In Matthew 26: 47-57 the betrayal of Christ by Judas is given. The interchange between Jesus and Judas is interesting. It is ironic that the sign that Judas chose to identify Jesus to the chief priests and elders was a kiss, an action of endearment or respect. It is also interesting that a sign needed to be given. The chief priests and elders knew who Jesus was. Another interesting thing is the way that the Savior addresses Judas as “friend.” Jesus knows why Judas is there and still calls him “friend.” The Savior then asks Judas, “wherefore art thou come?” His salvation and question show the Savior’s love for all, even though the Savior knows what is going to happen, his charity and love were perfect. He understood that the betrayal was part of the prophecies concerning the death and resurrection of the Savior.
In verses 51-54, the Savior teaches a very powerful lesson. Peter draws a sword and cuts off the ear of one of the high priest’s servants. The Savior reprimands Peter to put away his sword because all that use the sword, die by the sword. What goes around, comes around is true. The Savior’s next statement is very interesting: “Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?” He truly had all power in heaven and on earth. But He knew that the scriptures and the plan of Heavenly Father “must” be fulfilled, and the His surrender to the Chief Priests, His coming trail, His crucifixion, His death and His resurrection were all part of the plan that was detailed in the scriptures. It was the will of Heavenly Father.
In verses 55-57, we see the Savior asks the multitude why they have come against Him in the night with swords and staves, when he was daily in their midst when He taught in the temple. This was done to fulfill the prophecies of scripture. At this point, the disciples forsook him and fled. The definition of the word forsake is interesting: “to quit or leave entirely; abandon; or desert.” They were scared and fled. Then the Savior was led away to be tried in front of the Sanhedrin. They were all assembled at the High Priests’ house. Everything was carefully planned and the Savior allowed it to happen.
Mark 14:43-53
The Mark account of the betrayal is very similar to the account in Matthew. In verses 43-45, it is interesting that the multitude came with swords and staves (a stick, rod, or pole). They probably thought that he would resist His arrest. Interestingly, He did not resist, because he know that it was the will of God that He be killed and that the atonement must be performed. Another interesting part of this account is the comment of Judas in verse 44. “Take him, and lead him away safely” would lead one to believe that Judas did not realize the full intent of the scribes and Pharisees that it was their intent to kill him.
In verses 46-50, we find the account similar to Matthew’s. They took Him, Peter cuts off the ear of the servant of the high priest, but nothing is said of the healing of the cut off ear. The Savior asks them why they did not take Him while He was teaching in the temple. He answers His own question, that the scriptures must be fulfilled. Then all His disciples forsook Him and fled. I have often wondered the meaning of verses 51-52. Elder McConkie explains a possible reason. “Matthew and Mark then recite that the disciples forsook Jesus and fled, and Mark alone adds an illustration showing the necessity of such flight. An unnamed you man (perhaps Mark himself) escaped arrest by leaving the linen cloth that covered him and fleeing naked into the night.” In verse 53, Jesus is led away to the high priest, where all the chief priest, elders, and scribes were assembled.
Luke 22:47-54
There are a couple of things that we learn from Luke’s version of the betrayal that are not in other accounts. We learn that the disciples asked the Savior if they should smite with the sword. Before he could answer, Peter cuts off the servant of the high priest’s ear. The Savior states that they were allow or suffer this to happen, and then He healed the servant. What would have the servant felt and thought. What a witness to him that Jesus was the Son of God and had authority to heal. The Savior’s comment, “but this is your hour, and the power of adarkness,” is clear that they and Satan were to have this time to fulfill scriptures so that the atonement could happen.
John 18:2-13
In the account of John, in verse 2, we learn that Jesus oft times came to the Garden of Gethsemane with his disciples or Apostles. It makes sense to me that He knew the sacredness of this place before His suffering there, and probably thad aught His Apostles about the atonement there. After the receipt of the Holy Ghost, I would imagine that the Apostles understood what He taught there in a new light. Verse 6 is also interesting. When the Savior asked whom the band sought, they said Jesus of Nazareth. As He said, “I am He,” then a curious thing happened, the band went backward and fell down to the ground. It is like a wave or something hit them and drove them backwards. He asks a second time, and Jesus declares that He is the person that they are looking for and asks that the Apostles be let so that they could go on their way. The Savior was always thinking of other people. It was also to fulfill scripture that “none should be lost.” In this account we learn that Peter draws his sword and cuts off the ear of Malchus, the high priest’s servant. But there is nothing talked about the Savior healing Malchus. Jesus is then bound and brought to Annas, first.
