MARK 14:21 Parallel Verse View

Note: This view shows ‘verses’ which are not natural language units and hence sometimes only part of a sentence will be visible—click on any Bible version abbreviation down the left-hand side to see the verse in more of its context. Normally the OET discourages the reading of individual ‘verses’, but this view is only designed as a tool for doing comparisons of different translations—the older translations are further down the page (so you can read up from the bottom to trace the English translation history). The OET segments on this page are still very early looks into the unfinished texts of the Open English Translation of the Bible—please double-check these texts in advance before using in public.

Text critical issues=small word differences Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

OET (OET-RV) Indeed it’s written in the scriptures that humanity’s child will be arrested, but on the other hand, what a tragedy it’ll be for the one who hands him over—in fact it would be better for that man if he was never born.”

Key: khaki:verbs, light-green:nominative/subject, pink:genitive/possessor, cyan:dative/indirect object, red:negative.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

ULT For the Son of Man departs just as it has been written about him, but woe to that man through whom the Son of Man is handed over! It would have been good for him if that man had not been born.”

UST I say that because I, the Son of Man, will die. That is what you can read in the Scriptures about me. Nevertheless, how terrible it will be for the man who helps my enemies arrest me, the Son of Man. In fact, that man would be better off if he had never existed.”

BSB 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.”

MSB 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.”

BLB For indeed the Son of Man goes as it has been written concerning Him; but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed; it were better for him if that man had not been born."

AICNT “For the Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.”

OEB True, the Son of Man must go, as scripture says of him, yet alas for that man by whom the Son of Man is being betrayed! For that man it would be better never to have been born!’

WEBBE For the Son of Man goes as it is written about him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would be better for that man if he had not been born.”

WMBB (Same as above)

NET For the Son of Man will go as it is written about him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would be better for him if he had never been born.”

LSV the Son of Man indeed goes, as it has been written concerning Him, but woe to that man through whom the Son of Man is delivered up; it were good to him if that man had not been born.”

FBV “The Son of man will die, just as the Scriptures predicted. But how terrible it will be for the man who betrays the Son of man! It would be better for that man if he'd never been born.”

TCNT [fn]The Son of Man indeed goes just as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed. It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.”

14:21 The ¦ For the CT

T4T It is certain that I, the one who came from heaven, will die, because that is what has been {what the prophets have} written about me. But there will be terrible punishment for the man by whom I will be betrayed {who will ◄betray me/help my enemies to seize me►}! In fact, it would be better for that man if he had never been born!”

LEB For the Son of Man is going just as it is written about him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would be better for him if that man had not been born.”

BBE The Son of man goes, even as the Writings say of him: but cursed is that man through whom the Son of man is given up! It would have been well for that man if he had never been given birth.

Moff The Son of man goes the road that the scripture has described for him, but woe to the man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! Better that man had never been born!'

Wymth For the Son of Man is going His way as it is written about Him; but alas for the man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It had been a happy thing for that man, had he never been born."

ASV For the Son of man goeth, even as it is written of him: but woe unto that man through whom the Son of man is betrayed! good were it for that man if he had not been born.

DRA And the Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written of him: but woe to that man by whom the Son of man shall be betrayed. It were better for him, if that man had not been born.

YLT the Son of Man doth indeed go, as it hath been written concerning him, but woe to that man through whom the Son of Man is delivered up; good were it to him if that man had not been born.'

Drby The Son of man goes indeed as it is written concerning him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is delivered up; [it were] good for that man if he had not been born.

RV For the Son of man goeth, even as it is written of him: but woe unto that man through whom the Son of man is betrayed! good were it for that man if he had not been born.
(For the Son of man goeth/goes, even as it is written of him: but woe unto that man through whom the Son of man is betrayed! good were it for that man if he had not been born. )

SLT Truly the Son of man retires, as has been written of him: and woe to that man by whom the Son of man is delivered up! it were good for him if that man had not been born.

Wbstr The Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written concerning 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.

KJB-1769 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.
( The Son of man indeed goeth/goes, 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. )

KJB-1611 The sonne of man indeed goeth, as it is written of him: but woe to that man by whom the Sonne of man is betrayed: Good were it for that man, if he had neuer bene borne.
(The son of man indeed goeth/goes, 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 borne.)

Bshps The sonne of man truely goeth as it is written of hym: but wo to that man by whom the sonne of man is betrayed. Good were it for that man, yf he had neuer ben borne.
(The son of man truly goeth/goes 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 borne.)

Gnva Truely the Sonne of man goeth his way, as it is written of him: but woe bee to that man, by whome the Sonne of man is betrayed: it had beene good for that man, if hee had neuer beene borne.
(Truly the Son of man goeth/goes his way, as it is written of him: but woe be to that man, by whom the Son of man is betrayed: it had been good for that man, if he had never been borne. )

Cvdl The sonne of man truly goeth forth, as it is wrytte of hi. But wo vnto that ma, by whom the sonne of man is betrayed. It were better for the same man, that he had neuer bene borne.
(The son of man truly goeth/goes forth, as it is written of hi. But woe unto that man, by whom the son of man is betrayed. It were better for the same man, that he had never been borne.)

TNT The sonne of man goeth as it ys written of him: but woo be to that man by whome the sonne of man is betrayed. Good were it for him if that man had never bene borne.
(The son of man goeth/goes as it is written of him: but woo be to that man by whom the son of man is betrayed. Good were it for him if that man had never been borne. )

Wycl And sotheli mannus sone goith, as it is writun of hym; but wo to that man, by whom mannus sone schal be bitrayed. It were good to hym, yf thilke man hadde not be borun.
(And truly man’s son goeth/goes, as it is written of him; but woe to that man, by whom man’s son shall be bitrayed. It were good to him, if that man had not be born.)

Luth Zwar des Menschen Sohn gehet hin, wie von ihm geschrieben stehet; wehe aber dem Menschen, durch welchen des Menschen Sohn verraten wird! Es wäre demselben Menschen besser, daß er nie geboren wäre.
(Zwar the people son goes there/therefore, as/like from him written stands; woe but to_him people, through which_(ones) the people son betrayed/revealed becomes! It were the_same people better, that he never born were.)

ClVg Et Filius quidem hominis vadit sicut scriptum est de eo: væ autem homini illi per quem Filius hominis tradetur ! bonum erat ei, si non esset natus homo ille.[fn]
(And Son indeed of_man goes like written it_is from/about by_him: woe however to_man them through which Son of_man will_be_handed_over ! good was to_him, when/but_if not/no was born human he/that_one. )

14.21 Væ autem. ID. In sempiternum væ homini illi qui ad mensam Domini indigne accedit, etc., usque ad pœna prædicitur ut qui pudore non vincitur, timore corrigatur.

14.21 Alas/Woe however. ID. In eternal woe to_man them who/which to the_table Master unworthily comes, etc., until to punishment predictsur as who/which pudore not/no is_defeated, with_fear corrigatur.

UGNT ὅτι ὁ μὲν Υἱὸς τοῦ Ἀνθρώπου ὑπάγει, καθὼς γέγραπται περὶ αὐτοῦ; οὐαὶ δὲ τῷ ἀνθρώπῳ ἐκείνῳ δι’ οὗ ὁ Υἱὸς τοῦ Ἀνθρώπου παραδίδοται; καλὸν ἦν αὐτῷ εἰ οὐκ ἐγεννήθη ὁ ἄνθρωπος ἐκεῖνος.
(hoti ho men Huios tou Anthrōpou hupagei, kathōs gegraptai peri autou; ouai de tōi anthrōpōi ekeinōi di’ hou ho Huios tou Anthrōpou paradidotai; kalon aʸn autōi ei ouk egennaʸthaʸ ho anthrōpos ekeinos.)

SBL-GNT ⸀ὅτι ὁ μὲν υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ὑπάγει καθὼς γέγραπται περὶ αὐτοῦ, οὐαὶ δὲ τῷ ἀνθρώπῳ ἐκείνῳ διʼ οὗ ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου παραδίδοται· ⸀καλὸν αὐτῷ εἰ οὐκ ἐγεννήθη ὁ ἄνθρωπος ἐκεῖνος.
(⸀hoti ho men huios tou anthrōpou hupagei kathōs gegraptai peri autou, ouai de tōi anthrōpōi ekeinōi diʼ hou ho huios tou anthrōpou paradidotai; ⸀kalon autōi ei ouk egennaʸthaʸ ho anthrōpos ekeinos.)

RP-GNT Ὁ μὲν υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ὑπάγει, καθὼς γέγραπται περὶ αὐτοῦ· οὐαὶ δὲ τῷ ἀνθρώπῳ ἐκείνῳ δι' οὗ ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου παραδίδοται· καλὸν ἦν αὐτῷ εἰ οὐκ ἐγεννήθη ὁ ἄνθρωπος ἐκεῖνος.
(Ho men huios tou anthrōpou hupagei, kathōs gegraptai peri autou; ouai de tōi anthrōpōi ekeinōi di' hou ho huios tou anthrōpou paradidotai; kalon aʸn autōi ei ouk egennaʸthaʸ ho anthrōpos ekeinos.)

TC-GNT [fn]Ὁ μὲν υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ὑπάγει, καθὼς γέγραπται περὶ αὐτοῦ· οὐαὶ δὲ τῷ ἀνθρώπῳ ἐκείνῳ δι᾽ οὗ ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου παραδίδοται· καλὸν [fn]ἦν αὐτῷ εἰ οὐκ ἐγεννήθη ὁ ἄνθρωπος ἐκεῖνος.
(Ho men huios tou anthrōpou hupagei, kathōs gegraptai peri autou; ouai de tōi anthrōpōi ekeinōi di hou ho huios tou anthrōpou paradidotai; kalon aʸn autōi ei ouk egennaʸthaʸ ho anthrōpos ekeinos. )

14:21 ο ¦ οτι ο CT

14:21 ην ¦ — ECM^† NA SBL TH WH

Key for above GNTs: yellow:punctuation differs, red:words differ (from our SR-GNT base).

TTN Tyndale Theme Notes:

Jesus’ Final Night

When Jesus went into Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover, he knew it was his final night. He had come to Jerusalem to “suffer many terrible things and . . . be killed” (Mark 8:31). His disciples had prepared the meal, but he needed to prepare them for what was coming.

So Jesus celebrated the Passover with his disciples. At this meal, Jesus demonstrated true servanthood by washing his disciples’ feet (John 13:1-20). He gave his final teachings to the disciples, informed them about the coming of the Holy Spirit, and prayed for his followers (John 14:1–17:26). Jesus also established the new covenant (Mark 14:22-24). Jesus was now the Passover Lamb—his body and blood are now the sacrifice that saves his people from judgment, fulfilling the same purpose as the lamb at the first Passover.

It was on Passover that God had struck down all the firstborn males of Egypt but had spared those of Israel. Now Jesus would be struck down so that his people could be spared—just as the prophets had predicted (e.g., Zech 12:10; 13:7). Jesus warned his disciples that this was about to happen and that they were about to desert him (Mark 14:27). Jesus also warned his disciples that he would be betrayed by one of them (Mark 14:18).

After the meal, Jesus and his disciples walked to the Garden of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives, where Jesus prayed in agony, submitting his will to the Father (Mark 14:26-42). Judas, the disciple who betrayed Jesus, then approached with a group of soldiers, who arrested Jesus (Mark 14:43-49). Jesus’ disciples fled (Mark 14:50-52), and Jesus was taken to the house of the high priest for an overnight trial, during which Peter denied Jesus three times (Mark 14:53-72).

While Jesus’ final night was marked by tragedy, nothing that happened was outside of his foreknowledge. Everything occurred according to God’s plan and was necessary in order to fulfill Scripture and to usher in the events which followed (his death and resurrection).

Passages for Further Study

Matt 26:17-56; Mark 14:12-52; Luke 22:7-46; John 13:1–18:11; 1 Cor 11:23-34

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 14:12–21: Jesus celebrated the Passover Festival with his disciples

In the previous section, 14:10–11, Judas began to look for a way to betray Jesus. In this section, Jesus and his disciples celebrated the Passover Festival together. People often celebrated the Festival of Passover with their families. Jesus celebrated it with his twelve closest disciples.

Normally, a teacher’s disciples prepared the celebration. But on this occasion Jesus had already arranged for a place to eat and for the food. Then he sent two of his disciples to make the final preparations. That evening as they were eating the Passover meal, Jesus told them that one of them would betray him.

Scholars have different views about when Jesus ate the Passover feast, but these views will probably not affect the way you translate the verses.

It is good to translate this section before you decide on a heading for it.

Here are some other possible headings for this section:

Jesus and the disciples celebrated the Passover

Jesus Eats the Passover Meal with His Disciples (GNT)

There are parallel passages for this section in Matthew 26:17–25, Luke 22:7–14, and John 13:21–30.

Paragraph 14:17–21

This paragraph describes the final meal that Jesus ate with his twelve disciples before he died. At this meal, Jesus revealed that one of the twelve would betray him. He knew that Judas was the person who would betray him, but none of the other disciples knew.

In Middle Eastern culture, when a man eats a meal with another man, he must not then turn against him and harm him. But Judas did that. He behaved as though Jesus were his friend and then deliberately betrayed him. Jesus warned that Judas would be judged for what he did (14:21).

14:21

This verse indicates that Jesus would die, just as the Scriptures said he would. It expresses a contrast: Judas fulfilled God’s plan when he betrayed Jesus, but it was an evil action that he freely chose to do. In your translation you should avoid the wrong impression that God forced Judas to betray Jesus. See the note on 14:21c.

14:21a

The Son of Man will go

For the Son of Man must go to his death,
Someone will indeed betray me, the Son of Man, and I will die.

In Greek this verse begins with a conjunction that often indicates reason or cause. The RSV translates it as “for” here. In this context it probably indicates that this part of the verse explains something about what Jesus said in 14:18 and 14:20. In some languages this connection may be implied without using a connector.

Here is another way to express this connection:

This will happen because the Son of Man must/will go

The Son of Man: The Greek phrase that the BSB translates as The Son of Man is literally “the Son of the human/person.” Jesus used this title to imply that:

he was a true human being, and he represented all people.
he came from God and had authority from God.

Try to use an expression that implies both meanings. Here are some other expressions that translators have used:

the Man whom God Sent

the True Man from God/Heaven

the Representative of Mankind

The Older Brother of All People

In some cases, an unusual title may correctly suggest a deeper meaning. For example:

the Child of a Person

the One who was Born as a Human

Translators have also used expressions that are more literal. These more literal expressions may be appropriate where readers are familiar with a literal title in another version.

In some languages it may be necessary to use a form like “I” or “me” to indicate that Jesus was referring to himself. For example:

me, the Son of Man

I who became man/human

This same term occurs in 2:10a and 13:26a.

will go: Jesus used the phrase will go to speak about his dying in an indirect way. He wanted to spare his disciples the pain that they would feel if he spoke directly about his death. If you have a way to talk about dying using a euphemism like this, you may be able to use it here. Otherwise, you can speak directly about Jesus’ death. For example:

I, the Son of Man, will die

14:21b

just as it is written about Him,

as they wrote about him in God’s word.
That is what it says in the written words of God.

just as it is written about Him: Jesus was not referring here to how he would die. Rather, he was referring to the fact that the prophets had already written that he would die. He may have been thinking of such Old Testament passages as Isaiah chapter 53. In some languages it may be necessary to put the phrase just as it is written about Him at the beginning of the sentence. For example:

Just as it is written of the Son of Man, so he will die.

Just as it is written of me, the Son of Man, so will I die.

it is written: The phrase it is written is a special phrase that the Jews used to refer to the Old Testament. The phrase is passive. It does not focus on the person who wrote the words. The phrase implies that God is the one who caused the words to be written. In some languages it may be necessary to make the meaning of this phrase more explicit. For example:

as the Scriptures say (GNT)

as it says in the written words of God

That is exactly what God caused to be written

as someone wrote in God’s Word

14:21c

but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed!

But how terrible it will be for that man who hands me, the Son of Man, over to be killed!
Even though God’s word says the Son of Man will die, suffering will come on that man who betrays me.

but: The Greek conjunction that the BSB translates as but introduces a contrast between 14:21a–b and 14:21c. In 14:21a–b the text indicates that it was written in the Scripture that Jesus must die, and that what is written there must happen. 14:21c implies that although those things must happen, the person who betrays Jesus will endure a terrible future. Most English versions use but to introduce the contrast.

Here is another way to express this connection:

Even though God’s word says that the Son of Man will die

woe to that man: The word woe is an exclamation. It emphasizes suffering, trouble, or disaster. In this context Jesus expressed his sorrow and pity about the terrible suffering or judgment that would come to the person who betrayed him. This exclamation is not a curse or a threat. Jesus did not wish that Judas would have to endure the trouble and suffering.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

But suffering will come on that man…!

But how bad it will be for that man…!

But it is going to be terrible for the one who betrays me. (CEV)

that man by whom He is betrayed: The phrase that man by whom He is betrayed refers to the person who would betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the person was Judas, but this phrase does not indicate that he was pointing him out to the other disciples.

is betrayed: The Greek word that the BSB translates as is betrayed is the same word as in 14:18b. Translate here as you did there.

14:21d

It would be better for him if he had not been born.”

That man’s situation would be better if he had not been born.”
Concerning this man, if no one had given birth to him, that would be good/better.”

It would be better for him if he had not been born: This clause expresses a comparison between two situations for Judas:

betraying Jesus, and
not being born.

If Judas had not been born, he would not have betrayed Jesus. That would have been much better than what actually happened. Consider how in your language you talk about situations that never happened. Here are some other ways to express this in English:

It would have been better for this man to have never been born at all.

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-words-phrases

ὅτι

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Ὅτι ὁ μέν Υἱός τοῦ Ἀνθρώπου ὑπάγει καθώς γέγραπται περί αὐτοῦ οὐαί δέ τῷ ἀνθρώπῳ ἐκείνῳ διʼ οὗ ὁ Υἱός τοῦ Ἀνθρώπου παραδίδοται καλόν ἦν αὐτῷ εἰ οὐκ ἐγεννήθη ὁ ἄνθρωπος ἐκεῖνος)

Here, the word For introduces a further explanation about what Jesus has said about one of the Twelve betraying him. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a word or phrase that introduces a further explanation, or you could leave For untranslated. Alternate translation: [Indeed,] or [Yes,]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / 123person

ὁ μὲν Υἱὸς τοῦ Ἀνθρώπου ὑπάγει, καθὼς γέγραπται περὶ αὐτοῦ; οὐαὶ δὲ τῷ ἀνθρώπῳ ἐκείνῳ δι’ οὗ ὁ Υἱὸς τοῦ Ἀνθρώπου παραδίδοται

the the ¬the (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Ὅτι ὁ μέν Υἱός τοῦ Ἀνθρώπου ὑπάγει καθώς γέγραπται περί αὐτοῦ οὐαί δέ τῷ ἀνθρώπῳ ἐκείνῳ διʼ οὗ ὁ Υἱός τοῦ Ἀνθρώπου παραδίδοται καλόν ἦν αὐτῷ εἰ οὐκ ἐγεννήθη ὁ ἄνθρωπος ἐκεῖνος)

Here Jesus speaks about himself in the third person. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use the first person. Alternate translation: [I, who am the Son of Man, depart just as it has been written about me. But woe to that man through whom I am handed over]

Note 3 topic: translate-tense

ὑπάγει

˓is˒_going

Here Jesus uses the present tense to describe a future event. He does this to emphasize that the future event is sure to happen. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use the future tense here and express the certainty in another way. Alternate translation: [will surely depart]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / euphemism

ὑπάγει

˓is˒_going

Here, departs is a polite way to refer to dying. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a comparable polite way to refer to dying, or you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [passes away] or [dies]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

καθὼς γέγραπται

Here Jesus implies that what has been written can be found in the Old Testament scriptures. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make that idea more explicit. Alternate translation: [just as it has been written in the Scriptures]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive

γέγραπται

˱it˲_˓has_been˒_written

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. If you need to say who did the action, it is clear from the context that it was the people who wrote the Scriptures. Alternate translation: [the prophets wrote] or [the Scriptures testify]

Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive

δι’ οὗ ὁ Υἱὸς τοῦ Ἀνθρώπου παραδίδοται

by whom the (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Ὅτι ὁ μέν Υἱός τοῦ Ἀνθρώπου ὑπάγει καθώς γέγραπται περί αὐτοῦ οὐαί δέ τῷ ἀνθρώπῳ ἐκείνῳ διʼ οὗ ὁ Υἱός τοῦ Ἀνθρώπου παραδίδοται καλόν ἦν αὐτῷ εἰ οὐκ ἐγεννήθη ὁ ἄνθρωπος ἐκεῖνος)

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you could state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: [who hands over the Son of Man]

Note 8 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive

οὐκ ἐγεννήθη ὁ ἄνθρωπος ἐκεῖνος

not ˓was˒_born ¬the man that

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. If you need to say who did the action, it is clear from the context that it was the man’s mother. Alternate translation: [that man’s mother had not given birth to him]

Parallel MARK 14:21