "Every day I was with you, as I taught in the temple and you did not arrest me, except it is so as Scriptures may be confirmed that this is happening." 50. Then his disciples left him and ran. 51. And there was a young man who followed him, and he was barely attired, and they seized him. 52. He left his only outfit* and ran naked. 53. And they took Jesus to Caiaphas, chief of high priests, and there gathered with him all the chief high priests, and the scribes and priests. 54. Simon, however, followed him at a distance, until [he was] inside the courtyard of the chief priests, and he sat with the clerics* and warmed himself before the fire.* 55. Then the chief high priests and their entire council, sought testimony to condemn Jesus to death and they could not find it. 56. For while many testified against him, their testimony was not convincing.* 57. However, there rose against him persons, bribed witnesses, and said, 58. "We heard him say, that I will unravel this temple that is built by hands and in three days I will build another that is not made with hands." 59. And neither did this testimony hold up.* 60. And the chief of the high priests stood up in the center and asked Jesus and said, "You do not return an explanation? Why are they testifying against you?" 61. However, Jesus remained silent and replied nothing. And the chief of the high priests asked him again, "Are you that Messiah, the Hallowed Son?" 62. Then Jesus told him, "I am, and you will see the Son of Man sitting from the right of the Power, and coming over the clouds of heaven." 63. The chief of the high priests then tore his garment, and said, "As of now what do we need witnesses for? 64. "Behold, you have heard the blasphemy from his mouth. Did you not see it?"* They then all judged him deserving of death.* 65. And people began spitting in his face and slapping him,* and pummeled him [with blows,] and said, "Prophesy." And the attendants punched him in the sides. 66. And while Simon was below in the courtyard, one of the young girls of one of the chief high priests came, 67. Saw him warming himself and stared at him, and said to him, "And you too were with Jesus the Nazarene." 68. He swore and said, "I do not know what you are talking about," and went toward the entryway, and the rooster crowed. 69. And the young girl saw him again, and she began telling those who stood by, "He was also with them." 70. Again he swore, and a little later, again those that stood by said to Keepa [Peter,] "Truly, you are one of them, for you are also Galilean, and your speech is the same.* 71. And he began to curse and swear, "I do not know this man that you talk about." 72. And in that hour,* the rooster crowed two times*, and Simon remembered the manifestation that Jesus foretold, that before the rooster crows twice, you will blaspheme against me three times, and he began weeping. Return to index page || or scroll down and read Chapter 15 Footnotes: *14:9 Lit. Ar. idiomatic expression: "Hope in me," or "Testament." *14:10.1 Lit. Ar. idiomatic construction: "Judas, however, Iscariot." *14:12 "The Passover." *14:17 Lit. Ar. idiomatic expression: "And as it was evening." *14:18 Lit. Ar. idiomatic expression: "Dined and chewed." *14:20 Lit. Ar. idiomatic expression: "Whose finger squashes*." [*Figure of speech: the process of hand-dipping bread in stew, soaking and scooping it up into one's mouth.] *14:21.1 Lit. Ar. idiomatic expression: "Where it is written over him." *14:21.2 Lit. Ar. id.: "Betrayed." *14:22 Lit. Ar. idiomatic construction: "Satiate, this becomes my flesh." *14:24 Lit. Ar. id.: Or: "New Testament." *14:25 Lit. Ar. idiomatic figure of speech: "Birth." *14:27 Lit. Ar. idiomatic figure of speech: "Reproach," or "disdain." *14:29 Lit. Ar. idiomatic figure of speech: "If." *14:30.1 Lit. Ar. idiomatic expression: "A day will come." *14:30.2 Lit. Ar. idiomatic figure of speech: "Curse." *14:30.3 Lit. Ar. id.: "Seasons." *14:33 Lit. Ar. figure of speech: "Turn to wine," or "bitter." *14:35.1 Lit. Ar. idiomatic expression: "And he neared a little." *14:35.2 Lit. Ar. id.: "Could." *14:35.3 Lit. Ar. idiomatic expression: "The hour to pass by." *14:36.1 Lit. Ar. idiomatic expression: "Abba Avvi." *14:36.2 Lit. Ar. idiomatic expression: "You can everything." *14:38.1 Lit. Ar. id.: "Body." *14:38.2 Lit. Ar. idiomatic figure of speech: "Ill," or "sad." *14:41 Lit. Ar. idiomatic expression: "Seasons." *14:45 Lit. Ar. idiomatic expression: "After his hour." *14:52 Lit. Ar. idiomatic construction: "He, however, left his outfit..." *14:54.2 Lit. Ar. id.: One rung below priests, or deacons. *14:54 According to my analysis, outside of the religious establishment of the time, not a single member of the Jewish nation was involved in the trial of Jesus. *14:56 Lit. Ar. idiomatic expression: "Did not lay out, their testimony." Did not pan out. *14:59 Lit. Ar. idiomatic expression: "Lay out." *14:64.1 Lit. Ar. idiomatic expression: "What did you see?" Or: "Did you not witnesses it?" *14:64.2 Lit. Ar. idiomatic expression: "Responsible to death." *14:65 Lit. Ar. idiomatic expression: "Hitting his faces." *14:70 Lit. Ar. idiomatic expression: "Dialect resembles." *14:72.1 Lit. Ar. idiomatic expression retained: "At that moment." *14:72.2 Lit. Ar. id.: "Seasons." Mark 15 1. And at once, in the morning, the chief high priests conspired, together with the priests and scribes and the entire council, and they tied Jesus up and took him and delivered him to Pilate the Governor. 2. And Pilate asked him, "Are you that King of the Jews?" He replied and told him, "You said it."* 3. And the chief high priests accused him of many things. 4. Pilate, however, asked him again, and told him, "You have no explanation?* Look how much they testify against you." 5. However, Jesus did not give any explanation, so that Pilate was amazed. 6. However, he had the habit of releasing to them during every holiday a prisoner, whomever they wanted. 7. And there was one, who was called Barabbas, that was imprisoned with the assassins, those who kill by assassination. 8. And the people began crying out and asking him to do according to his custom. 9. Pilate then replied and said, "Do you wish that I release to you the King of the Jews?" 10. For Pilate knew that it was out of spite that the chief high priests delivered Jesus. 11. The chief high priests incited the crowds increasingly [to ask for the ] release of Barabbas to them. 12. Pilate, however, said to them, "What do you want me then to do with the one you call the King of the Jews?" 13. They, however, cried out again, "Crucify him." 14. Then Pilate said to them, "What evil thing did he do?" And they increasingly cried out, "Crucify him." 15. Pilate, however, wanted to do as the crowds wished, and he released to them Barabbas and delivered for them Jesus to be tortured and crucified. 16. The soldiers then took him to the courtyard, which is the praetorium, and they called all the officers. 17. And they dressed him in scarlet [robes,] and they wove and crowned him with a wreath of thorns. 18. And they began to salute him,* "Peace, King of the Jews!" 19. And they hit him over the head with the reed, and they spat on his face, and they kneeled on their knees and worshipped him. 20. And while mocking him, they took off his scarlet [robes,] and dressed him in his own clothes, and took him out to crucify him. 21. And they conscripted a passerby, Simon the Cyrenian, who came from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his cross. 22. And they came to Golgotha,* the place that is called the Skull. 23. And they gave him to drink wine mixed with myrrh, which he did not want. 24. And as they crucified him, they divided his clothes, and they cast lots over them, who would receive what. 25. It was then the third hour as they crucified him. 26. And the reason for his death was written on a scroll, "This is the King of the Jews." 27. And they crucified with him two robbers, one from his right and one from his left. 28. And Scriptures was fulfilled that said, "He will be counted* with the workers of abomination." 29. And even those who passed by blasphemed against him, and shook their heads and said, "O, unraveler of the temple and its builder on the third day, 30. "Save yourself and come down from the cross." 31. And likewise the chief high priests laughed one with the other, and the scribes, and said, "Others he [brought back] to life, himself he cannot [bring back] to life. 32. "Messiah, King of Israel, come down right now from the cross, and we will believe in Him." 33. And when it was the sixth hour, it became dark on all the earth, until the ninth hour. 34. And in the ninth hour, Jesus cried out in a loud voice and said, "Eil, Eil, l'mana sh'wik-thani." That is, "My God, my God,* wherefore did you destine me?"* 35. And people that heard it, of those who stood by, said, "He is calling Eliyah*." 36. One of them then ran and filled a sponge with vinegar, and tied it to a reed, to give him to drink, and said, "Let us see, if Eliyah will come and take him down." 37. Jesus, however, cried out in a loud voice and rested in peace.* 38. And the fronts of the temple doors unraveled in two, from top to bottom. 39. As the centurion that stood with him saw, however, thus calling out and dying, he said, "Truly, this man was the Son of God." 40. However, there were people who looked from afar, Mary Magdalene and Mary mother of little James and Joses and Salome. 41. These that adhered to him in Galilee, and ministered to him, and many other [women] who came up with him to Jerusalem. 42. And as it was Friday evening, before the Sabbath, 43. There came Joseph, who was of Arimathea, respected for his integrity, who was also holding fast to the Kingdom of God, and he demanded and entered to Pilate's and asked for the body of Jesus. 44. Pilate was amazed that he was already dead, and called the centurion and asked if he died too soon.* 45. And as he learned, he gave the body to Joseph. 46. And Joseph bought cotton cloth and he enshrouded him in it and consecrated him in a grave that was hewn in rock, and rolled a rock over the entrance of the grave. 47. Mary Magdalene, however, and Mary of Joses saw where he was consecrated. Return to index page || or scroll down to read Chapter 16 *15:2 Lit. Ar. idiomatic expression: "You say." *15:4 Lit. Ar. idiomatic expression: "Do you not respond [with] an explanation?" *15:18 Lit. Ar. idiomatic expression: "Asking for his peace." *15:22 Lit. Ar. name: Stoning arena, where if innocent, the accused was expected to survive the stoning. *15:28 Lit. Ar. idiomatic figure of speech: "Thought of." *15:34.1 Lit. Aramaic: The verb "to be" in its sacred connotation, "He Is, He Is," or "Supreme Being," or "I AM, I AM." *15:34.2 Lit. Aramaic: "Alahi, Alahi." *15:34.3 Lit. Aramaic: "Eil, Eil, l'mana sh'wik-thani." This is the correct transliteration of the original words of Jesus Christ in Galilean Aramaic. Other transliterations indicate the second and third generation transliterations from Arabic and the Greek versions. *15:35 Lit. Aramaic name retained here: "Elijah." *15:37 Lit. Ar. idiomatic expression: "Became peaceful." *15:44 Lit. Ar. idiomatic expression: "Before the time." Mark 16. 1. And as the Sabbath ended, Mary Magdalene and Mary of James and Salome, bought spices to come and anoint him. 2. At dusk, however, on Sunday*, they came to the tombs, as the sun had set. 3. And they said inside themselves, "Who will roll the stone off the entrance of the tomb for us?" 4. And they looked and saw that the stone had been rolled off, for it was really big.* 5. And they entered the tomb, and saw a young man sitting from the right, and wearing a white robe, and they were amazed. 6. He then said to them, "Do not be afraid, you are seeking Jesus the Nazarene,* who was crucified, he has risen, he is not here anymore.* Behold, the place he was consecrated! 7. "Except, go off and tell his disciples and Keepa[Peter,] that, behold, he will be ahead of you in Galilee. There you will see him, where he told you." 8. And as they heard, they ran and exited the tomb, for they were seized by amazement and trembling, and they did not say anything to any human being, for they were afraid. 9. At dusk then, on Sunday, he rose, and was seen first by Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast out seven demons. 10. And she went and gave them hope and told them that she had been with him, as they had been wailing and weeping. 11. And as they heard her say that he was alive and was seen by her, they did not believe it. 12. After this, he was seen by two of them in another likeness, as they walked on, going to the village. 13. And they went and told others. They did not believe them also. 14. Finally, however, he was seen by the Eleven as they dined, and he reproached* them for their little faith, and the hardness of their heart, since they did not believe those who had seen him risen. 15. And he told them, "Go to all people and preach my faith in all creation. 16. "Whoever believes and declares it, shall Live, And whoever does not believe, will be held accountable. 17. "Signs then to those that believe, they who adhere to us, In my name, they will cast out demons, and they will speak in new languages*, 18. "And they will handle snakes,* and if deadly poison they drink,* it will not affect them." And they will consecrate their hands on the sick and they will be restored." 19. Jesus then the Lord, after he spoke with them, went up to heaven, and sat from the right of God. 20. They then went out, and preached every place, and the Lord helped them and began filling them with signs that they performed. Return to Gospel of Mark index or Bible index page or Go to Gospel of Luke Footnotes: *16:2 Lit. Aramaic: "Khaw-sheeba." Or: "First of Sabbath," first day of the week. Except for the Sabbath and Rou`tha, Friday, Day of Preparation", the other days of the week are numbered first through fifth. *16:4 Lit. Ar. idiomatic expression: "Great it was for good." *16:6.1 Lit. Aramaic: "Victorious Jesus." *16:6.2 Lit. Ar. idiomatic expression: "Not he was again." *16:14 Lit. Ar. idiomatic figure of speech: "Cut them down." *16:17 Lit. Ar. id.: "Tongues." *16:18.1 Lit. Ar. idiomatic expression retained: "Take up snakes," or "Deal with evil people." *16:18.2 Lit. Ar. idiomatic expression retained: "If they drink poison of death," or "Whatever happens to them." translated by Victor Alexander ©1998 Library of Congress