Mar 14:43-52 | NETfull | STEP | Right away, while Jesus was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived. With him came a crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent by the chief priests and experts in the law and elders.

Mark 14:43-52

Betrayal and Arrest

43 Right away, while Jesus ^{▼▼ Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.} was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived. ^{▼▼ Or “approached.” This is a different verb than the one translated “arrived” in Matt 26:47 and below in v. 45, although in this context the meanings probably overlap.} With him came a crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent by the chief priests and experts in the law ^{▼▼ Or “from the chief priests, scribes.” See the note on the phrase “experts in the law” in 1:22.} and elders. 44 (Now the betrayer ^{▼▼ Grk “the one who betrays him.”} had given them a sign, saying, “The one I kiss is the man. Arrest him and lead him away under guard.”) ^{▼▼ This remark is parenthetical within the narrative and has thus been placed in parentheses.} 45 When Judas ^{▼▼ Grk “he”; the referent (Judas) has been specified in the translation for clarity.} arrived, he went up to Jesus ^{▼▼ Grk “him”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.} immediately and said, “Rabbi!” and kissed ^{▼▼ Judas’ act of betrayal when he kissed Jesus is especially sinister when it is realized that it was common in the culture of the times for a disciple to kiss his master when greeting him.} him. 46 Then they took hold of him ^{▼▼ Grk “put their hands on him.”} and arrested him. 47 One of the bystanders drew his sword and struck the high priest’s slave, ^{▼▼ See the note on the word “slave” in 10:44.} cutting off his ear. 48 Jesus said to them, “Have you come with swords and clubs to arrest me like you would an outlaw? ^{▼▼ Or “a revolutionary.” This term can refer to one who stirs up rebellion: BDAG 594 s.v. λῃστής 2 has “revolutionary, insurrectionist,” citing evidence from Josephus (J. W. 2.13.2-3 [2.253–254]). However, this usage generally postdates Jesus’ time. It does refer to a figure of violence. Luke uses the same term for the highwaymen who attack the traveler in the parable of the good Samaritan (Luke 10:30).} 49 Day after day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts, yet ^{▼▼ Grk “and”; καί (kai) is elastic enough to be used contrastively on occasion, as here.} you did not arrest me. But this has happened so that ^{▼▼ Grk “But so that”; the verb “has happened” is implied.} the scriptures would be fulfilled.” 50 Then ^{▼▼ Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.} all the disciples ^{▼▼ Grk “they”; the referent (Jesus’ disciples) has been specified in the translation for clarity.} left him and fled. 51 A young man was following him, wearing only a linen cloth. They tried to arrest him, 52 but he ran off naked, ^{▼▼ The statement he ran off naked is probably a reference to Mark himself, traditionally assumed to be the author of this Gospel. Why he was wearing only an outer garment and not the customary tunic as well is not mentioned. W. L. Lane, Mark (NICNT), 527–28, says that Mark probably mentioned this episode so as to make it clear that “all fled, leaving Jesus alone in the custody of the police.”} leaving his linen cloth behind.