Matthew 26: 47-55
While He was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve,
arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the
chief priests and elders of the people. Now the betrayer had arranged a signal
with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him. Going at once to Jesus,
Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” And kissed Him. Jesus replied, “[Friend, do what you came for].” Then the men stepped
forward, seized Jesus and arrested Him. With that, one of Jesus’ companions
reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest,
cutting off his ear. [“Put your sword back in its
place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword.
Do you think that I cannot call on My Father, and He will at once put at My
disposal more than twelve legions of angels?”] But
how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled [that say it must happen this way?”] At that time Jesus
said to the crowd, “Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with
swords and clubs to capture Me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching,
and you did not arrest Me. But this has all taken place that the writings of
the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted Him and fled.
Mark 14: 43-51
Just as He was speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, appeared.
With him was a crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests, [the
teachers of the law], and the elders. Now the betrayer had arranged a signal
with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him [and
lead Him away under guard]. Going at once to Jesus, Judas said,
“Greetings, Rabbi!” And kissed Him. The men seized Jesus and arrested Him. Then
one of those standing near drew his sword and struck the servant of the high
priest cutting off his ear. “Am I leading a rebellion,” said Jesus, “that you
have come out with swords and clubs to capture Me? Every day I was with you,
teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest Me. But the Scriptures
must be fulfilled.” Then everyone deserted Him and fled. [A young man, wearing nothing but a linen garment, was following Jesus. When they seized him, he fled naked,
leaving his garment behind.]
NOTE: Why was
this last verse placed here because it doesn’t seem relevant to the narrative?
Luke 22: 47-53
While He was still speaking, a crowd came up, and the man who was called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss Him, [but Jesus asked him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?” When Jesus’ followers saw what was going to happen, they said, “Lord, should we strike with our swords?] And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear. But Jesus answered, [“No more of this!”] and [He touched the man’s ear and healed him]. Then Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers of the temple guard, and the elders who had come for Him, “Am I leading a rebellion that you have come with swords and clubs? Every day I was with you in the temple courts, and you did not lay a hand on Me. [But this is you hour-when darkness reigns].”
John 18: 1-12
When He had finished praying, Jesus left with the disciples
and crossed the Kidron Valley. On the other side there was an olive grove;
He and His disciples went into it. Now Judas, who betrayed Him, knew the place,
because Jesus had often met there with His disciples. So Judas came to the
grove, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief
priests and Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns, and weapons. [Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to Him, went out
and asked them, “Who is it you want?” “Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “I am
He,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) When
Jesus said, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground. Again He asked
them, “Who is it you want?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” “I told you
that I am He,” Jesus answered. “If you are looking for Me, then let these men
go.” This happened so that the words He had spoken would be fulfilled: “I have
not lost one of those you gave Me (Cp.
6: 39).”] [Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew
it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. (The
servant’s name was Malchus). Jesus commanded Peter, “Put your sword away! Shall
I not drink the cup the Father has given Me?”]. [Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander] and the Jewish
officials arrested Jesus.
ANALYSIS (contrast/comparison):
Since John’s gospel doesn’t name this olive grove like the
“synoptic” authors did, it would be interesting to observe what happened there
before Jesus was arrested by the officials sent from the Jewish religious
authorities.
-Jesus tells the disciples to sit while He goes over there
to pray (Matthew 26: 36; Mark 14; 32).
-Jesus took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee (Matthew 26:
37); Peter, James and John (Mark 14: 33).-My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death (Matthew 26: 38; Mark 14: 34).
-Father, may this cup pass from Me (Matthew 26: 39).
-Jesus prayed, My Father if it would be possible that this cup pass from Me (Matthew 26: 42: Mark 14:36; Luke 22: 42). An angel appeared from heaven and strengthened Him (Luke 22: 43). And being in anguish He prayed more earnestly, and His sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground (Luke 22: 44).
-Jesus returned and found the disciples sleeping and told them to watch and pray that they not fall into temptation (Matthew 26: 41: Mark 14: 37). Jesus tells His disciples to pray that they don’t fall into temptation (Luke 22: 40, 46).
-Jesus prayed a third time saying the same thing, as far as asking that He be spared from the ordeal of crucifixion (Matthew 26: 44; Mark 14: 39).
-Jesus finds the disciples sleeping a third time (Matthew 26: 40, 43, 45: Mark 14: 41).
John’s narrative about Jesus’ arrest in the garden of
Gethsemane or the olive grove at the Mount called Olivet, is quite interesting.
In Chapter 13, Judas Iscariot is revealed as the betrayer of Jesus but the
other disciples didn’t catch on to that point, even after Jesus said to Judas,
“What you are about to do, do quickly” (John 13: 21-29). Jesus taught His final
lesson from that chapter until Chapter 17, where He started praying and ended
it in John 18: 1. It doesn’t seem that Jesus and His disciples ever got a
chance to share in the Passover Feast. The events after Jesus and the disciples
entered the garden up until the moment when Judas came with the soldiers to
arrest Jesus are curiously omitted in this narrative. Not only that, but the
encounter between Jesus and this mob are in stark contrast to the other
accounts. Even the role of Judas Iscariot in this final encounter is quite
muted and doesn’t fit the portrayal as the most blatant betrayer that points
out Jesus to the rabble by identifying Him with a kiss.
Tacoma, WA 98402
October 15, 2013
robertrandle51@yahoo.com
