Mark 14:51 One young man who had been following Jesus was wearing a linen cloth around his body. They caught hold of him,

◄ Mark 14:51 ►

New International Version
A young man, wearing nothing but a linen garment, was following Jesus. When they seized him,

New Living Translation
One young man following behind was clothed only in a long linen shirt. When the mob tried to grab him,

English Standard Version
And a young man followed him, with nothing but a linen cloth about his body. And they seized him,

Berean Standard Bible
One young man who had been following Jesus was wearing a linen cloth around his body. They caught hold of him,

Berean Literal Bible
And a certain young man was following Him, having cast a linen cloth about his naked body. And they seize him,

King James Bible
And there followed him a certain young man, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body; and the young men laid hold on him:

New King James Version
Now a certain young man followed Him, having a linen cloth thrown around his naked body. And the young men laid hold of him,

New American Standard Bible
A young man was following Him, wearing nothing but a linen sheet over his naked body; and they seized him.

NASB 1995
A young man was following Him, wearing nothing but a linen sheet over his naked body; and they seized him.

NASB 1977
And a certain young man was following Him, wearing nothing but a linen sheet over his naked body; and they seized him.

Legacy Standard Bible
And a young man was following Him, wearing nothing but a linen sheet over his naked body; and they seized him.

Amplified Bible
A young man was following Him, wearing [only] a linen sheet over his naked body; and some men seized him.

Christian Standard Bible
Now a certain young man, wearing nothing but a linen cloth, was following him. They caught hold of him,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Now a certain young man, having a linen cloth wrapped around his naked body, was following Him. They caught hold of him,

American Standard Version
And a certain young man followed with him, having a linen cloth cast about him, over his naked body: and they lay hold on him;

Contemporary English Version
One of them was a young man who was wearing only a linen cloth. And when the men grabbed him,

English Revised Version
And a certain young man followed with him, having a linen cloth cast about him, over his naked body: and they lay hold on him;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
A certain young man was following Jesus. He had nothing on but a linen sheet. They tried to arrest him,

Good News Translation
A certain young man, dressed only in a linen cloth, was following Jesus. They tried to arrest him,

International Standard Version
A certain young man, who was wearing nothing but a linen sheet, was following Jesus. When the men grabbed him,

Majority Standard Bible
One young man who had been following Jesus was wearing a linen cloth around his body. They caught hold of him,

NET Bible
A young man was following him, wearing only a linen cloth. They tried to arrest him,

New Heart English Bible
And a certain young man followed him, having a linen cloth thrown around himself, over his naked body. And they grabbed him,

Webster's Bible Translation
And there followed him a certain young man, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body; and the young men laid hold on him.

Weymouth New Testament
One youth indeed did follow Him, wearing only a linen cloth round his bare body. Of him they laid hold,

World English Bible
A certain young man followed him, having a linen cloth thrown around himself over his naked body. The young men grabbed him,

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
and a certain young man was following Him, having cast a linen cloth on [his] naked [body], and the young men lay hold on him,

Berean Literal Bible
And a certain young man was following Him, having cast a linen cloth about his naked body. And they seize him,

Young's Literal Translation
and a certain young man was following him, having put a linen cloth about his naked body, and the young men lay hold on him,

Smith's Literal Translation
And one certain young man followed him, having cast a garment of fine linen over his nakedness; and the young men seized him:

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And a certain young man followed him, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body; and they laid hold on him.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Now a certain young man followed him, having nothing but a fine linen cloth over himself. And they took hold of him.

New American Bible
Now a young man followed him wearing nothing but a linen cloth about his body. They seized him,

New Revised Standard Version
A certain young man was following him, wearing nothing but a linen cloth. They caught hold of him,

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And a young man was following him, naked, with a loin cloth around him; and they seized him.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And one young man had come after him and was clothed with a cloth. He was naked, and they seized him.

NT Translations

Anderson New Testament
And there followed him a certain young man, who had a linen garment around his naked body. And the young men laid hold of him;

Godbey New Testament
And one certain young man followed Him, invested with a linen cloth on his unclothed body: and they take hold of him.

Haweis New Testament
And a certain youth followed him, having a linen cloth wrapped round his naked body; and the young men laid hold of him;

Mace New Testament
But a certain youth, that was stript to his inmost vest, followed him, and was seized by the soldiers.

Weymouth New Testament
One youth indeed did follow Him, wearing only a linen cloth round his bare body. Of him they laid hold,

Worrell New Testament
And a certain young man was following with Him, having a linen cloth thrown around his naked body; and they lay hold on him;

Worsley New Testament
who had only a linen cloth wrapt about him, and the young men laid hold on him;

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

The Betrayal of Jesus
…50Then everyone deserted Him and fled. 51 One young man who had been following Jesus was wearing a linen cloth around his body. They caught hold of him, 52but he pulled free of the linen cloth and ran away naked.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

John 18:15-16
Now Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he also went with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest. / But Peter stood outside at the door. Then the disciple who was known to the high priest went out and spoke to the doorkeeper, and brought Peter in.

Matthew 26:56
But this has all happened so that the writings of the prophets would be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted Him and fled.

Luke 22:54
Then they seized Jesus, led Him away, and took Him into the house of the high priest. And Peter followed at a distance.

John 18:10-11
Then Simon Peter drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus. / “Put your sword back in its sheath!” Jesus said to Peter. “Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given Me?”

Matthew 26:69-70
Meanwhile, Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came up to him. “You also were with Jesus the Galilean,” she said. / But he denied it before them all: “I do not know what you are talking about.”

John 18:25-27
Simon Peter was still standing and warming himself. So they asked him, “Aren’t you also one of His disciples?” He denied it and said, “I am not.” / One of the high priest’s servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, “Didn’t I see you with Him in the garden?” / Peter denied it once more, and immediately a rooster crowed.

Acts 12:12-16
And when he had realized this, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered together and were praying. / He knocked at the outer gate, and a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer it. / When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed that she forgot to open the gate, but ran inside and announced, “Peter is standing at the gate!” ...

2 Samuel 15:13-14
Then a messenger came to David and reported, “The hearts of the men of Israel are with Absalom.” / And David said to all the servants with him in Jerusalem, “Arise and let us flee, or we will not escape from Absalom! We must leave quickly, or he will soon overtake us, heap disaster on us, and put the city to the sword.”

2 Samuel 17:21-22
After the men had gone, Ahimaaz and Jonathan climbed up out of the well and went to inform King David, saying, “Get up and cross over the river at once, for Ahithophel has given this advice against you.” / So David and all the people with him got up and crossed the Jordan. By daybreak, there was no one left who had not crossed the Jordan.

1 Kings 19:3-4
And Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, / while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He sat down under a broom tree and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, LORD,” he said. “Take my life, for I am no better than my fathers.”

Genesis 39:12
She grabbed Joseph by his cloak and said, “Sleep with me!” But leaving his cloak in her hand, he escaped and ran outside.

Judges 4:17-18
Meanwhile, Sisera had fled on foot to the tent of Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite, because there was peace between Jabin king of Hazor and the house of Heber the Kenite. / Jael went out to greet Sisera and said to him, “Come in, my lord. Come in with me. Do not be afraid.” So he entered her tent, and she covered him with a blanket.

1 Samuel 19:10-12
Saul tried to pin him to the wall with his spear. But David eluded him and the spear struck the wall. And David fled and escaped that night. / Then Saul sent messengers to David’s house to watch him and kill him in the morning. But David’s wife Michal warned him, “If you do not run for your life tonight, tomorrow you will be dead!” / So Michal lowered David from the window, and he ran away and escaped.

1 Samuel 20:41-42
When the young man had gone, David got up from the south side of the stone, fell facedown, and bowed three times. Then he and Jonathan kissed each other and wept together—though David wept more. / And Jonathan said to David, “Go in peace, for the two of us have sworn in the name of the LORD, saying, ‘May the LORD be a witness between you and me, and between your descendants and mine forever.’” Then David got up and departed, and Jonathan went back into the city.

2 Kings 1:8
“He was a hairy man,” they answered, “with a leather belt around his waist.” “It was Elijah the Tishbite,” said the king.

Treasury of Scripture

And there followed him a certain young man, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body; and the young men laid hold on him:

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Mark 14

1. A conspiracy against Jesus.
3. Expensive perfume is poured on his head by a woman.
10. Judas sells his Master for money.
12. Jesus himself foretells how he will be betrayed by one of his disciples;
22. after the passover prepared, and eaten, institutes his last supper;
26. declares beforehand the flight of all his disciples, and Peter's denial.
43. Judas betrays him with a kiss.
46. Jesus is apprehended in the garden;
53. falsely accused and impiously condemned of the council;
65. shamefully abused by them;
66. and thrice denied by Peter.

Berean Study Bible

One young man
This phrase introduces an unnamed individual, highlighting his youth and anonymity. The Greek word for "young man" is "νεανίσκος" (neaniskos), which often refers to a young adult. This detail may suggest the vulnerability and impulsiveness of youth, as well as the idea that even the young were drawn to Jesus' teachings. Historically, this could symbolize the new generation of believers who would carry forward the message of Christ.

who had been following Jesus
The act of following Jesus is significant, as it implies discipleship and commitment. The Greek word "ἀκολουθέω" (akoloutheō) means to accompany or follow someone as a disciple. This young man's presence at such a critical moment underscores the widespread impact of Jesus' ministry and the diverse group of followers He attracted. It also serves as a reminder of the call to follow Christ, even in times of danger or uncertainty.

was wearing a linen cloth
The linen cloth, or "σινδών" (sindōn) in Greek, is a garment often associated with wealth or burial practices. This detail might suggest that the young man came from a family of means or that he was hastily dressed, possibly indicating the urgency of the situation. Linen was a valuable fabric, and its mention here could symbolize purity or the fleeting nature of earthly possessions in the face of spiritual pursuits.

around his body
This phrase emphasizes the minimal covering of the young man, highlighting vulnerability and exposure. The Greek word "περιβεβλημένος" (peribeblēmenos) means to be clothed or wrapped around. This imagery can be seen as a metaphor for the spiritual state of humanity—exposed and in need of the covering of Christ's righteousness. It also foreshadows the stripping away of earthly securities when one chooses to follow Jesus.

They caught hold of him
The act of being seized is significant, as it represents the physical and spiritual trials faced by followers of Christ. The Greek word "κρατέω" (krateō) means to take hold of or seize. This moment captures the tension and danger surrounding Jesus' arrest, reflecting the cost of discipleship. It serves as a powerful reminder of the challenges believers may face and the courage required to stand firm in faith amidst persecution.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(51) And there followed him a certain young man.--The remarkable incident that follows is narrated by St. Mark only. It had clearly made a deep impression on the minds of some of the disciples (probably enough, on that of Peter), from whom, directly or indirectly, the report came. Who it was that appeared in this strange fashion we are left to conjecture. Some have supposed that it was St. Mark himself, but for this there is obviously no ground but the fact that this Evangelist alone records it. A careful examination of the facts suggests another conclusion as probable. (1) The man was "young," and the self-same term is applied to the ruler who had great possessions (Matthew 19:20). (2) He had apparently been sleeping, or, it may be, watching, not far from Gethsemane, with the linen sheet wrapped round him, and had been roused by the approach of the officers and the crowd. This suggests one who lived somewhere on the Mount of Olives, and so far points to Lazarus or Simon of Bethany, as the only two conspicuous disciples in that neighbourhood. (3) He was one who so loved our Lord that he went on following Him when all the disciples forsook Him and fled, and this also was what might be expected from Lazarus. On the supposition suggested in (1), he was now obeying almost literally the command, "Take up thy cross, and follow Me." (See Notes on Matthew 19:16-22.) (4) He was one whom the officers (the words "the young men" are omitted in the better MSS.) were eager to seize, when they allowed all the disciples to go their way, and this agrees with the command which had been given by the priests, that they should take and kill Lazarus also (John 12:10). (5) As the "linen sheet" or sindon (see Note on Matthew 27:59) was especially used for the burial of the dead, it is conceivable, on this supposition, that what had been the winding-sheet of the dead Lazarus had been kept and used by him in memory of his resurrection. (6) On the hypothesis thus suggested, the suppression of the name stands on the same footing as that of the name of the sister of Lazarus, who poured the precious ointment on our Lord's head at Bethany (Matthew 26:7, Mark 14:3), whom the Evangelists must have known, but whom they mention simply as a "woman." Their lips were sealed as to the family of Bethany until the circumstances, whatever they may have been, that called for silence had passed away. It is obvious that so far as this identity is established it suggests many thoughts of profound interest. What had seemed impossible to men had proved possible with God. He who had gone away sorrowful because he had great possessions, had given freely to the poor (see Notes on Matthew 26:6; Matthew 26:9), and had proved more faithful than the Twelve, and so the last had become the first. . . .

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 51. - And a certain young man followed with him, having a linen cloth cast about him, over his naked body: and they lay hold on him. St. Mark is the only evangelist who mentions this incident; and there seems good reason for supposing that he here describes what happened to himself. Such is the mode in which St. John refers to himself in his Gospel, and where there can be no doubt that he is speaking of himself. If the conclusion in an earlier part of this commentary be correct, that it was at the house to which John Mark belonged that our Lord celebrated the Passover, and from whence he went out to the Mount of Olives; what more probable than that Mark had been with him on that occasion, and had perhaps a presentiment that something was about to happen to him? What more likely than that the crowd who took Jesus may have passed by this house, and that Mark may have been roused from his bed (it was now a late hour) by the tumult. Having a linen cloth (σινδόνα) cast about his naked body. The sindon was a fine linen cloth, indicating that he belonged to a family in good circumstances. It is an unusual word. In every other place of the New Testament where it is used it refers to the garment or shroud used to cover the bodies of the dead. The sindon is supposed to take its name from Sidon, where the particular kind of linen was manufactured of which the garment was made. It was a kind of light cloak frequently worn in hot weather.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Greek

One
τις (tis)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5100: Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object.

young man
νεανίσκος (neaniskos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3495: A young man, youth, an attendant. From the same as neanias; a youth.

who had been following
συνηκολούθει (synēkolouthei)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 4870: To accompany, follow together with. From sun and akoloutheo; to accompany.

[Jesus]
αὐτῷ (autō)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

was wearing
περιβεβλημένος (peribeblēmenos)
Verb - Perfect Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4016: From peri and ballo; to throw all around, i.e. Invest.

a linen cloth
σινδόνα (sindona)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4616: Fine linen, a linen cloth. Of uncertain origin; byssos, i.e. Bleached linen.

around
ἐπὶ (epi)
Preposition
Strong's 1909: On, to, against, on the basis of, at.

[his body].
γυμνοῦ (gymnou)
Adjective - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 1131: Rarely: stark-naked; generally: wearing only the under-garment; bare, open, manifest; mere. Of uncertain affinity; nude.

They caught hold
κρατοῦσιν (kratousin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 2902: From kratos; to use strength, i.e. Seize or retain.

of him,
αὐτόν (auton)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

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NT Gospels: Mark 14:51 A certain young man followed him having (Mar Mk Mr)