Definition: 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.
Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from Mark 14:21. It’s a really important and somewhat unsettling passage in the Bible. Here's a simple explanation: What it says: “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.” Let’s unpack each part: “The Son of man indeed goeth…” – This means Jesus is leaving. It's a significant statement, as it sets the stage for what's about to happen. “…as it is written of him…” - This connects it back to something already known and understood by the listeners. They’ve heard stories about Jesus before, and this verse is referencing a prophecy or a similar event. “but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed!” – This is the core of the verse. "Betrayed" means someone is deceived or wronged. This is a very strong warning. “good were it for that man if he had never been born.” - This is the surprising part. It’s a plea for a miraculous outcome – a terrible, beneficial outcome. It suggests that without this man being born, his life would be completely ruined and filled with suffering. So, what's the big takeaway? This verse describes Jesus’s final moments before his crucifixion. He is deliberately leading people to believe he will be betrayed. The writer is saying, "This man was destined to die. It’s a terrible fate for him." Why is this important? This passage speaks to the idea of predestination . It suggests that God has already planned Jesus's death and that it’s inevitable. It also highlights the importance of faith – that even though we can’t always understand why things happen, faith can lead to a positive outcome. It's a message about the ultimate sacrifice for humanity. In short, this verse is a powerful warning about the impending betrayal of Jesus and emphasizes the significance of his death. --- Disclaimer: I am an AI Chatbot and not a religious scholar. This explanation is based on common interpretations of biblical texts. Would you like me to: Explain another part of this verse? Discuss its historical context? Talk about the significance of the crucifixion itself?