43 Immediately while He was still speaking , Judas , one of the twelve , came up accompanied e by a crowd with swords and clubs , who were from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders . 44 Now he who was betraying Him had given them a signal , saying , "Whomever e I kiss , He is the one; seize Him and lead Him away under guard ." 45 After coming , Judas immediately went to Him, saying , " Rabbi !" and kissed Him. 46 They laid hands on Him and seized Him. 47 But one of those who stood by drew his sword , and struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his ear . 48 And Jesus said to them, "Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest Me, as you would against a robber ? 49 "Every day I was with you in the temple teaching , and you did not seize Me; but this has taken place to fulfill the Scriptures ." 50 And they all left Him and fled .
51 A young man was following Him, wearing nothing but a linen sheet over his naked body; and they seized him. 52 But he pulled free of the linen sheet and escaped naked .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Mark 14:43-52
Commentary on Mark 14:43-52
(Read Mark 14:43-52)
Because Christ appeared not as a temporal prince, but preached repentance, reformation, and a holy life, and directed men's thoughts, and affections, and aims to another world, therefore the Jewish rulers sought to destroy him. Peter wounded one of the band. It is easier to fight for Christ than to die for him. But there is a great difference between faulty disciples and hypocrites. The latter rashly and without thought call Christ Master, and express great affection for him, yet betray him to his enemies. Thus they hasten their own destruction.