Mark - Lesson 20

Lesson Twenty

The Son of Man Arrested Part II

Mark 14:43–72

Knowing the Scriptures

Studies in the Gospel of Mark

LAST WEEK IN REVIEW

Last time we examined part of Wednesday and Thursday of the Passion Week.  We saw a plot hatched between the various religious factions to make every effort to arrest and get rid of Jesus.  Mark included the story of a woman who lavishly anointed Jesus for His coming burial, to the scorn of the disciples (especially Judas Iscariot, according to John’s Gospel). She was praised by Jesus for this good work, which was recorded for us to read today.  Shortly afterwards, Judas went to the religious leaders, offered to betray Jesus to them, and they gladly agreed to pay him for this betrayal.  That afternoon the disciples made ready the place where Jesus would celebrate what was His last Passover with them.  They gathered together that evening and celebrated the traditional Passover meal, and Jesus revealed that one of them was going to betray Him.  Judas took the opportunity to leave at that point, at Jesus’ direction, and as John so eloquently put it, “Having received the piece of bread, he then went out immediately. And it was night” (John 13:30, nkjv).  Judas walked into the darkness of his soul and the uttermost darkness of eternal separation from God.  Toward the end of the meal, Jesus did something else unexpected.  He established what we now celebrate as communion, reflecting that His sufferings created a New Covenant relationship between God and those who believe and receive Him, entering into eternal life and a living walk with God.  Toward the close of the evening, Jesus revealed that they all would desert Him that night (prophesied long before), and that the Rock, Peter, would deny Him three times!  Jesus then faced Gethsemane, the first of His sufferings for us, where He made the choice to follow God’s plan and die for our atonement.  We closed with Jesus having finished praying, alerting the disciples that His betrayer was at hand.  It is now Friday both by Jewish and Roman reckoning.  Let’s turn to that now and see Jesus on trial. 

DAY ONE:  Judas’s Kiss

Please carefully read Mark 14:43–46 and answer the following questions.

1.  What kind of group came with Judas to arrest Jesus (v. 43)?

NOTE: Why did such a force come with him?  Bringing such a large group of armed men demonstrates that none of them understood Jesus. Perhaps they thought He would try to escape, or that His followers would put up a fight, or even that He had a hidden armed force of His own.  The band that came was probably the temple guard, who were known to possess the weapons mentioned here (swords and clubs).  Their clubs reflected the corrupt priestly aristocracy in charge of the temple, as well as being useful in controlling rioters.  If the Romans were involved, they may have feared that the many pilgrims in Jerusalem might be easily provoked into a riot, so would have gladly intervened with this.[i]

2.  John’s Gospel adds an amazing incident at this time.  Read John 18:3–9 and record some of the things recorded there about this.

3.  What unbelievable sign did Judas give these men as to how he would identify Jesus for them (vv. 44, 45)?

4.  Mark ends the story of Judas with this kiss.  The Greek word isn’t the simple verb, but makes its intensity even more intense.  It was an affectionate, fervent, and deeply hypocritical kiss he gave to Jesus.[ii] Judas was no victim in all of this.  Some try to defend him, stating that he betrayed Jesus in order to force Him into setting up the Kingdom of God then and there.  As Warren Wiersbe well said, “Judas was neither a martyr nor a robot. He was a responsible human being who made his own decisions but, in so doing, fulfilled the Word of God. He must not be made into either a hero (‘After all, somebody had to betray Jesus!’) or a helpless victim of merciless predestination. Judas was lost for the same reason millions are lost today: he did not repent of his sins and believe on Jesus Christ.”[iii]  What was the pathetic end of Judas according to Matthew 27:3–5?

Scripture Memory:  This week we will be memorizing Mark 14:62.  Review the passage several times throughout the day each day this week, and by the end of the week, you should have it memorized completely.

Jesus said, "I am. And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven" (Mark 14:62, nkjv).