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Read the account in all four versions and answer the questions that follow.
| Matthew | Mark | Luke | John |
| 45 Look, the hour is near, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the
hands of sinners. 46 Rise, let us go! Here comes my betrayer!"
47 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 the elders of the people. 48 Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: "The one I kiss is the man; arrest him." 49 Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, "Greetings, Rabbi!" and kissed him. 50 Jesus replied, "Friend, do what you came for." Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. |
42 Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!"
43 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. 44 Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: "The one I kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard." 45 Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, "Rabbi!" and kissed him. 46 The men seized Jesus and arrested him. |
47 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,
48 but Jesus asked him, "Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?" |
2 Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place, because Jesus
had often met there with his disciples.
3 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. 4 Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, "Who is it you want?" 5 "Jesus of Nazareth," they replied. "I am he," Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) 6 When Jesus said, "I am he," they drew back and fell to the ground. 7 Again he asked them, "Who is it you want?" And they said, "Jesus of Nazareth." 8 "I told you that I am he," Jesus answered. "If you are looking for me, then let these men go." 9 This happened so that the words he had spoken would be fulfilled: "I have not lost one of those you gave me." |
| 51 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.
52 "Put your sword back in its place," Jesus said to him, "for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. 53 Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?" 55 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. 56 But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled." |
47 Then one of those standing near drew his sword and struck
the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.
48 "Am I leading a rebellion," said Jesus, "that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? 49 Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled." |
49 When Jesus' followers saw what was going to happen, they said,
"Lord, should we strike with our swords?"
50 And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear. 51 But Jesus answered, "No more of this!" And he touched the man's ear and healed him. 52 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? 53 Every day I was with you in the temple courts, and you did not lay a hand on me. But this is your hour--when darkness reigns. |
10 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.)
11 Jesus commanded Peter, "Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?" . |
| 56 Then all the disciples deserted him and fled. | 50 Then everyone deserted him and fled.
51 A young man, wearing nothing but a linen garment, was following Jesus. When they seized him, 52 he fled naked, leaving his garment behind. |
-- | -- |
Observe
Matthew refers to a large crowd joining
Jesus in the garden. Who was in the crowd?
Who had sent this crowd?
When is this happening? How do you know?
How does Judas identify Jesus to the soldiers?
Look at John's account. Jesus takes charge of the event by asking who the crowd is looking for. How does the crowd react when he tells them who he is?
Who had the sword, and what was it used for?
What did Jesus do for the man's ear?
What happened to the disciples when Jesus was arrested?
Interpret
Why did the guards draw back and fall
down in John's account?
Identify the verses that indicate that Jesus knew what was going to happen.
Why do you think Jesus asked his captors about their swords and timing?
Apply
Jesus continued when the events got more
and more difficult. How can his resolution serve as an example to
us?
What strengthened him to face this?