Chapter 9.

Jesus Allowed His Arrest

 

Bright moonlight illumined the pathway as Jesus led His faithful Apostles from the Upper Room to the Garden of Gethsemane.  By the reckoning of the ancient Jews, the day of Jesus’ death had commenced.  It had begun at sunset with a Passover celebration we now call the “Last Supper”.  It would end at the next sundown with Jesus dead.

 

It was Wednesday, Nisan 14, in the Jewish year 3790, corresponding to April 3, A.D. 30.  It was the final day of preparation for the week-long “Feast of Unleavened Bread” which would begin as Nisan 15 began.  The Jews adjust their calendar from year to year to guarantee that the night of Nisan 15 coincides with a full moon.  It’s always the first full moon after the Spring equinox.  So, as Jesus and His men moved toward the Mount of Olives they were immersed in a bright, beautiful, tranquil, Spring night with crickets chirping and frogs squeaking and croaking.

 

 

 

Jesus Voiced a Warning.

 

Near the brook Cedron, Jesus paused and turned to speak to His disciples.

Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written (Zechariah 13:7), I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad. But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee. 

(Matthew 26:31-32)

And, Mark says ...

... Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered. But after that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee.  (Mark 14:27-28)

 

 

 

Peter Quarreled With Jesus.

 

Have you ever quarreled with God?  Peter did.  He scoffed at Jesus’ prophecy.  He thought, “It would never offend me to be associated with Christ.”  But, Jesus emphasized His prediction by adding a stinging detail.  He said, “Peter, this night you will deny that you are associated with Me 3 times.”

Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended. Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. 

(Matthew 26:33-34)

And, Mark states ...

... Peter said unto him, Although all shall be offended, yet will not I. And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice.  (Mark 14:29-30)

 

In these 2 sets of verses, Matthew and Mark seem to contradict each other.  To see that they don’t, we need to understand the municipal timekeeping system used in ancient Jerusalem.  When Jesus was on Earth, nights were divided into 4 parts called “watches”.  An official timekeeper tracked time by burning measured doses of oil in a set of lamps.  When a lamp burned out, he knew a watch was over, and he instructed a town crier to shout an appropriate message to the citizens of the city.  For obvious reasons, the crier was nicknamed “the rooster” and “the cock”.   

 

Mark 13:35, alluding to the time when Christ will return to Earth, says,

Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning.

From this verse and ancient, secular writings, we discern that the town crier would make a proclamation at these points in a night:

1.  Evening      at  9 PM

2.  Midnight     at 12 Midnight

3.  Cockcrowing  at  3 AM 

4.  Morning      at  6 AM

 

When Jesus spoke of a cock crowing twice as Peter denied Him thrice, He was not pointing to a specific bird.  He was referring to the town crier.  Thus, the forebodings of Jesus give us an interesting timeline  for the denials of Peter.  First, Jesus must have uttered the forecasts set forth above sometime after midnight.  Second, as we shall see in the next chapter, when Peter exclaimed his first denial, “the cock” shouted a 3 AM alert.  Third, after Peter blurted out his third and final denial, “the cock” called out a 6 AM advisory.

 

So, Matthew and Mark do not contradict each other.  Matthew focused on the final denial just before the morning cockcrowing, and Mark included more details.  Mark was not there on the pathway near the brook Cedron when Jesus made these forecasts.  Later, he became a close associate of Peter during the formative years of the New Testament Church.  Almost certainly, he got the information for his Gospel from Peter.  As Peter quarreled with Jesus, the Lord must have stated His forecasts twice or more.  Matthew heard one rendition of the prophecy and Peter heard more than one, each worded in various ways.  Matthew wrote what he heard.  Mark wrote a slightly different version of the prophecy as it was given to him by Peter.

 

 

 

The Apostles Said,

“We Will Never Deny You!”

 

Led by Peter, all the Apostles said they would die with Jesus rather than deny Him.

Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.  (Matthew 26:35)

And, Mark relates ...

... he [Peter] spake the more vehemently, If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise. Likewise also said they all.  (Mark 14:31)

 

 

 

Jesus Invoked Prayers.

 

Jesus ended the conversation.  He turned and led His Apostles up the moonlit trail to the Garden of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives.  Having reached a familiar spot, He said, “You men pray here.  I’m going over there to pray.”  He urged the Apostles to pray that they would not be overwhelmed by the temptation to deny their association with Him and desert Him.  

... when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation. 

(Luke 22:40)

Matthew says ...

Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.  (Matthew 26:36)

And, Mark discloses ...

... they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye

here, while I shall pray.  (Mark 14:32)

 

 

 

Jesus’ Sufferings Began.

 

Jesus asked Peter, James and John to accompany Him as He walked a short distance from the rest of the Apostles.  The enormity of His impending Crucifixion descended on Him heavily.  In immense pain, He would soon become the Ultimate Sacrifice and erase the sins of all believers of all times.  Jesus, the Son of man, shuddered, sickened and melted.  Jesus, the Son of God, remained resolved to complete the Mission for which He had come to Earth.

... he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.  (Matthew 26:37-38)

And, Mark relates ...

... he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy; And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch.  (Mark 14:33-34)

 

 

 

Jesus Collapsed

Into Fervent Prayer.

 

All alone, Jesus proceeded a little further and began talking to God the Father.

... he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed,  (Luke 22:41)

Then, Mark says He fell to the ground ...

... he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed (Mark 14:35a)

And then, Matthew states He prostrated Himself, facedown.

... he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed (Matthew 26:39a)

 

 

 

Jesus Asked,

“Is It Possible

We Could Save Sinners

Another Way?”

 

Before Jesus became the wondrous Babe of Bethlehem, the Godhead (God the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit) had determined that the only way to save sinners was to offer up the Son as the Perfect Sin-Sacrifice.  Later, when Jesus came to Earth, He relinquished many of His divine attributes.  He became a mystical union of man and God.  The human aspect of Jesus dreaded the Cross.  It wasn’t just the extreme, torturous pain He would endure.  It was also the fact that all the sins of all believers of all times would be laid on Him, the One who had never sinned.  He raised the question, “Could this be done another way?”  But, knowing He was lacking some of His divine attributes, He left the decision up to Father God.  And, the Father said, “No!  Nothing else can replace the Cross.  It is not possible to save sinners in another way.”  Jesus ...

... prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.  (Mark 14:35b-36)

And, Matthew has the Savior ...

... saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.  (Matthew 26:39b)

And, Luke has Jesus ...

... saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.  (Luke 22:42)

 

 

 

Again,

Jesus Urged the Apostles

To Watch and Pray.

 

It was after midnight.  Jesus knew His men were very sleepy, but He also knew that, soon, they would be tempted to desert Him and deny Him.  He urged them to carefully observe the impending events and to pray for the strength to remain faithful to Him.

... he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. 

(Matthew 26:40-41)

And, Mark declares ...

... he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour? Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.  (Mark 14:37-38)

 

 

 

Jesus Prayed Again.

 

Matthew relates ...

He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.  (Matthew 26:42)

And, Mark discloses ...

... again he went away, and prayed, and spake the same words.  (Mark 14:39)

 

 

 

Again,

Jesus Found His Men Asleep.

 

The Apostles did not foresee the grave events about to occur.  They felt comfortable when they were with Jesus.  They did not feel the urgency Jesus felt.

... he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy.  (Matthew 26:43)

And, Mark says ...

... when he returned, he found them asleep again, (for their eyes were heavy,) neither wist they what to answer him.  (Mark 14:40)

 

 

 

Jesus Pondered the Horrors

He Would Soon Encounter.

 

Jesus was determined to do the Father’s will.  Yet, as the Son of God, He knew every ugly and painful thing that would be coming at Him.  In advance, He sensed the physical sufferings and the feelings of abandonment He would experience.  Jesus, the man, quaked and was overwrought.

... he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. 

(Matthew 26:44)

And, Luke adds ...

... there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. 

(Luke 22:43-44)

 

 

 

A Strengthened Jesus

Was Ready

For His Crucifixion.

 

When Jesus returned to His disciples again, He found them sleeping.  He felt abandoned.  But, He understood their behavior.  He let them sleep for the few remaining minutes before the Temple guards arrived to arrest Him.

... when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow, And said unto them, Why sleep ye? 

(Luke 22:45-46a)

Mark states ...

... he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.  (Mark 14:41)

And, Matthew adds ...

Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 

(Matthew 26:45)

 

 

 

Jesus Awakened His Apostles

As the Temple Police Approached.

 

Jesus wanted His Apostles to be awake and on their feet when the Temple Police arrived.  He moved His men forward to meet the approaching mob.  Jesus said,

... rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.  (Luke 22:46b)

Matthew has Jesus saying,

Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me.  (Matthew 26:46)

And, Mark has Jesus saying,

Rise up, let us go; lo, he that betrayeth me is at hand.  (Mark 14:42)

 

 

 

Judas Knew Where Jesus Was.

 

John discloses ...

... Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus ofttimes resorted thither with his disciples.  (John 18:2)

 

 

 

Judas Led the Police To Jesus.

 

Judas marched up the Mount of Olives to the Garden of Gethsemane at the head of a mob sent to arrest Jesus.  As the band approached, Jesus aroused His men.

... while he yet spake, behold a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them,  (Luke 22:47a)

Matthew declares ...

... while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people.  (Matthew 26:47)

Mark says ...

... immediately, while he yet spake, cometh Judas, one of the twelve, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders.  (Mark 14:43)

And, John mentions ...

Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons.  (John 18:3)

 

 

 

Judas Said,

“Arrest the One I Kiss.”

 

Matthew states ...

Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast.  (Matthew 26:48)

And, Mark discloses ...

... he that betrayed him had given them a token, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he; take him, and lead him away safely.  (Mark 14:44)

 

 

 

Jesus Reproached Judas.

 

As Judas approached, the Lord shamed him.

... as soon as he was come, he goeth straightway to him, (Mark 14:45a)

Matthew says ...

... forthwith he came to Jesus, (Matthew 26:49a)

And, Luke adds ...

... [Judas] drew near unto Jesus to kiss him. But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?  (Luke 22:47b-48)

 

 

 

Judas Identified Jesus.

 

Judas embraced Jesus ...

... and said, Hail, master; and kissed him. 

(Matthew 26:49b)

Mark says Judas hugged Jesus ...

... and saith, Master, master; and kissed him.

(Mark 14:45b)

 

 

 

Jesus Asked Judas, “Why?”

 

Jesus looked into Judas’ eyes and raised the question He has for all lost souls, “Why have you rejected Me?”

Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come?  (Matthew 26:50a)

 

 

 

Jesus Set the Terms

Of His Arrest.

 

Jesus could have escaped.  But, He chose to allow His arrest on His terms.  First, He demonstrated His divine power by pressing Judas and the rest of the mob to the ground in one instant by an unseen force.  They must have felt embarrassed and somewhat less authoritative lying there.  Then, He said, “I’m the One you’re seeking.  Let these other men go.”

Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye? They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them. As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground. Then asked he them again, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way: That the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake (John 6:39 and 17:12), Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none. 

(John 18:4-9)

 

 

 

The Police Arrested Jesus.

 

Matthew says ...

Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus and took him.  (Matthew 26:50b)

Mark relates ...

... they laid their hands on him, and took him. 

(Mark 14:46)

 

 

 

The Apostles Asked,

“Should We Fight?”

 

Luke relates ...

When they which were about him saw what would follow, they said unto him, Lord, shall we smite with the sword?  (Luke 22:49)

 

 

 

Peter Leapt Into Action.

 

With his sword, Peter cut off the right ear of one of the High Priest’s servants, a man named Malchus.

Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus.  (John 18:10)

Matthew states ...        

... behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest's, and smote off his ear.  (Matthew 26:51)

Mark relates ...

... one of them that stood by drew a sword, and smote a servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.  (Mark 14:47)

And, Luke says ...

... one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear.  (Luke 22:50)

 

 

 

Jesus Restored Peace

And Gave Malchus a New Ear.

 

Emotions peaked.  Jesus quelled the tempers of all present and gave Malchus a new right ear.

Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?  (John 18:11)

Matthew discloses ...

Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.  (Matthew 26:52)

And, Luke says ...

... Jesus answered, “No more of this!” And he touched the man’s ear and healed him.

(Luke 22:51 NIV)

 

 

 

Jesus Declared,

“I Could Escape Easily,

But It’s Time For Me

To Finish My Mission.”

 

Again, Jesus had demonstrated His divine power by healing Malchus.  His captors were uneasy, and He made them more so when He said,

Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?  (Matthew 26:53-54)

 

 

 

Jesus Asked,

“Why Didn’t You

Arrest Me In the Temple?”

 

Jesus taunted the priests and elders in the mob.  He knew why they had declined to arrest Him while He was preaching in the Temple; they were afraid His followers would stone them to death.

In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me.

But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.  (Matthew 26:55-56a)

Mark declares ...

... Jesus answered and said unto them, Are ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and with staves to take me? I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and ye took me not: but the scriptures must be fulfilled.  (Mark 14:48-49)

And, Luke says ...

Then Jesus said unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and the elders, which were come to him, Be ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and staves? When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness.  (Luke 22:52-53)

 

 

 

Jesus’ Followers Abandoned Him.

 

Just as Jesus had predicted, His followers scattered.  And, not just the Apostles.  A certain young man had been awakened by the sound of the arresting mob as it marched to the Mount of Olives.  Apparently, he had followed the mob, hiding in the shadows.  When some of the soldiers spotted him, they tried to catch him.  But, they only caught a corner of his bedtime robe.  He squirmed free and fled away naked.  It is commonly believed that this young man was John Mark, the author of the Gospel of Mark, but that is not certain.  However, it is interesting to note that this episode is only reported in the Gospel of Mark, and that it was a  common practice among ancient writers for an author to speak of his own experiences without fixing his name to the story.  Matthew says ...

Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled. 

(Matthew 26:56b)

And, Mark declares ...

... they all forsook him, and fled.  And there followed him a certain young man, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body; and the young men laid hold on him: And he left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked.  (Mark 14:50-52)

 

 

 

Jesus Was Bound With Ropes.

 

John says ...

Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him,  (John 18:12)

 

 

 

Jesus Was Taken

To the Home of Annas

First.

 

Aged Annas was the former High Priest and the father-in-law of the current High Priest, Caiaphas.  Perhaps, the leaders of the mob wanted to show their trophy to him.

... [The mob] led him away to Annas first; for he was father in law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year.  (John 18:13)

 

 

 

John Thought,

“Jesus Will Not Get

a Fair Trial.”

 

Jesus’ first trial was about to begin in the palace of the High Priest, Caiaphas.  As John tells us the story, he wants us to remember, that in this very house, it was Caiaphas who had prophesied that Jesus would die for all true children of God.  Yes, in spite of his corrupt soul, because he was the High Priest, God had proclaimed a prophecy through him.  This had happened  right after Jesus had raised Lazarus of Bethany from the dead.  The New Living Translation tells the story well.   

... the leading priests and Pharisees called the high council together. “What are we going to do?” they asked each other. “This man certainly performs many miraculous signs. If we allow him to go on like this, soon everyone will believe in him. Then the Roman army will come and destroy both our Temple and our nation.” Caiaphas, who was high priest at that time, said, “You don’t know what you’re talking about! You don’t realize that it’s better for you that one man should die for the people than for the whole nation to be destroyed.” He did not say this on his own; as high priest at that time he was led to prophesy that Jesus would die for the entire nation. And not only for that nation, but to bring together and unite all the children of God scattered around the world.  (John 11:47-52 NLT)

John did not think that Jesus was going to get a fair trial.  He reminds us of Caiaphas’ strange, unwitting prophecy.

Now Caiaphas was he, which gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.  (John 18:14)

 

 

 

The First Trial Of Jesus

Was Held In the Palace

Of the High Priest.

 

Luke discloses ...

Then took they him, and led him, and brought him into the high priest's house.  (Luke 22:54a)

Matthew says ...

... they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled.  (Matthew 26:57)

And, Mark states ...

... they led Jesus away to the high priest: and with him were assembled all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes.  (Mark 14:53)

This gathering was not an assemblage of the Jew’s Supreme Court, the Sanhedrin.  Official Sanhedrin meetings had to be held in a designated courtroom in the Temple during daylight hours.  However, Mark notes that “all the chief priests were there and the elders and the scribes”.  Probably absent were the Pharisees who loved and revered Jesus, such as Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus.

 

 

 

Peter Followed the Mob,

Afar Off.

 

Luke says ...

... Peter followed afar off.  (Luke 22:54b)

Matthew remarks ...

... Peter followed him afar off unto the high priest's palace, (Matthew 26:58a)

And, Mark states ...

... Peter followed him afar off, (Mark 14:54a)

 

 

 

John And Peter

Entered the Palace Compound.

 

Separately, John and Peter followed Jesus and the arresting mob.  Because he was an acquaintance of the High Priest, John was allowed to enter Caiaphas’ palace.  Peter remained outside until John noticed his predicament and made arrangements for him to enter.

... Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple: that disciple was known unto the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest. But Peter stood at the door without. Then went out that other disciple, which was known unto the high priest, and spake unto her that kept the door, and brought in Peter. 

(John 18:15-16)

Mark says Peter entered ...

... even into the palace of the high priest ... 

(Mark 14:54b)

And, Matthew says Peter ...

... went in,  (Matthew 26:58b)

 

 

 

Peter Sat Down

On the Palace Patio.

 

The soldiers and servants from the arresting mob gathered on a porch next to the palace.

... when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were set down together, Peter sat down among them.  (Luke 22:55)

Mark states ...

... he sat with the servants, and warmed himself at the fire.  (Mark 14:54c)

And, Matthew says Peter ...

... sat with the servants, to see the end.  (Matthew 26:58c)