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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadBob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - Mark 14:43 - 14:50
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Mar_14:43-50
43Immediately while He was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, came up accompanied by a crowd with swords and clubs, who came from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders. 44Now he who was betraying Him had given them a signal, saying, "Whomever I kiss, He is the one; seize Him and lead Him away under guard." 45After coming, Judas immediately went to Him, saying, "Rabbi!" and kissed Him. 46They laid hands on Him and seized Him. 47But one of those who stood by drew his sword, and struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his ear. 48And Jesus said to them, "Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest Me, as you would against a robber? 49Every day I was with you in the temple teaching, and you did not seize Me; but this has taken place to fulfill the Scriptures." 50And they all left Him and fled.
Mar_14:43 "Immediately" See note at Mar_1:10.
▣ "a crowd" Joh_18:3; Joh_18:12 says a Roman cohort was present. Luk_22:52 says representatives from the Sanhedrin were in the crowd, which implies the temple police. The reason for so many soldiers was because it was the Passover season and the authorities were afraid of a riot (cf. Mar_14:2; Mat_26:5; Mat_27:24).
▣ "swords and clubs" This term "swords" referred to the short sword worn by the Roman soldiers in their belt. "Clubs" refers specifically to the weapons of the temple police.
▣ "the chief priests and the scribes and the elders" This referred to the Sanhedrin. See Special Topic at Mar_12:13.
Mar_14:44 "seize Him" This is an aorist active imperative.
NASB, NRSV,
TEV "lead Him away under guard"
NKJV "lead Him away safely"
NJB "see that he is well guarded when you lead him away"
This is the Greek term sphallomai ( "to fall or stumble") with the alpha privative, which negates it. This term is metaphorical for "to be secure, firm, steady." Judas was afraid Jesus would do something to thwart His arrest. This reveals Judas' fear. He had seen Jesus' miracles and knew His power.
Mar_14:45 "saying, 'Rabbi!' and kissed Him" Kissing on the cheek or forehead was the normal greeting in this culture (especially between rabbis). Read Jesus' comments on Judas' actions in Mat_26:50; Luk_22:48. This sign shows that it was probably Roman soldiers because the temple police would have recognized Jesus.
Mar_14:47 "But one of those who stood by drew his sword" From the parallel in Joh_18:10 and Luk_22:50-51, we know that this was Peter and the servant who was wounded was Malchus. The disciples had previously been admonished to buy swords (cf. Luk_22:36-38), but obviously, they had misunderstood Jesus' true meaning concerning this issue. It must be said on Peter's behalf that he was fully willing to die for his Lord at this point. In the face of great odds, he drew one of two swords. But, again, the inappropriateness and impulsiveness of his actions characterized his personality.
▣ "the slave of the high priests" Joh_18:10 names him Malchus.
▣ "cut off his ear" In Luk_22:51, Jesus put it back!
Mar_14:48
NASB, NKJV "a robber"
NRSV, NJB "a bandit"
TEV "an outlaw"
They are treating Jesus as a criminal, not a blasphemer. They were doing to Jesus what should have been done to Barabbas (for whom the same word is used, cf. Joh_18:40).
Mar_14:49 "'Every day I was with you in the temple teaching'" This was addressed to the members of the Sanhedrin or temple police. Jesus exposes their secret agenda.
▣ "'But this has taken place to fulfill the Scriptures'" In Mar_14:50 "all His disciples forsook Him" (cf. Mar_14:27, which quotes Zec_13:7 and Mat_26:31). One wonders how Joh_18:15-16 fits this prophecy. It seems that John accompanied Jesus through all the trials and was present at the crucifixion (cf. Joh_19:26-27).