Mark 14:43 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And immediately, while he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders.

NIV: 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.

NASB: And immediately, while He was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, *came up, accompanied by a crowd with swords and clubs who were from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders.

CSB: While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, suddenly arrived. With him was a mob, with swords and clubs, from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders.

NLT: And immediately, even as Jesus said this, Judas, one of the twelve disciples, arrived with a crowd of men armed with swords and clubs. They had been sent by the leading priests, the teachers of religious law, and the elders.

KJV: And immediately, while he yet spake, cometh Judas, one of the twelve, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders.

NKJV: And immediately, while He was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, with a great multitude with swords and clubs, came from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders.

Scripture gives few deep details about Judas. He is called "Judas Iscariot," which could mean that he is from the town of Kerioth. Or, it might mean he is a member of the Sicarii, a group of Jewish Zealots who use murder and terrorism to rebel against Roman rule. The Bible doesn't mention where Jesus met Judas or when Jesus called him to be a disciple.

Judas' treachery is extreme, but he is not alone in using Jesus for his own gain. The disciples have regularly asked about their future positions of authority (Mark 9:33–37; 10:35–45) and even started presuming authority where Jesus didn't intend (Mark 9:38–41; 10:13–16). But while the other eleven want power, Judas wants money (Matthew 26:14–15). And while the other disciples are content ruling under Jesus, Judas would just as soon have his money for himself (John 12:4–6).

The chief priests, scribes, and elders make up the Sanhedrin, the Jewish court. The Sanhedrin originated when Moses realized he could not hear all the Israelites' issues, and Moses' father-in-law suggested he find seventy elders who could take care of most of the issues and bring only the most serious to Moses (Exodus 18:13–27). With the occupation of Rome, the Sanhedrin is not allowed to sentence anyone to death (John 18:31), which is why they will take Jesus to Pilate, the governor (Mark 15:1–15).

The chief priests and scribes have already decided they want to arrest Jesus "by stealth," away from the feast to prevent Jesus' many supporters from rebelling against the Roman occupiers (Mark 14:1–2). "The feast" may mean the eight-day period including the Passover and the seven-day Feast of Unleavened Bread. If so, arresting Jesus in the middle of the Passover day is a failure of their plan. But "the feast" may also refer to the crowd gathered for the holidays. This more reasonably fits the choice of a nighttime arrest. The number who follow Judas is a precaution against the closer disciples that always surround Jesus.

Mark 14:43–50 happens about one week after Jesus rode past the garden of Gethsemane in the daylight, surrounded by people declaring His coming to reestablish David's kingdom (Mark 11:1–10). For several days, He displayed His superior understanding of God over the Jewish religious leaders (Mark 11:27–12:40). Earlier this night, He spent a meaningful Passover meal with His disciples (Mark 14:17–31). Now, He is back in Gethsemane. It is the dead of night and a group has come to take Him before a series of sham trials before He is crucified. The story of Jesus' betrayal is also recorded in Matthew 26:47–56, Luke 22:47–53, and John 18:1–11.

Jesus is anointed in a symbolic anticipation of His death. Judas decides to secretly cooperate with local religious leaders to arrest Jesus in secret. During the Passover meal, Jesus predicts His betrayal by Judas, and Peter's denial. He also institutes the Lord's Supper, also known as communion. After praying on the Mount of Olives, Jesus is captured when Judas identifies Him to a hostile mob sent by Jewish authorities. He endures a corrupt, prejudiced trial, ending in a conviction for blasphemy. Peter, fearing for his life, lies about knowing Jesus, before remembering Jesus' prediction and breaking down in sobs.

Jesus has finished His public teaching ministry and now prepares for the crucifixion. His sacrificial loyalty will provide the means by which the disciples' abandonment will be forgiven. Next, the Romans, as representatives of Gentiles throughout history, will join the Jews and kill Jesus. Jesus will be buried, but He will rise again with the promise that His sacrifice will redeem the world. Matthew 26 and Luke 22 follow Mark 14 more closely while John 13:1—18:27 records more of Jesus' teaching in the upper room.

The Gospel of Mark emphasizes both Jesus' servanthood and His role as the promised Messiah: the Son of God. This is done through a concise, action-packed style. Mark provides relatively few details, instead focusing on actions and simple statements. This relates to the Gospel's authorship, which is believed to be based on the memories of the apostle Peter. These include many of Jesus' miracles, in contrast to other Gospels which include many more of Jesus' teachings and parables. Mark also makes frequent mention of Jesus' ministry being misunderstood by others.