9. THE ARREST OF JESUS Mark 14:43-52 (Matthew 26:47-56; Luke 22:47-53; John 18:2-14) 43 And straightway, while he yet spake, cometh Judas, one of the twelve,--Judas Iscariot, named in the lists of the apostles in Matthew 10, Mark 3, and Luke 6. and with him a multitude with swords and staves,--And "lanterns and torches." (John 18:3.) A motley multitude of soldiers of the Roman cohort, the temple guard (Luke 22:52), chief priests, soldiers and servants. All this throng had come to arrest one man who had no thought of resistance. It strongly exhibits the conviction of the chief priests in the consequent danger attending his arrest. from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders.--They sent the ruffians along with some of their number and the "captains of the temple." (Luke 22:52.) Just after self-surrender comes betrayal. So, Christian, you may have your greatest trial when you are in most perfect harmony with God's will. Do not, therefore, lose faith! Beyond Calvary were the resurrection and ascension. 44 Now he that betrayed him had given them a token,--For the accomplishment of their schemes it was of the utmost importance that no mistake should be made, because if Jesus escaped all the Galileans might be put on the lookout, and it would be impossible to arrest him subsequently. saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that is he; take him, and lead him away safely.--There were certainly enough to do it, since Jesus offered no resistance. 45 And when he was come, straightway he came to him, and saith, Rabbi; and kissed him.--The vilest, the most abominable piece of hypocrisy known in history, which the infernal inspirer of treason alone could invent. 46 And they laid hands on him, and took him.--Arrested him. 47 But a certain one of them that stood by--Matthew is more explicit, "one of them that were with Jesus," but John reveals the name, "Simon Peter," who had said a short time before that he would die with Jesus rather than forsake him. drew his sword, and smote the servant of the high priest, and struck off his ear.--John tells that it was his "right ear." Luke reports that Jesus touched the ear and healed it. Some think these swords were provided to show the use of carnal weapons; that those who rely on them should perish with them. It is certain they did not use them for common. It is also clear that the church was taught not to use the carnal, but spiritual weapons. "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh (for the weapons of our war-fare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the casting down of strongholds.)" (2 Corinthians 10:3-4.) David was not allowed to build the temple because he was a man of war and blood. (2 Chronicles 22:7-8; 2 Chronicles 28:2-3; Psalms 2:4.) 48 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Are ye come out, as against a robber, with swords and staves to seize me?--The contrast between a thief and the character of Jesus was so great that his enemies who were conversant with his inoffensive and gentle nature must have felt the force of the comparison. He who denies Christ's divinity makes him a robber. It is in connection with these words that we learn from Luke that so thoroughly in earnest were the chief priests and elders in this matter, and so anxious that it should be successful and no mistake made, that they had come with or followed their adherents to the spot. Luke represents the words as specially addressed to them and the captains of the temple. These latter were probably subaltern officers of the guard of priests and Levites who kept watch by night in the temple. "As against a robber," one who hides himself away, and only emerges to do violence. 49 I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and ye took me not:--This is a distinct taunt of their cowardice in making all this array to take by night one whom they had feared to take by day. but this is done that the scriptures might be fulfilled.--Luke (Luke 22:53) has: "But this is your hour, and the power of darkness." The words in Mark, however, explain why it is their hour; simply because the Messianic prophecies, such as Isaiah 50; Psalms 22; Daniel 9:26; Zechariah 13:7, must be fulfilled, and thus proclaim him the more clearly and forever what they deny. In order to do this Jesus was willing to walk weltering in his own blood. There are scriptures for you to fulfill. At what cost are you willing to do it?---explains, "All the disciples left him." Why? His last words indicated that he had no intention of resisting or delivering himself, either by natural or supernatural means. It was evident that his enemies were to have their will of him, and his disciples had not yet arrived at the point at which they were willing to follow him to death. James and John had no desire now for the place of honor on his right hand and his left, though it would have been as truly such as that for which they had longed. So they scattered in different directions in the obscurity of the grove. These disciples had protested their love for him a few hours before. Peter among the rest, but he followed afar off. (Verse 54.) These disciples were doubtless as honest as their limited knowledge of themselves would admit. The pressure of trials shows us our true character, our strength, or rather our weakness. 51 And a certain young man followed with him,--Only Mark relates this incident, and gives us no clue to the identity of the young man. It has been conjectured, from the fact that he alone relates the incident, and from a supposed similarity in the character of the young man, as indicated by his conduct, to that of Mark, as shown in what we know of his history (Acts 13:13; Acts 15:37-38), that it was Mark himself. But it is pure conjecture. No one knows. having a linen cloth cast about him, over his naked body and they lay hold on him;--Arrested him. 52 but he left the linen cloth, and fled naked.--He could easily slip out of their hands thus. And Jesus is left alone with the enemies who thirst for his life. The young man referred to was probably aroused from his bed by the noise of the crowd who had Christ under arrest, and may have followed him for a short distance in his nightdress, till when also arrested by the men who had charge of Christ, he fled away in great consternation, leaving the garment which was loose around the body in their hands.