Mar 14:43-52, Luk 22:47-53, Joh 18:2-12 | Barnes | STEP | Verses 43-52. , . (z) "immediately" (a) "multitude with"

Mark 14:43-52

(z) "immediately" Mt 26:47, Lk 22:47, Jn 18:3 (a) "multitude with" Ps 2:2 Verse 44.

(c) "kiss" 2Sam 20:9, Ps 55:21, Prov 27:6 Verse 45. Master, master. As if expressing great joy that he had found him again.

(d) "Master" Ps 22:1, Isa 53:1-12, Lk 24:44 Verse 49.

(e) "Scriptures" Ps 22:1; Isa 53:1-12; Lk 24:44 Verse 50.

(f) "And they all" Mk 14:27, Ps 88:8, Isa 63:3 Verse 51. A certain young man. Who this was, we have no means of determining. That he was not one of the apostles is dear. It is probable that he was of one of the neighbouring villages or houses, and was roused from sleep by the noise made by the rabble, and came to see what was doing; nor is it known why this circumstance is recorded by Mark. It is omitted by all the other evangelists. It may have been recorded to show that the conspirators had instructions to take the apostles as well as Jesus; and supposing him to be one of them, they laid hold of him to take him before the high priest.

A linen cloth cast about his naked body. He was roused from sleep, and probably threw around him what was most convenient. They slept in linen bedclothes commonly, and he seized a part of the clothes, and hastily threw it round him.

The young men. The Roman soldiers, They were called young men because they were made up chiefly of youth originally. This was a Jewish mode of speaking. See Gen 14:24, 2Sam 2:14, Isa 13:18.

Laid hold on him. Supposing him to be one of the apostles. Verse 52.

(g) "left the linen" Mk 13:16

Luke 22:47-53

Verses 47-53. Mt 26:48, also Mt 26:49-56

(d) "behold" Mt 26:47, Mk 14:43, Jn 18:3 Verse 48. Betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss? By the Son of man was evidently meant the Messiah. Judas had had the most satisfactory evidence of that, and did not doubt it. A kiss was the sign of affection. By that slight artifice Judas thought to conceal his base purpose. Jesus with severity reproaches him for it. Every word is emphatic. Betrayest thou--dost thou violate all thy obligations of fidelity, and deliver thy Master up to death? Betrayest thou-- thou, so long with him, so much favoured, so sure that this is the Messiah? Betrayest thou the Son of man--the Messiah, the hope of the nations, the desire of all people, the world's Redeemer? Betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss--the sign of friendship and affection employed in a base and wicked purpose, intending to add deceit, disguise, and the prostitution of a mark of affection to the crime of treason? Every word of this must have gone to the very soul of Judas. Perhaps few reproofs of crime more resemble the awful searchings of the souls of the wicked in the day of judgment. Verse 53.

(e) "but this is your hour" Job 20:5, Jn 12:27

John 18:2-12

Verse 2. Jesus ofttimes resorted thither. For what purpose he went there is not declared, but it is probable that it was for retirement and prayer. He had no home in the city, and he sought this place, away from the bustle and confusion of the capital, for private communion with God. Every Christian should have some place--be it a grove, a room, or a garden--where he may be alone and offer his devotions to God. We are not told much of the private habits of Jesus, but we are permitted to know so much of him as to be assured that he was accustomed to seek for a place of retirement, and during the great feasts of the Jews the Mount of Olives was the place which he chose, Lk 21:37, Mt 21:17, Jn 8:1. Verse 3. A band. Mt 26:47 Mt 27:27; John passes over the agony of Jesus in the garden, probably because it was so fully described by the other evangelists.

Lanterns, &c. This was the time of the full moon, but it might have been cloudy, and their taking lights with them shows their determination to find him.

(b) "Judas, then" Mt 26:47, Mk 14:43, Lk 22:47 Verse 4.

(d) "Jesus of Nazareth" Mt 2:23, Jn 19:19 Verse 6. They went backward, &c. The cause of their retiring in this manner is not mentioned. Various things might have produced it. The frank, open, and fearless manner in which Jesus addressed them may have convinced them of his innocence, and deterred them from prosecuting their wicked attempt. His disclosure of himself was sudden and unexpected; and while they perhaps anticipated that he would make an effort to escape, they were amazed at his open and bold profession. Their consciences reproved them for their crimes, and probably the firm, decided, and yet mild manner in which Jesus addressed them, the expression of his unequalled power in knowing how to find the way to the consciences of men, made them feel that they were in the presence of more than mortal man. There is no proof that there was here any miraculous power, any mere physical force, and to suppose that there was greatly detracts from the moral sublimity of the scene.

(e) "they went backward" Verse 8. Let these go their way. These apostles. This shows his care and love even in the hour of danger. He expected to die. They were to carry the news of his death to the ends of the earth. Hence he, the faithful Captain of salvation, went foremost into trials; he, the Good Shepherd, secured the safety of the flock, and went before them into danger. By the question which he asked those who came out against him, he had secured the safety of his apostles. He was answered that they sought for him. He demanded that, agreeably to their declaration, they should take him only, and leave his followers at liberty. The wisdom, caution, and prudence of Jesus forsook him in no peril, however sudden, and in no circumstances, however difficult or trying.

(f) "I am he" Isa 53:6, Eph 5:25 Verse 9. The saying. Jn 17:12. As he had kept them for more than three years, so he still sought their welfare, even when his death was near.

(g) "Of them which thou gavest" Jn 17:12 Verses 10,11. Mt 26:51, Mt 26:52.

The servant's name was Malchus. His name is mentioned by neither of the other evangelists, nor is it said by the other evangelists who was the disciple that gave the blow. It is probable that both Peter and the servant were alive when the other gospels were written.

(h) "Then Simon Peter" Mt 26:51, Mk 14:47, Lk 22:49,50 Verse 11.

(i) "the cup which my Father" Mt 20:22, 26:39,42 Verse 12. See Mt 26:50.