Question 1

What is the meaning of the woman anointing Jesus with costly ointment?

Accepted Answer

The woman’s act of pouring very expensive ointment on Jesus’ head was an act of deep love and honor. Some thought it was a waste and said the money should have gone to the poor. Jesus defended her and called it a good work. He said she had done what she could and had anointed His body beforehand for burial. This shows that honoring Jesus is not wasted, that loving Him may look costly to others, and that her act pointed to His coming death. Jesus said it would be remembered wherever the good news is told.

Question 2

Why did Jesus say, “You have the poor with you always, but me you have not always”?

Accepted Answer

When people complained about the ointment, they used care for the poor as their reason. Jesus was not saying we should neglect the poor. He reminded them that there would always be chances to help the poor, and they could and should do them good. But His time with them in the flesh was short. This was a unique moment just before His death. The woman’s act was fitting for that moment, because she was honoring Him before His burial. It shows there is a place both for caring for the poor and for direct devotion to Christ.

Question 3

What is the significance of Jesus taking bread and the cup at the meal?

Accepted Answer

At the Passover meal, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, gave it to His disciples, and said, “This is my body.” Then He took the cup, gave thanks, and said, “This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.” He was showing that His death would be like a sacrifice that brings forgiveness. The bread and cup are signs of His body given and His blood poured out. He was starting a new covenant with God, replacing older symbols with this simple meal where believers remember His death and trust that His blood was shed for their own sins.

Question 4

Why did Judas betray Jesus to the chief priests?

Accepted Answer

This passage shows Judas going to the chief priests after the anointing at Bethany, and they are glad and promise him money. He then looks for a chance to hand Jesus over. His heart is moved by greed and his own sin. The religious leaders wanted to kill Jesus but feared the crowd, so Judas’ offer suited their secret plan. His choice shows how love of money and hidden resentment can open the door to terrible betrayal, even after walking with Jesus. At the same time, Jesus says the Son of Man goes as it is written, showing that God’s saving plan and human guilt both run through this event.

Question 5

What does Jesus’ prayer in Gethsemane teach about facing suffering?

Accepted Answer

In Gethsemane Jesus is deeply troubled and says His soul is sorrowful to death. He falls on the ground and prays, calling God “Abba, Father,” and says that all things are possible, asking that the cup might pass from Him. Yet He ends, “Not what I will, but what you will.” This shows real distress at the suffering ahead, but also full trust and submission to the Father. It teaches us to bring our fear and pain honestly to God, to ask boldly, and yet to yield our will to His. It also shows that our salvation came through Jesus choosing the Father’s will even when it cost Him greatly.

Question 6

Why were the disciples sleeping instead of watching and praying?

Accepted Answer

Jesus took Peter, James, and John with Him and asked them to watch while He prayed. Yet He found them sleeping, and their eyes were heavy. He warned them, “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.” They loved Him and wanted to stand by Him, but their human weakness showed. Their tired bodies and dull hearts could not keep up. This warns us that good desires are not enough. We need watchfulness and prayer, because we are weak and easily fall. It also shows Jesus’ patience as He speaks to them more than once, even in His own agony.

Question 7

What does Jesus’ answer to the high priest teach about who He is?

Accepted Answer

When the high priest asked, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?” Jesus answered, “I am,” and added that they would see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of power and coming with the clouds of heaven. This is a clear claim to be the promised Christ and to share God’s authority and glory. The leaders saw this as blasphemy and condemned Him to death. This shows that Jesus did not die just as a victim of lies; He openly confessed who He was. His words tell us He is not only a teacher, but the exalted Son of Man who will reign and be seen in glory.

Question 8

Why did Peter deny Jesus three times after saying he would die with Him?

Accepted Answer

Peter had strongly said that even if everyone else fell away, he would not. Jesus told him that that very night, before the rooster crowed twice, Peter would deny Him three times. When questioned by a maid and others, Peter became afraid. He first pretended not to understand, then denied again, and finally cursed and swore that he did not know Jesus. Fear of people and shock at the danger overcame his bold talk. When the rooster crowed the second time, he remembered Jesus’ words and wept. This shows both how weak we are and how clearly Jesus knew what would happen, yet He still planned to restore Peter later.

Question 9

How can this passage about betrayal, the Supper, and denial speak to my life today?

Accepted Answer

This passage holds together costly love, failure, and hope. The woman gives what she can in love to Jesus, even when others judge her. That invites you to ask what loving obedience to Christ looks like in your life. Judas and Peter both fail, but in different ways: one hardens his heart, the other weeps and will be restored. That warns you to guard your heart against greed and fear, and to turn back quickly when you fall. The Lord’s Supper reminds you that your hope is not in your own strength, but in Jesus’ body given and blood shed for many, including all who come to Him in faith.

Mark 14:1

After two days was the feast of the passover, and of unleavened bread: and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take him by craft, and put him to death.

The Plot to Kill Jesus

Jesus Anointed at Bethany

Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus

Preparing the Passover

The Last Supper

Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial

Jesus Prays at Gethsemane

The Betrayal of Jesus

Jesus before the Sanhedrin

Peter Denies Jesus

The Plot to Kill Jesus

Cross References

Mark 14:1

After two days was the feast of the passover, and of unleavened bread: and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take him by craft, and put him to death.

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The Plot to Kill Jesus

Jesus Anointed at Bethany

Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus

Preparing the Passover

The Last Supper

Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial

Jesus Prays at Gethsemane

The Betrayal of Jesus

Jesus before the Sanhedrin

Peter Denies Jesus

The Plot to Kill Jesus

Cross References