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Betrayal and Arrest

43 Right away, while Jesus[a] was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived.[b] With him came a crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent by the chief priests and experts in the law[c] and elders. 44 (Now the betrayer[d] had given them a sign, saying, “The one I kiss is the man. Arrest him and lead him away under guard.”)[e] 45 When Judas[f] arrived, he went up to Jesus[g] immediately and said, “Rabbi!” and kissed[h] him. 46 Then they took hold of him[i] and arrested him. 47 One of the bystanders drew his sword and struck the high priest’s slave,[j] cutting off his ear. 48 Jesus said to them, “Have you come with swords and clubs to arrest me like you would an outlaw?[k] 49 Day after day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts, yet[l] you did not arrest me. But this has happened so that[m] the scriptures would be fulfilled.” 50 Then[n] all the disciples[o] left him and fled. 51 A young man was following him, wearing only a linen cloth. They tried to arrest him, 52 but he ran off naked,[p] leaving his linen cloth behind.

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Footnotes

  1. Mark 14:43 tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  2. Mark 14:43 tn Or “approached.” This is a different verb than the one translated “arrived” in Matt 26:47 and below in v. 45, although in this context the meanings probably overlap.
  3. Mark 14:43 tn Or “from the chief priests, scribes.” See the note on the phrase “experts in the law” in 1:22.
  4. Mark 14:44 tn Grk “the one who betrays him.”
  5. Mark 14:44 sn This remark is parenthetical within the narrative and has thus been placed in parentheses.
  6. Mark 14:45 tn Grk “he”; the referent (Judas) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  7. Mark 14:45 tn Grk “him”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  8. Mark 14:45 sn Judas’ act of betrayal when he kissed Jesus is especially sinister when it is realized that it was common in the culture of the times for a disciple to kiss his master when greeting him.
  9. Mark 14:46 tn Grk “put their hands on him.”
  10. Mark 14:47 tn See the note on the word “slave” in 10:44.
  11. Mark 14:48 tn Or “a revolutionary.” This term can refer to one who stirs up rebellion: BDAG 594 s.v. λῃστής 2 has “revolutionary, insurrectionist,” citing evidence from Josephus (J. W. 2.13.2-3 [2.253-254]). However, this usage generally postdates Jesus’ time. It does refer to a figure of violence. Luke uses the same term for the highwaymen who attack the traveler in the parable of the good Samaritan (Luke 10:30).
  12. Mark 14:49 tn Grk “and”; καί (kai) is elastic enough to be used contrastively on occasion, as here.
  13. Mark 14:49 tn Grk “But so that”; the verb “has happened” is implied.
  14. Mark 14:50 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.
  15. Mark 14:50 tn Grk “they”; the referent (Jesus’ disciples) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  16. Mark 14:52 sn The statement he ran off naked is probably a reference to Mark himself, traditionally assumed to be the author of this Gospel. Why he was wearing only an outer garment and not the customary tunic as well is not mentioned. W. L. Lane, Mark (NICNT), 527-28, says that Mark probably mentioned this episode so as to make it clear that “all fled, leaving Jesus alone in the custody of the police.”

The Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus

43 Immediately, while he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived, and with him there was a crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders. 44 Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard.” 45 So when he came, he went up to him at once and said, “Rabbi!” and kissed him.(A) 46 Then they laid hands on him and arrested him. 47 But one of those who stood near drew his sword and struck the slave of the high priest, cutting off his ear. 48 Then Jesus said to them, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me as though I were a rebel? 49 Day after day I was with you in the temple teaching, and you did not arrest me. But let the scriptures be fulfilled.”(B) 50 All of them deserted him and fled.(C)

51 A certain young man was following him, wearing nothing but a linen cloth. They caught hold of him, 52 but he left the linen cloth and ran off naked.

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