Chapter XIV

The Seizure, Trial, and Condemnation of Christ

Summary —The Sanhedrim Resolves on Christ's Death. The Anointing at Bethany. Judas Sells His Lord. The Day of Unleavened Bread. The Lord's Passover. The Lord's Supper Established. Peter's Denial Predicted. The Agony in the Garden. Christ Seized by the Soldiers and Temple Guards. Christ Before the Sanhedrim. The Confession and Condemnation.

1–9. After two days was the feast of the passover. See notes on Matt. 26:1–16. Compare John 12:1–8. The action of the Sanhedrim was taken on Wednesday, the Anointing took place the Saturday before, and is brought up here on account of its connection with the bargain Judas made with the chief priests. 210

10, 11. Judas Iscariot. See notes on Matt. 26:14–16.

12–16. On the first day of unleavened bread. See notes on Matt. 26:17–19.

17–21. In the evening he cometh. On the Lord's last passover see notes on Matt. 26:21–25. Compare Luke 22:21–23; John 13:21–35. See also notes on John. 211

22–26. As they did eat. On the institution of the Lord's Supper, see notes on Matt. 26:23–29. Compare Luke 22:19–21; 1 Cor. 11:23–25.

27–31. All ye shall be offended. See notes on Matt. 26:31–35. Compare Luke 22:31–38.

32–42. They came to a place which was named Gethsemane. See notes on Matt. 26:36–46, 212where the fullest account of the agony is given. Compare Luke 22:40–46. Luke only speaks of the “sweat, as it were drops of blood.”

43–52. While he yet spake, cometh Judas. For the Betrayal and Arrest, see notes on 213Matt. 26:47–56. Compare Luke 22:47–53; John 18:1–12. See notes on John. Verses 51 and 52 are peculiar to Mark. Some have supposed the certain young man to be Mark. This is only conjecture. The incident may have been introduced to show the rudeness of the assailants and to emphasize the escape of all the disciples from so wanton an attack. The linen cloth was a night robe.

53–65. They led Jesus away to the high priest. For Trial of Christ, see notes on Matt. 26:57–68. Compare Luke 22:63–71; John 18:13–27. Mark's account corresponds very closely with Matthew's.

66–72. As Peter was beneath in the palace. See notes on Matt. 26:69–75. Compare Luke 22:54–62; John 18:15–17, 25–27. He wept. The form of the Greek verb (imperfect) implies that he continued 214weeping. “It is a touching and beautiful tradition, true to the sincerity of his repentance, if not as a historical reality, that, all his life long, the remembrance of this night never left him, and that, morning by morning, he rose at the hour when the look of his Master had entered his soul, to pray once more for pardon.”—Geikie. 214