Exegesis:

For apostellō ‘send’ cf. 1.2; hupagō ‘go’ cf. 1.44; akoloutheō ‘follow’ cf. 1.18.

tēn polin ‘the city’ is Jerusalem, wherein the Passover feast must be celebrated (Deut. 16.5-7).

apantēsei (only here in Mark) ‘he will meet.’

keramion hudatos ‘a jar of water,’ i.e. ‘a jar filled with water’ (cf. alabastron murou in v. 3).

keramion (only here in Mark) ‘jar’ or ‘jug’ made of earthenware.

bastazōn (only here in Mark) ‘carrying,’ ‘bearing.’

Translation:

Sent is often rendered by two quite distinct terms: one which means ‘to be sent away’ without destination and another which means ‘to be sent to accomplish a particular task.’ The latter meaning is, of course, appropriate at this point.

Carrying may require some specific indication of the manner employed. Where meaningful, ‘carried on the head’ would be appropriate.

Meet corresponds to two different terms in many languages: (1) meet by accident or without intention and (2) meet by design or advance planning. The Greek text does not specify, but many translators have chosen the fist alternative.

Follow here bears the meaning of ‘accompany’ or ‘go along with,’ not ‘track down.’

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on the Gospel of Mark. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1961. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .