It is generally agreed that a continuous narrative of the Passion must have been traditional from an early date. Mark has probably made use of the Roman form of this traditional narrative, inserting into it at appropriate points some independent tradition-units as well as material derived from Peter (and possibly from other eye-witnesses).

For a full and interesting discussion of the composition of the Markan Passion narrative, in the course of which it is suggested that xiv. if., 10f., 17–21, 26–31, 43–6, 53a, xv. 1, 3–5, 15, 21–4, 26, 29f., 34–7, 39, 42–6 represent the primitive Roman traditional narrative, see Taylor, pp. 653–64. For the view that Mark was conflating a ‘Twelvesource’ and a ‘Disciples’ source' see Knox, Sources, 1, pp. 115–47.

THE CHIEF PRIESTS' AND SCRIBES' PLOT (xiv. 1–2)

(Mt. xxvi. 1–5; Lk. xxii. 1–2)

Not really an independent section. Mark probably received vv. if. + 10f. as the tradition of Judas' offer to the chief priests, and himself interpolated vv. 3–9. Verses 1f. now serve to date, and indicate the background of, the incidents related in vv. 3–9 and 10f., and also to introduce the Passion narrative as a whole.