*Mark 14:26-52
Jesus predicts his disciples will abandon him and Peter will deny him three times before the rooster crows.
- Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial:
- After the Last Supper, Jesus and the disciples head to the Mount of Olives.
- He predicts that all His disciples will desert Him, but He will rise again and go ahead to Galilee.
- Peter insists he will not deny Jesus, but Jesus foretells that Peter will deny Him three times before the rooster crows twice. Peter and the others vow loyalty, despite Jesus’ prediction.
- Gethsemane: Jesus Prays:
- Jesus and His disciples arrive at Gethsemane, where He takes Peter, James, and John further with Him.
- He expresses deep sorrow and urges them to stay awake and keep watch while He prays.
- In His anguish, He prays to the Father, asking if it’s possible to avoid the coming suffering but ultimately submits to God’s will.
- Three times, Jesus finds the disciples asleep and gently rebukes them, warning of their spiritual weakness.
- He finally awakens them as His betrayer arrives.
- Jesus Arrested:
- Judas Iscariot, one of the disciples, arrives with a mob sent by the chief priests, scribes, and elders.
- He identifies Jesus with a kiss, prompting the crowd to seize Him.
- One of the disciples strikes the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear, but Jesus does not resist arrest and comments on the absurdity of arresting Him violently when He was always teaching publicly.
- All the disciples abandon Jesus and flee.
- The Young Man Flees:
- A young man, wearing only a linen cloth, tries to follow Jesus but is seized by the mob.
- He escapes, leaving behind the linen cloth, and flees naked into the night.
14:26 And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.
14:27 And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered.
14:28 But after that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee.
14:29 But Peter said unto him, Although all shall be offended, yet will not I.
14:30 And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice.
14:31 But he spake the more vehemently, If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise. Likewise also said they all.
14:32 And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray.
14:33 And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy; 14:34 And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch.
14:35 And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him.
14:36 And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.
14:37 And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour? 14:38 Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.
14:39 And again he went away, and prayed, and spake the same words.
14:40 And when he returned, he found them asleep again, (for their eyes were heavy,) neither wist they what to answer him.
14:41 And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
14:42 Rise up, let us go; lo, he that betrayeth me is at hand.
14:43 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.
14:44 And he that betrayed him had given them a token, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he; take him, and lead him away safely.
14:45 And as soon as he was come, he goeth straightway to him, and saith, Master, master; and kissed him.
14:46 And they laid their hands on him, and took him.
14:47 And one of them that stood by drew a sword, and smote a servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.
14:48 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Are ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and with staves to take me? 14:49 I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and ye took me not: but the scriptures must be fulfilled.
14:50 And they all forsook him, and fled.
14:51 And there followed him a certain young man, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body; and the young men laid hold on him: 14:52 And he left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked.